Tampere University is one of Finland’s leading higher education institutions, and its blend of teaching and innovation has made it a popular choice for international students. If you want to study in one of the best countries in northern Europe and benefit from a strong education system, a multicultural campus and advanced research facilities, an offer from Tampere followed by an application for a Finnish student residence permit is a realistic route. This guide sets out what studying at Tampere involves.
The history of Tampere University
Tampere University, ranked around 468 in the world, took its current form in 2019 through the merger of Tampere University of Technology and the University of Tampere. The older institution began life in 1925 as a college in Helsinki, moved to Tampere and was renamed a university in 1966, before merging with the city’s technology university.
The university’s aim is to combine medicine, the social sciences and engineering with current technology, building a stronger base for interdisciplinary research and teaching and improving graduates’ career prospects.
Tampere University website: https://www.tuni.fi/en
Worth reading: for more on Finnish culture and daily life, see our article on Finland as a country.
Faculties and subjects at Tampere University
Tampere has a varied, multidisciplinary structure covering engineering, technology, the natural sciences and the humanities. It has a large student body, and its multicultural campus and cross-faculty teaching are among its strengths.
The faculties admit students at bachelor’s and master’s level in the following areas:
- Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences: information technology, communications, data science, artificial intelligence and related fields
- Faculty of Management and Business: management, international business, entrepreneurship and economics
- Faculty of Education and Culture: education, culture, the arts and intercultural studies
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology: medicine, health sciences, health technology and bioengineering
- Faculty of Built Environment: architecture, civil engineering, environmental design and urban planning
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, mathematics and the engineering disciplines
- Faculty of Social Sciences: political science, sociology, psychology, law and communication studies
Entry requirements at Tampere University
If you meet the core requirements for a place at Tampere, you can prepare your documents against the checklist and apply for your chosen programme before the deadline. Depending on the subject and the faculty, the university may set an entrance examination or hold an online interview. These vary by programme, and the department will tell you which apply to you.
Documents for an offer from Tampere University
To be admitted to Tampere you need to prepare the documents listed below and send them before the deadline. Create an account on the platform the university specifies so you can upload everything. Full details are published on the university’s own site, in the Apply to TAMK section, split by bachelor’s and master’s entry.
| Documents | Details |
|---|---|
| Original and translation of the most recent academic certificate | High school diploma for bachelor's, bachelor's degree for master's |
| Academic transcripts | Original and translation |
| Finnish or English language certificate | With at least the minimum required score |
| Motivation letter | Explaining why you chose Tampere University |
| CV | For master's applicants |
| Work samples and portfolio | For art and design fields |
| Scholarship letter or proof of sufficient funds | To cover tuition and living costs |
How to apply to Tampere University
Once you meet the requirements and your documents are ready, the next stage is the application itself. As noted, applications are made online, either through the university website or through Studyinfo.fi, the national platform Finnish institutions use.
Start by finding the deadline on the university website. At bachelor’s level the deadlines vary but fall in set application rounds, depending on the subject and the language of instruction. Master’s programmes have their own application period, typically running from December to January for the following intake.
After you submit your documents and pay the application fee, the university will contact you if it wants an interview or an entrance test, and sometimes to ask for further documents. The decision follows within a relatively short period, and successful applicants receive a signed, stamped letter of admission on official university letterhead. Only with that letter can you book an appointment with the Finnish authorities and begin the residence permit process.
Read more: the best subjects to study in Finland
Tuition, funding and scholarships at Tampere
Students from outside the EU and EEA pay tuition at Tampere, which is around EUR 12,000 a year depending on the programme. That figure covers tuition only; you also need to budget for accommodation, daily expenses and everything else. If your funds are limited, look closely at the university’s scholarship schemes.
Tampere offers scholarships to international students that cover part of the tuition fee. Some are awarded at the point of admission, and others become available later on the basis of academic progress.
Why study at Tampere University
Tampere has a lot to offer students looking for a combination of academic quality, research opportunity and life in a developed country, including the possibility of working in Finland and later applying for permanent residence in Finland. The main advantages are:
- High-quality teaching and interdisciplinary research
- Technology, health, social science and culture under one roof
- A multicultural environment with innovative research and inclusive teaching
- Partnerships with industry, hospitals and technology centres
- Access to modern laboratory equipment for research and applied projects
- Programmes taught in English as well as Finnish
- A good location and a high standard of living
- Relatively low living costs, attractive surroundings, good city facilities, reliable public transport, a safe society and solid public services
- Scholarships for students with strong grades or a research record
Applying for a Finnish student residence permit with Aval Visa
Tampere University is a strong option for undergraduate and postgraduate study. If you are looking for a place that balances science, technology, culture and health, and you have the language certificate and the funds behind you, the team at Aval Visa would put Finland on your shortlist.
Finland requires every applicant to show sufficient funds for the residence permit, but a university scholarship can count towards that requirement and reduce what you need to demonstrate yourself. With the right documents in place, high-quality teaching, research opportunities and life in a safe, developed country are within reach.
Frequently asked questions
- Is every subject at Tampere taught in English? A large number of bachelor’s and master’s programmes are taught in English. Check the university website to confirm whether your subject is among them.
- How long does an admission decision take? It depends on the subject and the level. Universities normally announce results a few weeks to a few months after the application deadline closes.
- Can you work in Finland after graduating? Yes. Graduates can apply for a residence permit to look for work after finishing their studies and move from a student permit to a work-based one.
- What does it cost to live in Tampere? Living costs cover accommodation, food, transport, insurance and personal expenses, and are usually lower than in Helsinki, though they depend on how you live. Budget roughly EUR 700 to EUR 1,200 a month.
