Student life in Finland combines high quality with sensible costs, which is a large part of why international students choose it. Finland is one of the most developed countries in Europe, yet the student cost of living in Finland is lower than in most other popular study destinations.
Housing, food, transport and everyday essentials all belong in a student budget. This article breaks the numbers down in detail so you can plan your studies and your life in Finland with realistic figures.
Why study in Finland?
Finland is one of the strongest destinations for international students who want both academic quality and a good standard of living. The main advantages:
- Finland is known for its advanced, innovative education system, and students, institutions and international employers all rate it highly.
- Living in Finland costs less than living in Canada, Australia, Sweden or Germany, which eases the financial pressure on students.
- Fresh food, a calm and safe environment and some of the cleanest tap water anywhere give quality of life in Finland its reputation.
- Current rules give international students a realistic path to apply for permanent residence in Finland and to settle in one of the happiest countries in the world.
If you want a different experience, with room to learn and a genuinely liveable environment, Finland is worth serious consideration. It offers higher education, social welfare and a healthy setting in one package.
Read more: The best universities in Finland
Costs to plan for before you arrive in Finland
Before you start student life and apply for a Finnish student residence permit, several costs need to be on your list:
- Tuition: non-EU students pay tuition, commonly around EUR 9,500 to EUR 10,000 a year for many programmes. The full range across universities and subjects is wider, as the section below sets out. Tuition is normally paid before studies begin.
- Residence permit: the residence permit fee is set by the Finnish Immigration Service and is lower for an online application than for a paper one; check the current amount on migri.fi before you apply.
- Health insurance: valid health insurance cover is a condition of the residence permit.
- Housing deposit: student housing and private landlords usually ask for a deposit of EUR 350 to EUR 600.
- Vaccinations: getting your vaccinations up to date before you travel is advisable.
- Travel: do not forget the flight and the onward transport to your accommodation.
These are the baseline costs of student life in Finland, and they all need to be budgeted before you fly.
University tuition fees in Finland
Tuition is the single largest item in the student cost of living in Finland. Students from outside the EU and the European Economic Area pay tuition for bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English. Depending on the university and the subject, fees run from about EUR 8,000 to EUR 20,000 a year.
For exact figures, check the Finnish national study information service or the university’s own website. If you are liable for tuition, you are usually also eligible to apply for a scholarship offered by that same university.
Finnish tuition fees vary by level, subject and university, but broadly:
Bachelor’s degree
- Public universities: EUR 6,000 to EUR 12,000 a year
- Private institutions: EUR 10,000 to EUR 20,000 a year
- Medicine, business and engineering usually sit at the higher end
Master’s degree
- Public universities: EUR 8,000 to EUR 15,000 a year
- Private institutions: EUR 12,000 to EUR 25,000 a year
- MBA and specialist programmes cost more
Doctoral degree
- Many doctoral programmes charge no tuition
- Some universities pay doctoral researchers a grant or a monthly salary
| University | Tuition (EUR/year) | Tuition (VND/year) | Scholarship available |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki | EUR 13,000 - 18,000 | VND 360,150,000 - 498,670,000 | Up to 100% of tuition |
| Aalto University | EUR 12,000 - 15,000 | VND 332,448,000 - 415,560,000 | 50% to 100% of tuition |
| University of Oulu | EUR 10,000 - 13,000 | VND 277,040,000 - 360,152,000 | Up to 75% of tuition |
| Tampere University | EUR 8,000 - 12,000 | VND 221,632,000 - 332,448,000 | 50% to 100% of tuition |
Student cost of living in Finland
To live and study in Finland, budget roughly EUR 700 to EUR 900 a month. The figure depends on the city you live in and breaks down as follows:
Student housing and rent
Where you live is the biggest single decision in a student budget. Finland offers a genuine range of student accommodation to suit different needs and budgets. International students normally choose between two options:
- Student housing: EUR 240 to EUR 420 a month
- Private rentals, shared or self-contained: EUR 420 to EUR 960 a month
Renting on the private market can be expensive, especially in the larger cities. Student housing is cheaper, and many universities work with providers such as SOA (Finnish Student Housing Ltd) to offer well-equipped rooms and flats at student rates.
Food costs
A single person typically spends EUR 250 to EUR 350 a month on food.
| Product | Average price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 litre) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Bread (500 g) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Rice (1 kg) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Eggs (12) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
| Apples (1 kg) | Varies by country and retailer - check local prices |
Internet and utilities
Internet, a mobile plan, electricity and waste collection come to about EUR 130 a month on average for a student in Finland. The exact figure depends on your accommodation and your own consumption. Student mobile plans and shared internet in student housing bring it down.
Public transport
Most students use public transport. A monthly travel card costs EUR 35 to EUR 50. A standard monthly bus ticket is at the higher end, around EUR 50, but students get a discount of up to 50 per cent, which makes a real difference to the student cost of living in Finland. Students who can afford a car can of course drive; renting a car for a few days costs around EUR 230.
| Type of transport | Cost (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Monthly public transport pass | EUR 60 to 78 |
| Bicycle rental | EUR 20 to 30 |
| Taxi (5 km) | EUR 14 to 18 |
| Petrol (per litre) | EUR 1.8 to 1.9 |
Supermarket shopping
A typical grocery budget is about EUR 250 a month.
| Item | Approximate price (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Lunch at the university cafeteria | 2.95 - 5.60 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | About 15 |
| 1 litre of milk | About 1 |
| A loaf of bread | About 2 |
| 400 g of minced meat (10% fat) | 4.30 |
| Salmon (per kilogram) | 26.90 |
| A cup of coffee at a cafe | 2.50 |
| 2 kg of flour | About 1.70 |
Student union membership and health services
Students at Finnish universities usually pay EUR 50 to EUR 70 a year for student union membership. It is compulsory for bachelor’s and master’s students. Exchange, visiting and doctoral students can join if they want to.
Membership brings a range of discounts and benefits, including reduced fares on trains and intercity buses, subsidised student meals and much else.
Student health service fee (FSHS)
Leisure and entertainment costs
Monthly leisure spending by city:
- Helsinki: about EUR 50 to EUR 90 a month
- Smaller cities such as Oulu and Jyvaskyla: about EUR 50 to EUR 90 a month, often at the lower end
If you like weekend trips, concerts or ticketed events, spending can reach EUR 100 to EUR 250 a month. A cinema ticket costs about EUR 11 to EUR 17 and a museum ticket about EUR 12 to EUR 15. A gym membership adds roughly EUR 30 to EUR 60 a month.
Comparing living costs across Finnish cities
The student cost of living in Finland changes with the city, the university and your own lifestyle.
| City | Euros per month (EUR/month) |
|---|---|
| Helsinki | 810 - 980 |
| Jyväskylä | 700 - 750 |
| Tampere | 730 - 850 |
| Oulu | 550 - 770 |
Scholarships in Finland
Studying in Finland as a non-EU student calls for careful financial planning. Tuition in some subjects is high, but a wide range of scholarships can cover a large share of the cost, and part-time work during term is allowed. Finnish student scholarships fall into these groups:
1. University of Jyvaskyla (JYU) scholarships:
- For fee-paying international students
- Typically a 50 per cent reduction in annual tuition
- US students can also apply for a Fulbright grant, which covers full tuition plus a living allowance
2. EDUFI national scholarships (Finnish National Agency for Education):
- For postgraduate students, researchers and visiting academics
The programme covers three strands: EDUFI Fellowships for research, scholarships for Finno-Ugric minorities in Russia, and scholarships for master’s students of the Finnish language.
3. International scholarships through external platforms:
Applicants can also search through:
- ScholarshipPortal
- Fastweb and Scholarships.com (for US students)
- DAAD (for students based in Germany)
- The Gilman Scholarship (for US students)
Overall, studying in Finland costs less than in most other European countries while the teaching quality stays high. With scholarships covering anywhere from 50 to 100 per cent of tuition, international students can study in Finland on a workable budget.
Finnish state student aid (Kela)
Kela’s student financial aid (opintotuki) is not available to most international students. If you have lived in Finland for more than two years, you may qualify for some healthcare services or a limited set of benefits. Check the conditions carefully before you apply for any grant or benefit, and confirm your status with the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
How to reduce your student living costs in Finland
Managing money is a real part of student life, and a few straightforward habits make a measurable difference.
- For rent, look at suburbs and nearby cities such as Espoo and Vantaa instead of central Helsinki, and save 20 to 30 per cent.
- Shop at discount supermarkets such as Lidl and use store loyalty cards.
- Buy a monthly or annual public transport card, and cycle in the warmer months.
- Eat lunch in student restaurants. With the Kela meal subsidy a student lunch usually costs around EUR 3, against roughly EUR 10 to EUR 12 for a standard lunch elsewhere.
- Use everyone’s right of public access, which makes nature and outdoor activity free.
- Shop during the January and July sales, and use second-hand shops and online marketplaces.
- Use a Finnish bank for domestic payments and a service such as Wise for international transfers.
- Compare mobile operators and pick the plan that actually fits your usage.
- Use the public health service, which is both good and inexpensive.
Follow these and the student cost of living in Finland stays manageable, and student life stays enjoyable.
Frequently asked questions
- What hidden costs come up while studying in Finland?
Visa and residence permit fees, health insurance and course materials are the usual extras. They are easy to overlook at first and they matter to the budget. - Can international students work while studying in Finland?
Yes. International students can work an average of 30 hours a week during term and full time during holiday periods. - What determines the cost of a Finnish student residence permit?
The residence permit fee is set by the Finnish Immigration Service and is lower for an online application than for a paper one; check the current amount on migri.fi. Extras such as travel insurance and medical checks come on top.
