Looking for master’s or PhD scholarships in Finland for international students? You just found it. Finland universities currently offer over 400 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs taught in English. Doctoral study and research options are available, too. Most of the bachelor’s degree programs taught in English are offered by universities of applied sciences (UAS), whereas most of the master’s programs taught in English are offered by universities.
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How to Apply to Study in Finland
Applying for degree studies in Finland is done online at Studyinfo.fi. There are two main application periods a year for studies commencing in autumn:
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- Applications for bachelor’s programs come up in January
- Applications for university master’s programs begin between late November/early December and mid/late January.
Some degree programs may also have additional application periods outside the main application window. For example, some individual degree programs may offer a January study start option, to which applications would usually be open in September.
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Requirements
When applying for bachelor’s programs, you usually need to hold such school-leaving certificates that make you eligible to apply for higher education in your home country. When applying to a Finnish Higher Education Institution, you will need your upper secondary school certificates, even if you have completed some higher education studies after that.
To pursue your master’s degree in Finland, you need to have completed a university-level bachelor’s degree, or equivalent. If you are an eligible applicant, you may be required to complete an entrance exam or an interview.
If English is not your first language, you may need to demonstrate your English proficiency level. IELTS and TOEFL are the most usable options, but many institutions also offer others. Remember to check any possible English proficiency test exemption rules with the institution you are applying to.
After the application period and any entrance exams are over, the institution you’ve applied to will process your application and make a final admission decision. Once you become a student, you will receive an official letter of admission from the institution in question. Remember to follow the guidelines given by your institution to confirm your study place.
Cost of Studying in Finland
If you are from outside the EU/EEA area, you are to pay tuition fees for bachelor’s and master’s level programs. Some exceptions may apply. At the doctoral level tuition fees do not apply, regardless of your nationality.
Remember that if you are required to pay tuition fees, you are also eligible to apply for the institution’s scholarships. Check the available scholarship options with the university you’re applying to. In addition, we have provided you with a list to start from.
University students are required to pay an annual student union fee, which is approximately €80 – €100. When you join your local student union you get a student card entitling you to discounts in places like student restaurants and when using public transport.
Cost of Living in Finland
You are to independently cover your everyday living costs. Monthly living expenses for students (including food, accommodation, travel, insurance, etc.) are around €700 – €900, depending on where you live and your personal living habits. Living costs are typically higher in larger cities than in smaller ones.
We have put together a comprehensive list of scholarships in Finland for international students. Be sure to bookmark this page because we will be reviewing it from time to time.
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1.thisisFinland Foreign Correspondents’ Programme for International Journalists
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has administrated thisisFINLAND Foreign Correspondents’ Programme (FCP) since 1990. The program is for young international journalists. The program provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about Finland, Finnish society, and the Finnish way of life. It includes briefings on various subjects, meetings with Finnish professionals, and visits to business enterprises, cultural sites, and institutions.
Application Deadline: 30th March
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Award:
- The scholarship covers the costs of travel to and from Finland, local travel in Helsinki, accommodation, and the daily program, including transportation and some meals.
- It also includes a weekend stay as the guest of a Finnish family.
- The program provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about Finland, Finnish society, and the Finnish way of life.
- It also offers the means to enhance your professional skills, as well as expand your network of professional colleagues and international friends.
Duration of Program: 2 weeks
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2. University of Helsinki Scholarships for International Students
This is one of the Best scholarship programs for excellent students from outside the EU/EEA who want to do a Master’s program at the University of Helsinki. Grants can be applied for while applying to the University of Helsinki’s Master’ programs.
Application Deadline: 12th January
Value of Scholarships:
- Fully Funded Grant (Tuition fee + 10 000 EUR)
- Full Tuition fee Grant
- Study Grant (10 000 EUR)
Tuition fees range from 13,000 to 18,000 Euros.
Duration of Scholarship: The scholarship lasts for two years. After the first study year, your studies will be evaluated, and, depending on your progress, the scholarship will be continued.
3. University of Tampere Scholarships for International Students
The University of Tampere Scholarships Program is for students who are to pay tuition fees for their Master’s degree programs in English will be implemented. A substantial number of scholarships will be available for the most talented fee-paying students.
Application Deadline: 17th January
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Award: The scheme consists of two scholarship categories:
- The University of Tampere tuition fee scholarships cover either 100% or 50% of the tuition fees.
- The University of Tampere Global Student Award for academic excellence scholarships cover 100% of the tuition fees and include a 7,000 € annual scholarship to cover the student’s living expenses
Duration of Scholarship: 2 years
4. University of Oulu Masters Scholarships for International Students
The Finland scholarships are for students studying for a Master’s degree in the University of Oulu’s two-year international Master’s program. Also, to retain the scholarship in the following year of study, a student must have completed 55 ECTS by the end of the previous academic year. If a student does not achieve this requirement, they will be liable to pay the full international tuition fee if they wish to complete their Master’s degree program.
Application Timeline: 24th January for studies starting in August.
Number of Awardees: it usually varies depending on the field of study; usually from 10 to 40 maximum.
Value of Scholarship: The tuition fee is also an academic fee and thus covers the costs of tuition. The tuition fee does not cover the living costs such as accommodation, meals, and transportation. All students are to finance their living costs by themselves.
Duration: 1 year
5. Protein Science International Masters Scholarship at University of Oulu Finland
Additionally, the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine has also established a Protein Science International Master’s Scholarship Programme to provide scholarships to academically talented international students who undertake the international master’s in Protein Science and Biotechnology at the University of Oulu. The University does not charge tuition fees from international degree students starting their studies in the autumn semester.
Application Deadline: The next available application period is 15 December – 29 January and is for studies starting in September. Importanatly, note that there is only one application period per year.
Number of Scholarships: There are up to 15 places available in the Protein Science and Biotechnology international Master’s program and up to 15 Protein Science International Master’s scholarships are available.
Value of Scholarship: 4000 Euros per year to cover some living expenses
Duration of Scholarship: for a maximum of two years.
6. University of Helsinki International Student Scholarship Grant
The University of Helsinki is offering a Master’s Degree Scholarship Programme in the form of an International Student Grant. The University of Helsinki is giving about 50 start-up grants to eligible students who have admission to study in an International Master’s Degree Programme.
Application Deadline: January 31
Number of Awardees: 50 start-up grants
Value of Award: The amount of each grant will be €1000 to €1500 euro. Furthermore, the grants are not meant to cover living expenses, but is hoped that the little extra money will help new students to settle in Helsinki.
Duration of Awards: three year
7. Aalto University Scholarship
Aalto University provides a wide range of Master’s programs that are taught entirely in English, targeted for all nationalities. Also, aalto University offers a number of full scholarships for non-EU/EEA (international) citizens in these programs. The scholarships are based on merit.
Application Deadline: 15 February
Number of Awardees: Several
Value of Scholarship: The scholarship duration is for a maximum of two academic years and covers the tuition fee, living and studying expenses.
- Category A (Gold): Full Scholarship 16,000 Euro (2x 8,000 Euro per academic year)
- Category B (Silver): Full Scholarship 16,000 Euro (2x 8,000 Euro per academic year)
- Category C (Bronze): 50% of Full scholarship 8,000 Euro (2x 4,000 Euro per academic year)
Duration of Award: period of study
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8. UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship for International Researchers
The UNU-WIDER Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme gives registered doctoral students the opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research and to work with researchers in areas of mutual interest. Moreover, visiting PhD fellows typically spend three consecutive months at UNU-WIDER before returning to their home institution. During their time in Helsinki, fellows prepare one or more research papers and present a seminar on their research findings.
Application Deadlines:
- 31st March
- 30th September
Number of Awards: The Visiting PhD Fellowship Programme is highly competitive and only a limited number of fellows can be accepted. In recent years, one percent of all applications have been successful.
Value of Award: UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant to cover the costs of travel to and from the location of your PhD granting institution, medical insurance (for medical and hospital services resulting from sickness and accident during your stay at UNU-WIDER), and a monthly stipend of EUR 1,600 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their fellowship. The program does not cover expenses related to dependents.
Duration of Program: 3 months
9. United Nations University – WIDER PhD Internships for International Students
The UNU-WIDER PhD Internship gives registered doctoral students an opportunity to utilize the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their PhD dissertation or thesis research and to work with UNU-WIDER researchers in areas of mutual interest. Additionally, during their time in Helsinki, PhD interns prepare one or more research papers and present a seminar on their research findings. PhD interns may also have the opportunity to publish their research in the WIDER Working Paper Series.
Application Deadline: 31 March 23:59 UTC+3.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Internship: UNU-WIDER provides a travel grant to cover the costs of travel to and from the location of your PhD granting institution, medical insurance (for medical and hospital services resulting from sickness and accident during your stay at UNU-WIDER), and a monthly stipend of EUR 1,600 to cover living expenses in Helsinki during the period of their internship. The program does not cover expenses related to dependents.
Duration of Internship: PhD interns typically spend 3 consecutive months at UNU-WIDER and are expected to return to their home institution afterward.
10. Finland Government Scholarships for International Students
Again, the Finland Government Scholarship Pool program is open to young researchers from all academic fields. The scholarship cannot be applied for Master’s level studies or post-doctoral studies/research. The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool program application form is not an application for a study/research placement. It is merely an application for funding.
Application Deadline: 15th February. CIMO will also inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates of the results by June annually.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: The scholarship includes:
- a monthly allowance of EUR 1500. The allowance is sufficient for one person only.
- Additionally, expenses due to travel, international or in Finland are not covered by the program. Scholarship recipients are
recommended to make arrangements for sufficient insurance coverage for their stay in Finland.
Duration of Scholarship: The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool program can be applied for a study/research period of 3-9 months, 9 months being the maximum time for an individual applicant.
11. CIMO Doctoral Fellowship for International Students
The primary target group in the CIMO Fellowship programme is Doctoral level students who will be doing their Doctorate (or Double Doctorate) at a Finnish university. The programme is open for applicants from all countries. However, when decisions on scholarship are made, emphasis is given to applicants from Russia, China, India, Chile, Brazil and North America.
Application Deadline: There are no annual application deadlines in the CIMO Fellowship programme. Applications may be considered at all times. However, candidates should note that applications should be submitted at least 5 months before the intended scholarship period. Decisions will be made within approximately 3 months after receipt of application.
Number of Awardees: Not specified
Value of Scholarship: 1500 Euros. The scholarship is intended to cover living expenses in Finland for a single person. No additional allowance for housing is paid. Expenses due to international travel to and from Finland are not covered by CIMO.
Duration of Award: 3 to 12 months
12. EDUFI Fellowships Program for Young Doctoral Students
The EDUFI Fellowships programme is open to young Doctoral level students and researchers from all countries and from all academic fields. Master’s level studies or post-doctoral studies/research are not supported in the programme.
Application Deadline: There are no annual application deadlines in the EDUFI Fellowship programme. Applications may be considered at all times. However, applications should be submitted at least 5 months before the intended scholarship period. Decisions will be made within approximately 3 months after receipt of application.
Number of Awards: Not specified
Value of Program: The monthly allowance is 1500 Euros. The scholarship is to cover living expenses in Finland for a single person. There is no additional allowance for housing. However, expenses due to international travel to and from Finland are not covered by the programme.
Duration of Program: 3 to 12 months
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13. University of Turku Postdoctoral Research in Science and Medicine
The University of Turku is a world-class multidisciplinary research university which offers interesting challenges and a unique vantage point to national and international research and education. Research at the University of Turku is diverse and international.
Application Deadline: 15th March
Number of Awardees: 5
Value of Program: The salary is determined in accordance with the university salary system for teaching and research personnel. The salary for Postdoctoral Researcher positions correspond to a requirement level 5 and personal performance level 4 euro-denominated salary (3 326, 61 €/ month). Progress in the researcher’s personal performance can be taken into account when determining the salary during the employment.
Duration of Program: 5 years
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