Finland ranked as the happiest country in the world for the ninth consecutive year in the 2026 World Happiness Report. The country also has a well-developed higher education system and offers more than 600 English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs through its universities and universities of applied sciences.
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden, Norway, and Russia, while Estonia lies across the Gulf of Finland. Its location has influenced its culture and history. Finnish and Swedish are Finland’s two national languages. English is also widely used in international higher education, but it is not a national language.
International students who want to continue their education abroad may therefore find Finland an appealing option. This guide explains how to apply for a master’s program in Finland.
Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for master’s programs in Finland vary by institution and program. Applicants should review the current requirements on the program page and in Finland’s official Studyinfo service before applying.
Applicants to a university master’s program generally need an applicable bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification. Applicants to a master’s program at a university of applied sciences generally need an applicable higher education degree and at least two years of relevant work experience completed after graduation.
Common application documents may include a degree certificate, an academic transcript, authorized translations when the original documents are not in an accepted language, a curriculum vitae or resume, a motivation letter, and proof of English-language proficiency. Portfolios, recommendation letters, work certificates, or other supporting documents may also be required, depending on the program.
Applicants may use the Europass CV when a program does not prescribe another format. However, Europass is an optional CV-building tool and is not a universal admission requirement for Finnish universities.
Some institutions or programs may request a copy of the applicant’s passport or identity document, a letter of recommendation, or other program-specific attachments. Applicants should follow the instructions published by the institution, such as Tampere University or HELBUS Helsinki School of Business.
A Finnish visa or residence permit is not normally an admission document. Students who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland and whose studies in Finland will last more than 90 days generally apply for a residence permit for studies after receiving an official admission offer. The permit application normally requires proof of admission, sufficient financial resources, valid health insurance, and a valid passport.
Program-specific requirements may include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, specified prerequisite studies, professional experience, a portfolio, an interview, or an entrance examination. For example, applicants to master’s programs at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences must meet the degree and work-experience requirements stated for the particular program.
Some applicants may also need to follow country-specific instructions concerning document formats, verification, translations, or submission methods. Applicants should check the requirements that apply to the country in which their qualification was completed.
Applicants with refugee status or a comparable protection status generally apply through the same admission process as other applicants. However, an institution may provide alternative procedures when official educational documents cannot be obtained. For example, Tampere University may assess certain applicants using available unofficial documents or a written statement and may arrange a separate language test. Applicants must provide acceptable evidence of their refugee or protection status.
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Master’s Studies
Finnish and Swedish are Finland’s national languages. However, Finland also offers hundreds of English-taught higher education programs. Applicants to an English-taught master’s program generally need to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption accepted by the institution.
The required language depends on the language of instruction and the program’s admission criteria. English-taught programs normally require English proficiency, while programs taught in Finnish or Swedish require proficiency in the relevant language. Universities such as the University of Helsinki and Aalto University publish detailed language requirements and accepted methods of proving proficiency.
Although Finnish or Swedish is not generally required for admission to an English-taught program, learning one of these languages can make daily life easier and may improve employment opportunities in Finland.
Commonly accepted English-language tests include the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic), Pearson Test of English Academic, Cambridge C2 Proficiency, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Some institutions also accept specified previous education, International Baccalaureate or European Baccalaureate studies, or other forms of evidence. Accepted tests, minimum scores, exemptions, and validity periods vary by institution and program.
Applicants must submit an accepted form of language evidence by the stated deadline. An institution may declare an application ineligible if the required evidence is missing or does not meet the published minimum standard.
Examples of institutions that publish program-specific English-language requirements include Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku.
For Finnish and Swedish, the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) is an official method of demonstrating language skills. Finland’s Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate, commonly known as VKT, was abolished after June 30, 2026, so applicants should consult the current program instructions rather than planning to take a new VKT examination. A degree taught in English does not, by itself, demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.
At institutions such as Häme University of Applied Sciences and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, language requirements depend on the program and its language of instruction. Applicants should verify the exact requirement on the current program page.
Master’s Degree Application Process
The general steps for applying to a master’s program in Finland are outlined below. Procedures, deadlines, required documents, and possible entrance examinations vary by institution and program, so applicants should always follow the official instructions for their chosen program.
Step 1. Acquire Document Requirements for the Application
First, review the general and program-specific eligibility requirements. Collect the required degree documents, transcripts, translations, language certificates, work-experience documents, and other attachments early enough to meet the deadline. Applicants should also check whether country-specific document instructions apply to their qualification.
Step 2. Register Application Form Online
Most applications to Finnish higher education programs are submitted online through the national Studyinfo service. During the national joint application, an applicant may generally select up to six programs on one application form. Some programs use a separate application period or another institution-specific procedure, so applicants should verify the instructions and deadline for each program.
More information about institution-specific admission procedures is available for the University of Helsinki, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, and the University of Vaasa.
Step 3. Pay For Application Fees if Needed; Otherwise, Wait for Admission Results
Applicants who are citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland generally have to pay Finland’s national application fee of €100 when applying to higher education leading to a degree. Exemptions may apply based on citizenship or residence status. Studyinfo or the relevant institution will provide payment instructions when the fee applies.
After submitting the application and all required attachments, applicants should monitor their email and Studyinfo account for requests, entrance-examination information, and the admission decision. Successful applicants must accept the offered study place by the stated deadline and complete any required enrollment steps.
Step 4. Once Admitted, Enroll and Prepare for A Visa
After accepting an admission offer, students should complete university enrollment, pay any applicable tuition fee, and begin preparing to travel to Finland.
Students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who will study in Finland for more than 90 days generally need a residence permit for studies rather than a short-stay visa. They can apply after receiving an official admission offer. The application normally requires a valid passport, proof of admission, evidence of sufficient funds, and acceptable health insurance. Applicants should consult the official Finnish Immigration Service instructions as well as this overview of the Finland student residence permit process.
As you can see, applying for a master’s program in Finland involves several clear steps. Because requirements and deadlines differ among institutions and programs, applicants should use the current information in Studyinfo and on the official university program page.
We hope this article on how to study for a master’s degree in Finland was helpful. To learn more about studying in Finland, visit our Study in Finland page. If you are interested, check out the available programs for international students!
