Study in Finland 2025: Guide for International Students

Study in Finland for Indian Students in 2025

As per the Finnish Immigration Service data, the majority of non-EU student applications were from India and China. However, a significant increase in applications has been reported from Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as well. In addition, Finland was a more attractive study destination for Asian students, as compared to other Nordic countries. The Finnish National Agency for Education data reveals that India falls under the “the most common nationalities among foreign students” category, along with Russia, Vietnam, China, and Nepal.

Data from the IIE, in partnership with the Finnish National Agency for Education, reveals that India was one of the top sending markets for Finnish higher education institutions. 62% of the international students were enrolled in Business, Administration and Law, Information and Communication Technologies, and Engineering courses. The choice of subjects of international students reveals that Indian students have a higher inclination towards technical subjects in Finland.

Education System in Finland

Finland has one of the best education systems in the world. Finland's education system has been ranked as the 2nd most competitive country by the World Economic Forum's (WEF) global competitiveness report. Some other reasons that contribute to the excellence of the Finnish education system include:

• Early Childhood Education and Care: It is provided to children before the beginning of their pre-primary education. It lasts for 0-6 years.
• Pre-primary Education: It acts as a bridge between early childhood education and care and primary and lower secondary education. It lasts for 1 year.
• Primary and Lower Secondary Education: Also called Comprehensive School Education, it lasts for 9 years and is meant for all children between 7 and 17 years of age. It is compulsory for all children who reside permanently in Finland.
• Upper Secondary Education: It involves a choice between general upper secondary school education and vocational education and training. If a student opts for general upper secondary school education, he/ she will be required to clear the Finnish matriculation examination to be eligible for universities. Vocational qualifications include initial vocational qualifications, further vocational qualifications and specialist vocational qualifications, after which students can apply for higher education.
• Higher Education: Higher education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees) is awarded by universities in Finland.
• Adult Education: Adult education leads to a qualification, apprenticeship training, upskilling and reskilling, etc.

Student Life in Finland

Studying in Finland after completing your school can be a life-changing experience. Finland is well known for being one of the safest and student-friendly study destinations in the world. No matter, if you're in Helsinki, Tampere, or Turku, the campus environment is calm and peaceful. Universities in Finland actively welcome international students, and you’ll find plenty of support groups, cultural clubs, and activities to help you settle in.

Finnish culture is different from Indian culture. It might feel a bit different at first, but people usually keep to themselves. Don’t be surprised if conversations are short and straight to the point. That’s just how things work in Finland. However, Finns are helpful, polite, and respectful.

Most young people in Finland speak English well, so you don’t need to learn Finnish right away. However, the local accent and occasional use of Finnish or Swedish terms may take some getting used to. Don’t hesitate to ask if you don’t understand something.

Climate in Finland

Based on the direction of airflow, the Finnish climate shows features of both maritime and continental climates. During winter, you will enjoy long, dark days. You will face snow and freezing temperatures from November to March. In summer, you will face almost endless daylight with temperature differences. Sometimes, the sun may not set at all for weeks

• Northern Part: Winter is the longest season here. For about 7 months, this region is covered with snow, and winters here are cold and long
• South Coast and Southwest Part: Summer and winter are of the same duration. These regions are covered with snow for about 3-4 months. The average annual temperature in this part is nearly 5.5 °C
• Snow Cover: In cities such as Helsinki and Turku, located in the South and Southwest parts, winter temperatures tend to average between 0 and 5 °C, however, temperatures might dip to as low as −20 °C
• Rainfall: Rainfall in Finland is irregular, and February, March, and April are considered the driest months. On average, annual precipitation is nearly 600 mm

Students must be prepared with weather-appropriate clothing since the weather in Finland is towards the colder side of the spectrum.

Lifestyle Tips for Finland

Finnish people have a distinct culture that is influenced by the larger Nordic culture. Finns have common cultural traits with neighbouring Scandinavian countries. Each international student comes from a different cultural background. It is of utmost importance that the students must respect the indigenous culture in order to mingle well in society and amongst their peers. Here are a few tips:

• Finns believe in the concept of sisu, which means stamina, perseverance, and courage. It is advisable for international students not to complain too much about the challenges they might face
• Always be punctual, meticulous, and organised
• It takes time for an international student to adapt to a new culture, hence students must develop patience
• Finnish society is egalitarian in nature, hence, international students must let go of their prejudice and stereotypes if they hold any
• Finland is one of the cleanest countries and Finns are conscious about taking care of the natural environment. Make sure that you follow the rules and conventions that are related to nature and cleanliness
• Avoid being loud in public places and give space to everyone you meet
• Avoid asking personal questions such as marital status, financial credentials, salary, etc.
• Unless you are close to someone or have been invited to a big party, avoid wearing shoes in someone else’s house

We hope that these lifestyle and societal tips will help you in adapting to your new environment once you reach Finland.

Accommodation in Finland for Students

If you wish to find student accommodation in Finland, you will either have to go through a student housing foundation, such as HOAS or VOAS, or through the open market. Universities such as the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, University of Vaasa, etc. do not have their own student dormitories. Universities have collaborated with student housing providers who help students find accommodation. In such a situation, the students should allow sufficient time for themselves so that they can find an appropriate apartment. It is relatively easier to find an apartment in the spring term as compared to the autumn term. Student rent can range from €250 to €500 per month, depending on the location of the apartment. This amount does not include food and other miscellaneous expenses. Besides this, the students can look for private apartment owners in the private rental market. The average monthly rent of a private apartment is nearly €600 per month. Here are some additional tips:

• If you have not been able to arrange an apartment before your arrival in Finland, you will have to find temporary accommodation or short-term accommodation
• Always check the authenticity of a private landlord before making any decision
• Be very clear with the terms and conditions of your rent agreement

How to Study in Finland from India

Students looking to study in Finland need to be aware of the correct exams required, the application process, documents, timelines, intake seasons, etc., before applying. The overall application process and documents for different universities are more or less similar; however, different courses at different universities might require a certain academic background or a certain minimum score in examinations. Students can refer to the table given below in order to understand the various academic programs that are offered in Finland:

Academic Level	Eligibility Criteria	Duration of Program
Bachelor’s Degree (Universities)	General upper secondary school or Vocational qualifications	3.5 – 4.5 years
Bachelor’s Degree (Universities of Applied Sciences)	General upper secondary school or Vocational qualifications	3.5 – 4.5 years
Master’s Degree (Universities)	Bachelor’s degree (university level), or Bachelor’s degree (universities of applied sciences) with 2 years of work experience	2 years
Master’s Degree (Universities of Applied Sciences)	Bachelor’s degree (university level), or Bachelor’s degree (universities of applied sciences) with 2 years of work experience	1 – 1.5 years
Doctoral Degree (Universities)	Master’s degree (university level or universities of applied sciences)	4 years

Students must note that some universities might require a certain cut-off percentage in 12th standard scores, graduation, test scores, etc. while some may take a bird’s eye view of your entire profile. Some programs might require that you study specific subjects in your 12th standard or graduation. Hence, the eligibility for various programs depends on the choice of your program and the university to which you wish to apply. You can read about converting percentages to GPA.

Documents for Finland Application

Documentation often confuses the students. A brief overview of the required documents is given below:

• Application form (hardcopy or softcopy as per the requirement of the university/ college)
• Upper secondary-level educational documents need to submit to the admissions services/ department
• Degree certificates/ officially certified copies awarded by the main university
• Transcripts of records awarded by the main university
• Score reports of SAT/ GRE/ GMAT
• Score reports of IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Cambridge Proficiency
• Resume
• Statement of Purpose
• Essay
• Letters of Recommendation from employer/ professor/ teacher who can provide positive details of your professional achievements and abilities
• Other documents such as portfolio/ sample work, etc. in case of specific programs such as designing and architecture
• Proof of finances
• Medical tests

Intake Seasons in Finland Universities

There are two intakes in Finland's educational institutions: Autumn and Spring intakes. Finer details of both intakes are given below:

Autumn Intake:

• It is the primary intake for all the universities. A maximum number of students apply for this intake
• Orientation week and classes for the Autumn intake begin in August – September
• The application process for this intake starts near December of the previous year and closes around January–February of the year under consideration

Spring Intake:

• It is the secondary intake and can be considered an extension of the Autumn intake
• Orientation week and classes for the Spring intake begin in February – March
• The application process for the Spring intake starts in May of the previous year
• The student population is usually lower in the Spring intake as compared to the Autumn intake

Also Read: Fall Intake vs Spring Intake

Timeline for Finnish universities

Since the Autumn intake is considered the primary intake in all Finnish universities and colleges, we are providing an approximate timeline for the same. Please note the dates vary from university to university and course to course. The given timeline is intended to provide you with an overview of the application process. Here we have considered that you are applying for the Autumn 2025 intake:

Month/ Year	Process
December 2024	Start of the application process
January – February 2025	The deadline for application and document uploading closes
January/ February – March 2025	Admission process and shortlisting
March – April 2025	Publication of results
April – May 2025	Deadline for accepting the offer
June – July 2025	Any changes in documents
August – September 2025	Orientation week and the beginning of classes

To meet the deadlines and for a hassle-free application process, we suggest the following:

• Do the shortlisting of courses beforehand
• Make a note of all the exams that are required and get their scores well before the deadline
• You must have sufficient time for test preparation
• Start collecting the necessary documents and start filing them in an organised way
• Keep a backup of your university/ course, just in case you get rejected in your primary application

Steps to Apply to Finland Universities

Students must take care that their application process is organised. Do not keep things pending till the last moment. Here is a broad overview of the steps that you need to follow for your application process:

• Select the course(s) that you wish to pursue
• Shortlist the universities/ colleges where you wish to study
• Find out the exams that you are required to appear for
• Plan the timeline and keep sufficient time for test prep and document arrangement
• Take the tests and be ready with their scores
• In the meantime, you must start working on your resume, SOP, essays, LOR, and other related documents
• Prepare and file all the necessary documents
• Stick to the timeline and apply well before the deadline
• Appear for the interview(s)
• Accept the offer from the university/ college
• Once you have accepted the offer, you must begin the visa application process
• Make sure that you are ready with a plan to arrange for your housing

Language Exams for Finland

If you belong to a country where English is not the native language, then you will have to provide proof of your English-language proficiency through standardized tests such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (PTE), Cambridge English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency), International Baccalaureate, etc. Different universities have different criteria to judge your English-language proficiency level. In addition, since there are multiple options for the student, a student is free to choose the exam of his/ her choice.

• Exam Repetition: A student can reappear for IELTS, without any limit. TOEFL can also be retaken as many times as desired. A student cannot retake the TOEFL more than once in a 3-day period. As for PTE, it can also be taken as many times as a student wishes.
• Time to Appear for the Tests: You must plan your tests very wisely. If you are planning to apply for the Autumn intake, then your application process will start around December of the previous year. You must be ready with your test scores well in advance so that you have sufficient time to retake them if your scores are low. 

General Exams for Finland

Besides English-language proficiency tests, certain general exams might also be required by various universities. Exams depend on the course that you apply for and on the university/ college. Some of these exams have been mentioned below.

• SAT: SAT or Scholastic Assessment Test measures literacy and writing skills that are required by students to ace their academic curriculum. This test is typically taken by school students who wish to apply for undergraduate courses.
• GRE: Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is taken by students who are pursuing or have completed their graduation or post-graduation, and wish to apply for Master's or Doctoral courses. Many B-Schools accept GRE scores as well.
• GMAT: GMAT or Graduate Management Aptitude Test is used to measure the aptitude of students who wish to study Management courses.

Time to Appear for the Tests: You must plan your tests well in advance to avoid last-minute confusion. If you are planning for the Autumn intake, then you should be ready with your scores well before October or November of the previous year. You must also consider a 4-6 month time period for test prep. Hence, everything must be planned and organised.

Cost of Living in Finland

The cost of living in Finland depends on a variety of factors such as your location, your accommodation, your dietary habits, your lifestyle, and other miscellaneous charges. Some of the factors have been mentioned below:

• Accommodation
• Food and groceries
• Utilities such as electricity, water, gas, internet, etc.
• Books and reading material
• Stationery
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Commuting and travel
• Insurance charges
• Miscellaneous charges such as dining out, parties, etc.

You can refer to the table below to get an approximate idea of the charges:

Head	Average Monthly Cost
Accommodation through Student Housing Foundation	€250 - €500
Private room/ apartment	€600
Food	€150 - €250
Other expenditure	€150 - €200

Health Insurance for Students

It is mandatory for a student to obtain health insurance in order to receive a residence permit for studies. The insurance depends on the duration of your course and must be valid for the entire duration of your course. If your course is for more than 3 months in duration, it is compulsory for you to have health insurance. Students who study for less than 2 years must obtain private insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment up to €120,000. Students who study for 2 years or more must obtain private insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment up to €40,000. In either case, the insurance deductible must be less than €300. In addition, students must note that their insurance must be valid when they arrive in Finland.

Cost of Studying in Finland

The cost of studying in Finland depends on factors such as your course, your university/ college, your campus, etc. However, on average, the given points will help you gauge the average cost of studying in Finland:

• The average 1-year Bachelor of Engineering tuition fee in Finland is INR 8 Lakhs
• The average 1-year MS tuition fee in Finland is INR 10.73 Lakhs
• The average 1-year MBA tuition fee in Finland is INR 8.52 Lakhs

(Source: studyabroad.shiksha.com)

Scholarships in Finland

Studying in a foreign land be tough, especially when we consider the financial aspects of the same. In such situations, students can apply for various scholarships in order to reduce their overall cost of pursuing academics in Finland. Students with a strong academic background, impressive test scores, and strong resumes can reap the benefits of such scholarships. An overview of the documentation and selection process of scholarships is given below:

• Compile your academic records
• You might be required to submit letters of motivation
• Prepare an organized resume
• Prepare well for a scholarship interview if your university/ college has a scholarship committee

Note that a student is usually required to apply for a scholarship at the time of his/ her admission application. Hence, it is important that you do not miss out on the scholarship applications.

Education Loans for Studying in Finland

Borrowing education loans for studying in Finland, you need to fulfil the basic eligibility criteria decided by the top education loan providers in India. Below, we have mentioned some basic eligibility for student loans.

Whether you qualify for a scholarship or not, you can always apply for an education loan. Usually, banks have similar criteria for providing loans. Some of the general conditions are given below:

• You must be an Indian national
• Your academic record must be strong
• You must have received an admission offer from an eligible course of study, and the course must help you in gaining meaningful employment
• You must be 18 years of age, or else your parents can avail loan on your behalf

Documents Required: Here is a general list of documents that are required for your loan application process:

• Identity Proof such as Birth Certificate, Passport, Voter card with DOB, College Passing Certificate, PAN Card, Driving license, Aadhaar Card
• Residence proof (if applicable)
• PAN Card
• Aadhaar Card
• Relationship proofs
• Academic documents
• Income proofs
• ITR forms
• Admission proofs
• Technical documents such as property tax receipts, revenue documents, etc.
• Legal documents such as sale /gift/partition deed, encumbrance certificate, etc.

Note that these documents can vary from bank to bank and for different applications. You will need to contact your bank for the exact list of documents.

Top Education Loan Providers: We have mentioned a list of the top 5 study abroad education loan providers for Indian nationals:

• State Bank of India
• HDFC Credila
• Punjab National Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• Canara Bank

Also Read:

• Steps to Apply for an Education Loan
• How to Repay Education Loan Faster?
• Public Vs. Private Education Loan Providers

Finland Visa Types

There are various types of Finland visas:

• Single-entry visa: The holder of this visa can enter Finland once and can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period
• Double-entry visa: The holder of this visa can enter Finland twice and can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period
• Multiple-entry visa: The holder of this visa can avail of multiple visits. It is valid for a period of a maximum of 5 years

If your course is less than 90 days in duration, then you can apply for a short-term temporary visa.

If your course is more than 90 days in duration, then you are required to apply for a residence permit for pursuing your studies. The validity of your residence permit is usually the same as the duration of your course. Note that, you must possess a valid passport during the entire duration of your residence permit. The following finer details will help you gain more knowledge about the residence permit:

• You need to apply for a Residence Permit before your arrival in Finland
• You must be accepted in a Finnish university, a university of applied sciences, a general upper secondary school or a vocational education institution
• Your first residence permit will allow you to work for a maximum of 30 hours per week. However, if your work is directly related to your academic degree (such as training) then this limitation is not applicable
• The processing time for the first permit is 1-2 months (in case of electronic application) and the fee is €350
• The processing time for the first permit is 2-3 months (in case of paper application) and the fee is €450
• If you are planning to continue your studies but your residence permit is about expire, then you need to apply for an Extended permit. The fee in case of electronic application is €180 and in case of paper application is €250
• Those who wish to pursue research or Doctoral studies need to apply for a Residence permit application for a researcher. In this case, the electronic application fee for the first permit is €380 and the paper application fee for the first permit is €480. Extended permit fee are €160 and €430 respectively.

Requirements for Finland Student Visa

Once you have received your acceptance offer from your university/ college, you must begin the process of student visa application. The following documents are required for the application:

• Acceptance letter/ offer: You must have an acceptance letter from a Finnish university, a university of applied sciences, a general upper secondary school or a vocational education institution
• Identity proofs: This includes documents such as valid passports, photographs etc.
• Proof of finances: You must prove that you can support and sustain yourself financially while you are in Finland. You must have €6,720 in your bank account at the time of submission of the application. If your academic course is less than 1 year, you must have €560 per month available with you. If your university/ college provides you with free accommodation, then you must have €280 per month available with you. If your university/ college provides you with free accommodation and meals, then you must have €195 per month available with you. Students are required to attach their own bank statements of at least the past three months from the time of application. Sponsorship agreements provided by relatives, friends or employers are not accepted as income proof.
• Receipt/ proof of paid tuition fee
• Insurance certificate: You must have valid private insurance to cover your medical and pharmaceutical costs
• Other documents: These include your degree certificates, transcripts, test scores, etc.
• If you are below 18 years of age, then you must provide a birth certificate and consent from your parents or guardians

How to get a Finland Student Visa

The following steps will provide you with information about applying for a Finland student visa:

• Receive an acceptance letter
• Pay the tuition fee
• Initiate the application
• Collect, organize, and file all the required documents
• Fill out the residence permit application form
• Visit the VFS Global VAC (Visa Application Centre) and complete all the formalities. VACs are present in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi. VFS Global service fee is €70
• Pay the processing fee either online or at a Finnish mission (in this case, Embassy in New Delhi)
• Wait for the decision

Once your application has been approved, you will receive the necessary communications.

Visa for Spouse

Once you have received your residence permit, you can bring your spouse and children as well. The following are considered family members: a spouse, a registered partner, a cohabiting partner, a guardian of a child under 18 years of age, and a child. The electronic application fee is €470, and the paper application fee is €520.

Pre-departure List

Before you depart, make sure that all your documents are in place and are completed. You can have a look at the following general pre-departure list:

• Airline tickets
• Travel and health insurance
• Transportation arrangement
• Accommodation arrangements in Finland
• Banking and financial papers
• Baggage and customs
• Passport
• Academic documents
• Finnish institution’s documents
• Visa documents
• Medical documents
• Important addresses and phone numbers

Related Blogs:

• Checklist for Indian Students Going Abroad
• First Time Travel in Flight

Living as a Student in Finland

Homesickness: It is obvious and natural to feel homesick. However, you must realize that you have come to Finland for the bigger purpose of achieving academic excellence. You must make the most of this opportunity. As time rolls on homesickness will pass away. Moreover, if you feel overwhelmed, you must talk to the university orientation services department or to your roommates. It will take time for you to adjust to a new culture; however, you must realize that you are contributing to the cultural diversity of Finland and that you will slowly adapt and contribute to the new culture.

Your first few days in Finland: Initial days will be very busy as you arrive in Finland. You will be required to adjust your new room or apartment, attend the orientation lectures at your university, interact with your peers, and much more. It suggested that you:

• Explore your university campus, its rules and regulations, and every other minute detail that is relevant to your comfortable stay
• Interact with your flatmates, classmates, neighbours, faculties and familiarize yourself with the new settings
• Take note of shops, grocery stores, eateries, and other necessary places
• Join the university clubs and athletic facilities

Learn basic cooking: Even if your university or landlord provides you with meal facilities, you must learn how to cook. Not only will it make you self-sufficient, but also help you relive the taste of Indian food whenever you feel homesick. In addition, learning how to cook will help you during late-night study sessions when you might feel the need to grab a snack.

Post-Graduate Work Permit Finland

After you complete your degree or research in Finland you can apply for a new residence work permit. This involves two scenarios:

• First is when you have found a job by virtue of your degree or research
• Second is when you wish to look for a job or start a business

In the second case, you must apply for a new residence permit within five years from the date of expiry of the residence permit for studies or research. The following points will elaborate on the details:

• The permit may be for 2 years
• You can take the permit in three parts if you wish to
• You must have completed your academics or research as the case may be
• You must provide proof that you have at least €560 per month at your disposal
• You will need a valid passport, passport photo, degree certificates, financial documents, research completion certificates (if applicable), etc.

Head	Details
Processing time (electronic)	1-2 months
Processing time (paper)	2-4 months
Application fee for first permit (electronic)	€470
Application fee for the first permit (paper)	€520
Application fee for extended permit (electronic)	€160
Application fee for extended permit (paper)	€430

Placements in Finland

Placements in Finnish universities are usually driven by their career services departments. Various student services such as CV and cover letter review LinkedIn profile building, interview preparation, career counselling session, etc. are arranged that help the students in finding their desired and appropriate employment.

Also Read: Graduation Day in Universities Abroad

Permanent Residence Permit Finland

You might receive the permanent residence permit as well after fulfilling certain conditions:

• You must have a continuous residence permit (the A permit) and you must have lived in Finland continuously for four years with this permit
• Requirements for a permanent residence permit are more or less similar to those of a continuous residence permit

Now that the students are aware of the various factors that come into play when considering education in Finland, they must research thoroughly the courses, universities, and other important factors before making a decision. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.