Perhaps the best way to describe Finland is this: if the entire world were a classroom, Finland would be an exceptional A student. Excellent at most things, admired by the other nations, and an example to be followed.
Finland is one of the happiest countries in the world, has one of the best (if not the best) education systems, and ranks among the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. Have we also mentioned that it gave the world amazing bands such as Nightwish, HIM, Apocalyptica, or Amorphis?
You might be thinking: “Well, that’s great, that’s amazing, actually! But can I study an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s in Finland? And which are the best Finnish universities where I can study in English?”
Let’s find out!
How many English-taught universities are there in Finland?
According to the official ‘Study in Finland’ website, international students can choose between 13 regular universities and 22 universities of applied sciences (UAS) in Finland. And the good news is most of them provide English-taught degrees at all levels of study.
In fact, after a quick check on our portals, you will find:
- over 135 English-taught Bachelors in Finland
- over385 English-taught Masters in Finland
- over60 English-taught PhDs in Finland
- around 15English-taught distance-learning (online) courses
Here are some of the Finnish universities we recommend:
- University of Vaasa
- Hanken School of Economics
- Laurea University of Applied Sciences
- Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
- Arcada University of Applied Sciences
How do I know if a Finnish university teaches in English?
On our portals (e.g. Bachelorsportal, Mastersportal, PhDportal), we only list study programmes taught in English — so start from there. We also offer more information about language requirements for each degree (if available).
Finnish universities (or other websites) might list additional English-taught programmes on their web pages.
In that case, you’ll have to do a bit of research to find out if those programmes are taught in English or if international students are eligible to apply. Should you struggle to find this information, don’t hesitate to contact the university directly.
To apply at English-taught academic institutions in Finland, you’ll have to pass one of the following widely accepted English language tests:
- PTE Academic
- IELTS Academic
- TOEFL iBT
Learn more about IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic.
Is English enough to live and study in Finland?
Yes, English is more than enough to live, study and even settle in Finland. That’s because this beautiful Nordic country is ranked among the best nations regarding the level of fluency in English.
To get a job, you may or may not need to speak Finnish — this largely depends on the nature of the job. For example, if your work involves interacting with the public or clients, then Finnish is a must. Otherwise, you can get away without speaking the local language.
Still, if you want to learn the basics, here are some resources to get you started:
- Learn Finnish with Duolingo
- Learn Finnish with LingoHut
- Learn Finnish on the FinnishPod101 YouTube channel
The best English-taught universities in Finland
TopUniversities release their QS Rankings every year. And, according to the latest insights, these are the best universities in Finland where you can study in English:
- University of Helsinki
- Aalto University
- University of Turku
- University of Jyväskylä
- University of Oulu
- LUT University
- Tampere University
- University of Eastern Finland
- Åbo Akademi University
Affordable English-taught universities in Finland
We have excellent news for students coming from the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA): you can study at any public university in Finland for free!
For non-EU/EEA citizens, tuition fees will range between 4,000 and 18,000 EUR per academic year. Medicine, Engineering and STEM disciplines are the most expensive, but PhDs are free for all students, regardless of their nationality.
And while this might look like a lot, keep in mind that in the US, for example, tuition can be two, three or four times higher!
To reduce the costs of studying in Finland, check out the available scholarships.
Learn more about tuition and living costs in Finland.
Application requirements at English-taught universities in Finland
Some of the most common application requirements at Finnish universities are:
- Previous diplomas: high-school, Bachelor’s, or Master’s
- Academic transcript of records or grades
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Copy of ID or passport
- Up to 4 passport-size photos
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal essay or statement
- GMAT or GRE test result (only at some universities)
To avoid common mistakes, check out our guide on how to correctly fill in a university application form.