Finland is proud of its outstanding quality of education. It also hosts many universities and universities of applied sciences that offer English-taught programs for domestic and international students. This means that incoming students in English-taught programs do not necessarily have to learn the Finnish language before they begin to study in Finland. However, Finnish or Swedish skills are still important for daily life, internships, and licensed careers such as nursing or teaching. Finland is also part of the European Higher Education Area, so degrees follow European structures that support international mobility and recognition.
Some common fields available to international students in Finland include engineering, computer science, business, nursing, and education. Depending on the university, program, and student’s nationality or residence status, prospective students may also qualify for free education or scholarship opportunities. In general, students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland do not pay tuition fees, while non-EU/EEA students in English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs usually pay tuition fees and may apply for university-specific scholarships.
Because of these excellent qualities, Finland attracts more than 30,000 international students across its universities and universities of applied sciences. Finland’s higher education institutions also offer more than 600 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. Many institutions have international exchange partnerships, giving students opportunities to study abroad or take part in international mobility during their degree.
Below, we discuss some of the best subjects you can study in Finland.
Top Courses to Study in Finland
1. Engineering
Finland is known for its strong contributions to engineering and technology. It is home to several public universities that offer engineering programs in Finnish, Swedish, and English. Prospective students can choose from specialty areas such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, chemical engineering, computational engineering, and more. Indeed, engineering is among the top subjects you can study in Finland.
Graduates may find career opportunities in Finland’s technology, manufacturing, energy, and digital industries. Engineering degree holders from Finland may also pursue higher degrees or look for suitable jobs in neighboring EU countries, depending on employer requirements and professional licensing rules.
You can study in Finland either in English, Finnish, or Swedish, depending on the medium of instruction of your chosen university. If you are proficient in Finnish, you will find many additional study options. At Aalto University, the Aalto Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology is taught entirely in English and includes engineering-related majors such as Computational Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Digital Systems and Design, Chemical Engineering, and Quantum Technology. Tampere University also offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree pathways in science and engineering, including Computing and Electrical Engineering. Meanwhile, the University of Turku offers English-taught master’s programs in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Engineering with several specialization tracks.
2. Computer Science / Information Technology / Software Engineering
Aside from engineering programs, courses related to data and digital technology are among the best subjects to study in Finland. Software development, data science, cybersecurity, and digital services remain important areas in the Finnish labor market, although demand varies by region and specialization.
Finland has pioneered many technologies and continues to support a strong digital economy. Many technology companies, public organizations, banks, healthcare providers, and research institutions need professionals who can develop software, manage information systems, analyze data, and build secure digital services. Therefore, graduates with relevant degrees can pursue career paths in both technical and cross-disciplinary roles.
For aspiring overseas students, the University of Helsinki offers an English-taught interdisciplinary bachelor’s program in Science. Students can study core scientific disciplines such as chemistry, computer and data science, mathematics and statistics, and physics. The university also offers pathways to master’s-level studies in Computer Science and Data Science.
3. Business
With Finland’s high quality of education and strong innovation environment, aspiring entrepreneurs can build useful skills for startup, management, consulting, finance, and international business careers. The service sector employs a large share of Finland’s workforce, and business graduates may also pursue roles in established companies, public organizations, and multinational firms.
Regardless of whether graduates want to start their own businesses or work in large companies, a degree in business remains a practical option for both domestic and international students. Business programs in the country also tackle timely global issues such as sustainability, digital transformation, international management, and responsible business.
The Aalto University School of Business offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies in economics and business administration. It is also connected with CEMS, the Global Alliance in Management Education, and students can pursue the CEMS Master’s in International Management as part of Aalto’s International Management program. Hanken School of Economics is another strong option in Finland and holds the three major international business school accreditations: EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.
4. Nursing
Healthcare and social services are important fields in Finland, and the country continues to need well-trained nurses and healthcare professionals. That is why nursing is one of the best subjects to study in Finland for students who are ready to combine healthcare studies with Finnish-language learning.
Nursing is a regulated profession in Finland. Nurses must receive the right to practice from the Finnish supervisory authority before working as registered nurses. Nurses trained outside the EU/EEA may need additional studies, language development, or other steps before they can be licensed in Finland.
Because of this, prospective international students who plan to work as nurses in Finland after graduation may benefit from studying nursing in the country. For nursing studies in Finland, the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences offers bilingual nursing programs in which students begin in English and learn Finnish during their studies. EU/EEA students are generally not charged tuition fees, while non-EU/EEA students in English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs may need to pay tuition fees and can check Metropolia’s Finnish language proficiency-based scholarship options.
5. Education
The high quality of education in Finland is strongly connected to the training teachers receive at universities. Teachers are highly respected professionals in Finnish society, and there is continued demand in areas such as early childhood education and care.
In Finland, teachers in primary, lower secondary, and general upper secondary education are generally required to have a master’s degree, while early childhood education teachers usually need at least a bachelor’s-level qualification. Teachers also have professional autonomy and are trusted to design and implement teaching in line with the national and local curriculum. Finland still performs above the OECD average in PISA 2022 results.
Students interested in education can find English-taught options at Finnish universities, but they should check carefully whether a program gives formal teacher qualification. The University of Turku offers the English-taught Master’s Degree Programme in Education and Learning, a two-year program that prepares students for various education-related tasks nationally and internationally. However, the program does not provide formal teaching qualification. Tampere University also offers education-related master’s studies in English, such as Teaching, Learning and Media Education.
We hope this article will encourage you to study in Finland. To learn more, visit our Finland Page, where we have a list of useful topics about studying in Finland before, during, and after your studies. Are you still unsure which study program to take? Here’s a list of Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
