The total cost of studying in Finland depends on your university, degree programme, city and lifestyle.

For students from outside the EU/EEA, the two main expenses are normally tuition fees and living costs.

Tuition Fees for International Students

Non-EU/EEA students generally have to pay tuition fees when studying an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme in Finland.

According to the official Study in Finland service, tuition fees are generally around:

€8,000 – €20,000 per academic year

The exact amount depends on the university and programme.

Some specialised programmes may have different pricing, so applicants should always check the tuition fee stated on their official offer or programme page.

Living Costs in Finland

The Finnish Immigration Service currently requires students to have at least:

€800 per month

or

€9,600 for one year

available for living expenses when applying for a student residence permit, subject to the individual circumstances of the application.

However, the official Study in Finland service recommends budgeting approximately:

€900 – €1,200 per month

for realistic living expenses.

Living costs normally include:

• accommodation;
• food;
• local transport;
• telephone and internet;
• personal expenses;
• study materials; and
• everyday household costs.

Helsinki and the surrounding metropolitan area can generally be more expensive than smaller Finnish cities.

Other Costs to Consider

International students should also budget separately for expenses such as:

• residence permit application charges;
• private health insurance where required;
• flights and travel;
• accommodation deposit;
• books or specialist course materials;
• transportation; and
• personal expenses.

The amount required will depend on the student’s individual situation.

Scholarships in Finland

Many Finnish universities and Universities of Applied Sciences offer scholarships or tuition-fee waivers to international students.

Scholarships vary between institutions and can cover part or, in some cases, all of the tuition fee.

However, scholarships are normally competitive and students should not assume that their living expenses will also be covered. The official Study in Finland guidance advises students to plan how they will finance their studies and living expenses independently.

Can International Students Work in Finland?

Yes.

A student holding a Finnish residence permit for studies can generally work in paid employment for an average of 30 hours per week.

The hours may vary from week to week as long as the permitted average is respected. Work that forms part of an approved degree internship or thesis may be treated differently.

Students should not rely entirely on part-time employment to pay their tuition fees and living expenses. Finding employment can take time, particularly without Finnish or Swedish language skills.

Summary

For a non-EU/EEA international student, you should plan for:

Tuition: usually around €8,000–€20,000 per year
Living costs: approximately €900–€1,200 per month recommended
Migri minimum living-funds requirement: currently €800 per month / €9,600 for one year

Always check the specific university and residence-permit requirements before making financial arrangements.

Any help, please send us a WhatsApp message at +447713138220 or email us at Info@ilfordcollege.co.uk.