Cost of Studying and Living in Finland for International Students

Staying in a foreign country to pursue an advanced degree can take a toll on the financial capacity of a student. Understanding the total cost of studying and staying in a different country is important. So, before you plan to study overseas, go through all its fees and associated costs to get an estimate beforehand. Research is essential in this respect, as many countries offer the highest living standards within budget with Finland being among the top providers.

Finland has a high literacy rate with an education system that is world-recognized. The modern broad-based curriculum offered at their universities is top-notch. It offers a world-class research-oriented education that can add to the outlook of the student’s resume.

To get a better understanding of the cost of study and living within Finland, we have rounded off an all-inclusive article for our readers here.

Is it Expensive to Study in Finland for International Students?

It is relatively affordable to gain a higher degree in Finland than in other comparative countries. This is majorly due to the many benefits they provide regarding cost-effective living expenses and many universities offering substantial scholarships.

High-quality education is one of Finland’s specialties. However, planning and budgeting as a student is necessary to avail the most cost-saving options. Part-time work permit is one of their major provisions for students.

Costs of Studying in Finland

Academic Costs / Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are the primary expense of a Finnish education. Costs for studying abroad may be fairly significant, ranging from institution to institution and program to program. Finnish universities do not charge tuition to students from EU/EEA students. However, students from outside the EU/EEA must pay for tuition for undergraduate and graduate courses offered in English.

The average Tuition range for each degree level in Finland is as follows.

1. Bachelor’s English-taught degrees range from €8,000 to €18,000.
2. Master’s Degrees range is between €10,000 to €25,000.
3. Students from the EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA may typically join tuition-free doctoral programs.

Student Union Fees

A mandatory fee paid by the students in Finland to the respective student unions of their universities is the student union fee. These unions are created to cater to and represent the interests of students at a particular university.

Under the Finnish Universities Act of 2009, all undergraduate and graduate students in Finland are required to pay annual student union fees, irrespective of whether they are first-year or continuing students.

By paying the student union fee, students can have access to services such as legal information, study rights counseling, housing advice, social security, etc. The standard student union fee in Finland universities is €50 annually. However, the exact amount may differ from one university to the other.

Costs of Living in Finland

Living costs take up a chunk of money that the student has to cover independently while living in Finland. On average, students can spend between €700 and €900 per month on necessities including food, housing, transportation, and activities. The cost of living tends to be greater in major cities as opposed to smaller ones here. Here we have discussed a few of the top favorite cities and their costs of living within Finland.

1. Helsinki

Located on the southern coast of Finland is its capital, Helsinki. This city is opted for by numerous students because of its vibrant cultural scene. With major universities such as the University of Helsinki and the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, they boast a line of accredited educational institutes.

It is known as Finland’s educational hub with an innovative research system. The following is a breakdown of what it typically costs for international students to live in Helsinki each month, on average. This average makes up €900 – €1,600, in total.

2. Tampere

Second on our list is Tampere known for its strong industrial heritage. Being the third-largest city, its reputation as an epicenter for higher learning is bolstered by the fact that it is home to two prestigious universities; Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Major companies such as Nokia have their headquarters in this city, opening employment opportunities as well. A total of €900-700 is the living cost per month for students within Tampere. The cost is broken down as follows.

3. Espoo

Next, we have Espoo, which is technologically advanced in infrastructure and education. It is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. One of the best schools you can apply to is Aalto University. On average, a total of €800 – €1,100 is the cost of living in Espoo every month. Here is a rundown of all expenses.

4. Turku

Turku is the oldest city in Finland, dating back to the 13th Century. The city is home to several prestigious educational institutions, including Turku University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Turku. The city places a premium on student success and offers many tools to help them succeed.

The total cost of living in Turku is, €800 – €1,120 which is further elaborated into the following.

5. Vantaa

Last but not least we want to mention Vantaa with the major center of commerce, industry, education, and transportation. It is culturally diverse and consists of universities with high academic rank. With the lowest expenses on our list, Vantaa’s cost of living is €700 – €900, which is determined as follows.

Scholarships in Finland for International Students

To further lower the total economic cost, students can opt for scholarships and grants offered by the universities in Finland. Here are a few of the scholarships international students can avail of while studying here.

1. A merit-based scholarship is offered at Aalto University, known as the Aalto University Scholarship. It covers 50-100% of the tuition fee of qualifying students.
2. LUT University offers the LUT Scholarship that applies to the second academic year and provides €6,000. This requires the student to have completed at least 60 ECTS credits in coursework that was part of their individualized study plan during the first year.
3. The Finland Scholarship offered by the Government of Finland covers tuition fees and offers a separate €5,000 for additional expenses.
4. The Tampere University Tuition Fee Scholarships cover 100% tuition fee of the qualifying students.

Getting a degree while staying within the financial limitations can be a difficult task with the current expenses. Finland’s universities offer a solution for international students with high living standards by providing affordable tuition fees and cost of living. We hope this article helped you in finding the precise cost of studying and living within Finland effectively.

We hope you make use of this article once you decide to study in Finland. If you would like to know the academic and living expenses of different countries, go visit our Cost of Studying and Living by Country page to compare and contrast the countries of your choice! Also, go over our list of Available Programs for International Students for more study options!