Getting a full degree place at a Finnish university used to be described as very hard and very cheap. It is still competitive, but for anyone from outside the EU and EEA, it is no longer cheap, and the rules changed again for studies starting in autumn 2026. The shape of the process, however, is simple: one national application service, a couple of fixed application windows, and a residence permit once you have a place.

For how the school and university system fits together, see the Finnish education system.

Two kinds of institution

Finland has universities (yliopisto), which combine teaching with research and award doctorates, and universities of applied sciences (UAS, ammattikorkeakoulu), which are professionally oriented and build work placements into every degree.

Sixty credits is one year of full-time study. English-taught programmes exist in both sectors; the way to see what is on offer this year is to search Studyinfo by language of instruction.

Many of the names have changed

Older guides, and many alumni CVs, list institutions that no longer exist under those names. Mergers and renamings mean:

Older nameNow
Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki University of Technology, University of Art and Design HelsinkiAalto University (2010)
University of Joensuu, University of KuopioUniversity of Eastern Finland (2010)
University of Tampere, Tampere University of TechnologyTampere University (2019)
Sibelius Academy, Academy of Fine Arts, Theatre AcademyUniarts Helsinki (2013)
Turku School of Economicspart of the University of Turku
Lappeenranta University of TechnologyLUT University (Lappeenranta–Lahti University of Technology LUT)
Rovaniemi UAS, Kemi-Tornio UASLapland UAS (2014)
Kymenlaakso UAS, Mikkeli UASXamk, South-Eastern Finland UAS
Lahti UAS, Saimaa UASLAB UAS (2020)

Today there are 13 universities under the Ministry of Education and Culture — Aalto, Helsinki, Eastern Finland, Jyväskylä, Lapland, LUT, Oulu, Hanken, Uniarts Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa and Åbo Akademi — plus the National Defence University, which sits under the defence administration. There are 22 universities of applied sciences: Arcada, Centria, Diaconia, Haaga-Helia, Humak, Häme (HAMK), JAMK, Xamk, Kajaani, Karelia, LAB, Lapland, Laurea, Metropolia, Oulu, Satakunta, Savonia, Seinäjoki, Tampere (TAMK), Turku, Vaasa and Novia. Åland has its own UAS, and the Police University College is run by the Ministry of the Interior.

Old addresses and phone numbers for the pre-merger institutions are useless; go to the current institution's own admissions pages.

Applying: Studyinfo and the joint applications

Applications to Finnish higher education usually go through Studyinfo (Opintopolku in Finnish), the national application service. Instead of applying to each institution separately, you list the programmes you want on a single form in a joint application.

The calendar for 2026 shows the rhythm:

You can be offered places on more than one programme, but only one offer of admission can be accepted per term. Each programme sets its own selection method and language requirements, so read the programme page on Studyinfo rather than a general checklist.

Fees for students from outside the EU/EEA

Education is free for citizens of the EU and EEA. For everyone else, there are two charges.

The application fee. For studies starting on or after 1 August 2025, non-EU/EEA applicants to bachelor's and master's programmes pay €100, once per term, however many programmes they apply to (as checked on 26 September 2026).

Tuition fees. These apply to bachelor's and master's degrees taught in a foreign language, such as English. They do not apply to programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish, or to doctoral studies. For students starting on or after 1 August 2026, the fee must be at least the average cost of providing the education, so the amount depends on the programme and the institution; there is no single national figure. Institutions are not legally obliged to refund a fee, so read each one's refund policy.

Neither charge applies to, among others:

If you are already living in Finland on, for example, a work or family permit, check that list before assuming you will pay. The general permit picture is in residence permit conditions.

The residence permit for studies

Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit for studies if they come for a degree. The order is fixed: first the study place, then the permit, applied for online through Enter Finland.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) must see that you can support yourself. The requirement is €800 a month, which for a year of study means €9,600 in your bank account when you apply (as checked on 26 September 2026). Tuition is on top of that: either show it has been paid, or show enough money for both. If your institution provides free housing, or housing and meals, the monthly amount required is lower. You also need valid, sufficient health insurance.

While you study, you may work up to 30 hours a week, and without a limit if the work is practical training or a thesis that is part of your degree. After graduating, you can apply for a permit to look for work for up to two years — see finding a job in Finland. Family members can come with you, but they must have their own sufficient means.

Exchange programmes

The easier way in, as it has always been, is an exchange through your home institution. The main programme is Erasmus+, run in Finland by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), which is also the national agency for the Nordic Nordplus programme.

Under Erasmus+:

Exchanges outside these programmes depend on agreements between individual institutions, so your own international office is the place to ask.

Once you arrive

Housing is the first thing to sort out — see student housing in Finland. Student unions, the health service, meal prices and discounts are covered in student life in Finland, and the registration steps everyone goes through are in first steps after moving to Finland.