Finland has become one of the most popular study destinations in Europe. The best universities in Finland are known worldwide for their advanced teaching, research quality and scientific innovation, and they host thousands of students from around the world each year. With programmes in English as well as Finnish, they suit anyone who wants to build a life in a developed European country.
Studying in Finland costs less than in many other European countries, and the scholarships and grants on offer make the route to a Finland student visa more manageable. Below are our recommendations for the best universities in Finland.
Best universities in Finland for international students
Finnish universities rank among the strongest higher education institutions in Europe and cover engineering, technology, the humanities, the arts and medicine. The list below is based on academic standing, research facilities, global ranking and the availability of scholarships and grants.
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki, ranked around 126 in the world, is one of the best universities in Finland and the oldest in the country, founded in 1640. It has more than 40,000 students and 11 faculties, and teaches a broad range of subjects in both English and Finnish.
Studying at the University of Helsinki gives international students access to:
- Advanced research infrastructure
- Modern laboratories and libraries
- A range of scholarships for international students
- A central location in the capital
- Easy access to cultural and economic hubs
The university is best known in Europe for biotechnology and life sciences, computer science and artificial intelligence, international law, English language teaching and linguistics. Applicants need a language certificate, their previous qualifications and the tuition fee.
University of Helsinki website: https://www.helsinki.fi/en
Aalto University
Aalto University is another of the best universities in Finland, ranked around 114 in the world and academically very strong. It is a modern, interdisciplinary university with an innovation-led approach, formed in 2010 through the merger of three respected institutions:
- Helsinki University of Technology
- Helsinki School of Economics
- University of Art and Design Helsinki
Aalto’s international reputation rests mainly on industrial design, architecture, computer engineering and data science, urban design, business and entrepreneurship, and electrical engineering and telecommunications. Its strengths include an innovation-driven approach, an inspiring campus, partnerships with international companies and startups, and English-taught programmes at master’s and doctoral level.
Applicants need a language certificate and must apply before the deadline. Tuition is EUR 12,000 a year at bachelor’s level and between EUR 15,000 and EUR 20,000 at master’s level. Doctoral researchers are employed by the university and pay no tuition, although competition for doctoral places is intense and only a small number of applicants are admitted.
Aalto University website: https://www.aalto.fi/en
University of Turku
The University of Turku is our third recommendation among the best universities in Finland, ranked around 366 in the world. As the second oldest higher education institution in the country, it was founded in 1920 and now has around 20,000 students from across the world.
Alongside its teaching and research facilities, the advantages of studying at Turku include:
- A wide choice of English-taught programmes
- More than 30 master’s and doctoral programmes delivered in English
- An international reputation in the humanities, social sciences, medicine, engineering and information technology
- Partnerships with more than 100 universities and research institutions worldwide
Applicants to Turku need a language certificate and must submit their documents by the deadline for their programme. If your subject requires an interview, an entrance exam or a practical test, contact the university several months in advance so you have time to prepare.
University of Turku website: https://www.utu.fi
University of Oulu
The University of Oulu is another of the best universities in Finland. Founded in 1958, it is ranked around 342 in the world, has 14,000 students and is regarded as one of the leading research institutions in northern Europe.
Its most popular subjects for international students are software engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, information and communications technology, life sciences, medicine, pharmacy, public health, business, economics and accounting, supported by good teaching, research and student facilities.
Oulu offers a range of scholarships for international students, summarised in the table below:
| Scholarship | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit-based | For outstanding academic performance; covers 50% to 100% of tuition |
| Academic-progress-based | Tuition discount in later years subject to academic progress |
| Doctoral funding | Salary paid to the student as a university employee |
Living costs in Oulu are moderate, at between EUR 700 and EUR 1,000 a month. A language certificate such as IELTS Academic at 6.5 or above, or TOEFL at 78 or above qualifies you to apply.
University of Oulu website: https://www.oulu.fi
Tampere University
Tampere University is the last of our recommendations among the best universities in Finland. It is one of the country’s leading institutions, created in 2019 through the merger of the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology.
It has around 21,000 students and is known for its international research, modern campuses, teaching and research facilities, and its range of English-taught programmes in the social sciences, engineering, IT, medicine and the natural sciences.
Like other Finnish universities, Tampere awards scholarships and study grants for its English-taught and Finnish-taught programmes on the basis of:
- Academic merit and previous grades
- Academic progress during the course
- Research projects at doctoral level
To qualify you need your previous academic records and a language certificate such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL or PTE Academic.
Tampere University website: https://www.tuni.fi
When to apply to universities in Finland
Having looked at the best universities in Finland, the next step is the application and admission process, which is half the work of moving to Finland. Start by researching the universities and picking the one that best fits your subject.
Next, send the university whatever it asks for before the deadline: previous qualifications, a CV, a motivation letter, a language certificate and so on, and ask former lecturers for reference letters. If you are applying in art or architecture you will also need to submit a portfolio, so check the university website.
Once your documents are in, wait for an invitation to an interview or entrance exam if your programme requires one, and pay the application fee. Fees vary between universities and typically start at around EUR 50; they are not refunded if you are not admitted or your visa is refused, so check each university’s admissions page for the current amount.
With a formal offer letter you can book an embassy appointment and submit your documents for a student residence permit. A first residence permit for studies costs EUR 600 if you apply online through Enter Finland and EUR 750 on paper; an extended permit for studies costs EUR 230 online or EUR 430 on paper. Migri’s fees are set by ministerial decree and change, so confirm the current amounts with the Finnish Immigration Service before you apply. If you need further help, ask the university about cultural integration, arrival support and similar services, and about liaising with the mission to keep your file moving.
Finland student visas with Aval Visa
Studying at the best universities in Finland is a real opportunity to take a degree that meets international standards, with strong facilities behind it. Getting the application process right and preparing your documents carefully matters, so to improve your chances of an offer and a scholarship, contact the Aval Visa office and let us handle document preparation and the application itself. If you need more guidance, our Toronto office is ready to take your call.
Frequently asked questions
- What language score do I need to study in Finland? IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL 80 to 90 or PTE around 65 is typical for admission to the best universities in Finland.
- Can students work while studying in Finland? Yes. International students with a study permit can work an average of 30 hours a week, and full-time during holiday periods.
- What happens after graduation in Finland? Graduates can apply for a residence permit to look for work or start a business, currently granted for two years, and switch to a work permit once they have a job.
