LUT University in Lappeenranta has become a common choice for international students applying for a Finland student visa. The reason is specific. Alongside the obvious appeal of studying in Europe, students choose LUT for the way it combines technology with applied science, business education, and research in the social sciences and communication.
The university’s stated mission is to work on global problems: climate change, using natural resources without permanent damage to the environment, clean energy, clean air and water, and digital innovation. If that description appeals, the rest of this article covers the university and how admission works.
The history of LUT University
LUT University, the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, was founded in 1969 and runs two main campuses. Over the decades it has become a significant teaching and research institution. In its early years the focus was on technology and applied science. It later joined forces with LAB University of Applied Sciences to form what is now the LUT Universities group.
The catalogue has widened since, and students can now apply at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level, in English or in Finnish.
University website: https://www.lut.fi/en
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Schools and courses at LUT University
LUT concentrates on business, social sciences, sustainable energy, environmental protection and artificial intelligence. Its schools cover engineering science, energy systems, business and management, and the social sciences:
- The School of Engineering Science, for engineering and natural science subjects such as chemical engineering, software engineering, industrial engineering, applied physics, separation science and computational science, with an emphasis on practical application, industry collaboration and environmental problem-solving
- The School of Business and Management, covering business programmes, management, entrepreneurship and international management, which is well placed in national and international rankings
- Social science and communication research, covering communication sciences and the subjects that examine the social effects of technology and business
Entry requirements at LUT University
Admission to LUT requires a minimum set of things, principally a language certificate and your previous qualification. The general entry requirements are:
- Original and translated copies of your previous degree or diploma, with transcripts
- An English or Finnish language certificate at the score the university sets
- An academic CV, for master’s and doctoral applications
- A motivation letter and academic references, for master’s and doctoral applications
How to apply to LUT University
Applications go through Studyinfo, the Finnish national application platform, and some programmes add an entrance exam or an online interview. Create an account on Studyinfo, then find the deadline for your programme through the admissions pages on the university site. If anything about the supporting documents is unclear, write to the university and confirm it, so the application is not rejected as incomplete.
Before the deadline, which varies by school, translate your qualifications, transcripts and letters, and upload them along with your CV and your passport. Master’s and doctoral applicants should obtain academic references and attach them. For doctoral funding you normally approach a prospective supervisor directly; master’s scholarships are applied for as part of the application itself.
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Tuition, scholarships and financial aid
Tuition at LUT for students from outside the EU and EEA starts at around EUR 15,000 per academic year, and the exact figure depends on the programme and on how much laboratory or practical work it involves. Check the fee published for your specific programme, since bachelor’s and master’s rates differ.
Non-EU bachelor’s students can apply for a scholarship, but the awards do not cover the first year. From the second and third years, a student who has earned at least 60 ECTS credits in the first year, or across the first and second years combined, can receive either a fixed award, for example EUR 3,000, or a percentage of the tuition fee.
At master’s level the scholarships are merit-based and awarded on the strength and ranking of the applications. Doctoral researchers on funded positions are employed by the university and paid a salary, which they can use as evidence of sufficient funds when applying for a residence permit. With that covered, here is what the university offers.
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What studying at LUT University gives you
Studying at LUT comes with the wider benefit of living and working in Finland. The specific points are below:
- A curriculum built around sustainability and innovation
- A teaching and research environment committed to protecting natural resources and to clean energy
- Modern teaching and research facilities, current libraries and well-equipped laboratories
- A multidisciplinary university with strong links to industry and to large companies
- Research projects, internships and laboratory work carried out with industry
- An international environment, with programmes taught in Finnish or in English
- A high standard of living and good public services
- Clean surroundings, a very safe environment and living costs lower than in Helsinki
- International standing, particularly in climate, sustainability and innovation
Studying in Finland with Aval Visa
LUT University suits people who want to study in an advanced research environment focused on real-world problems. If you meet the requirements, and above all if you hold the language certificate, the Aval Visa team can help you apply to study in Finland. The programmes are academically substantial and well connected to employers in the region.
If Finland is where you want to study, get in touch and we can work through the file with you: preparing documents after an offer, applying for the residence permit for studies and handling the administrative stages.
Read more: A complete guide to HAMK University in Finland
Frequently asked questions
- How competitive is admission to LUT University? It is competitive, particularly for the English-taught engineering and business programmes. Strong grades, a recognised language certificate and a well-argued motivation letter all improve an application.
- Is student life at LUT expensive? Living costs in Finland are generally high, but LUT is based in smaller cities where prices are more moderate. If you have no funding, budget for tuition, housing, food and transport when you calculate the funds you have to show for the residence permit.
- Is full funding available? Full funding exists at doctoral level and is rare at bachelor’s level. Most financial support comes as a tuition scholarship or a fee reduction, often tied to academic performance.
