10 Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students

This article contains a list of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students. If you are considering completing your higher education abroad in countries like Finland, then read through this post for more details to help you through your decision-making process.

Finland is a Northern European nation and a member of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by Norway, to the east by Russia, to the south by the Gulf of Finland, to the southwest by the Gulf of Bothnia, and the northwest by Sweden.

The official languages of Finland are Swedish and Finnish with some other minorities. 2012 statistics, however, show that at least 70% of Finnish people can speak English.
Finland has a population of 5.54 million people and is ranked as one of the top 5 countries in the world with the highest standards of living and equality.
The Finnish are generally friendly and easy-going. The country offers a welcoming study environment for international students with their state-of-the-art technology as well as a surrounding that is teeming with life.
Helsinki, the country’s capital, is home to Finland’s highest-ranked universities, the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, and several others.
In terms of quality education, Finland is one of the countries that sit right at the top of the list. The country has successfully set itself high to meet the global standard for education.
There are two types of higher education institutions in Finland: Universities and Universities of Applied sciences (UAS), also known as Polytechnics. Universities in Finland offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral (Ph.D.) level programs. While Universities of Applied Sciences or Polytechnics offer just Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
All universities and universities of applied sciences in Finland have scholarship opportunities for international students.
English-taught degree programs are offered at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Students who are from outside the EU/EEA area, are required to pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s level programs, but get to study for free on doctoral-level regardless of nationality. It is up to doctoral students to seek options for their research funding, and to carter for their daily living as well.
Before checking for admission in Finland, some considerations need to be put in place, such as the type of institution, nationality of the student, level of education (undergraduate, postgraduate), etc.
In public universities tuition fees usually follow this pattern:
  • 0 EUR/year for EU/EEA and Switzerland students
  • 5,000–18,000 EUR/year for non-EU/EEA students
  • 0 EUR/year for Ph.D. programs for all international students
  • 0 EUR/year for exchange students
And these are not the same in private schools as tuition fees are more on the high side, with little or no consideration for international students.

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10 CHEAPEST UNIVERSITIES IN FINLAND FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

If you are not a citizen of the EU and are looking to apply for admission to one of Finland’s most affordable schools, then this post is for your perusal.
Below is a list of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students in no particular order.
1. University of Helsinki
2. University of Vaasa
3. University of Eastern Finland
4. Tampere University
5. University of Oulu
6. Aalto University
7. University of Turku
8. Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT)
9. University of Jyväskylä
10. Åbo Akademi University

1. UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Established in 1640, the University of Helsinki is the oldest and largest academic institution in Finland with 31600 Degree students, 3215 international degree and exchange students, 4638 teachers and researchers, and 11 faculties.
Emerging as one of the top 50 universities in Europe, the institution stands solidly as the very best University in the whole of Finland, ranking among the top 100 universities for global impact.
The University of Helsinki operates on four campuses in the city namely: City Centre Campus, Kumpula Campus, Meilahti Campus, and Viikki Campus.
The Bachelor’s Programme in Science is the only undergraduate program the university offers in English. The other undergraduate degrees are offered only in Finnish and/or Swedish.
The University of Helsinki, however, has 36 master’s programs, and also 33 doctoral programs divided under four doctoral schools, and they are all in English.
TUITION FEES
The University of Helsinki actually falls on the high side of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students, with  €13000, €15000, or €18000 as tuition fees per academic year.

2. UNIVERSITY OF VAASA

The University of Vaasa is a business-oriented, multidisciplinary university located in Vaasa, a city on the Western coast of Finland. It was established in 1968 as a public school of economics and in 1980 it became a school of higher education. In 1991 it was renamed the University of Vaasa.
The University of Vaasa consists of four different schools: The School of Accounting and Finance, The School of Management, The School of Marketing and Communications, and the School of Technology and Innovations. Departments under each school offer courses at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
With accredited programs in business and technology, the University of Vaasa is one of the most internationally attracted universities in Finland. It ranked 401 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education, and 8 in the best public universities in Finland.
The University has a total of 5,251 students with 4,400 as undergraduates, 400 as postgraduates, and 310 as doctoral students.
The institution offers a highly friendly learning environment and top-quality education, prioritizing their students’ individual interests.
TUITION FEES
Tuition fees vary from 10,000 to 12,000 per academic year. There are also scholarship opportunities for international students.

3. UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN FINLAND

The next on the list of cheapest universities in Finland for international students is the University of Eastern Finland.

The University of Eastern Finland is one of the top Public universities in Kuopio. It was established in 2010, following a merger of two previously independent universities: the University of Joensuu (est. 1969) and the University of Kuopio (est. 1972).

The university has four faculties: the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science and Forestry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies.

With campuses located in Joensuu and Kuopio, the University has 2750 employees, 16000 Degree students, and 23000 adult education students.

In 2022, the University of Eastern Finland was ranked among the leading 501-600 universities in the world by Times Higher Education, and 521 by QS World University Rankings. In 2021, it ranked 601-700 by the Academic Ranking of World Universities, and 412 by Best Global Universities. However, it is the ninth-best public university in Finland.

TUITION FEES

Fees vary from 8,000 to 10,000 per year depending on the program. The university offers tuition waivers and scholarships for international degree students required to pay tuition fees.

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4. TAMPERE UNIVERSITY

Tampere University is one of the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. It was established on 1 January 2019 as a merger between the University of Tampere established in 1925 and Tampere University of Technology established in 1965. Tampere University is also the major shareholder of Tampere University of Applied Sciences.

Tampere University has seven faculties, Faculty of Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education and Culture, Faculty of Management and Business, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, and Faculty of Social Sciences.
The University constitutes 21,000 students and almost 4,000 staff members. It offers a wide range of English-taught Master’s Degree programs.
Tampere University was ranked 414 by QS World University Rankings. It emerges as the fourth-best public university in the country.
TUITION FEES 
The tuition fees charged for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs offered in English at Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences range between €6,000 and 12,000 per academic year.

5. UNIVERSITY OF OULU

The University of Oulu is one of the largest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland, located in the city of Oulu. It was established in 1958. The university has 2 campuses, 8 faculties, about 13,500 students, and 3400 staff. Also, 21 International Master’s Programmes are offered at the university.

The main campus in Linnanmaa is consists of the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Technology, and Oulu Business School.

Kontinkangas Welfare Campus consists of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and the University Hospital of Oulu.

In 2022, the University ranked 377 in QS World University Rankings and 251-300 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings. It is currently the fifth-best public university in Finland.

TUITION FEES

Tuition fees at the University of Oulu are 10,000 to 13,000 per academic year. This only applies to students enrolled in English-taught degrees.

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6. AALTO UNIVERSITY

Aalto University is a public research university located in Espoo, Finland. It was established in 2010 through a merger of three renowned Finnish universities: the Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics, and the University of Art and Design Helsinki. This coming together of Science, Arts, and Business schools made the institution a multi-disciplinary one.

The population of Aalto University is broken down to 12000 students, 400 professors, and about 4000 members of faculty and staff. The institution has a total of 6 schools: School of Engineering, School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Science, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

With Otaniemi, Espoo as its main campus, the University also operates in three other locations: Metsähovi, Töölö, and Mikkeli.

Aalto University is the second-best Public university in Finland. It is ranked 112 in QS Global World Rankings 2022.

TUITION FEES 

The tuition fee ranges from €12000 to €15000 per academic year depending on the program.

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7. UNIVERSITY OF TURKU

Founded in 1920, the University of Turku (UTU) is an international research university located in Southwest Finland in the city of Turku. By student enrolment numbers, it is the third-largest university in the country after the University of Helsinki and Tampere University. And the seventh-best public university in the country.

The University of Turku has 20,000 students,  3,400 staff members, 5 independent units, and 8 faculties namely: Faculty of Education, Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Technology, and Turku School of Economics. The university offers study and research opportunities in these faculties and units.

The University’s main campus is located in the historical city center of Turku, and it also has facilities at Rauma, Pori, Kevo, and Seili.

It is ranked 295 in QS Global World Rankings 2022, and 136 in Europe.

TUITION FEES

Tuition fees are from €8000 to €12000 per academic year depending on the program.

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8. LUT UNIVERSITY

Lappeenranta or Lahti University of Technology (LUT) is one of the top Public universities in Lappeenranta, Finland. Established in 1969, LUT University ranked 414 in QS Global World Rankings 2022, and 251 in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education. It is the third-best university in the country.

Bringing together the fields of science and business, the University has 3 schools: School of Energy Systems, School of Engineering Science, School of Business and Management, about 4000 students, and 300 faculty members.

LUT University has two campuses: Lappeenranta Campus situated on the shore of Lake Saimaa – the 4th biggest lake in Europe, and Lahti Campus.

TUITION FEES 

€13,500 per academic year.

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9. UNIVERSITY OF JYVÄSKYLÄ

Founded in 1863, the University of Jyväskylä is a research university in Jyväskylä, Finland. The three campuses of the university are located in Seminaarinmäki, Mattilanniemi, and Ylistönrinne.

The University is consists of 14700 students, 2600 staff, and 1570 teaching and research staff. Having 6 schools namely: Humanities and Social Sciences, Information Technology, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, Education and Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences, Mathematics and Science.

Being the sixth-best university in the country, JYU falls within 351-400 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 358 QS World University Rankings.

TUITION FEES

Tuition fees at JYU are within the range of €8,000 to €16,000 per academic year

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10. ÅBO AKADEMI UNIVERSITY

The last and certainly not the least among the cheapest universities in Finland for international students is Åbo Akademi University.

Åbo Akademi University is an exclusively Swedish-language multidisciplinary university in Finland. It was founded in 1918 and was a private institution until 1981 when it was turned into a public institution. The Finnish University has garnered a Swedish-speaking population owing to its language specialization.

With campuses in Turku and Vaasa, the university consists of four faculties: Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Social Sciences, Business and Economics.

Emerging as the 10th best university in Finland, Åbo Akademi University had around 5,500 Students and 1100 employees, ranking 601-650 in QS Global World Rankings 2022.

TUITION FEES 

Tuition fees are from €10000 to €12000 per academic year depending on the program.

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FAQs

Is University in Finland free for international students?

Tuition is not free for international students enrolling in either bachelor’s or master’s programs in Finland. However, doctoral programs are totally free.

Do Finland universities teach in English?

Yes, most programs are taught in English at Finland Universities.

Do Finland Universities Require IELTS?

Yes, you need an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher to study in any of Finland’s universities.

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