Explore Finland: Is It Right for You?
Finland has 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences, with more than 600 English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes. Here is what studying there looks like for students from India and Pakistan.
Universities, costs, work rules and city life in Finland
Why Choose Finland for Your Studies?
Universities focus on research. Universities of applied sciences focus on practical, job-linked learning.
Key Benefits
Students from outside the European Union (EU), the EEA and Switzerland pay tuition if they study in English. The EEA is the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Students from India and Pakistan pay.
Key Benefits
Jobs are easier to find if you learn Finnish or Swedish.
Key Benefits
If you finish a degree in Finland, you can apply for a permit to look for work. Apply in Finland before your student permit ends (EUR 230 online), or from abroad within 5 years after it ended (EUR 750 online).
Key Benefits
13
Universities
22
Universities of applied sciences
Over 30,000
International students in Finland
Student Life in Finland
Student life in Finland mixes study with a relaxed culture where people are treated as equals.
Dress warmly in winter: a warm jacket, hat, gloves, scarf and winter shoes. A bright light lamp can help in the dark months.
- Winter is cold, often below zero, and can fall below -20°C.
- The summer months are June, July and August.
- You can see the Northern Lights in autumn and winter.
- Over 70% of Finland is forest, and it has 187,888 lakes.
Balanced life
Everyday life is well organised, so you have time to study and enjoy nature.
Student unions (clubs run by students)
Membership gives you cheaper meals in student restaurants and transport discounts.
Light and dark seasons
Summer nights are bright. Winter days are short and dark, especially in the north.
Student Cities
Student costs differ a lot from city to city.
Helsinki
Capital
The capital and most expensive student city.
Key Highlights
Top Universities:
Tampere
University city
Home to Tampere University.
Key Highlights
Top Universities:
Turku
University city
A lower-cost city with student housing from the Student Village Foundation of Turku (TYS), a student housing company.
Key Highlights
Top Universities:
Oulu
University city
A studio in Oulu costs about EUR 477 a month on average, the lowest of 8 student cities. In Helsinki it is EUR 665. These are rent only.
Key Highlights
Top Universities:
Universities are spread across Finland. Popular student cities include Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Oulu.
Finland at a Glance
Basic facts about the country.
Official languages | Finnish and Swedish. Many Finns speak fluent English. |
Currency | Euro (EUR) |
Population | 5.6 million, with 1.4 million in the Helsinki area |
Time zone | Eastern European Time (2 hours ahead of GMT) |
Capital | Helsinki |
Membership | European Union (EU) and NATO (a defence group of countries) |
Credits | 60 credits (ECTS) a year of full-time study |
Main intake | August or September |
| Expense Category | Finland |
|---|---|
| Student housing, Helsinki (a month) | EUR 450 to EUR 800 |
| Total living costs, Helsinki (a month) | EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,300 |
| Total living costs, Turku (a month, on average) | EUR 600 to EUR 900 |
| Total living costs, Tampere (a month, on average) | EUR 800 to EUR 1,200 |
These are costs for one month. Tuition and insurance cost extra. Your own costs can be higher than the average.
Complete Guide to Finland
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