Studying abroad can be quite expensive. However, in countries like Finland, international students can enjoy access to cheap universities and affordable living expenses.
If you’re looking to study abroad, Finland is a good option to consider. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students.
Why Study in Finland?
Finland is consistently ranked as one of the top countries in the world for higher education. According to the OECD, Finland’s education system promotes deep learning and critical thinking. Degrees gained in Finland can therefore be presented and leveraged on the global stage.
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It is noteworthy that most public universities in Finland are tuition-free for EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents. International students outside this region can also enjoy an array of scholarships and financial aid available in Finnish universities.
With the high living standards, low crime rates, and excellent student support services reported by the Finnish National Agency for Education, studying here is usually an enjoyable experience. Courses are usually offered in English and Finnish, so there’s no worry about language barriers.
Finally, there are schools in Finland that don’t even require IELTS. And that’s why students often ask the question, “what is the cheapest university in Finland without IELTS?”
In the following sections of this article, we’ll explore more about Finnish universities, helping you make the next decision in your academic journey.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students with Scholarship
Before you decide to study in Finland, it’s important to have a basic idea of their fees and payment processes to ensure it is within your budget.
Studying in Finland is relatively cheap. The monthly living expenses for students are usually between €700 and €1,200. This is a bit less than other European countries like the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway, which cost around €800–€1,400 per month. Finnish cities like Tampere and Oulu are among the most affordable, and are home to Tampere University and the University of Oulu, respectively.
In no particular order, here are ten of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students:
- Aalto University
- University of Lapland
- The Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- University of Jyväskylä
- Tampere University
- University of Turku
- Novia University of Applied Sciences
- University of Oulu
- LUT University
- University of Eastern Finland
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More on these Cheap Finnish Universities for International Students
Now let’s look further into the universities listed in the previous section. This section will discuss more about the cheap universities in Finland for international students that were listed in the previous section. This section explores their locations, courses, and tuition.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #1: Aalto University
With a drive for solving some of the world’s biggest challenges, Aalto university boasts of over 14,000 students from 100+ countries around the globe. Their tuition for international students ranges around €9000 to €20,000, making it one of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students with scholarships.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students with Scholarships #2: University of Lapland
Established in 1979, the University of Lapland is a public university with 4,000+ undergraduates. The university specializes in programs in law, art & design, social sciences, and northern and Arctic issues. University of Lapland is one of the tuition-free universities for international students in 2025, offering diverse scholarships that cover all tuition fees.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #3: Laurea University of Applied Sciences
The Laurea University of Applied Sciences is part of the PIONEER alliance of ten European higher education institutions with six campuses within the Uusimaa region: Hyvinkää, Leppävaara, Lohja, Otaniemi, Porvoo and Tikkurila. With over 11,000 students, this University offers courses in Business Management, Social Services and HealthCare and Hospitality Management. Their tuition for bachelor’s programs for international students costs around €9500 per year and €11,000 per year for master’s.
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Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #4: University of Jyväskylä
Alt: A snapshot of the library at the University of Jyväskylä
One of the oldest universities in Finland, the University of Jyväskylä is a large multidisciplinary university providing world-class quality education that places it among the top 3% in global university rankings. It is a research university specializing in human and natural sciences and teacher training.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students with Scholarships #5: Tampere University
Tampere University is a fairly new university, established in 2019 in the city of Tampere. It is a merger of the former University of Tampere and the Tampere University of Technology. According to Wikipedia, Tampere University is the second largest university in Finland by student enrollment. Tampere University scholarships are open to all students and are offered by merit.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #6: University of Turku
The University of Turku, popularly known as UTU, is a multidisciplinary public university established in 1920 with three campuses in Turku, Rauma, and Pori. Going by student enrollment, it is the third largest university in Finland, with approximately 22,000 students.
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Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #7: Novia University of Applied Sciences
The Novia University of Applied Science was founded in 2008. As one of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students, their tuition is approximately €6000 for a Bachelor’s Degree and €8000 for a Master’s degree. Novia University offers programmes in health and welfare, culture, business, bioeconomy, etc.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students with Scholarships #8: University of Oulu
Alt: University of Oulu architectural snapshot
One of Finland’s largest universities, the University of Oulu was founded in 1958 and currently has over 14,000 students. Despite being consistently ranked as one of the best universities in Finland and globally, the University of Oulu remains affordable for international students. If you’re interested in schooling here, you can explore the University of Oulu scholarships page to determine your eligibility.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #9: LUT University
The Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, more commonly known as LUT University, was established as a public research university as far back as 1969. It consists of two campuses—the Lappeenranta campus and the Lahti campus. Faculties include the school of engineering and technology, the school of business, and the department of social sciences. Tuition at LUT ranges between €9000 and €9500 for a bachelor’s degree and €13,000 – €13,500 for a Master’s degree.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students #10: University of Eastern Finland
The University of Eastern Finland costs €10,000 for both Bachelor’s and master’s programs and can be paid in installments. The tuition applies only to international students outside the EU/EEA region.
10 Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students for Masters
Are you looking to do a master’s degree in Finland? Are you searching for cheap universities in Finland for international students for Masters?
Just like a bachelor’s degree, studying for a master’s degree in Finland can be quite affordable. The fees usually range from €8000 to €20,000.
Below are some of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students for masters in 2025:
- Häme University of Applied Sciences
- University of Lapland
- University of Jyväskylä
- University of Turku
- Novia University of Applied Sciences
- University of Oulu
- LUT University
- University of Eastern Finland
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Tuition-free Universities in Finland for International Students 2025
Finland public universities are usually tuition-free for EU/EEA residents; however, this does not apply to students from other regions.
But don’t lose hope yet! While universities in Finland are not free for all students, some provide full scholarships and financial aid, which any student can apply for. These funds may cover all or part of your tuition, supporting non-EU/EEA students in their academic journeys too.
So whether you’re an international student within the EU/EEA region or outside the region, below are some universities in Finland that are tuition-free for EU/EEA students and offer scholarships/financial aid for other students:
- University of Vaasa
- Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
- University of Oulu
- Tampere University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Turku
- University of Jyvaskyla
- University of Vaasa
- LUT University
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Frequently Asked Questions
One of the cheapest universities in Finland for a Bachelor’s degree is the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, with tuition ranging between €4000 and €6000 only.
Some cheap universities in Finland where you can enroll without IELTS are Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and Novia University of Applied Sciences.
Yes, you can gain admission into several universities in Finland without writing IELTS. Schools such as Novia University of Applied Sciences offer alternative tests for English Language proficiency.
Conclusion: Enrol in One of the Universities
Without a doubt, this article has successfully covered the cheapest universities in Finland for international students with scholarships. Similarly, we discussed tuition-free universities in Finland for international students in 2025 and the cheapest university in Finland without IELTS.
With these, you can make an informed decision in your Finnish academic journey. Select one of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students, apply for a scholarship, and go get your dreams. We wish you all the very best!
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References
- www.mastersportal.com – Cheap Universities in Finland for 2025
- www.nwc.education.com – Top 10 Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students 2025
- www.en.m.wikipedia.org – University of Lapland
- www.en.wikipedia.org – Tampere University
- www.mastersportal.com – Tuition Free Universities in Finland, Norway and Germany
