10 Cheap Universities in Finland for International Students
Aside from the Lapland and Northern Lights, Finland is also known for being the happiest country in the world. This Nordic country received this distinction from the World Happiness Report of the United Nations.
As a result, this Nordic country is one of the preferred destinations for people who want to study in Europe. International students have several options if they’re planning to study in Finland. If you’re planning to study in this Northern European country, you should go through this list of the cheapest universities in Finland.
Cost of Studying in Finland
If you’re planning to study in Finland, you should expect to pay between EUR 4,000 ($4,700 USD) and EUR 15,000 ($17,600 USD) per year depending on the degree and university you’re attending. But, this doesn’t include the cost of living. The monthly cost of living in Finland can range from EUR 700 ($800 USD) to EUR 1,000 ($1,200 USD), depending on where you’re staying.
Are Universities Free in Finland?
If you’re a citizen of Switzerland or any of the European Union and European Economic Area countries, you won’t have to worry about paying for your education in Finland. You can study for free. But, citizens of countries outside the abovementioned countries will have to pay for tuition.
What are the languages of instruction for universities in Finland?
Even as the main languages of instruction for universities in Finland are Finnish and Swedish, numerous bachelor and doctoral degree programs are taught in English.
Cheapest Universities in Finland for International Students
1. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 4,000 ($4,700 USD) to EUR 5,000 ($5,900 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
The Diaconia University of Applied Sciences is the cheapest university in Finland for international students for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It is a university of applied sciences or a polytechnic university that is the biggest provider of UAS-level education in social work in Finland. The university focuses on preparing its students for national and international roles in pastoral and social work.
The programs of the university concentrate on health care, social work, interpreting, and diaconal work. Since it is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the activities of the university highlight the values of social justice, high-quality and productive work, open interaction, and the Christian love for others.
The learning and working environment of the Diaconia University of Applied Sciences also emphasize the acceptance of different cultures and faiths. This means the university has students and employees who are not Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland members.
2. Savonia University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 5,000 ($5,900 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) per academic year
- Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
- Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The Savonia University of Applied Sciences is an institution of higher learning in Finland owned by the Northern Savonian municipalities of Kiuruvesi, Iisalmi, Lapinlahti, Varkaus, and Kuopio. Located in the cities of Iisalmi, Kuopio, and Varkaus, it is the second cheapest university in Finland.
The university offers four bachelor’s degree programs and two master’s degree programs. Its bachelor’s degree programs include Bachelor of Engineering in the Internet of Things, Bachelor of Engineering – Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Business Administration, and Bachelor of Health Care – Registered Nurse. On the other hand, the master’s degree programs are Master’s Degree Programme in Energy Engineering and Master’s Degree Programme in Digital Health.
To guide its students, the Savonia University of Applied Sciences offers a Personal Study and Career Plan where a tutor teacher guides students in assessing their learning outcomes and progress in their studies. The program provides students with a roadmap based on the degree program objectives, personal interests of the student, and their career prospects.
3. Lahti University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 5,400 ($6,400 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 6,400 ($7,600 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
The Lahti University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary institution of higher learning located in Lappeenranta and Lahti. It is the sixth biggest university of applied sciences in Finland and focuses on innovation, business, and industry. Moreover, it highlights the use of an active approach in education where the students and teachers collaborate to create something new for business organizations.
The bachelor’s degrees offered by the university include Business Administration – International Business, Health Care – Nursing, Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Engineering – Mechanical Engineering and Production Technology.
On the other hand, the graduate program at the university offers degrees in Engineering – urban Sustainability and Business Administration – International Business.
4. Karelia University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 5,500 ($6,500 USD) per academic year
- Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
The Karelia University of Applied Sciences is a Finnish institution of higher education located in Joensuu, Finland. Before 2013, the university was called North Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The university prides itself on producing graduates who have become experts in their chosen fields.
It is a multidisciplinary, widely-connected, and innovative organization that offers bachelor and master level degrees for its students. The university focuses on seven study fields, including business, health care and social studies, forestry, engineering, and hospitality management.
This affordable university in Finland has two campuses in Joensuu: the Wärtsilä Campus and the Tikkarinne Campus. Business, tourism, engineering, and forestry studies are located in the Wärtsilä Campus. On the other hand, the Tikkarinne Campus hosts physiotherapy, nursing, health care, and social services.
5. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
The Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is a university of applied sciences located Kajaani, Finland. Despite being a small university, the quality of teaching and counseling in the university is considered the best in the country.
Established in 1996, the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences offers several bachelor and master degree programs, including tourism, business, entrepreneurship, sports and leisure management, and business information technology.
The campus is a short walk away from the center of the town. Students can look forward to state-of-the-art facilities in the campus amid a lush beauty of nature. Moreover, tutor teachers and study counselors are available to provide guidance and support to the students of the university.
6. South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 7,000 ($8,200 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
Next on our list of the cheapest universities in Finland for international students is the South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences. It was established in 2016 following the merge of Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences and Mikkeli University of Applied Sciences. This institute of higher learning focuses on technology, creative industries, and well-being. It is the fifth-biggest university of applied sciences in Finland and has over 350 partner institutions around the world.
The South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences has campuses in four different towns in Finland, namely Kouvola, Kotka, Savonlinna, and Mikkeli. Aside from providing education in eight fields of study, the university also participates in research and development activities as well as provides services to residents and businesses close to its campuses.
7. Novia University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 6,000 ($7,100 USD) to EUR 9,000 ($10,600 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 8,000 ($9,400 USD) to EUR 11,000 ($12,900 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
The Novia University of Applied Sciences is a multi-professional university of applied sciences that focuses on ensuring the student is at the center of the learning process. Every student of the university is actively involved in the learning process together with the teachers.
The university is located in five cities in Finland and offers both bachelor and master-level degree programs. It was established after the merging of the Swedish Polytechnic and the Sydväst Polytechnic. Among the more prominent programs offered by the university are technology and seafaring, arts and humanities, health and welfare, and natural resources.
8. Centria University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 7,500 ($8,800 USD) to EUR 8,500 ($10,000 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 7,500 ($8,800 USD) per academic year
- Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
- Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The Centria University of Applied Sciences is ranked among the best universities in Finland for three straight years based on a survey conducted among students across the country. This private institution of higher learning offers several bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that are taught in English for international students.
The university counts the cities of Kokkola, Ylivieska, and Pietarsaari among its stakeholders. Other stakeholders in the university include the Ostrobothnian Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Education in Central Ostrobothnia, and the Central Ostrobothnian Entrepreneurs Association, among others.
The bachelor’s degree programs offered at this affordable Finnish university include Business Management, Business Intelligence Technologies, Information Technology, and Nursing. On the other hand, it also offers a Master of Business Administration degree for international students.
9. Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 7,000 ($8,200 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 8,000 ($9,400 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee Link
The Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences is an institution of higher learning offering bachelor and master degree programs for local and international students. The university has four different faculties, namely: the School of Food and Agriculture, the School of Business and Culture, the School of Technology, and the School of Health Care and Social Work.
The university offers 10 bachelor degree programs and 8 master’s degree programs. Moreover, it also offers several double degree programs in the fields of business and technology.
Aside from being an educational institution, the university also conducts research, development, and innovation (RDI) activities to serve and support small and medium enterprises within the South Ostrobothnia region.
10. JAMK University of Applied Sciences
- Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: EUR 8,000 ($9,400 USD) per academic year
- Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: EUR 8,000 ($10,600 USD) per academic year
- Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link
- Graduate Tuition Fee Link
The JAMK University of Applied Sciences is a university of applied sciences that focuses on eight different fields of study, namely information and communication technology, business administration, culture, tourism and hospitality, professional teacher education, natural resources and the environment, social services and health care, and technology and transport.
This cheap university in Finland offers bachelor degree programs in English for international students, including international business, business information technology, nursing, purchasing and logistics, and tourism management.
Moreover, they also offer master’s degree programs in English for international students, including cybersecurity, international business management, artificial intelligence and data analytics, sport and exercise physiotherapy, and sports business management.
I hope that this article on the cheapest universities in Finland was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Universities Category!