Fees and Cost of Living
Quality education is a valuable investment. Prepare to finance your studies by paying the tuition fees and covering your everyday living costs. As they say, good things are worth the price!
Tuition fees
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually need to pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programmes. Some students may be exempt based on their residence status or other grounds, so always check the current rules and your own situation.
Fees vary by university and programme, ranging from €8,000 to €20,000 per year. Check the exact tuition fee, payment arrangements and possible refund conditions on or with the university you are applying to.
Applicants from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland also need to pay the €100 .
Degree programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish do not charge tuition fees. Doctoral programmes are also tuition-free regardless of nationality.
If you are paying tuition, you are often also eligible to apply for scholarships that may be offered by the university.
Living expenses
Beyond tuition, you need to be able to cover your living costs independently.
Finland is a relatively expensive country to live in, so while the official minimum requirement set by Finnish Immigration Service Migri is €800 per month (€9,600 per year), we recommend you reserve a bit more money for your living expenses, approximately €900–€1,200 per month, depending on the location. This includes food, accommodation, and travel.
You must prove and when applying for a student residence permit.
Student union fees
University students pay an annual student union fee of about €50–€70 per academic year, granting access to discounts in student restaurants and public transport. Student union membership at universities of applied sciences (UAS) is optional.
Your Finnish university can provide advice on student union and healthcare fees, among other practicalities.
Student healthcare fee
If you are studying for a bachelor's or a master's degree: in order to use the services of the , you'll be required to pay an annual - currently around €35 per term (that's about €70 per year).
Can I work part-time during studies?
• As an international student you are allowed to work part-time up to 30 hours per week on average during the academic year and full-time during holidays.
• Finding employment during your studies is challenging, especially without Finnish/Swedish skills. What's more, possible part-time job salaries would not be sufficient to cover both tuition and living costs.
• You should not base your financial plans on the uncertain prospect of finding part-time employment during your studies.
• Focus on skills, internships, volunteering and networking for long-term success!
• Finding employment during your studies is challenging, especially without Finnish/Swedish skills. What's more, possible part-time job salaries would not be sufficient to cover both tuition and living costs.
• You should not base your financial plans on the uncertain prospect of finding part-time employment during your studies.
• Focus on skills, internships, volunteering and networking for long-term success!
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