Finland Bachelor’s & Master’s Scholarships 2026

Finland Bachelor’s & Master’s Scholarships 2026/27 | Study in Finland

Explore Finland scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s students, including university tuition waivers, eligibility, costs, applications and FAQs.

Studying in Finland is an attractive option for international students looking for high-quality education, modern universities and an internationally oriented study environment. However, students should be careful about online claims of “fully funded Finland government scholarships” for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees.

According to the official Study in Finland website, there are no Finnish government scholarships available for Bachelor’s or Master’s studies. Instead, individual Finnish universities may offer their own scholarships, tuition-fee waivers or other funding arrangements for eligible international students. These scholarships are competitive and generally do not cover living costs.

For non-EU/EEA students, tuition fees for English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are generally between €8,000 and €20,000 per year, depending on the university and programme. University scholarships can significantly reduce this cost, but students still need a separate financial plan for accommodation, food, transportation and other expenses.

Finland currently has 35 recognised universities and universities of applied sciences, offering more than 600 fully English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.

Scholarship Overview

Finland’s Bachelor’s and Master’s scholarships are offered directly by individual universities rather than through one national scholarship scheme.

Depending on the university and programme, international students may find:

• Partial tuition-fee waivers
• Full tuition-fee waivers
• Early-bird tuition discounts
• Merit-based scholarships
• Scholarships based on academic progress after enrolment

The exact scholarship percentage, eligibility criteria, application procedure and deadline vary by university and programme. Some scholarships are applied for together with the admission application, while others may become available after students begin their studies.

At a Glance

Information	Details
Study Country	Finland
Degree Levels	Bachelor’s & Master’s
Scholarship Provider	Individual Finnish universities
Government Scholarship	No general Bachelor’s/Master’s government scholarship
Tuition Fees	Approx. €8,000–€20,000/year for non-EU/EEA students
Scholarship Type	Mainly tuition-fee waivers/discounts
Living Costs Covered	Generally No
Application Portal	Studyinfo.fi
Programmes	600+ English-taught Bachelor’s & Master’s
Main Applicants	International students
Application Fee	Required for applicants outside EU/EEA/Switzerland
Study Start	Depends on programme

University Overview

Finland has a strong higher education system consisting of traditional research universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

Research universities generally place greater emphasis on academic research and theoretical knowledge, while UAS institutions have a stronger practical and professional orientation.

International students can find English-taught programmes across areas such as business, information technology, engineering, health and welfare, environmental studies and social sciences.

Rather than applying to a central “Finland Scholarship,” students should first identify a suitable programme and then check the scholarship information provided by that university.

The official Studyinfo.fi portal is the main starting point for finding programmes, admission requirements and application information.

Country Overview

Finland is a Northern European country known for its education system, technological innovation, safety and high quality of life.

For international students, Finland offers a large selection of English-taught degree programmes. The country currently has more than 600 fully English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes across recognised higher education institutions.

However, Finland is not a low-cost study destination. International students should plan carefully for both tuition and living expenses.

The official Study in Finland guidance recommends approximately €900–€1,200 per month for living costs, depending on location and lifestyle. The Finnish Immigration Service’s minimum financial requirement is currently €800 per month for the relevant student residence permit process.

Why Study in Finland?

High-Quality Education

Finland is internationally recognised for its education system and strong emphasis on independent learning, innovation and practical skills.

English-Taught Programmes

International students can choose from hundreds of Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes taught fully in English.

Innovative Learning Environment

Finnish universities combine academic learning with research, technology, innovation and practical problem-solving.

International Student Community

Finnish universities attract students from many countries, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and networking.

Strong Technology and Innovation Ecosystem

Finland has a strong reputation in areas such as ICT, engineering, digitalisation and technology.

Career Development

Students can develop academic knowledge, professional skills, international networks and practical experience during their studies.

Degree Levels

Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s programmes are generally designed for students who have completed secondary education and meet Finnish higher education eligibility requirements.

International students can find English-taught Bachelor’s programmes in areas such as business, technology, engineering, computing and social sciences.

Master’s Degree

Master’s programmes are intended for students who already hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Some Master’s programmes have additional requirements, and Master’s degrees at Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences generally require two years of relevant work experience in addition to a Bachelor’s degree.

Available Fields of Study

Popular English-taught fields include:

• Business & Economics
• Computer Science & ICT
• Engineering & Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Health & Welfare
• Education
• Social Sciences
• Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
• Design & Media
• Renewable Energy & Sustainability

The most suitable field depends on the student’s previous academic background, career plans and programme-specific admission requirements.

Scholarship Benefits

University scholarships can substantially reduce tuition expenses for eligible international students.

Depending on the university, students may receive:

• Partial tuition-fee waiver
• Full tuition-fee waiver
• Merit-based tuition reduction
• Early-bird tuition discount
• Performance-based scholarship after enrolment

The important point is that these scholarships generally do not cover living expenses. Students should therefore not consider a tuition scholarship equivalent to a fully funded scholarship.

Some universities may also offer scholarships based on academic performance after students have completed part of their studies.

Always check the exact scholarship percentage and conditions directly on the university’s website.

Hidden Costs

Potential Cost	What Students Should Consider
Tuition fee balance	A partial scholarship may leave a significant amount to pay
Accommodation	Rent varies by city and housing type
Food	Monthly grocery and meal expenses
Transportation	Public transport and local travel
Student healthcare	Applicable healthcare fee for students
Student union fee	Usually around €50–€70 annually
Residence permit	Application and related costs may apply
Insurance	Required for relevant residence permit applicants
Application fee	Required for applicants outside EU/EEA/Switzerland
Study materials	Books, software and other academic expenses
Initial setup	Bedding, winter clothing, household items and other arrival costs

The official Study in Finland guidance estimates living costs at approximately €900–€1,200 per month. It also notes an annual student healthcare fee of around €70 and student union fees of approximately €50–€70 per year.

Eligibility Criteria

There is no single eligibility requirement because each Finnish university and degree programme sets its own admission and scholarship criteria.

Bachelor’s Applicants

Generally, applicants need a secondary-school qualification that gives them eligibility for higher education in their home country.

Some programmes may additionally require entrance examinations, SAT results, interviews or other programme-specific requirements.

Master’s Applicants

Applicants generally need a relevant Bachelor’s degree.

For Master’s programmes at Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, applicants also generally need two years of relevant work experience.

Scholarship Eligibility

Scholarship requirements vary. A university may consider:

• Academic performance
• Admission results
• Motivation
• Programme-specific achievements
• Previous studies
• Academic progress after enrolment

Students should always read the scholarship conditions attached to their chosen programme.

Required Documents

Because requirements vary by programme, applicants should use the programme description on Studyinfo.fi and the university’s official admissions page as the final checklist.

✓	Document	Purpose
☐	Passport/ID	Identity verification
☐	Academic certificates	Evidence of qualifications
☐	Academic transcripts	Previous academic performance
☐	Bachelor’s certificate	Required for Master’s admission
☐	CV	Academic/professional background where required
☐	Motivation letter	Programme-specific motivation
☐	Proof of English	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge or accepted alternative where required
☐	Entrance test/SAT/GMAT	Only where required by programme
☐	Work-experience documents	Required for applicable UAS Master’s programmes
☐	Portfolio	For programmes requiring creative work
☐	Scholarship application	Where separately required

Not every programme requires every document. Applicants should never upload unnecessary documents simply because they are commonly used for other Finnish programmes.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Finland’s Bachelor’s and Master’s application process is programme-specific, but the official guidance can be simplified into a practical sequence.

Step	Action	Practical Guidance
Step 1	Choose your degree level	Decide whether you are applying for Bachelor’s or Master’s study.
Step 2	Search programmes	Use Studyinfo.fi to identify suitable English-taught programmes.
Step 3	Check eligibility	Read the exact academic and programme-specific requirements.
Step 4	Check tuition fees	Find the annual fee for non-EU/EEA students.
Step 5	Check scholarships	Look for tuition waivers, scholarships or early-bird discounts.
Step 6	Check deadline	Confirm whether the programme uses joint or separate application.
Step 7	Prepare documents	Collect certificates, transcripts and language-test evidence where required.
Step 8	Prepare for selection	Check whether the programme uses an entrance exam, SAT, interview or other method.
Step 9	Submit application	Apply through Studyinfo.fi or the specified application route.
Step 10	Pay application fee	Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants are generally required to pay the application fee.
Step 11	Submit scholarship application	Follow the university’s scholarship instructions.
Step 12	Monitor results	Universities provide admission decisions through the relevant application system.
Step 13	Accept your study place	Confirm the offered place before the institution’s deadline.
Step 14	Arrange finances	Prepare tuition balance and living-cost funds.
Step 15	Apply for residence permit	Non-EU/EEA students should start the process after receiving official admission confirmation.
Step 16	Arrange accommodation	Apply for student housing or private accommodation early.
Step 17	Prepare for Finland	Arrange insurance, travel and other arrival requirements.

The official guidance confirms that applicants use Studyinfo.fi as Finland’s national application portal, while some programmes use separate applications with their own deadlines.

Application Timeline

There is no single deadline for all Finnish Bachelor’s and Master’s scholarships.

For programmes beginning in autumn, the national joint application is usually held in January, and applicants can apply to up to six programmes through one joint application. Some programmes instead use separate applications or rolling admissions.

Stage	Typical Timing
Programme research	Several months before application
Scholarship research	Before admission application
Joint application	Usually January for autumn intake
Separate applications	Varies by programme
Admission results	Depends on programme
Study-place confirmation	According to university deadline
Residence permit	Start immediately after admission
Studies	Usually September for autumn intake

Students should never assume that every university follows the January joint application schedule.

Selection Criteria

Admission selection varies significantly between programmes.

Universities may use:

• Previous academic performance
• Entrance examinations
• SAT
• GMAT
• Interviews
• Portfolio assessment
• Motivation or written assignments
• Programme-specific tests

Scholarship selection may use academic merit, admission results or other university-specific criteria.

Therefore, a student should treat admission and scholarship as two connected but separate decisions.

Accommodation & Living Costs

Finland is relatively expensive compared with many countries in Asia and Africa.

The official Study in Finland guidance recommends budgeting around €900–€1,200 per month, including accommodation, food and transportation.

Students may live in:

• Student housing
• Shared apartments
• Private rental apartments
• University-related accommodation where available

Accommodation costs differ significantly between cities. Students should apply for housing as early as possible after admission.

A scholarship that covers tuition does not remove the requirement to prove sufficient funds for living expenses.

Part-time Jobs

International students with the relevant Finnish student residence permit can work up to an average of 30 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays, according to the current Study in Finland guidance.

However, students should not build their entire financial plan around part-time work.

Finding employment can be difficult, particularly without Finnish or Swedish language skills. The official guidance specifically warns that part-time earnings should not be relied upon to cover tuition and living costs.

Students should prioritise their studies and use part-time employment as supplementary support rather than their main funding source.

Student Residence Permit Process

Non-EU/EEA students generally need a student residence permit for degree studies in Finland.

A practical sequence is:

Admission → Accept study place → Arrange tuition/funding → Obtain insurance → Apply for residence permit → Provide required documents → Wait for decision → Travel to Finland

Students need to demonstrate sufficient financial resources and appropriate insurance for the residence permit process.

The residence permit process should be started as early as possible after receiving admission confirmation.

Tips from Previous Applicants

• Research the programme before looking for a scholarship.
• Always check the university’s own scholarship page.
• Compare the actual tuition fee after the scholarship.
• Prepare your documents well before the deadline.
• Check whether your programme requires SAT, entrance exams or interviews.
• Prepare enough money for living costs even if you receive a full tuition waiver.
• Use Studyinfo.fi and official university websites rather than social-media scholarship advertisements.

Common Mistakes

• Believing advertisements for a “Finland Government Fully Funded Scholarship”
• Assuming a tuition waiver covers living costs
• Choosing a programme without checking eligibility
• Ignoring programme-specific admission tests
• Missing a separate application deadline
• Underestimating Finland’s living costs
• Paying money to unofficial agents for a supposed government scholarship

The official Study in Finland website specifically warns students about misleading claims regarding fully funded Finnish government scholarships.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Finland offer government scholarships for Bachelor’s students?

No. There are currently no general Finnish government scholarships for Bachelor’s studies. Universities may offer their own scholarships or tuition-fee waivers.

2. Does Finland offer government scholarships for Master’s students?

No. Finland does not currently have a general government scholarship programme for Bachelor’s or Master’s students. Individual universities may offer scholarships.

3. Are Finland university scholarships fully funded?

Usually not in the traditional sense. University scholarships generally reduce or waive tuition fees, while students must independently cover their living costs.

4. How much is tuition in Finland?

For non-EU/EEA students in English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes, tuition is generally around €8,000–€20,000 per year.

5. How much money do I need for living expenses?

Study in Finland recommends approximately €900–€1,200 per month, depending on location and lifestyle.

6. Can International students apply?

Yes. Students can apply to eligible Finnish Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes.

7. Where can I find Finnish scholarships?

Start with Studyinfo.fi and then check the official scholarship information on the university’s website.

8. Can I apply for multiple programmes?

In the national joint application, applicants can apply to up to six degree programmes using one application.

9. Do all programmes have the same deadline?

No. Many autumn programmes use the January joint application, but some programmes have separate application periods.

10. Do I need IELTS?

Many programmes require proof of English proficiency, but the exact accepted tests and scores depend on the programme. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Cambridge tests may be accepted depending on the institution.

11. Can I work while studying?

Yes. International students with the appropriate residence permit can generally work up to an average of 30 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays.

12. Can part-time work cover my tuition?

You should not plan on this. Official guidance warns that part-time employment is difficult to find and earnings should not be relied upon to cover tuition and living expenses.

13. Is there an application fee?

Applicants from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee for higher education applications.

14. Is Finland suitable for international students?

Yes. Finland offers hundreds of English-taught degree programmes and a strong international higher education environment. However, students need a realistic plan for tuition and living expenses.

15. Is a “fully funded Finland government scholarship” advertised online genuine?

Be extremely cautious. The official Study in Finland website explicitly states that claims about fully funded Finnish government scholarships covering tuition, travel and living costs for Bachelor’s or Master’s students are misleading.

Conclusion

Finland remains an attractive destination for international Bachelor’s and Master’s students, but understanding the real scholarship system is essential.

There is no general Finnish government scholarship that fully funds Bachelor’s or Master’s studies. Instead, individual universities offer their own scholarships, mainly in the form of tuition-fee waivers or reductions.

For non-EU/EEA students, these scholarships can make Finnish education considerably more affordable. However, students still need to independently finance accommodation, food, transportation, insurance and other living expenses.

The best approach is to first select a suitable degree programme through Studyinfo.fi, check the university’s admission requirements, compare tuition fees, and then examine the scholarship or tuition-waiver options available for that specific programme.

Students should also be cautious of social-media advertisements promising “100% fully funded Finland government scholarships.” Always verify the opportunity through official Finnish sources.

Start your Finland study journey by choosing a programme, checking its scholarship options and preparing a realistic financial plan.