Does Finland Offer Free College Education for International Students?

As of August 2023, Finland does not offer free college education for most international students. While higher education in Finland is free for Finnish and EU/EEA students, non-EU/EEA students typically have to pay tuition fees. However, many universities in Finland offer scholarships to international students which can help cover these costs.

Its also worth noting that living expenses in Finland can be significant, so international students should plan for those costs as well. If you're considering studying in Finland, it's a good idea to check the specific university's website for the most current information regarding tuition and available scholarships.

Tuition Fees in Finland

According to Finnish law, which came into effect in 2016, tuition fees are charged to students from outside the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). The fee is at least 1500 euros per year for students who started programs after August 1, 2017, for degrees taught in foreign languages. A master's degree typically costs around 12,000 euros per year in most programs.

Lukukausimaksu - The Tuition Fee Law

The term "lukukausimaksu" refers to the tuition fee law in Finland. Under this law, you can study without tuition fees if you are enrolled in programs taught in Finnish or Swedish, regardless of your origin. If you want to study in programs taught in other languages, you are charged a tuition fee if you come from outside the EU/EEA.

Finland has some notable exceptions and a few master's courses charge fees to non-EU/EEA students.

What Programs Are Available in English?

While there are a limited number of programs taught in English in Finland, they are available at both bachelor's and master's level. However, it's important to note that no university in Finland functions exclusively in English. You should study each university and program individually to learn what they can offer you. Below are links to each university's site where you can find tuition fees and scholarships for each program:

University of Helsinki

University of Helsinki

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

Aalto University

Aalto University

Tuoteka

Tampere University

Opinions on Free Education in Finland

Many people believe that Finland has managed to keep university education entirely state-funded even for international students. While there are a few exceptions, most degrees are free for non-EU/EEA students. However, as you can see, non-EU/EEA students do face the burden of tuition fees for language-specific programs. The situation can be quite complex, and it's essential to carefully review the specifics of each program you're interested in.

Education in Finland is highly regarded, and many universities offer world-class programs. Joining hands with organizations like Only Uni can help you navigate the challenges and make your dreams of studying in Finland a reality.