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日本語Admission Requirements to Study in Finland
World-leading education system, strong tech sector, and a straightforward centralized application.
Finland's education system is famous worldwide — consistently topping global rankings in student achievement, teacher quality, and educational equity. Its universities reflect this culture of excellence: Aalto University is a global leader in design and technology, the University of Helsinki is ranked in the world's top 100, and Tampere University has strong programs in information technology and social sciences. Finland introduced tuition fees for non-EU students in 2017, but maintains a scholarship system to offset this. The application process is centralized through studyinfo.fi, making it one of the more straightforward systems in Europe.
Academic Qualifications
How Finland assesses foreign secondary and university qualifications
Finnish universities require a secondary school diploma equivalent to the Finnish ylioppilastutkintotodistus (Matriculation Examination Certificate) — awarded after three years of upper secondary school (ages 16–19). Foreign qualifications are assessed by FINEEC (Finnish Education Evaluation Center), which serves as Finland's ENIC-NARIC center, or by the admitting university directly. EU diplomas are generally accepted without a formal FINEEC assessment. Non-EU applicants may need to provide additional documentation confirming the equivalency of their qualifications. Some universities require completion of at least 12 years of schooling as a minimum condition for Bachelor's admission. For Master's programs, a recognized Bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS in a relevant field is required.
Language Requirements
| English-taught programs | IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79–90 (varies by program) |
|---|---|
| Aalto University | IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 92 for most programs |
| University of Helsinki | IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 92 for most Master's |
| Finnish/Swedish-taught programs | Finnish YKI test level 4 (B2) or equivalent Swedish proficiency test |
How to Apply
Finland uses a centralized national portal for all university applications
- Go to studyinfo.fi — this is Finland's official national application portal. All applications to Finnish universities of applied sciences and universities are submitted through this portal.
- Search for your target program and check its specific eligibility and language requirements. Different programs may have different criteria.
- Complete your online application through studyinfo.fi before the January deadline (for autumn intake). You can apply to multiple programs in a single application round.
- After submitting your application, you will be directed to submit supporting documents — diploma, transcripts, language test scores — either online or directly to the university.
- Some programs require an entrance exam, written assignment, portfolio, or interview as part of the selection process — check the program's specific requirements.
- After receiving your admission offer, non-EU/EEA students apply for a Finnish student residence permit through the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).
Required Documents
- Certified copy of secondary school diploma or university degree
- Official transcripts for all completed study
- Certified English or Finnish translation of all documents
- FINEEC qualification assessment (if requested by the university)
- Proof of English language proficiency — IELTS or TOEFL
- Proof of Finnish or Swedish proficiency (for Finnish/Swedish-taught programs)
- Motivation letter / Statement of purpose
- CV / Résumé
- Passport copy (valid throughout planned stay)
- Two recent passport-sized photographs
- Proof of financial means (~€6,720/year minimum for residence permit)
- Health insurance certificate
Tuition and Financial Requirements
Non-EU students pay tuition since 2017 — but scholarships are widely available
Since August 2017, Finnish universities charge tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in English-taught programs. Fees range from €4,000 to €18,000 per year depending on the institution and program. EU/EEA and Swiss students continue to study free. Finnish universities are required to offer scholarship programs to offset tuition fees — most institutions offer tuition waivers or partial scholarships to outstanding international applicants. For the Finnish student residence permit, non-EU students must demonstrate financial means of at least €560 per month (€6,720/year). Helsinki is moderately expensive by Nordic standards; monthly living costs average €800–€1,100.
Key Application Deadlines
| studyinfo.fi — main application round | Mid-January for September intake (check studyinfo.fi for exact date) |
|---|---|
| Aalto University | January (first round) — some programs have December deadlines |
| University of Helsinki | January for September intake |
| University of Tampere | January for September intake |
| Residence permit processing | Allow 4–6 weeks — apply after receiving admission offer |
Watch Out For
The studyinfo.fi application portal opens and closes on specific annual dates in January. Missing this window means waiting for the next application round — which could be a full year away for some programs.
Finnish universities are required by law to offer scholarship programs for non-EU students paying tuition. Always check the scholarship section of your target university's website — tuition waivers are common for academically strong applicants.
Some programs at Finnish universities require entrance exams, aptitude tests, or portfolios. These are assessed separately from your academic qualifications and are not submitted through studyinfo.fi.
Finland has two official languages — Finnish and Swedish. Most international programs are in English, but if you are interested in Finnish or Swedish-taught programs, the language proficiency requirements are specific and require dedicated preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from students applying to study in Finland
Studyinfo.fi (Opintopolku in Finnish) is Finland's national application portal for all publicly funded higher education institutions. It is the single portal through which all applicants — domestic and international — apply to Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences. The portal lists all available programs, their specific requirements, deadlines, and selection criteria. Applications are submitted online, and admission decisions are communicated through the same portal.
Yes — Finnish universities are legally required to maintain scholarship programs for non-EU students who are subject to tuition fees. Most major universities offer tuition waivers (covering 50% or 100% of the fee) for academically outstanding applicants, sometimes combined with a living allowance. Aalto University, University of Helsinki, and Tampere University all have competitive scholarship programs. The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool also provides grants for international researchers and doctoral students. Check each university's scholarship pages carefully when applying.
Finland is globally renowned for the quality of its education system — its schools consistently rank near the top of PISA results. At university level, Aalto University is a world leader in design, technology, and business at their intersection. The University of Helsinki is a top-100 global research university with particular strengths in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Finnish universities also have a strong culture of academic freedom, student welfare, and student involvement in university governance.
Not for English-taught programs. Finland has a substantial number of English-medium programs, particularly at Master's level, at Aalto, University of Helsinki, Tampere, Oulu, and Turku. English is widely spoken in Finnish society. However, learning Finnish opens significantly more doors for employment after graduation — Finland's job market strongly favors Finnish speakers outside the tech sector. Many students take Finnish language courses during their studies.
EU/EEA students have full work rights in Finland with no restrictions. Non-EU students holding a Finnish residence permit for study can work up to 25 hours per week during term time and full-time during official university holidays, without needing a separate work permit. Finland also has a post-graduation residence permit allowing graduates of Finnish universities to stay for up to two years to seek employment.
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