Study IT in Finland: Free, Without IELTS, Requirements, Universities

Finland, the land of saunas, reindeer, and the happiest people in the world, also has another major attraction for students all over the world: free-to-study, world-class IT education. And that’s not all, you can study in Finland without the need for IELTS! Yes, you read that right. If you’re an aspiring tech wizard craving cutting-edge knowledge and a lively tech scene, Finland might just be your coding Valhalla. Read on to find out more!

Why Study IT in Finland?

There’s more to Finland’s IT landscape than snowy coding marathons (although those exist too!). Here’s what makes it a magnet for tech-savvy minds:

1. Finnish universities consistently rank among the best in the world for IT and computer science.
2. Finland is a breeding ground for tech giants like Nokia, Supercell, and Angry Birds. You get a dynamic ecosystem to collaborate with future unicorns.
3. Enroll in English-taught Master’s programs and study for free! Talk about breaking down financial barriers to education.
4. No IELTS? No problem! Many universities accept alternative English proficiency proofs like previous studies in English or interviews. 
5. Adapting to life in Finland is a breeze with English widely spoken, especially in academic circles.
6. Finland’s natural beauty provides the perfect escape from coding crunches, from mystical forests to shimmering lakes.

Top Universities to Study IT in Finland

Finland has a strong reputation for excellence in science and technology, and its universities offer a wide range of IT programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, the following are some of the best universities in Finland for IT:

University	QS Ranking for Computer Science and Information Systems
Aalto University	84
University of Helsinki	140
University of Oulu	301-350
Tampere University	251-300
LUT University	–
University of Jyväskylä	401-450
University of Turku	–

Top Courses & Tuition Fees

The IT field is broad and diverse and encompasses many sub-disciplines and applications. Depending on your interests and goals, you can choose from various IT courses in Finland that suit your needs. Here are some IT courses offered by Finnish universities, along with their tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students:

Course	University	Tuition Fee (per year)
Bachelor’s Programme in Science and Technology	Aalto University	12,000 EUR
Bachelor’s Programme in Data Science	University of Helsinki	13,000 EUR
Master’s Programme in Software, Systems and Services Development in the Global Environment	University of Oulu	10,000 EUR
Master’s Programme in Information Technology	Tampere University	12,000 EUR
Master’s Programme in Software Engineering and Digital Transformation	LUT University	10,000 EUR
Master’s Programme in Information Systems	University of Jyväskylä	8,000 EUR
Master’s Programme in Information Security and Cryptography	University of Turku	10,000 EUR

Note that these tuition fees are only applicable to non-EU/EEA students who are required to pay tuition fees. EU/EEA students and some other categories of students are exempt from tuition fees. You can check your eligibility for tuition fee exemption at Studyinfo. fi.

Admission Requirements

To apply for an IT program in Finland, you need to meet the academic and English language requirements of the university and the program you are interested in. The exact requirements may vary from one program to another, but generally, you need to have the following:

• A high school diploma or equivalent for bachelor’s programs, or a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for master’s programs, in a relevant field of study
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) or equivalent, as specified by the university
• Proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or other accepted tests, unless you are exempt from this requirement (see below)
• A motivation letter, a CV, a portfolio, or other supporting documents

Study IT in Finland Without IELTS

If you are wondering whether you can study IT in Finland without IELTS, the answer is yes, under certain conditions. You can be exempt from the English language test requirement if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are a native speaker of English
• You have completed your previous studies in English in an EU/EEA country, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or the USA, or in a program that is accredited by certain international organizations
• You have a valid certificate of English language proficiency other than IELTS, such as TOEFL, PTE, or C1 Advanced, that is accepted by the university
• You have passed the Finnish Matriculation Examination in English

However, not all universities and programs accept these exemptions, so you should always check the specific requirements of the program you are applying for. If you are not sure whether you need to take an English language test or not, you can contact the university for clarification.

Documents Required

To study IT in Finland, you need to submit the following documents as part of your application:

• A copy of your passport or ID card
• A copy of your high school diploma or bachelor’s degree certificate, along with a transcript of records, and an official translation if they are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish
• Proof of English language proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or other accepted tests, or a certificate of exemption
• A motivation letter, explaining why you want to study IT in Finland and how it relates to your academic and career goals
• A CV, highlighting your educational background, work experience, skills, and achievements
• A portfolio, showcasing your previous projects, assignments, or publications related to IT, if required by the program
• A copy of your scholarship application, if you are applying for a scholarship from the university

You may also need to provide other documents, such as letters of recommendation, entrance exam results, or interviews, depending on the program. You should always check the specific requirements of the program and the university before submitting your application.

Scholarships to Study IT in Finland

Studying IT in Finland can be expensive, especially for non-EU/EEA students who have to pay tuition fees. However, there are many scholarships available for international students who want to pursue IT courses in Finland. These scholarships can cover part or all of the tuition fees, and sometimes also living expenses. Here are some scholarships for studying IT in Finland:

Scholarship	University	Eligibility	Benefits
Aalto University Scholarship Programme	Aalto University	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have excellent academic performance	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 100%
University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme	University of Helsinki	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have outstanding academic results	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 100%, and a living cost allowance of 10,000 EUR
University of Oulu Scholarship Programme	University of Oulu	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 5.0	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 75%
Tampere University Scholarships	Tampere University	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have excellent academic achievements	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 25% to 100%, and a living cost allowance of 7,000 EUR
LUT Scholarships	LUT University	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 5.0	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 100%
University of Jyväskylä Scholarships	University of Jyväskylä	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 5.0	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 100%
University of Turku Scholarships	University of Turku	Non-EU/EEA students who are liable to pay tuition fees and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 5.0	Tuition fee waiver ranging from 50% to 100%

You can apply for these scholarships at the same time as you apply for admission to the university. You can also check other sources of funding, such as the Finnish National Agency for Education, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, or the Fulbright Finland Foundation.

Career Scope

According to the Technology Finland website, the technology industry is the most important export industry in Finland, accounting for over 50% of all Finnish exports. The technology industry employs 6.8% of the workforce, which was the highest in the EU in 2017. The technology industry also invests heavily in research and development, accounting for 65% of all private sector R&D spending in Finland.

Some of the most popular and lucrative IT jobs in Finland are software developer, software engineer, data analyst, data scientist, software architect, IT consultant, IT manager, and IT project manager. 

Job Profile	Average Salary
Software Developer	€4,000 – €6,000 per month
Cybersecurity Specialist	€4,500 – €7,000 per month
Data Scientist	€5,000 – €8,000 per month
Cloud Architect	€5,500 – €9,000 per month
AI Engineer	€6,000 – €10,000 per month

FAQs

Related Reads:

Cheapest University in Finland for International Students	Why Finland’s Education System is the Best in the World?
Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland: A 2024 Guide	Finland Student Visa Permits, Fees, Process & More
Top Courses to Study in Finland 2024	All You Need to Know About Part-Time Jobs in Finland for International Students

We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of what it’s like to study IT in Finland for international students. To discover more courses to study abroad, tune into Leverage Edu today. Thank you for reading!