It’s no secret why Finland is one of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations among students far and wide. The North European country houses some of the world’s top universities that offer high-quality education for free*. Not only this, these institutes have a diverse collection of courses tailor-made to suit your academic and career goals. So if you are thinking of studying in this beautiful haven in 2024, dive into this blog to discover all the universities in Finland. From the best universities for international students to their rankings, we have all the answers ready and waiting for you. So read on to find the university list- Finland to know more!
*= Students from EU/EEA and Switzerland are exempt from tuition fee charges. However, international students have to pay the fees, except for doctoral programs.
Number of Universities in Finland | 13 (universities) 22 (universities of applied sciences) |
Tuition fee | Free (for students from EU/EEA) EUR 10,000 – 25,000/year (for international students) |
Admission and Language Requirements | SAT, IB (for international students), IELTS (optional), TOEFL, PTE, YKI |
Top Universities for Masters | Aalto University, University of Helsinki, University of Turku, Tampere University, University of Jyväskylä |
World Rankings | Finnish institutes rank under the top 1000 universities in the world |
This Blog Includes:
Reasons to Study in Finland in 2024
Apart from world-class institutes offering free education, there are several reasons for you to pick Finland to study abroad this year.
- Firstly, the country is more affordable in terms of living as compared to Canada and Australia. The cost of living in Finland for international students is around EUR 700-900 every month.
- Secondly, Finland is one of the safest countries in the world and is known for its scenic beauty, saunas, and northern lights.
- Thirdly, international students can also work part-time for 30 hours/week while studying. They can also apply for a post-study visa that extends up to 2 years to gain full-time employment or even permanent residency (PR).
Universities in Finland for International Students
While every university in Finland leaves no stone unturned when it comes to higher education, here are some that are considered the best for international students. Some of these institutes also provide special pathways for students from specific nationalities:
- Aalto University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Turku
- Tampere University
- University of Vaasa
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
- University of Eastern Finland
- Hanken School of Economics
- University of Oulu
Universities in Finland without IELTS
Although universities in Finland do ask for English Language proficiency through IELTS from international students, it’s optional for some institutes. These institutes are listed below, along with their alternative English language requirements:
University | English Language Requirements (Minimum Score) |
LUT University | TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) – 78 (minimum overall score) with at least 20 marks in writing PTE Academic – 54 C1: Advanced – Grade C C2: Proficiency – Grade C |
Lappeenranta University of Technology | TOEFL IBT test/TOEFL iBT® Home Edition – 90 Cambridge C1 Advanced – Grade C Cambridge C2 Proficiency – Grade C1 PTE Academic – 62 |
Helsinki School of Business | TOEFL – 88 Finnish Matriculation Exam – M in English A |
Metropolia University | No English language requirements (except for Nursing and Social Services courses) |
Universities in Finland for Masters
Students pursuing their Master’s in Finland have a range of universities to choose from. There are 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences that offer numerous postgraduate courses to students. These programs typically last 1-2 years (longer for UAS programs with work experience requirements) and cost EUR 5,000-18,000/year for international students. Given below is the University List- Finland that offers Master’s degrees:
University | Popular Master Programs |
University of Helsinki | Agricultural Science, Changing Education, Contemporary Societies, Data Science, European and Nordic Studies, Atmospheric Sciences |
University of Eastern Finland | Biology of Environmental Change, Economics and Business Administration, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural Sciences |
University of Turku | Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Medicine & Health, Computer Science & IT, Social Sciences |
Tampere University | Educational Leadership, Environmental Engineering, International Business, Community Work and Multicultural Development, Computing Sciences |
Aalto University | Engineering & Technology, Arts, Design & Architecture, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management, Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences |
University List Finland: Rankings
Universities in Finland are ranked among the top universities in the world by different ranking frameworks. Some of these universities with their global rankings for 2024 are as follows:
University | QS World Ranking 2024 | THE World Ranking 2024 | US News and World Report |
Aalto University | 109 | 201-250 | 273 |
University of Helsinki | 115 | 121 | 99 |
University of Oulu | =313 | 251-300 | 447 |
University of Turku | =315 | 301-350 | 342 |
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology | =351 | 251-300 | 696 |
Tampere University | =436 | 301-350 | 400 |
University of Jyväskylä | =446 | 401-500 | 520 |
University of Eastern Finland | =548 | 501-600 | 487 |
Abo Akademi University | 601-610 | 501-600 | 1037 |
FAQs
Ans. Several Finnish universities such as LUT, Helsinki School of Business, and Metropolia University offer programs with alternative English tests or portfolio assessments.
Ans. Tuition fees in Finnish universities vary, but international students must expect EUR 5,000-18,000/year. However, there are many scholarships and grants from the Finnish government available to ease the living expenses of students.
Ans. Finnish universities offer a lot of student support in the form of unions, language courses, cultural events and dedicated international student support offices for students from different nationalities.
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We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the university list- Finland for different student criteria. Keep following Leverage Edu to discover more courses and destinations to study abroad. Thank you for reading!