Finland Education

Admission for Ukrainians in Finland is as transparent as possible: almost all programs are collected on a single national platform, Studyinfo.fi, which works as a “single window.” There you can find the program you need, read the conditions, and immediately submit an online application.

Required documents

Depending on the level of the program, they may vary, but the basic list looks like this:

• certificate or diploma with translation into English, Finnish, or Swedish;
  
• transcript of records;
• language proficiency certificate: IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Academic (for English-language programs) or YKI and other national tests (for Finnish/Swedish-language programs);
  
• motivation letter, CV, sometimes recommendations;
  
• portfolio — for design, architecture, art;
  
• copy of passport.

Universities check the documents themselves, but may require certified copies or even direct delivery from your previous university. Details for each country are published on university websites.

Entrance exams and tests

Finland often uses tests for bachelor's degrees:

• for universities of applied sciences, there is a common International UAS Exam — an online exam in English;
  
• as an alternative, some universities accept SAT results;
  
• for master's/PhD programs, selection is usually based on documents + an online interview.

How and when to apply

There are two formats:

• Joint Application — you can choose up to 6 programs with one application; the main campaign opens every year in January for fall enrollment.
• Separate Application — universities set their own deadlines, and there may be several throughout the year.

All applications are submitted exclusively online through Studyinfo.fi.

Is nostrification required

For admission — no, it is sufficient for the university to recognize your certificate or diploma.

Official confirmation from EDUFI (National Agency for Education) is only required for regulated professions (doctor, teacher, etc.).

Financial requirements and insurance

Along with the application for a residence permit for studies at Migri, the student must confirm the availability of:

• a minimum of €560 per month (€6,720 per year) for living expenses;
• receipts for tuition fees (if applicable);
• an insurance policy with coverage of €40,000 (if the program is less than 2 years) or €120,000 (if the program is longer).

After enrollment, the main question for most foreigners is where to live and how much it costs. In Finland, there are two main options: student dormitories from non-profit foundations and private rentals.

Student housing

Most universities cooperate with local housing foundations. They offer rooms in shared apartments or studios at affordable prices.

• In Helsinki and the metropolitan area, HOAS manages over 10,000 apartments.
• For Aalto University students, there is AYY Housing.
• In Tampere, there is TOAS, which even has furnished options for foreigners.
• In Turku, there is TYS, the largest provider of student housing in the region.

The cost of a room in a shared apartment starts at €250–350 per month, and studios in the capital cost around €450–650. The average price for a room in a dormitory is €450–580, and a studio apartment starts at €630.

Private rental

If there is no space in dormitories, students look for housing on the market. The most popular platforms are Vuokraovi, Oikotie, and OLX-equivalent Tori.fi.

• Prices in Helsinki: a studio or small apartment will cost from €600 per month and up.
• In smaller cities (Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä), you can find options for €450–550.
• Landlords usually require a deposit of 1–2 months' rent.

Government support

The Finnish social service Kela provides rental assistance to students. In 2026, the rules changed: instead of a general allowance, a separate student housing allowance was introduced. Information about these changes can be found on the websites of HOAS and AYY.

Registration after arrival

After obtaining a student visa (residence permit for studies) from Migri, you must also register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). There, they will issue or activate your Finnish personal identity code. If you plan to stay for more than a year, apply for municipality of residence status.

In Finland, education is free for citizens of EU/EEA countries, but students from Ukraine without such status pay for English-language bachelor's and master's programs.

• The cost of programs ranges from €8,000 to €20,000 per year, depending on the university and specialty.
• Doctoral programs (PhD) remain free for everyone.
• Starting in 2025, a mandatory application fee of €100 will be introduced for all applicants outside the EU/EEA.

Scholarships and discounts

There are no state grants for bachelor's or master's degrees, but universities themselves offer scholarships and partial/full discounts on tuition fees. You must apply for them at the same time as your application for admission.

Cost of living

Finland is an expensive country, and living expenses must be planned in advance.

• The student budget in the capital is €1,000–1,300 per month, and in smaller cities — €700–900.
• A room in a dormitory costs €250–350, a studio in Helsinki costs €600, and private rentals start at around €600–700 per month.

Insurance and financial requirements

To obtain a student residence permit, you must prove your financial solvency and have an insurance policy:

• a minimum of €560 per month (€6,720 per year) for expenses;
• medical insurance with coverage of €40,000 (for programs up to 2 years) or €120,000 (for longer programs).

In Finland, there are no national grants for non-EU/EEA students in bachelor's and master's programs, but almost all universities offer their own scholarship schemes (scholarships / tuition waivers).

General rules and program search:

• Study in Finland — official portal.
• Studyinfo.fi — catalog of programs and admissions.

Scholarships from universities

Universities usually require you to apply for a scholarship at the same time as you apply for a program. This is done through Studyinfo.fi, and the conditions vary depending on the program: sometimes a motivation letter and a high grade point average are sufficient, and in some cases additional documents are requested.

Examples: The University of Helsinki offers a Global Scholarship, which may include not only a 100% tuition waiver but also a living allowance. Aalto University and Tampere University also have their own packages. An important detail: these scholarships almost never cover the costs of housing, food, and transportation, and the minimum expenses for a student in Finland are €560–1,000/month.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Fully funded master's programs where students study in several EU countries at once, often with the participation of Finnish universities. The scholarship covers everything — from tuition and health insurance to travel and monthly payments (€1,000–1,400).

You must apply in advance: the deadlines for most programs are from October to January, and studies begin in the fall of the following year. A catalog with descriptions and dates is available on the EC website — Erasmus Mundus Catalogue.

Doctoral studies (PhD)

Finland is unique in this regard: PhD studies are free for everyone, regardless of citizenship. In addition, most doctoral students have paid positions as doctoral researchers. This is not just a scholarship, but a real job with a contract: the salary is usually €2,200–2,800 gross per month.

Examples: The University of Helsinki regularly opens funded positions, and similar options are available in Turku, Tampere, and Oulu. Additional opportunities are available through foundations (e.g., EDUFI Fellowship or Kone Foundation).

Working while studying

Many students combine their studies with part-time work. A student permit allows you to work an average of up to 30 hours per week throughout the year.

Most often, this is work in the service sector — €10–15/hour, but for students in IT or STEM fields, the salary can reach €20–25/hour.

Special opportunities for Ukrainians

Finnish universities continue to offer support to students and researchers whose studies have been interrupted by the war. This may include free open university courses, temporary non-degree study rights, individual scholarships, or full fee waivers.

Summary information and a list of universities with active initiatives can be found in the special section Study in Finland — Ukraine.

A few examples:

• University of Helsinki provides free open university courses for Ukrainians and other forms of support.
  
• Tampere University and TAMK (Tampere University of Applied Sciences) offer free courses and study opportunities for Ukrainians.

These offers are regularly updated, so it is worth keeping an eye on the official websites of the universities and the Study in Finland portal.