Study in Finland Frequently Asked Questions

Finland is a fairy tale destination picked out of children’s nighttime stories. Straddling the Scandinavian Peninsula and northern Europe, the country lavishly offers magnificent landscapes and stunning cities. As an international student, you enjoy the romantic atmosphere, lively character, and modern facilities that provide excellent research opportunities and practical training. In addition, Finland has high-quality education institutions, standards, and free tuition policies.

Is tuition Fee-free in Finland?

Finland has public universities of applied sciences and regular universities that are tuition-free for EU/EEA and Switzerland students. However, international students who enroll in English-taught degrees must pay tuition fees. If you don’t want to pay tuition, take study programs taught in Finnish.

When do you have to pay the tuition fee as a student in Finland?

Can you study in Finland Tuition-Free?

International students who receive their acceptance letters from any Finland university will have the invoice for their first year’s tuition fees enclosed with it. Meanwhile, the amount the scholarship covers is automatically deducted if you have a scholarship.

Universities have varying payment terms, which might make you pay your full annual tuition in weeks or a month, while others can split the fee for you into installments.

You must pay your tuition fee to get your residence permit or apply for your student visa.

What are the Tuition-free universities in Finland for EU/EEA students

• University of Vaasa – 10% acceptance rate
• University of Helsinki – 17% acceptance rate
• Tampere University – 9% acceptance rate
• University of Turku – 10-20% acceptance rate
• University of Jyvaskyla – 10% acceptance rate
• Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT University)

What are the Free Tuition Ph.D. opportunities in Finland?

Here are a few reasons why studying your Ph.D. in Finland is the best thing you can do:

• No tuition fees: Regardless of nationality you don’t pay tuition fees for your doctoral study.
• Research and development: You can apply research skills in a working sector, including industrial links.
• There is No restriction to postgraduate work in Finland when you graduate and as an International student extend your visa for a year to find work.

What are the Top 4 Tuition-Free Universities in Finland for International Students?

1. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) Diaconia University of Applied Sciences is a public university with campuses in Pieksämäki, Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, and Turku. International students can pay tuition fees ranging between 4,000 to 6,000 euros for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
2. Centria University of Applied Sciences Centria University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) has three campuses in the Ostrobothnian regions. International students can pay between 7,000 to 8,500 euros per academic year. In addition, you enjoy an early bird discount of 1,500 euros for the first year of your tuition and pay your fees within two weeks after the notification.
3. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KUAS) is situated in the heart of Finland and dotted with forest-covered hills, lakes, and rivers. International students can pay between 6,000 to 10,000 euros.
4. Tampere University. Tampere University has seven faculties: Faculty of Management and Business, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Education and Culture, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, and Faculty of Social Sciences. International students pay between 6,000 to 10,000 euros for bachelor’s programmes.

Do you need IELTS or TOEFL to study in Finland?

No, you may not take IELTS or TOEFL, but you must show proof of your proficiency in English. Either:-

• You are a native speaker of English or
• Your previous academic degree was taught in English at a university in the EU/EEA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United States of America.
• Some Finnish universities can accept you if only part of your previous academic degree was taught in English – if that degree was obtained at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences.

If you do not meet those criteria, you must take an English test to prove your language skills.

What English tests are accepted by Finland Colleges and Universities?

Finland universities accept IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PBT, the Cambridge ESOL’s Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE), the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic), or the Cambridge ESOL’s Certificate in Advanced English (CAE).

What are the Finland Visa Requirements for Students from Africa?

1. Visa application form
2. One Passport SIze photograph
3. Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of the policy of EUR 30,000, and the insurance must cover expenses arising from a sudden illness and accident (also the patient’s repatriation) and repatriation expenses in case of death.
4. The official letter of acceptance issued by your hosting Finnish university, educational institute, or polytechnic.
5. Transcripts and certificates from previously attended education institutions.
6. A passport issued within the previous ten years
7. Copies of the completed and signed application form.
8. Proof of your financial ability: To stay in Finland, international students must have a minimum of EUR 560 per month or a minimum EUR 6720 per year for their expenses in Finland.
9. A recent statement of your financial situation from your bank shows you have at least EUR 6720 in your bank account.
10. Proof of obtaining valid health and medical insurance covering your stay in Finland.
11. Hotel reservation document containing a hotel’s name, address, and telephone number for embassy confirmation.
12. Cover letter detailing your motive for studying in Finland, the number of schools you applied to, and why you have chosen your learning institution.
13. Other documents that may include a police certificate/report, marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, sponsorship affidavit, etc.

What is the Approximate Visa Application Processing Time

You must submit your visa application at a mission in Finland or a visa centre 15 days before travel Or up to six (6) months before the intended visit starts.

A Finland student visa is a temporary short-term permit for a maximum of 90 days (3 months). In addition, Finland’s student residence permit is issued for more than 90 days (3 months). Usually, Finland residence permits for students are granted for one year at a time.

The visa processing period takes between 2 to 4 weeks. However, it can also take up to two months, depending on the nature of your application.