Studying in a foreign country can place significant pressure on a student’s finances. Before planning to study overseas, it is important to review tuition fees, mandatory charges, housing costs, and everyday expenses so that you can prepare a realistic budget.
Finland has universities and universities of applied sciences that offer degree programs in English. However, the total cost of studying in Finland varies considerably by institution, degree program, city, housing arrangement, and personal spending habits.
To provide a clearer understanding of the cost of studying and living in Finland, this article outlines the main expenses international students should consider.
Costs of Studying in Finland
Academic Costs / Tuition Fees
Tuition is usually the largest academic expense for international students. Citizens of EU or EEA countries and Switzerland generally do not pay tuition for degree studies in Finland. Most students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland must pay tuition for bachelor’s and master’s programs offered in English, unless they qualify for an exemption based on their residence status or another applicable rule.
Applicants from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are also generally required to pay a one-time national application fee of €100 when applying to degree programs in Finnish higher education. Certain applicants and program types, including doctoral programs, are exempt.
Current national guidance on tuition fees is as follows:
- English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs generally charge between €8,000 and €20,000 per academic year.
- The exact tuition fee depends on the university, field of study, program, and the year in which the student’s right to study begins.
- Doctoral programs do not charge tuition, regardless of nationality, although doctoral students must finance their own living expenses.
| FINNISH INSTITUTION | BACHELOR’S TUITION | MASTER’S TUITION |
|---|
| University of Helsinki | €13,000/year | €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000/year, depending on the program |
| Aalto University | €12,000–€15,000/year | €15,000–€20,000/year |
| University of Turku | Generally €10,000/year | Generally €10,000–€12,000/year; program-specific exceptions apply |
| Tampere University | €10,000/year | €12,000/year |
| University of Oulu | €10,000/year | €10,000–€14,000/year, depending on the program |
Student Union Fees
Students completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a Finnish university are generally required to belong to the university’s student union. Student unions represent students and provide services, advice, discounts, and other benefits.
The mandatory membership requirement applies to bachelor’s and master’s students at universities. Student union membership at universities of applied sciences is optional, and the statutory membership requirement does not extend to doctoral students.
The official national guide estimates student union fees at approximately €50–€70 per academic year, although the amount varies by institution and can be higher. For example, the University of Helsinki charges €85 per year. Students should check the current amount with their university or student union.
Attending bachelor’s and master’s degree students may also need to pay the healthcare fee for higher education students directly to Kela. The fee is €35.35 per term, or €70.70 for the calendar year. Exemptions apply in certain situations, including for some students who have social security coverage in another eligible country.
Costs of Living in Finland
Students must normally cover their living expenses independently. Finland’s official international-study guide recommends budgeting approximately €900–€1,200 per month for accommodation, food, transportation, and other everyday expenses. Costs are usually higher in the Helsinki metropolitan area, particularly when affordable student housing is unavailable.
1. Helsinki
Located on the southern coast, Helsinki is Finland’s capital. The city is home to institutions such as the University of Helsinki and several universities of applied sciences, including Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
The University of Helsinki estimates that a student generally needs €1,000–€1,300 per month or more. Student housing commonly costs €450–€800 per month, while food, communication, transportation, and other basic expenses require at least another €450.
LIVING EXPENSES
(HELSINKI) | CURRENT MONTHLY GUIDANCE |
|---|
| Accommodation | Approximately €450–€800 |
| Food, communication, transportation, and other basics | At least €450 |
| Estimated total | Approximately €1,000–€1,300 or more |
2. Tampere
Tampere is Finland’s third-largest city and is known for its industrial history, lakes, and active student community. It is home to Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences.
Students can also research local employment opportunities while planning their studies. Tampere University estimates that a student needs approximately €800–€1,200 per month for accommodation, food, transportation, and other basic expenses.
LIVING EXPENSES
(TAMPERE) | CURRENT MONTHLY GUIDANCE |
|---|
| Student accommodation | Approximately €250–€600 |
| Private-market accommodation | Generally from €600 upward |
| Local transportation | Starting at approximately €48 |
| Estimated total | Approximately €800–€1,200 |
3. Espoo
Espoo is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area and is home to Aalto University’s main campus in Otaniemi. Students considering Aalto University should account for the relatively high housing costs in the capital region.
Aalto University advises students to have at least €800 per month available and recommends reserving more when possible. Student housing may cost approximately €300–€500 per month, while private-market rents commonly begin at €600 per month.
LIVING EXPENSES
(ESPOO) | CURRENT MONTHLY GUIDANCE |
|---|
| Student accommodation | Approximately €300–€500 |
| Private-market accommodation | Generally from €600 upward |
| Transportation | Approximately €50–€70 |
| Suggested minimum budget | At least €800; reserving more is recommended |
4. Turku
Turku is Finland’s oldest city and will celebrate its 800th anniversary in 2029. It is home to several higher education institutions, including Turku University of Applied Sciences and the University of Turku.
The University of Turku estimates average living expenses at approximately €600–€900 per month. However, its guidance for applicants recommends having at least €800 per month available because the lower end of the range covers only limited expenses.
LIVING EXPENSES
(TURKU) | CURRENT MONTHLY GUIDANCE |
|---|
| Accommodation | Approximately €250–€600 |
| Student-priced local transportation | Approximately €40 |
| Estimated living expenses | Approximately €600–€900 |
| Recommended available budget | At least €800 |
5. Vantaa
Vantaa is part of the Helsinki metropolitan area and has campuses operated by institutions such as Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and Laurea University of Applied Sciences. Housing and transportation costs vary considerably depending on the neighborhood, housing provider, and number of public-transport zones required for a student’s commute.
There is no single authoritative student-living-cost estimate specifically for Vantaa. As a planning figure, students can use Finland’s national estimate of €900–€1,200 per month and reserve more if they expect to rent on the private market or commute frequently within the capital region.
LIVING EXPENSES
(VANTAA) | PLANNING GUIDANCE |
|---|
| Accommodation | Varies by neighborhood and housing provider |
| Transportation | Depends on the HSL travel zones required |
| Suggested planning budget | Approximately €900–€1,200, with a larger buffer for private rent |
Ways to Minimize Academic and Living Costs in Finland
1. Scholarships in Finland for International Students
Students who are required to pay tuition may be able to reduce their costs through scholarships, tuition waivers, and early-payment discounts offered by individual universities. Scholarships are competitive, and students should not assume that tuition or living expenses will be fully covered.
- Aalto University offers a limited number of merit-based Aalto University Excellence Scholarships. For current applicants, these scholarships provide a full tuition-fee waiver but do not cover living expenses.
- LUT University currently offers a second-year LUT Scholarship of €5,000 for eligible students in its regular two-year master’s programs. Students must complete at least 60 ECTS credits during the first academic year in accordance with their personal study plan and pay the remaining tuition on time.
- The Tampere University Tuition Fee Scholarship covers 50% of tuition for the duration of the program. Scholarships are highly selective, limited in number, and are not awarded in every program.
Earning a degree abroad while remaining within a limited budget requires careful planning. Finland can be expensive, particularly in the Helsinki metropolitan area, and students should prepare separately for tuition, application and student fees, healthcare charges, accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, and other personal costs.
We hope you make use of this article when you decide to study in Finland. If you are interested, you can also review our list of Available Programs for International Students!
