Finland has a binary higher education system consisting of universities and universities of applied sciences. Its 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences offer hundreds of English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and enroll more than 30,000 international students. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens generally do not pay tuition fees for bachelor’s or master’s degree studies. Students from outside these areas generally pay tuition for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, while doctoral programs do not charge tuition regardless of nationality.
Higher education institutions in Finland belong to one of two types: universities or universities of applied sciences. Universities emphasize scientific research and provide doctoral education, while universities of applied sciences focus on professionally oriented, hands-on education and applied research, development, and innovation. As an international student, a university of applied sciences may suit you if you prefer practical learning and close connections with working life. Below, we introduce several universities of applied sciences in Finland.
Top Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland
| INSTITUTION NAME | SELECTED FIELDS OF STUDY |
|---|
| Metropolia University of Applied Sciences | Culture, Business, Health Care and Social Services, and Technology |
| Oulu University of Applied Sciences | Business, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Information and Communications Technology, Media and Performing Arts, and Natural Resources |
| Turku University of Applied Sciences | Engineering, Business, Culture, and Health Care and Social Services |
| Åland University of Applied Sciences | Business Administration, Maritime Studies, Engineering, Hospitality Management, and Health and Caring Sciences |
| Laurea University of Applied Sciences | Social Services and Nursing, Service Business, and Business Management and Information Technology |
| Tampere University of Applied Sciences | Engineering, Business, Health and Welfare, Information and Communications Technology, Arts and Culture, and Agriculture and Forestry |
| Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences | Business, Culture, Food and Hospitality, Health Care and Social Work, Natural Resources, and Technology |
1. Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences is Finland’s largest university of applied sciences. It operates four campuses in the Helsinki metropolitan area and reports approximately 19,200 degree students. Its four principal fields of study are culture, business, health care and social services, and technology.
Metropolia offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across several fields. It also accepts exchange students from partner institutions around the world, although the courses available to exchange students vary by field and semester.
2. Oulu University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Selected Fields of Study: Business, Engineering, Health and Social Care, Information and Communications Technology, Media and Performing Arts, and Natural Resources
Oulu University of Applied Sciences, commonly known as Oamk, is one of Finland’s largest universities of applied sciences. It provides education in business, engineering, health and social care, information and communications technology, media and performing arts, and natural resources.
Oamk offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. It currently lists six bachelor’s degree programs taught entirely in English, as well as master’s degree programs, some of which are taught entirely in English. Applicants should review the current program pages for language, eligibility, and admissions requirements.
3. Turku University of Applied Sciences
In addition to emphasizing hands-on learning, Turku University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary higher education institution that offers bachelor’s and master’s degree education in four broad fields: engineering, business, culture, and health care and social services.
The university describes itself as a community of approximately 13,000 experts, including students and staff.
According to the university’s current key figures, 89% of its graduates are employed one year after graduation. Turku University of Applied Sciences also carries out nearly 200 research, development, and innovation projects annually in cooperation with companies, public organizations, and other partners.
4. Åland University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Selected Fields of Study: Business Administration, Maritime Studies, Engineering, Hospitality Management, and Health and Caring Sciences
Located in Mariehamn on the Swedish-speaking Åland Islands, Åland University of Applied Sciences is a small higher education institution with approximately 600 students. Its study fields include business administration, navigation and maritime studies, hospitality management, engineering, and health and caring sciences.
The university currently offers eight bachelor’s degree programs taught in Swedish and one master’s degree program taught in English. Its English-taught Energy Automation Sustainable Engineering master’s program comprises 60 ECTS credits, is designed to take one year, and uses a hybrid delivery format. Exchange students may also have access to a selection of courses taught in English.
5. Laurea University of Applied Sciences
Laurea began operating in Vantaa in 1991 and was previously known as Vantaa University of Applied Sciences and Espoo-Vantaa University of Applied Sciences. It became a permanent university of applied sciences in 2000 and adopted the Laurea name in 2001. The institution offers bachelor’s and master’s degree education in social services and nursing, service business, and business management and information technology.
Laurea University of Applied Sciences has six campuses in the Uusimaa region and approximately 11,300 students. Its community includes both international degree students and exchange students.
6. Tampere University of Applied Sciences
- Selected Fields of Study: Engineering, Business, Health and Welfare, Information and Communications Technology, Arts and Culture, and Agriculture and Forestry
Tampere University of Applied Sciences offers English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in several fields, with some master’s programs available online. Its education emphasizes practical, hands-on learning and cooperation with working life.
Tampere University of Applied Sciences reports more than 12,000 students, more than 800 employees, and over 50 degree programs across nine fields of education. Together with Tampere University, it forms the Tampere Universities community. The two institutions operate independently while collaborating in education, research, and support services.
7. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
- Admissions | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Selected Fields of Study: Business, Culture, Food and Hospitality, Health Care and Social Work, Natural Resources, and Technology
Located close to the Seinäjoki city center, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, or SeAMK, has approximately 6,000 students and 400 employees. It provides bachelor’s and master’s degree education in business, culture, food and hospitality, health care and social work, natural resources, and technology. It also participates in international partnerships and student exchange programs.
SeAMK currently offers five bachelor’s degree programs in English and two master’s degree programs taught entirely in English. Its nursing bachelor’s program is bilingual, using both English and Finnish. Admissions and English-language requirements vary by program, so applicants should consult the current program listing in Studyinfo before applying.
FAQs: Studying in Finland’s ‘University of Applied Sciences’
What is the Difference Between a ‘University’ and a ‘University of Applied Sciences’?
Universities are one of the two types of higher education institutions in Finland. Their core responsibilities are conducting scientific research and providing education based on that research. Universities award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Finland currently has 13 universities.
Finnish universities of applied sciences provide professionally oriented higher education and conduct applied research, development, and innovation that supports working life and regional development. Their programs commonly include practical projects, work placements, and cooperation with employers. Finland has 22 universities of applied sciences, which award bachelor’s and master’s degrees but not doctoral degrees.
Universities of applied sciences may be particularly suitable for fields in which practical training and cooperation with working life are important. The institutions listed above offer varied fields of study and several English-taught options. However, program availability, teaching language, tuition fees, scholarships, and admissions requirements can change, so prospective students should confirm all details on the institution’s official website and in Studyinfo before applying.
To learn about other Finnish higher education institutions and educational support opportunities, visit Study in Finland. You can also explore your study options by checking the Available Programs in Europe!
