Are you looking for an affordable study destination in Europe? Have you ever heard of a country called Finland, the happiest country in the world? Do you know there are schools offering fully funded scholarships to international students in Finland?
That’s the place happy students like you go. Higher Institutions in Finland offer over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. You don’t even need an application fee to apply for admission into some schools in Finland.
If you can’t speak Finnish but are from an Anglophone country, you don’t have to worry about language barriers as the lectures are taught in English. Also, many schools in Finland offer fully funded scholarships to international students.
This article is dedicated to helping you find the right scholarship suitable for your study and career path. We’ll share a long list of schools offering fully funded scholarships to international students in Finland. But before we delve into that, let’s shed some light on the advantages of studying in Finland.
Why Study in Finland?
There are many things to love about Finland. From the clean water to the beautiful scenery, exquisite cuisine, refreshing air, easy work culture, quality education, and security.
If these reasons are not compelling enough, here are more reasons to convince you to study in Finland.
1. Stellar Educational System
Finland has one of the best educational systems in Europe. In fact, in 2029, Finland universities were ranked among the top 3 institutions in the world. Little wonder over 14,000 international students have migrated to Finland for studies. If you are looking for a comprehensive curriculum, excellent facilities, effective teaching methods, amiable teachers, and practical experience, Finland is the place for you. Apply to Finland University today. You will be back to thank us.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Spain
2. Cheaper Tuition Fees
It’s no secret that the Finnish live a simple life. That’s probably why they are the happiest people in the world. This simplicity also influences the cost of living and tuition in Finland. Unlike other European countries, you don’t have to break the bank to study in Finland. On average, a Finnish university’s tuition costs range from €6,000 to €16,000 yearly. Besides, you can leverage fully funded scholarships for international students in Finland. However, to succeed, you must meet the criteria for the scholarships.
3. Job Opportunities for Students
Finland has a thriving economy. As such, there are many job opportunities for international students to explore. In fact, statistics show that 55% of Finnish students get employment contracts while in school. If you have excellent grades, you have nothing. Upon graduation, your school will help you find a suitable part or full-time job.
4. High Standard of Living
Finland offers you the opportunity to enjoy an improved standard of living, which may not be obtainable in your homeland. Aside from world-class education, you will also enjoy effective healthcare systems, clean water, good roads, affordable housing, food, and transportation.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Portugal
5. Beautiful Travel Destinations
One thing you will love about Finland is its beautiful scenery. The country has sights, side attractions, and natural wonders for your viewing pleasure. Are you looking for somewhere lovely and fun in Finland? You can visit Lake Saiman, Archipelago National Park, Seurasaari or Luostarinmäki open-air museums, the Suomenlinna fortress, Moomin Museum in Tampere. You can even go on a husky safari or visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in Rovaniemi! Oh! You don’t know the real Santa Claus lives in Finland. Well, now you do!
6. Low Crime Rates
In 2017, the World Economic Forum named Finland the safest country in the world. That has remained true to date as Finland has extraordinarily low crime rates. You don’t need to worry about being robbed, kidnapped, scammed, terrorised, or killed. As long as you are in Finland, your safety is secured.
13 Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Finland
Here is a comprehensive list of schools offering fully funded scholarships to international students in Finland. The list is not exhaustive, but it’s a good place to start your scholarship search. Make sure you bookmark this page and review it regularly as you apply for scholarships.
1. The University of Helsinki Scholarships for International Students
Scholarship Value: Fully Funded
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Helsinki
Top on our list of schools offering fully funded scholarships for international students in Finland is the University of Helsinki Scholarships. This scholarship program is for brilliant international students who want to enroll in a Master’s program at the University of Helsinki. The scholarship covers your full tuition fees with an additional €10,000 study grant. Wow! That’s as good as it gets!
As a recipient of the scholarship, you can enjoy this free package for two years. However, there is a caveat. You can only renew the scholarship for the second if you perform well academically in your first year of study. So, you must take your studies seriously, as they will evaluate your first-year results.
2. University of Tampere Scholarships for International Students
Scholarship Value: Partial/Full Tuition
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Tampere
Just like the first, this scholarship is also for international students enrolled in a Master’s program offered in English. The University of Tampere looks out to reward the most outstanding international students. The scholarships consist of two categories. Depending on how lucky you are, you may get full tuition or a 50% tuition waiver. It also comes with a €7,000 allowance for your living expenses. The scholarship lasts for two years.
3. University of Oulu Masters
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Oulu Masters
You can apply for this scholarship if you enroll in a two-year Master’s program at the University of Oulu. Up to 40 international students get to win and enjoy this scholarship every year. Who knows? You could be one of them this year.
This is an academic scholarship, so as expected, it covers only your tuition fees. Wouldn’t it be great to know that your tuition has been sorted while you pay other bills? Ideally, this scholarship only lasts for a year. However, you can renew the scholarship in the following academic year if you complete at least 55 ECTS.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in Germany
4. CIMO Doctoral Fellowship for International Students
Scholarship Value: €1500
Target Program: Postgraduate Degree
Awarding Institution: CIMO
This scholarship is for international doctoral students enrolled at a Finnish university. Although it is open to international students from different countries, preference is given to applicants from Russia, China, India, Chile, Brazil, and North America.
The scholarship value is €1500, which covers your living expenses in Finland as a single person. However, it doesn’t include funding for travel expenses and housing. It is only accessible for 3 to 12 months of your study.
5. Protein Science International Masters Scholarship at the University of Oulu, Finland
Scholarship Value: €4000
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Oulu
This is another one from the University of Oulu. It is for international students enrolled in a master’s program in Protein Science and Biotechnology at the Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine.
Do you know the exciting thing about this scholarship? International students who resume in the autumn season don’t pay tuition fees. Now, in addition to that, the University gives a scholarship that covers €4000 of your living expenses for two years. There are up to 15 open slots for this scholarship. You may be one of the lucky winners. Get up and apply now!
6. The University of Helsinki International Student Scholarship Grant
Scholarship Value: €1000 to €1500
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Helsinki
This scholarship program by the University of Helsinki is in the form of an International Student Grant. It gives start-up grants to about 50 international students enrolled in a Master’s Degree Programme. The grant is worth €1000 to €1500. It may look like a small amount, but it will go a long way in helping you settle into Helsinki. The scholarship is renewable for three years.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students in UK
7. Aalto University Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Partial/Full Tuition
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: Aalto University
Aalto University offers scholarships to international students enrolled in Master’s programs taught entirely in English. The scholarship amount covers your tuition fees and living/study expenses for two academic years. It comes in different categories and is awarded based on merit.
A (Gold): Full Scholarship €16,000 Euro (2x €8,000 per academic year)
B (Silver): Full Scholarship €16,000 (2x £8,000 per academic year)
C (Bronze): 50% of Full Scholarship €8,000 (2x €4,000 per academic year)
8. United Nations University (UNU) -WIDER Visiting Ph.D. Fellowship for International Researcher
Scholarship Value: €1,600
Target Program: Doctoral Degree
Awarding Institution: UNU-WIDER
As the name implies, this scholarship is for doctoral students in the visiting Ph.D. fellowship. This fellowship gives them the opportunity to use the resources and facilities at UNU-WIDER for their Ph.D. dissertation or thesis research and work with fellow researchers in related fields. They are also expected to present research papers and seminars based on their findings.
Recipients of the scholarship receive a travel grant that covers their travel expenses and medical insurance. They also receive €1,600 monthly stipend, which covers their living expenses for the three months they will stay at UNU-WIDER.
9. Finland Government Scholarships for International Students
Scholarship Value: €1500
Target Program: All Levels
Awarding Organisation: Finland Government
The Finland government awards scholarships to international researchers at all academic levels and fields. It is not exclusive to a Master’s or Ph.D. If you need funding for your research work (project, thesis, or dissertation) in school, you can apply for the funding opportunity. You can apply for funding for a 3-9 month study or research period. The scholarship recipients will receive €1500, which covers their travel and living expenses.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships in the United States
10. EDUFI Fellowship Program for Young Doctoral Students
Scholarship Value: €1500
Target Program: Postgraduate Degree
Awarding Institution: EDUFI
The EDUFI Fellowships program is open to international students at the postgraduate level. Recipients of the scholarship receive a monthly allowance of €1500, which covers their living expenses in Finland for 3 to 12 months of their study.
11. Abo Akademi University Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: Åbo Akademi University
Åbo Akademi University is the only exclusively Swedish multi-faculty university in Finland. Its main campus is in Turku, although it has other facilities in Vaasa. The institution awards scholarships to EU/EEA and Non-EU/EEA students to reward their intellectual prowess.
Guess what? It’s a fully funded scholarship! You get to enjoy 100% tuition-free education in one of the best European countries. In addition to that, you also get a one-time €5000 relocation grant to cover your travel expenses.
The duration of the scholarship is two years. However, you can’t only renew the scholarship in your second year of study if you score at least 55 ECTS in your first year. That’s a fair deal, don’t you think? At least, it will keep you focused on your students.
12. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences Early Bird Scholarship
Scholarship Value: 50% Tuition
Target Program: Bachelor’s Degree
Awarding Institution: Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)
Have you ever heard of an early bird scholarship? Well, now you do. The Kajaani University of Applied Sciences offers early bird scholarships to international students enrolled in their undergraduate program. As the name implies, it is exclusive to students who apply for admission early. We bet this will motivate you to quit procrastinating. The scholarship covers 50% of your tuition fee.
13. LUT University Early Bird Award
Scholarship Value: €6000
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: LUT University
This is another early bird discount scholarship. LUT University gives international students from Switzerland and other countries an opportunity to enjoy an almost free MSc degree program. The scholarship is worth €6000, which covers part of your tuition fees for the first academic year.
READ: List of Schools with Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada
14. Hanken School of Economics GBSN Scholarship
Scholarship Value: €12,500
Target Program: Master’s Program
Awarding Institution: Hanken School of Economics
The Hanken School of Economics was established in 1909. The business school is located in Helsinki and Vaasa and is one of Finland’s top, internationally accredited institutions.
Each year, the school sponsors the GBSN Scholarship, which rewards brilliant international students at the graduate level. International students from developing countries like Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Cambodia, India, Philippines, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tunisia, and Turkey are eligible for the scholarship.
The scholarship covers your full tuition fee for two academic years, equivalent to €12,500 per year. You also get €8000 allowance for your living expenses each year.
15. KAMK University of Applied Sciences
Scholarship Value: £900
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: KAMK University
This is another one from the Kajaani University of Applied Sciences, also known as KAMK. This particular scholarship aims to reward outstanding international Master’s students who have great intellect and leadership skills. The scholarship is worth €900, which covers your living expenses in Finland.
By the way, Do you know that this school has the happiest students in Finland? Yes, the national student survey in Finland says so. If you are looking for a school where you can study in a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere, this is the right place.
16. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences Scholarship
Scholarship Value: Full Tuition
Target Program: Bachelor’s Degree
Awarding Institution: Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK)
The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences supports industrial restructuring through education, research, and innovation. They include international students in this agenda. The school offers a full tuition scholarship for one academic year to exceptional international students at the undergraduate level.
17. University of Jyväskylä Scholarship
Scholarship Value: €500
Target Program: Master’s Degree
Awarding Institution: University of Jyväskylä
If you are a maths guru, get in here. This one is for you! The University of Jyväskylä has a keen interest in nurturing international talents in Finland. They offer scholarships to brilliant international students who wish to enroll in a Master’s program in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. The scholarship recipients will be rewarded with a monthly €500 allowance to cover their living expenses.
18. Finnish Language Skills Scholarship
Scholarship Value: €3,000
Target Program: Doctoral Degree
Awarding Institution: Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
Finally, to wrap up this list is the Finnish language skills scholarship. If you’re yet to learn Finnish, this may be a good time to consider it. This scholarship is sponsored by the Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. The partial funding scholarship is given to international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It is worth € 3,000, which covers your living expenses, including housing, transportation, and study expenses.
Conclusion
As you can see, many fully funded scholarships for international students in Finland exist. The onus now falls on you to seize the opportunity and make the most of it. Make sure you meet the requirements for the scholarship before applying. Apply early, adhere strictly to the instructions, submit all documents accordingly and put your best foot forward.
Remember, your grades also determine your chances of winning that scholarship. Don’t wait till your penultimate or final year. Be proactive and start building your GPA now.
If you are struggling to calculate your GPA, download our Effiko GPA Calculator. It gives you the tools and knowledge you need to manage your grades and excel in studies. Our GPA calculator is fast, accurate and easy to navigate. It available on the app stores. You can download it at zero cost. That’s right! It is absolutely FREE! Click here to download it now!
Also, if you need further guidance on applying for a scholarship abroad, schedule a call with our career advisors today.