Finland is a popular destination for study abroad, and there are many reasons why. Besides its top-caliber education, the country’s universities offer support for international students’ academic and social adjustment. Finland also offers distinctive natural scenery, so studying there can bring memorable experiences beyond the classroom.
For domestic and international degree-seeking students who want to pursue a career in computer science, here is a list of notable universities in Finland.
Top Schools Offering Computer Science in Finland
1. Aalto University
Aalto University, based on its Otaniemi campus in Espoo, is a strong option for students interested in computer science in Finland. Through the School of Science, Aalto offers an English-taught Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences with a Computer Science major. The 120 ECTS, two-year program includes major studies, electives, and a 30 ECTS master’s thesis, with study tracks such as Algorithms and Theory, Big Data and Large-Scale Computing, Secure Systems, Quantum-Aware Software Systems, and Web Technologies, Applications, and Science. Aalto also offers doctoral study opportunities through its Doctoral Programme in Science.
For students interested in the gaming sector, Aalto also offers an English-taught Game Design and Development major within the same Computer, Communication and Information Sciences master’s program. This 120 ECTS, two-year program combines technical and creative coursework and is connected to Finland’s game industry. As Aalto Excellence Scholarship recipient Thinh from Vietnam shared, “Finland caught my eye because it has one of the leading game industries in Europe and is home to some of my favorite game studios like Remedy Entertainment and Supercell.”
Beyond academics, Aalto provides an international and student-centered environment. Its programs encourage interdisciplinary study, and students can shape their degrees through majors, minors, electives, projects, and thesis work. With its research orientation, ties to technology and gaming companies, and campus community in Espoo, Aalto remains a strong choice for computer science students in Finland.
2. University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and largest academic institution. Founded in 1640, it operates across four campuses and 11 faculties and has a community of about 40,000 students and employees.
As a major computer science institution in Finland, the University of Helsinki offers study options at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. At the bachelor’s level, international students can consider the English-taught Bachelor’s Programme in Science, which includes a Computer and Data Science study track. The program comprises 180 ECTS credits and can be completed in three years; the degree includes a bachelor’s thesis as part of the final-stage studies.
The master’s program in Computer Science is offered in Finnish, English, and Swedish. It comprises 120 ECTS credits over two years and includes three study tracks: algorithms, networks, and software. The degree includes 80 credits of advanced studies, including a 30-credit master’s thesis, and 40 credits of other studies. Students who want to continue into research can apply to doctoral studies; the University of Helsinki’s Doctoral Programme in Science includes computer science as one of its discipline areas.
3. University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is among Finland’s major public universities for technology and computer science. Founded in 1958, it has eight faculties, about 14,800 students, and around 4,300 employees. Its two campuses are Linnanmaa and Kontinkangas.
The university offers an English-taught bachelor’s and master’s path in Computer Science and Engineering. The bachelor’s and master’s route is designed as 3 + 2 years of study, and students can focus on areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Applied Computing, Computer Engineering, and Cyber Security during the master’s phase.
If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree at another university, you can apply for the English-taught Master’s in Computer Science and Engineering. The program leads to a Master of Science (Technology), takes two years, comprises 120 credits, and is taught on campus. Students can choose or mix the four orientations: Artificial Intelligence, Applied Computing, Computer Engineering, and Cyber Security. After the master’s degree, students interested in research can explore doctoral training opportunities through the University of Oulu Graduate School.
4. Tampere University
Tampere University is another excellent choice for computer science-related studies. Among the newest universities in the country, it was established in 2019 after the merger of the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology. It has about 23,200 students and 4,200 employees. The university is spread across three campuses in Tampere and also operates in university consortia in Pori and Seinäjoki.
For bachelor’s-level studies, Tampere offers the English-taught Computing and Electrical Engineering degree route, which leads to a Bachelor of Science (Technology) and Master of Science (Technology). The planned duration is 3 + 2 years, with 180 + 120 ECTS credits. The three bachelor’s majors are Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, and Computational Data Analysis; graduates can continue directly to selected master’s options at Tampere University without reapplying.
At the master’s level, Tampere University offers English-taught specializations in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering, such as AI-native Software, Data Science, Human-Technology Interaction, Information Security, Signal Processing and Machine Learning, and Statistical Data Analytics. These master’s degrees generally comprise 120 ECTS credits and two years of full-time study.
For doctoral studies, Tampere’s Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences offers the Doctoral Programme in Computing and Electrical Engineering. The target time for full-time doctoral studies is four years, while part-time studies may take longer.
5. University of Turku
The University of Turku is one of Finland’s major universities and a strong option for computer science-related studies. Founded in 1920, it has eight faculties and four independent units, with more than 23,000 students and over 4,000 staff members. Education is mainly concentrated on three campuses: Turku, Pori, and Rauma.
The Department of Computing provides education in Computer Science, Information Technology, Biomedical Engineering, and Health Technology. Its study themes include Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Interaction Design, Mixed Reality and Gamification, Data Analytics, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, and Robotics and Autonomous Systems.
For English-taught bachelor’s-level study, the University of Turku offers a Degree Programme in Information and Communication Technology. It comprises 180 ECTS credits for the bachelor’s degree, with a direct path to a 120 ECTS master’s degree. At the master’s level, the ICT program offers tracks such as Cyber Security, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Cryptography, Software Engineering, and Data Analytics. Doctoral research opportunities are available through the Doctoral Programme in Technology, where Department of Computing research themes include Computer Science and Information and Communication Technology.
FAQs: Computer Science Studies in Finland
How Much Does it Cost to Study Computer Science in Finland?
For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, regular degree studies at Finnish public universities are generally tuition-free. Non-EU/EEA students usually pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes, with current fees typically ranging from €8,000 to €20,000 per year depending on the university and programme. Doctoral programmes do not charge tuition fees. For example, the University of Oulu currently charges €10,000 per academic year for non-EU/EEA students in its Master’s in Computer Science and Engineering. In addition to tuition, students should budget for accommodation, food, transport, student union and healthcare fees, books, and other living costs.
We hope this article will encourage you to pursue computer science in Finland. Visit our Study in Finland Page for more informative articles. If you are interested in learning more, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students.
