Study in Finland

Finnish and Swedish are the official languages, but most universities offer a wide choice of English-taught programmes. The higher education system includes research universities and universities of applied sciences.

Most programmes are free for EU/EEA students. Students from outside the EU/EEA usually pay tuition at bachelor's and master's level, typically €6,000 to €18,000 a year; business, technology and design programmes tend to sit at the top of that range.

Living costs are moderate to high: most students need about €800 to €1,200 a month. Student unions arrange housing that is usually cheaper than the private market.

Many Finnish universities offer scholarships to non-EU/EEA students that cover 50% or even 100% of tuition fees for high-achieving applicants.

• Aalto University Tuition Fee Waivers — Tuition fee waivers for a small number of fee-paying students.

Summer brings hiking, lakes and the midsummer celebrations; winter turns to sauna, student clubs and winter sports, with northern lights trips in the north. Helsinki-Vantaa airport has good connections to East Asia.

Graduates can receive a residence permit of up to two years to look for work or start a business, apply within five years of graduating, and work without restrictions during that time.

Graduates find opportunities in technology, engineering, healthcare, education and sustainability, with salaries that are high by European standards. Learning Finnish, even at a basic level, makes a real difference to internships and long-term careers.

Non-EU students need a residence permit for studies from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

Programmes set their own English requirements.