Finland has a well-established international master degree sector. Most programs at Aalto University, LUT University, University of Helsinki, Tampere University, and University of Oulu are taught entirely in English. This guide explains costs, scholarships, and the application process for international students.
Tuition Fees
EU and EEA citizens: free at all public Finnish universities. Non-EU citizens: typically 8,000-18,000 euros per academic year depending on university and field. STEM fields tend to be at the higher end; humanities and social sciences at the lower end.
Top Finnish Universities for International Masters
- Aalto University (Helsinki) — World-class in engineering, design, and business. Highly competitive. Strong scholarship program covering full tuition for top applicants.
- LUT University (Lappeenranta) — Excellent for sustainability, green energy, and business. Smaller campus, more personal atmosphere. One of the most international campuses in Finland.
- University of Helsinki — Strongest in humanities, biosciences, social sciences, and law. The oldest and most prestigious university in Finland.
- Tampere University — Engineering, medicine, and social sciences. Strong industry links, especially in manufacturing and technology.
- University of Oulu — ICT, wireless technology, and engineering. Home to one of Nokia main R&D offices.
Scholarship Programs
- Aalto University Scholarship — Merit-based tuition waiver of 50% or 100% for top non-EU applicants. Applied automatically based on application strength.
- LUT Scholarship — 50-100% tuition fee reduction for excellent applicants. Apply separately through the LUT website alongside your program application.
- EDUFI Fellowships — Finnish government fellowships for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Limited to research programs, not taught master programs.
How to Apply
Apply directly through each university website — master applications in Finland are typically not processed through studyinfo.fi. Application periods: October to January for September entry at most universities. You will need: degree certificate and transcripts, motivation letter, CV, language test score (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent), and 2-3 recommendation letters.
Apply to at least 3 Finnish universities simultaneously — application fees are low or zero and scholarship decisions are often more generous for strong applicants who apply to multiple programs.
