Finland is one of the world’s best-kept secrets in international higher education — and in 2027-2028, it is rapidly becoming impossible to keep secret any longer.
Home to the world’s best education system (consistently ranked #1 globally by PISA and OECD metrics), some of the most innovative universities in Northern Europe, a quality of life that regularly earns Helsinki rankings among the world’s most livable cities, and a scholarship ecosystem that makes Finnish university education genuinely accessible to international students — Finland deserves to be at the top of every serious scholarship seeker’s list.
This guide covers Finland’s top 10 scholarships for international students in 2027-2028 — what each covers, who qualifies, and where to apply.
Table of Contents
Why Study in Finland in 2027?
World’s best education system. Finland’s pedagogical approach — emphasizing critical thinking, student autonomy, and teacher expertise — has produced the world’s most consistently high-performing education system. This philosophy extends into Finnish universities, creating research and learning environments that challenge and develop students extraordinarily effectively.
Strong English-language provision. Finland offers over 500 English-taught degree programs at the Master’s level — making it accessible to international students without Finnish language skills. Finnish universities are internationally oriented and their students and faculty routinely operate in English.
Affordable living outside major capitals. While Helsinki is moderately expensive by Nordic standards, Finnish university cities including Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Lappeenranta, and Jyväskylä offer high quality of life at significantly lower living costs — approximately €700–€1,000/month for a student budget including accommodation.
Post-study pathways. Finland offers a 2-year job-seeker residence permit after graduation — one of the most generous post-study work authorizations in Northern Europe — and actively recruits internationally in technology, engineering, and health sciences.
Nordic innovation ecosystem. Finland gave the world Nokia, Linux, Rovio (Angry Birds), and Supercell. Its technology and startup ecosystem is proportionally one of the world’s most dynamic, providing exceptional internship and career opportunities for engineering and technology graduates.
The Top 10 Finland Scholarships 2027-2028
🏆 1. Finland Scholarship Programme
Degree Level: Various (including Bachelor’s and Master’s) Coverage: Tuition support + Lodging contribution Eligibility: National and bilateral students
The Finland Scholarship Programme is the Finnish government’s broadest international scholarship initiative — coordinated through the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture — providing financial support for international students from eligible countries pursuing degree programs at Finnish universities.
What it covers:
- Tuition fee support (full or partial depending on the program and country agreement)
- Lodging contribution toward student accommodation costs
- Available for various degree levels depending on bilateral agreement
Who can apply: Students from countries with bilateral education agreements with Finland. The program prioritizes candidates from developing countries and regions with established Finnish educational partnerships.
How to apply: Applications are typically processed through your home country’s Ministry of Education or the Finnish Embassy in your country. Contact the Finnish Embassy or the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH) for current cycle details.
Deadline: Varies by country and program — typically November–February for autumn intake
👉 Official Website: oph.fi/en/education-and-qualifications/scholarships
2. Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) Fellowship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Monthly allowance + Tuition support Eligibility: Educational and research programs in Finland
The EDUFI Fellowship — administered by the Finnish National Agency for Education (Opetushallitus) — provides financial support for international students and researchers pursuing Master’s programs and research visits at Finnish universities and educational institutions.
What it covers:
- Monthly living allowance for the fellowship duration
- Tuition fee coverage or reduction for eligible programs
- Support for research and academic activities during the fellowship period
Who can apply: International students and researchers from countries with established educational cooperation with Finland, pursuing Master’s programs or research at Finnish institutions.
EDUFI’s focus: Beyond individual scholarships, EDUFI administers Finland’s entire international educational cooperation framework — making it the authoritative source for all Finnish government scholarship information for international students.
Deadline: Typically January–March — check current cycle on the EDUFI official portal
👉 Official Website: oph.fi/en/fellowships
🏆 3. University of Helsinki International Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Monthly stipend Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA international students admitted to Helsinki programs
The University of Helsinki — Finland’s most prestigious research university, ranked among the world’s top 100 and home to more Nobel Prize laureates than any other Nordic institution — offers international scholarships specifically designed to make its English-taught Master’s programs accessible to outstanding students from outside the EU/EEA.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee waiver (Finnish universities began charging non-EU/EEA students tuition from 2017 — approximately €13,000–€18,000/year — making this waiver enormously valuable)
- Monthly stipend for living costs at selected award levels
- Access to one of Europe’s most comprehensive research library systems and research infrastructure
Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA international students admitted to Helsinki’s English-taught Master’s programs with exceptional academic records. Selection is merit-based.
University of Helsinki’s strengths: Life sciences, medicine, social sciences, humanities, environmental sciences, computer science, and mathematics. As Finland’s flagship research university, Helsinki offers direct connections to major Finnish research institutions and companies.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake — scholarship application is simultaneous with program application
👉 Official Website: helsinki.fi/en/admissions/scholarships
🏆 4. Aalto University Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Lodging support Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students (merit and income based)
Aalto University — Finland’s premier technology, business, and design university, created through the merger of three major Helsinki institutions — is consistently ranked among the world’s top 150 universities and among Europe’s top 20 for engineering and design.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fee waiver (Aalto’s international Master’s tuition approximately €12,000–€16,000/year)
- Accommodation support contribution
- Available to both high-merit and income-eligible non-EU/EEA applicants through different scholarship tracks
Two tracks:
- Merit scholarship: Based on exceptional academic performance — top applicants in each program intake
- Income-based support: For students with demonstrated financial need from eligible backgrounds
Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA students admitted to Aalto’s English-taught Master’s programs in technology, business, and arts/design.
Why Aalto: Aalto is the epicenter of Finland’s startup and innovation culture — the Aalto Entrepreneurship Society (Aalto ES) has launched more than 300 startups. For students interested in technology entrepreneurship, Aalto provides unmatched access to Nordic startup networks.
Deadline: January for September intake — merit scholarships are awarded at admission decision stage
👉 Official Website: aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/scholarships
5. Tampere University Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Lodging support Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students
Tampere University — Finland’s second-largest university, created through the merger of University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology — offers scholarships for outstanding non-EU/EEA international students in its English-taught Master’s programs.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee waiver
- Accommodation contribution
Tampere’s strengths: Information technology, engineering, medicine, social sciences, and education. Tampere is a major Finnish technology hub — home to Nokia’s global headquarters and a thriving technology ecosystem.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: tuni.fi/en/study-with-us/scholarships
6. University of Turku Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Lodging support Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students (merit and certificate-based)
The University of Turku (UTU) — Finland’s second-oldest university, located in Finland’s former capital on the southwestern coast — offers scholarship support for international Master’s students with particular strength in life sciences, medicine, and social sciences.
What it covers:
- Tuition fee waiver (full or partial)
- Lodging support contribution
- Access to Turku’s renowned research environments in biomedical sciences and social sciences
Who can apply: Non-EU/EEA students with strong academic records admitted to UTU’s English-taught Master’s programs.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: utu.fi/en/study/scholarships
7. LUT University Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Lodging support Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students
LUT University (Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology) is Finland’s leading technology and business university focused on sustainability and clean technology — areas of growing global importance and career demand.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee waiver
- Accommodation support
LUT’s distinctive strength: Sustainability, clean energy, environmental engineering, and circular economy — LUT is recognized internationally as a leader in these fields, making it particularly relevant for students targeting careers in the global green technology sector.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: lut.fi/en/study/scholarships
8. University of Oulu Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Tuition fee waiver + Lodging support Eligibility: Diverse sources in education (non-EU/EEA)
The University of Oulu — located in Northern Finland with extraordinary access to Arctic research environments — offers scholarships for international Master’s students with particular strength in information technology, medicine, and Arctic and Northern studies.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition fee waiver
- Lodging contribution
- Access to Oulu’s unique Arctic research infrastructure
Oulu’s distinctive value: Oulu is the technology hub of Northern Finland — Nokia’s mobile technology research originated here, and Oulu hosts a dense ecosystem of technology companies and research centers. For students interested in wireless communications, 5G/6G technology, and Arctic sciences, Oulu is genuinely world-leading.
Deadline: Typically January–February for September intake
👉 Official Website: oulu.fi/en/study/scholarships
🏆 9. Erasmus+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Scholarship
Degree Level: Master’s Coverage: Full tuition + Monthly stipend (€1,000–€1,400) + Travel Eligibility: Erasmus Mundus programs with Finnish partners
The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters — funded by the European Commission — is the most financially generous Master’s scholarship available in Finland (and Europe), with several Finnish universities participating as consortium partners in EMJMD programs.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees at all partner universities in the consortium
- €1,400/month for non-EU students / €1,000/month for EU students throughout the program (up to 24 months)
- Travel and installation grant (€1,000–€3,000)
- Mandatory health insurance
Finnish universities in EMJMD programs:
- University of Helsinki — sustainability, social sciences, and humanities joint programs
- Aalto University — engineering and technology programs
- University of Oulu — information technology programs
- LUT University — sustainability and clean technology programs
Who can apply: Students from all countries worldwide with a bachelor’s degree. Non-EU students prioritized for the full €1,400/month scholarship.
Deadline: Each program has its own deadline — typically October–January for September intake
👉 EMJMD Catalogue: eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-mundus
🏆 10. Paid Doctoral (PhD) Positions
Degree Level: PhD Coverage: Full salary + Research budget + Employment benefits Eligibility: PhD applicants at Finnish universities (ongoing)
Finland’s paid PhD employment model is the most financially comprehensive doctoral funding structure in Northern Europe — and one of the most attractive globally for doctoral researchers.
What Finnish PhD employment includes:
Monthly salary: Finnish PhD positions typically pay €2,200–€2,800/month gross (approximately €1,700–€2,200 net after Finnish income tax), following the university salary scale. Salary increases as you progress through your PhD.
Employment benefits:
- Statutory health insurance through the Finnish social security system (Kela)
- Pension contributions
- 25–38 vacation days per year
- Parental leave rights under Finnish law
- Occupational healthcare through the university
Research budget: Most Finnish PhD positions include a project-specific research budget covering conference travel, research materials, fieldwork, and equipment costs — typically €5,000–€15,000 over the PhD duration.
Duration: Typically 4 years full-time employment contract.
How to find Finnish PhD positions:
- EURAXESS Finland: euraxess.ec.europa.eu — European researcher mobility portal with Finnish positions
- Academic Jobs Finland: Individual university vacancy pages
- University-specific portals:
- Helsinki: helsinki.fi/en/about-us/open-positions
- Aalto: aalto.fi/en/open-positions
- Tampere: tuni.fi/en/about-us/open-positions
- Oulu: oulu.fi/en/careers
Deadline: ONGOING — PhD positions are posted year-round. New positions appear weekly.
Critical application tip: Contact your potential PhD supervisor directly before applying. Most successful Finnish PhD applicants have established email contact with their supervisor weeks before the formal application deadline — a supervisor’s support is often decisive in the selection process.
Quick Reference — All 10 Finland Scholarships
| # | Scholarship | Level | Key Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finland Scholarship Programme | Various | Tuition + Lodging | Nov–Feb |
| 2 | EDUFI Fellowship | Master’s | Allowance + Tuition | Jan–Mar |
| 3 | University of Helsinki | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Stipend | Jan–Feb |
| 4 | Aalto University | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Lodging | January |
| 5 | Tampere University | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Lodging | Jan–Feb |
| 6 | University of Turku | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Lodging | Jan–Feb |
| 7 | LUT University | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Lodging | Jan–Feb |
| 8 | University of Oulu | Master’s | Tuition waiver + Lodging | Jan–Feb |
| 9 | Erasmus Mundus EMJMD | Master’s | Full tuition + €1,400/mo | Oct–Jan |
| 10 | Paid PhD Positions | PhD | Salary + Benefits | Ongoing |
Health Insurance in Finland — Essential Information
Every international student in Finland must have health insurance. Finland’s system is well-organized and accessible.
Kela (Finnish Social Insurance Institution): International students living in Finland for more than 2 years can register with Kela — Finland’s national social security institution — and access the Finnish public health system. For shorter stays, you need alternative coverage.
Student Healthcare Foundation (FSHS / YTHS): All enrolled students at Finnish universities have access to FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) — providing GP, mental health, dental, and specialist services at significantly subsidized rates. Annual FSHS health fee: approximately €35–€70 depending on your university.
For initial period (before Kela registration):
- Travel and international student insurance: Purchase before departure
- Cigna Global: cigna.com
- AXA: axa.com
For PhD employees: You are registered in Finland’s national health system as an employee through your university employer — health insurance is arranged automatically alongside your employment contract. Kela card issued after address registration.
Banking in Finland — Set Up Before You Arrive
Wise — Best Pre-Arrival Option Finnish IBAN openable from your home country. Scholarship stipends can be received from day one. No Finnish address required. 👉 wise.com
Nordea — Best Traditional Finnish Bank Finland’s largest retail bank with English-language services. Student accounts available with simplified documentation. 👉 nordea.fi/en
OP Financial Group — Most Branches Across Finland Strongest coverage outside Helsinki — important for students at Oulu, Tampere, Turku, or Lappeenranta. 👉 op.fi/en
N26 — Best Digital Bank Full European banking license with Finnish IBAN. Open with passport only. English interface. Available across Finland. 👉 n26.com/en-fi
Kela Benefits for Students: After Kela registration, you may be eligible for general housing allowance (yleinen asumistuki) of up to €300–€400/month depending on rent and income — apply immediately after arrival at kela.fi.
5 Tips to Maximize Your Finland Scholarship Chances
Apply simultaneously to multiple Finnish universities. Most Finnish university scholarship applications are submitted alongside your program application — applying to 4–6 universities simultaneously gives you 4–6 scholarship considerations with one set of core documents.
Apply in January — most deadlines cluster here. The majority of Finnish university scholarship deadlines fall in January–February for September intake. Prepare your documents, IELTS scores, and transcripts by December.
Target Erasmus Mundus programs with Finnish partners. The €1,400/month EMJMD package significantly exceeds what most individual Finnish university scholarships provide — worth the additional application effort for 3–5 eligible programs.
Contact PhD supervisors directly for doctoral positions. Finnish PhD application success correlates strongly with prior supervisor contact. Email potential supervisors 3–4 months before application deadlines with a specific, professional research interest message.
Learn basic Finnish phrases. While most programs are in English, demonstrating even minimal Finnish language interest signals genuine commitment to integrating into Finnish academic culture — a quality many selection committees explicitly appreciate.
Final Thoughts — Finland Is the Nordic Scholarship Opportunity Most Students Miss
Finland offers something extraordinary: one of the world’s best education systems at some of Europe’s most accessible scholarship funding levels — combined with a post-study work permit that is among the most generous in Northern Europe.
The January–February deadline cluster means your preparation window is now. Whether you are targeting the University of Helsinki’s research excellence, Aalto’s technology innovation ecosystem, LUT’s clean energy focus, or a fully employed PhD position anywhere in the Finnish university system — the opportunity is real and the competition, while genuine, is less intense than comparable scholarships in Germany, the UK, or France.
Finland is waiting. Your future starts here.
👉 Study in Finland Official Portal: studyinfinland.fi 👉 Finnish Scholarships Database: studyinfinland.fi/scholarships 👉 EDUFI Fellowships: oph.fi/en/fellowships 👉 PhD Positions — EURAXESS: euraxess.ec.europa.eu
