Studying at university in Finland

How Finnish higher education is organized

Finland has two parallel types of institution. Universities focus on scientific research and offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees; most students who start a bachelor's are admitted with the right to continue directly into the master's. Universities of applied sciences (UAS, ammattikorkeakoulu) offer practical, career-focused bachelor's degrees with internships, usually lasting three and a half to four and a half years.

Teaching uses lectures, small group work and a lot of independent study. Course grades usually run from 0 to 5, where 1 is the lowest pass and 5 is excellent. Some courses are simply graded pass or fail.

How to apply: Studyinfo and the joint application

Most applications go through Studyinfo (Opintopolku in Finnish), the national portal run by the Finnish National Agency for Education. Finland uses joint applications: fixed national application periods in which you list up to six programs, in order of preference, across universities and UAS.

• January joint application: for English-taught bachelor's programs (and some others) starting in the autumn. The application period usually lasts about two weeks in early January.
• Spring joint application: mainly for Finnish- and Swedish-taught programs, held in March.
• Separate applications: some programs, such as certain English-taught bachelor's programs at universities, run their own application windows outside the joint application, also listed on Studyinfo.

You are offered a place in the highest-ranked program for which you qualify, and you can accept only one place per term. Check the exact 2027 dates on Studyinfo in autumn 2026; the January window is short and does not reopen.

Entry requirements and selection for North American graduates

To be eligible, you need a qualification that gives access to higher education in the country where you earned it. A Canadian or US high school diploma generally meets this general eligibility, though institutions may ask for specific documents, such as an official transcript and diploma, and some set extra conditions.

Selection then depends on the program:

• Entrance exams: many UAS programs and some university programs use an entrance exam, often online, with questions on study skills, mathematics or subject material.
• School results: some programs select on certificates, which can include international qualifications such as the IB Diploma or the European Baccalaureate.
• SAT scores: a number of English-taught programs accept SAT results as a selection method for applicants with a US-style education. Each program states whether it does and what score counts.

Read each program's selection criteria on Studyinfo carefully. Two programs at the same university can use completely different methods.

If your final grades are not ready when the joint application closes, you can usually apply with your current transcript and submit final documents later, by a date stated in your application. Make sure your school can send official copies quickly in June, because a missing document can cost you an offer.

Costs and funding

Since 2017, students from outside the EU and EEA pay tuition fees for bachelor's and master's programs taught in a language other than Finnish or Swedish, which in practice usually means English. Programs taught in Finnish or Swedish are tuition-free for everyone. Each institution sets its fees, which are listed on Studyinfo and on the program page; Study in Finland gives a typical range of EUR 9,000 to EUR 20,000 a year. Citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland, and holders of certain permanent residence permits, do not pay tuition.

Universities and UAS offer scholarships for fee-paying students, typically covering part or all of the tuition, sometimes conditional on study progress. Living costs depend on the city: Helsinki is the most expensive, while cities such as Tampere, Turku, Oulu and Jyväskylä are cheaper.

Language of instruction and tests

Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish, and most bachelor's programs are taught in one of them. English-taught bachelor's programs are offered especially at UAS, in fields such as business, engineering, nursing and tourism. For English-taught programs, applicants usually show proof of English through an approved test or through previous education in English; completing high school in English in Canada or the US often counts, if the program allows it.

Many students learn some Finnish during their degree, which helps with part-time work and staying on after graduation. Meanwhile, the Bridge academic English flashcards help with academic vocabulary.

Residence permit for studies

Students from outside the EU and EEA staying for more than 90 days need a residence permit for studies from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). You apply online after accepting a place, then visit a Finnish mission or service point to prove your identity. You need to show sufficient funds, health insurance and, if your program charges tuition, payment of the fee or a scholarship decision. Study in Finland cites a Migri minimum of EUR 800 a month (EUR 9,600 a year) for living costs. Migri allows students to work an average of 30 hours a week.

The required amounts and fees are listed on the Migri studies page. This guide is not immigration advice.

Student life and first-year support

Students at universities belong to a student union, and UAS students can join theirs. Membership gives access to a student card with discounts on travel and services, and student restaurants on most campuses serve subsidized lunches. Subject-based student associations organize orientation events, tutoring groups for first-year students and a busy social calendar, which helps international students settle in quickly.

Academic support is fairly hands-on. Many programs assign a tutor or peer mentor in the first weeks, and you build a personal study plan (HOPS) with an adviser. Courses often finish with a written exam, an essay or a group project, and you can usually retake failed exams.

Winters are long and dark in much of the country. Students who plan routines, use campus sports facilities and keep up with friends tend to cope best with the first winter.

Practical tips

1. In autumn of grade 12, list English-taught programs on Studyinfo and note each one's selection method.
2. Check whether your programs accept SAT scores or require an entrance exam, and prepare accordingly.
3. Apply during the January joint application and rank programs carefully, because offers follow your order.
4. Upload transcripts and other documents by the deadline stated in your application.
5. After accepting a place, pay the fee or confirm your scholarship and apply for the residence permit.

Finnish courses expect self-directed study. The study skills for university flashcards and our university guide cover the habits that help. Compare Finland with Sweden and Norway on the universities hub.