Finland is a popular choice for students worldwide because of its top-notch educational system and substantial scholarship program, regardless of your academic goals—a bachelor’s, master’s, or research degree. The icing on the cake? By offering IELTS-free application choices, many of these scholarships knock down barriers for candidates from a variety of language backgrounds.
This guide will take you through some of the top fully-funded scholarships in Finland that you may apply for now, as the 2025 academic year approaches.
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Why Study in Finland?
Finland provides a special combination of outstanding post-graduation possibilities, reasonably priced housing, and top-notch education. Here are some reasons why it makes sense to study in Finland in 2025:
- Internationally Renowned Education: Nine Finnish universities are listed in the top 1000 of the QS World University Rankings 2025, with the University of Helsinki (#117) and Aalto University (#113) at the top of the list.
- Affordable Education: Tuition, living expenses, and relocation subsidies are all covered by generous scholarships, making education affordable.
- Employment Opportunities: Students can apply for a two-year post-graduation residency permit to work in fields such as engineering, technology, and healthcare once they graduate.
- Flexible Working Hours: Under a study visa, international students are permitted to work or intern in Finland for up to 30 hours per week while they are enrolled in classes and full-time during breaks.
- IELTS Alternatives: Finnish academic institutions accept tests like TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English, or even a Medium of Instruction Certificate.
- Student exchange programs
For international students seeking a top-notch education and a fulfilling future, Finland is the perfect destination because of its innovative, safe, and friendly atmosphere.
Read Also: Top 10 Scholarships in Ireland that Do Not Require IELTS 2025
English Language Requirements for Scholarships in Finland 2025
Although IELTS is not required for many Finnish scholarships, it is important to confirm the specific requirements of each university. Tests that are widely recognized include:
- IELTS Academic: Scores between 6.0-7.0
- TOEFL iBT: Scores ranging from 80–100
- PTE Academic: Minimum scores of 58–65
- Cambridge English Qualifications (B2 First, C1 Advanced): Scores typically required around 169 or above.
Read Also: Top 5 English Language Tests That Are Accepted in 2024
Types of Scholarships Finland Offers for Admission in 2025
Scholarships in Finland fall into three primary categories:
- Government Scholarships: This is usually intended for postdoctoral and doctorate research students.
- University Scholarships: This is for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees are provided by Finnish institutions.
- Private/Organization Scholarships: Determined by certain standards like merit, nationality, or research areas.
1. Finnish Government Scholarships 2025:
Studying in Finland is a great value for investment. With flexible study paths, affordable student prices, and a stable society with equal opportunities, studying in Finland has got you covered.
Planning a budget for your time in Finland is an important part of preparing for the journey ahead. There is a range of options for scholarships both for bachelor’s and master’s level international students, and funding options also exist for the doctoral level.
These scholarships are targeted at international students pursuing doctoral and postdoctoral studies in Finland. They include:
- Full tuition coverage
- Monthly stipend
- Travel grants for researchers
Application Timeline: September 1 – November 30, 2025.
Apply: https://www.studyinfinland.fi/scholarships.
2. Doctoral Studies Finland Scholarships 2025
This scholarship supports studies that are in line with Finnish research priorities and is specifically tailored for PhD candidates. The benefits are:
- Full tuition fee waivers
- Relocation grant of €5,000
- Research funds for laboratory and fieldwork
- Monthly stipends
Apply: https://www.studyinfinland.fi/scholarships/doctoral-funding
3. University of Helsinki Scholarships 2025:
Scholarships are intended for excellent tuition fee-liable students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who want to complete a Master’s programme at the University of Helsinki.
The scholarships are awarded to the best students on the grounds of academic overall assessment according to the general master’s degree entrance requirements, academic excellence and success in previous studies, and motivation to study in a master’s program at the University of Helsinki.
International students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees are the main recipients of scholarships from the University of Helsinki:
- Complete exemptions of tuition fees
- A living expenses allowance of €5,000 per year
Application Procedure: Combined with the application for the Master’s program.
The annual tuition costs range from €13,000 to €18,000 per year.
Exemptions: Generally speaking, PhD candidates, exchange program participants, and EU/EEA nationals are not required to pay tuition.
4. Aalto University Scholarships
The Aalto University Excellence Scholarship offers tuition fee waivers for outstanding fee-paying students pursuing two-year master’s programs. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and do not cover living expenses.
Which Fields are Eligible?
- Art and Design: Master of Arts (Art and Design)
- Business and Economics: Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration)
- Technology and Engineering: Master of Science (Technology), Master of Science (Architecture), or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture)
Aalto University offers various scholarships for non-EU/EEA Master’s applicants based on academic merit:
- Full or partial tuition waivers
- Covers tuition fees, living costs, and travel expenses.
Apply: https://www.aalto.fi/en/international-students/scholarships.
5. University of Turku International Scholarships:
The University of Turku supports merited and motivated students with generous scholarships. Scholarships are offered for both Bachelor’s and Master’s level studies, for students who are subject to tuition fees.
The scholarships are awarded based on academic merits. Applying for a scholarship is simple: just indicate “yes” to the appropriate question on your online application form for the programme.
Key scholarships at the University of Turku include:
- Finland Scholarship: For top non-EU/EEA Master’s applicants, covering tuition fees and a €5,000 relocation grant.
- University of Turku Scholarship: Tuition waivers for up to 30% of selected Bachelor’s and Master’s students.
Apply: https://www.utu.fi/en/study-at-utu/scholarships-and-tuition-fees.
6. LUT University Scholarships 2025:
LUT University supports international Master’s students through:
- Tuition fee waivers and discounts
- Academic merit-based scholarships
Programs cover various fields, including engineering, business, and technology.
Apply: https://elut.lut.fi/en/completing-studies/tuition-fee/scholarship-masters-studies.
7. Tampere University Scholarships 2025
Tampere University seeks to recognize its most merited, high-achieving, and motivated students. The scholarship programme is available for application for students who are required to pay tuition fees in bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes offered in English.
As a rule, all students who are citizens of non-EU/EEA countries and study for a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in English are liable to pay tuition fees which range between 10,000 and 12,000 euros. Tampere University offers a limited number of partial scholarships as well as an early bird discount to support fee-paying students.
Tampere University offers:
- Degree Scholarships: Full or partial tuition waivers for exceptional Master’s applicants.
- Global Student Award: Covers full tuition fees and includes a €7,000 annual living stipend.
Apply: https://www.tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/apply-to-tampere-university/financial-matters/scholarships.
8. University of Eastern Finland Scholarships:
The tuition fee for international Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes is €10,000 per academic year. Tuition fees apply only to students coming from outside the EU/EEA-area or Switzerland. Bachelor’s programmes usually take three years to complete, while Master’s programmes typically take two years.
Targeted mainly at doctoral students, these scholarships provide:
- Up to Full tuition coverage
- Monthly stipends
Students from developing countries receive additional support.
Apply: https://www.uef.fi/en/tuition-fees-waivers-and-scholarships.
9. Hanken School of Economics Diversity Scholarships:
Hanken offers a few scholarships for students liable for tuition fees, normally in the form of tuition fee waivers.
The number of scholarships is very limited. Among the regular Hanken scholarships, there are no scholarships that cover the full tuition fee or living costs (except for the GBSN Premium Scholarship), which is why the applicant must have a solid financial background.
The scholarships at Hanken are merit-based. All scholarships are awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme’s evaluation criteria. A student can only hold one type of Hanken scholarship per academic year.
This scholarship promotes diversity by offering tuition fee waivers to:
- International Bachelor’s and Master’s students
- Students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in business and economics.
Apply: https://www.hanken.fi/en/apply/study-hanken/international-students/tuition-fees-and-scholarships.
10. University of Oulu Internationalization Scholarships 2025:
The University of Oulu International Scholarship Plan provides different scholarships to academically talented international students studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at the University of Oulu. Tuition fees and scholarships depend on the programme in question. Applicants can apply for the scholarships on the online application as part of the admissions process.
This program supports Master’s students through:
- Tuition fee waivers
- Financial support for international mobility and exchange programs.
11. Åbo Akademi University International Scholarships
Both need-based and merit-based scholarships are available at Åbo Akademi University for:
- Students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees
12# Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Scholarships
Metropolia University offers generous tuition fee waivers to international students enrolling in its applied sciences programs. Benefits include:
- Full or partial tuition coverage
- Industry collaborations for research and internships
