Guide: Studying in Finland
What can you study in Finland? How do I apply to study? What should you remember if you are moving to take up your dream study place? This guide will point you in the right direction if you are looking for information on study opportunities, applying to study, housing, study financing and taxation, student healthcare and social security or student cards and student discounts.
The guide also contains information on grading scales and recognition of qualifications, which will be useful if you are planning to study or work abroad.
What can you study in Finland?
The Info Norden page Higher education in Finland provides information on universities and universities of applied sciences, their course offerings and how to apply. To apply for higher education, use the Studyinfo service, which also gives you more information about education opportunities at different levels.
If you are interested in particular in English-language Bachelor's and Master's programmes, the Study in Finland website provides information on the different study programmes, the application process and student life in Finland, especially for international students.
How do you apply to study in Finland?
The Nordic Agreement on Admission to Higher Education guarantees all Nordic residents equal rights to apply for public higher education in the Nordic countries under the same or similar conditions as residents. This means you can apply to universities and universities of applied sciences in the same joint application procedure as Finnish applicants.
Applications for Finnish- and Swedish-language degree programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences are made in the spring and autumn through the online joint application on the Studyinfo website. Many Master's programmes, especially English-language ones, are not included in the joint application, and are applied for separately in the universities’ own application procedures. Find out more about English-language degree programmes on StudyinFinland.fi.
You can read more about applying to different higher education institutions and student exchanges in Finland on the Info Norden page Higher education in Finland.
What practical things should you remember?
When you come to study in Finland, you will need to take care of many practical things. Check out the Info Norden Guide: Moving to Finland and the main points listed below.
Information on student housing can be found on the page Student housing in Finland. For general information on housing in Finland, see the page Housing in Finland.
Housing allowance is generally paid from the country from which you get student financial aid. Check your right to housing allowance with the authorities in your country of departure. If you do not get student housing supplement and you are covered by Finnish social security, you may be entitled to general housing allowance in Finland. Read more on the page Housing benefits in Finland.
The most common way to finance studies is financial aid for students. On the page Financial aid for students in Finland you can find out how to finance your studies if you come to Finland from another Nordic country. The page also contains information on Finnish financial aid for students and the meal subsidy. If you are an adult student, find out about ways to finance your studies on the page Adult education in Finland.
You can also apply for various grants and scholarships to help finance your studies. You can search for these for example in the grants database of the National Union of University Students in Finland.
If you plan to work while studying, your social security may be transferred to the country where you work. Read more on the pages Which country's social security system are you covered by? and Finnish social security if you live or work in Finland.
You can find information on taxation of students on the page Taxation in Finland.
If you come to Finland to study from another Nordic country, your stay in Finland is generally considered to be temporary. Then you remain covered by the social security of your country of departure. Read more on the website of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).
If you fall ill, you are entitled to the student healthcare services provided by your student union or by an organisation authorised by the union, regardless of your municipality of residence. Read more on the page Right to healthcare services in Finland.
Are you interested in a work placement as part of your studies?
If you are planning a work placement in Finland, you should first contact your place of study. Through universities, you can get a placement under the school's own agreements or, for example, under the Nordplus placement scheme. Find out more on Studyinfo.
You can also arrange a work placement yourself. Many employers advertise work placements in the same way as jobs on Job Market Finland. You can also contact the placement you want directly. Many international student organisations also organise work placements. The Finnish National Agency for Education facilitates Finnish in Finland placements for foreigners studying Finnish at foreign universities.
Work placements and tips for planning your placement can also be found on the Aarresaari website of the Finnish Academic recruitment services network.
Trainees who move to Finland from the Nordic countries are generally covered by the social security of the country where they live permanently. If, however, the pay of a trainee exceeds the minimum monthly limit, they are considered to be an employee. You can find more information on social security on the page Finnish social security if you live or work in Finland.
Student benefits and organisations in Finland
As a student in Finland, you have access to many benefits and services that make your everyday life easier and support your studies. In the sections below you will find information about the student card, discounts, student union activities and membership.
Foreign student cards are usually not valid in Finland. You can get some benefits in Finland with an international ISIC student card. You can order a Finnish student card from your school in Finland or its student union.
You can get benefits with student cards issued by most student unions. These are listed on the Frank service.
When you show your Finnish student card you get a discount on the price of student meals at Kela-subsidised student canteens.
All higher education institutions in Finland have their own student union. For university students, student union membership is mandatory for all students of Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Membership is optional for postgraduate students. You can find contact information for university student unions on the website of the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL).
Student union membership is optional for students at universities of applied sciences. You can find contact information for UAS student unions on the website of the University of Applied Sciences Students in Finland (SAMOK).
Recognition and assessment of qualifications in Finland
Even before applying to study, it is a good idea to find out how a degree in one country qualifies you for a profession or further studies in another country.
For information on the grading scales used in Finland compared to other Nordic countries, see the page Grading scales in Finland.
It is up to the universities and institutions themselves to decide whether to recognise studies completed abroad as part of your degree. However, the Nordic Agreement on Admission to Higher Education ensures that higher education institutions in the Nordic countries recognise each other's studies. Read more on the page Higher education in Finland.
If you have completed your degree abroad, your employer will usually assess the qualifications and skills that your foreign degree provides. However, for certain professions, you will need a decision from an authority on professional qualifications or recognition of a degree completed abroad.
For information on the professional recognition of degrees, i.e. when a foreign graduate needs a separate decision on the recognition of their degree or the right to practise a profession, see the pages on professional qualifications and recognition of foreign degrees in different countries.
Other educational opportunities
If rather than higher education you are interested in upper secondary school or vocational education and training, continuing education and training for adults, liberal education or Finnish and Swedish language courses in Finland, read more on the pages listed below.
More information
Please fill in our contact form if you have any questions or if you have encountered an obstacle in another Nordic country.
NB! If you have questions regarding the processing of a specific case or application, or other personal matters, please contact the relevant authority directly.