When deciding on pursuing higher education, especially in a foreign institution, there are several factors that one must consider. Among those, the financial cost of this endeavour is the major gamebreaker. The total cost for a student to complete their higher education in an overseas nation, is a summation of various bills of services such as travel, accommodation, consumption of food and facilities, education and leisure. This can turn out to be quite a hefty amount, where the majority addition comes from tuition fees.
How much does it cost to study in Finland?
The cost of studying in Finland can vary depending on several factors, including the region you want to live in, the chosen program, the university, your nationality, and lifestyle preferences. For international students, tuition fees typically range from $4,700 to $21,070 per year.
Below we are highlighting some of the Finish universities with their approximate tuition:
| University Name | Tuition Fees in USD |
|---|---|
| Aalto University | 18,360 – 25,500 |
| University of Helsinki | 15,300 – 25,500 |
| LUT University | 12,240 – 18,360 |
| University of Oulu | 12,240 – 15,300 |
| University of Tampere | 10,200 – 15,300 |
| University of Turku | 10,200 – 12,240 |
| University of Eastern Finland | 8,160 – 12,240 |
| Åbo Akademi University | 12,240 – 15,300 |
What is the monthly cost of living in Finland?
Depending on your region and way of life, the monthly cost of living in Finland varies. But generally speaking, a single individual without rent should budget around 987.8 USD every month. This covers costs for things like groceries, travel, utilities, and entertainment.
The typical monthly expenses in Finland for an individual are broken down as follows:
- Groceries: $300
- Transportation cost: $150
- Utilities: $100
- Entertainment: $50
- Additional costs: $287.8
Naturally, the expenses will differ based on the unique requirements and spending patterns. For instance, rent and food would likely cost more if you reside in a more expensive city like Helsinki. Additionally, your entertainment expenses will increase if you prefer dining out and frequenting pubs and clubs.
The typical monthly expenses for a single individual in many Finnish cities are shown in the following graphic table:
What are the best universities in Finland?
Some of the top institutions in the world, renowned for their creative research, demanding academic programmes, and stunning campuses, are located in Finland.
The following five universities are the best in Finland:
University of Helsinki
Helsinki University is Finland’s one of the largest and oldest universities which was established in 1640 and is called the University of Helsinki. It is a member of the Coimbra Group as well as the League of European Research Universities. The institution has a strong reputation in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and medicine.
Aalto University
Aalto University, a public research university located in Finland’s Espoo, was founded in 2010. The university gives business, science, technology, and design a lot of attention.
University of Turku
The institution of Turku is a public research organisation situated in Turku, Finland. It was founded in 1920 and is a member of the Coimbra Group as well as the League of European Research Universities. The institution has a strong reputation in the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and medicine.
Tampere University
Tampere University is a public research university located in Tampere, Finland. It was formed in 2019 by the merger of the University of Tampere, Tampere University of Technology, and Tampere University of Applied Sciences. The university has a strong focus on technology, health sciences, and social sciences.
University of Oulu
Situated in Oulu, Finland, the institution of Oulu is a public research institution. It was established in 1958 and is a part of the League of European Research Universities as well as the Coimbra Group. In the domains of engineering, medicine, and natural sciences, the institution enjoys a solid reputation.
What are the application deadlines?
The application deadlines for Finnish universities vary depending on the program and level of study. However, the general application periods are as follows:
Bachelor’s degrees
- Joint application: January 3-17, 2024
- Separate applications: November-January
Master’s degrees
- Application period 1 (English-taught programs): End of January
- Application period 2 (Finnish- or Swedish-taught programs): Mid-March
Doctoral degrees
- Applications are accepted throughout the year
How much are Tuition Fees for International Students in Finland?
In the beautiful country of Finland, there are several reputable universities where an international student can attend to gain a degree. Offering a variety of programs in different sectors mean that the rates of such education do not have one exact price, but can differ program to program, university to university. This can range from 6,000 Euros to about 18,000 Euros per year.
Some might say that they have heard about education being free in Finland, and it is true to some extent. If the student is a national of a country in the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland, he or she is exempt from paying tuition fees in Finland and can study for free. In addition to the above category, anyone (from any country) interested to do a Doctorate programme (PhD) can attain the prior advantage, as these types of programs are usually also tuition-free.
Tuition Fees for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
As mentioned, there are numerous prestigious institutes in Finland and they all are unique in their own way. Some specialize in different fields in the industry, or have a superior research faculty or have more industry connections. These academies are diverse in terms of the services they provide and hence the price of education vary. Below is a list of some popular universities and the cost of their undergraduate and graduate programs.
Tuiton Fees at LUT University
Lappeennranta University of Technology is one of the top public universities in Finland, pioneering in both fields of Science and Business. It has been ranked as top 11 small universities by Times Higher Education ranking. Their community is based on the design of sustainable development, sharing the attitude to promote clean energy and resources.
LUT University offers programs in fields of technology, business and social sciences. Mentored by highly trained and accredited tutors, graduates from LUT become the conscientious decision makers of tomorrow. Here are some highly admired courses that are availble in LUT.
Bachelor of Science in Technology
EUR 9000 / academic year ~ Tk. 9,00,000
There are 6 programs to choose from the Technology department of LUT University. These are Electrical Engineering, Energy Technology, Environmental Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering and Software Engineering.
Master of Science in Technology
EUR 13,500 / academic year ~ Tk. 13,50,000
There are 24 graduate programs available in the Technology department of LUT University from 8 different fields. These are Chemical Engineering, Computational Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Energy Technology, Enbironmental Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management, Mechanical Engineering and Software Engineering.
Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration
EUR 13,500 / academic year ~ Tk. 13,50,000
There are 6 different graduate programs to choose from the Business department. These are International Business and Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics. International Marketing Management, Supply Management and Strategic Finance and Analytics.
Tuition Fees at LAB University of Applied Sciences
LAB University excels in innovation of education, in relation to the practical working environment. Their curriculum highlights learning practices integrated with professionally oriented higher education. The University provides program in 5 different sectors and their teaching staff are respected scholars of the nation.
Bachelor of Business Administration
EUR 8000 / academic year ~ Tk. 8,00,000
For a BBA degree, the concentrations that students can choose from are Business Information Technology and International Business.
Bachelor of Culture and Arts
EUR 8000 / academic year ~ Tk. 8,00,000
For this program, there are 2 concentrations to choose from- Industrial Design, and Packaging and Brand Design.
Bachelor of Health Care
EUR 8000 / academic year ~ Tk. 8,00,000
For this program, they offer a single concentration in Paramedic.
Bachelor of Engineering
EUR 8000 / academic year ~ Tk. 8,00,000
For a degree in Engineering, there are majors that students can choose from. These are Industrial Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Solutions Engineering.
Bachelor of Hospitality Management
EUR 8000 / academic year ~ Tk. 8,00,000
From the Hospitality Faculty, the university offers a single concentration. This is Tourism and Hospitality Management.
Master of Business Administration
EUR 9000 / academic year ~ Tk. 9,00,000
For an MBA degree, the concentrations available are International Tourism and Event Management, and International Business Management.
Master of Engineering
EUR 9000 / academic year ~ Tk. 9,00,000
For an Master’s degree in Engineering, the University offers Urban Sustainability as the major for its students.
Tution Fee Refund Policy for International Students
University tuition fees are generally protected by consumer law; hence refunds can be availed, provided reasonable cause to do so. Although policy might be different for each institute, an overall expectation can be deduced about this.
If the student has a conditional offer and has made payment for the tuition fee, but could not meet the conditions, then the student is eligible for a full refund, deducting all the bank charges and administrative costs associated with the transaction.
If the student has made payment, but the university could not hold a study place for the student, then the student is eligible for a full refund, deducting all the bank charges and administrative costs associated with the transaction.
If your residence permit for Finland is denied, but you have made the payment for the tuition, then the student is eligible for a full refund, deducting all the bank charges and administrative costs associated with the transaction.
If the student has made payment but the student could not start attending university because of a force majeure event, then the student is eligible for a full refund, deducting all the bank charges and administrative costs associated with the transaction.
How to Send Tuition Fees to Finnish Universities from Bangladesh
When choosing a foreign study destination, a student must also find out how they can pay their tuition fee from their homeland. In this digitized era, that has become no problem for us. Bangladeshi students in Finland can send money to their Finnish universities using one of 2 methods.
Telegraphic Transfer – TT transfers are what we call wire or electronic transfers. It is when payments are made between one account to another, both domestically and internationally. The turnaround time for processing the transaction is around 2 to 3 working days.
Direct Debit – DD is when a company who is the receiver in the transaction, is permitted to withdraw money from the senders account. It is not an instant payment and takes around 3 working days to clear the transaction.
What are the Benefits of Studying in Finland as an International Student?
Although the popular study abroad destinations for international students are USA, UK, Canada and Australia, Finland has proven to beat these nations in terms of many departments such as Science, Mathematics and Reading scores. The naturally endowed country of Finland offers many comforts to its foreign pupils, may it be in terms of world class education or generous welfares. Student friendly living costs and reasonably priced tuition fees allow international candidates to enjoy their recreational period witnessing the stunning beauty and culture the land proffers. In addition to these, foreign students are given permission to work up to 30 hrs per week and a post study work permit of 2 years, which one can later transition into a permanent permit to live in Finland.
Are there any Scholarship opportunities in Finland
Although non EU/EAA or Switzerland nationales are required to pay tuition fees to study in universities in Finland, they are eligible to apply for Scholarship programs. The government of Finland is highly supportive of the Education providers of their country and allow large sums of funds to go through these institutions, may it be for research or recruitment. A lot of foreign candidates are rewarded for their merits. The scholarship offerrings can range from a couple of thousand Euros off their fee, to a fully funded undergraduate or graduate program, the latter not being uncommon. However, the scholarship programs are only limited in covering your school fees, and not your living expenses.
Why should you apply through Career Paths?
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