Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Who has to pay?

Finnish universities have introduced tuition fees. The fees are applicable to new master’s degree students from outside the EU or EEA countries who have started their studies in autumn 2017 or later.

Who will not have to pay?
•    The fees are not applicable to exchange or doctoral students
•    EU/EEA citizens or their family members (spouse / children)
•    Students who are already residing in Finland or another EU country on a permanent basis (i.e. are equivalent to EU citizens)

Amount of fee

The fee is 8 000 € per academic year. The fee will be equal for all Master-level programmes.

The tuition fee is an academic fee. The tuition fee does not cover the living costs such as accommodation, meals, and transportation. All students are required to finance their living costs by themselves.

How do I pay the fee?

If you have to pay for a tuition fee, you will receive an invoice together with your acceptance letter. The fee can be paid via bank transfer.

The fee has to be paid in full by the due date given in the invoice. Failure to pay will result in the cancelling of the student’s acceptance and revoking of the study right. Applicants eligible to full tuition scholarships are exempted from paying the tuition fee.

Who can apply for a scholarship and how?

All students required to pay tuition fees may apply for a scholarship as part of the admission process. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit.

Scholarships can be applied for on the application for a study place. There is no need to fill out any additional forms. Scholarship are granted in the form of a tuition waiver.

How much is a scholarship?

All students subject to tuition fees and starting their studies from Autumn 2019 onwards will be granted a scholarship of 4 800 euros. In addition, one-fourth of the students admitted will receive a scholarship covering 100 % of the tuition, and one-fourth a scholarship covering 80 % of the tuition.

In order to retain the waiver, the student must complete at least 55 credits in an academic year.

Please note that amounts can be subject to annual change.

What are the conditions for a tuition waiver?

The tuition fee waivers are awarded for the duration of the normative time for completing the degree (2 academic years for a Master's degree) on the condition that the student progresses in their studies according to the normative schedule. 

In order to retain the waiver, the student must complete at least 55 credits in an academic year. The credits must be for courses included in the degree requirements. If the student completes less than 55 credits in an academic year, they will lose their scholarship entirely.

The scholarship system will also serve as an incentive. From the Academic year 2019-2020 onwards, it is possible to earn a 100 % waiver for the second year of studies by completing at least 60 credits of courses included in the degree requirements in an academic year. Details for the second year scholarships will be communicated to the students during their first year.

Sufficient funds to support living in Finland (residence permit)

Student Union membership fee

All degree students are automatically members of the Student Union and can benefit from a number of services and discounts. Please see the information on the membership fee for the current academic year on the Student Union’s website. Membership in the Union is voluntary for exchange and doctoral students.

Estimated monthly budget

In Finland, the general cost of living is approximately the same as in other EU countries. In the north of Finland living expenses are usually lower than in the south. Living expenses in Rovaniemi for a student average 600–900 € per month. Following is the estimated monthly budget for a master's degree student:

Leisure activities in Rovaniemi

Example prices for food and study supplys at the University