Are you planning to study in Finland with financial support? The Helsinki University Scholarships 2027-28 offer an opportunity for international students seeking a Master’s degree at the University of Helsinki. The University of Helsinki scholarships can provide a 50% or 100% tuition fee waiver, helping reduce the cost of higher education in Finland.
These Finland scholarships for international students are highly competitive and mainly consider academic performance, motivation, and application quality. With more than 30 English-taught Master’s programmes, students can explore diverse study areas in a research environment. If you are searching for Master’s scholarships in Finland, this guide explains eligibility, coverage, required documents, deadlines, and the online application process.
Helsinki University Scholarships 2027-28 Overview
The University of Helsinki scholarships are designed mainly for outstanding students who need to pay tuition. The university offers 50% and 100% tuition fee waivers. Most available awards cover 50% of tuition fees.
The scholarship lasts for two academic years when you meet its study requirements. You must study full time and earn at least 55 ECTS credits during your first academic year to continue the award.
| Scholarship Feature | Details |
| Country | Finland |
| University | University of Helsinki |
| Degree | Master’s |
| Main applicants | International students liable for tuition |
| Scholarship | 50% or 100% tuition-fee waiver |
| Duration | Two academic years |
| 2027 application period | 5–19 January 2027 |
| Application method | Online application |
| Living expenses | Not covered by the university scholarship |
These Finland scholarships for international students are competitive. Therefore, a strong academic record and a convincing application can make a real difference. The university evaluates applicants according to academic performance, programme requirements, and other relevant selection criteria.
What Are Helsinki University Scholarships?
The Helsinki scholarship programme supports talented international students entering selected Master’s programmes. If you come from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland and must pay tuition, you may request a tuition-fee waiver during admission.
This opportunity is different from a traditional cash scholarship. The award reduces your tuition fees, while you remain responsible for living costs. Therefore, think of it as lowering one major expense rather than paying every cost connected with studying abroad.
Why Study at the University of Helsinki?
The University of Helsinki is a major research university with multidisciplinary Master’s education. Its international programmes offer English-language study across several academic fields. The university also describes itself as one of the world’s top 1% research universities.
For many applicants, that combination makes these study in Finland scholarships attractive. You can gain an internationally oriented education while studying in a country known for strong higher education in Finland and research-based learning.
Tuition Fees and Scholarship Coverage at the University of Helsinki
Tuition is an important part of your financial plan. Current University of Helsinki Master’s programmes taught in English charge €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000 per academic year, depending on the programme. The fee remains the same throughout your programme.
The University of Helsinki financial aid programme can provide either a 50% or 100% waiver. Most awards are 50%. The university does not offer scholarships that cover living expenses, so you should not describe every award as completely funded in the traditional sense.
| Scholarship Type | Tuition Covered | Living Costs |
| 50% waiver | 50% | Not covered |
| 100% waiver | 100% | No covered |
This distinction matters when comparing Finland fully funded scholarships. A 100% tuition waiver can remove the full programme fee, yet you still need money for accommodation and daily life. Always check the exact award attached to your programme before making financial decisions.
Degree Programs Available for International Students
The university offers more than 30 multidisciplinary international Master’s programmes taught in English. These programmes cover different fields through 11 faculties, with a normal scope of 120 ECTS credits completed over two years of full-time study.
Your best approach is to choose a degree programme that matches your previous studies and career plans. The programme page should become your main reference because specific admission requirements, attachments, language rules, and scholarship policies can differ.
| Study Area | Example Academic Direction |
| Science | Natural and computational sciences |
| Social Sciences | Society, policy, and economics |
| Education | Educational research and learning |
| Law | Legal studies |
| Arts | Humanities and cultural studies |
| Environment | Environmental and sustainability studies |
| Health | Health-related academic fields |
These Finland scholarships for Master’s students can be particularly useful when your selected programme has a high annual tuition cost. Before applying, compare the curriculum, admission criteria, teaching language, and scholarship conditions.
Who Can Apply for Helsinki University Scholarships?
The main audience for these scholarships for international students in Finland is students who qualify for an international Master’s programme and are liable to pay tuition. Applicants must also satisfy the university’s academic and language conditions.
Generally, tuition-fee-liable applicants include citizens from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland who do not hold an applicable permanent residence status in Finland. Your immigration status can affect whether you must pay tuition.
Who Is a Strong Candidate?
A strong applicant normally combines suitable previous education with excellent academic results. Your application should also demonstrate a clear reason for choosing the programme. In other words, the scholarship is not simply about wanting to study abroad.
The university states that scholarship decisions consider academic overall assessment, previous academic performance, motivation, and other programme or university priorities. Competition can be intense because the number of waivers is limited.
Eligibility Requirements for Helsinki University Scholarships
First, you need a qualifying bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-cycle degree. You must also have enough relevant previous studies for your selected Master’s programme. The university checks these conditions before your application reaches academic evaluation.
You must also meet the relevant language requirements. English-language Master’s applicants need to demonstrate sufficient English proficiency under the programme’s rules. Do not assume that every applicant automatically receives an IELTS exemption because requirements depend on the programme and accepted proof.
| Requirement | What You Should Check |
| Previous education | Relevant bachelor-level qualification |
| Academic background | Sufficient applicable studies |
| Language | Required English proof |
| Tuition status | Whether you are liable for tuition |
| Residence conditions | Applicable Finnish residence status |
| Immigration | Visa and residence permit requirements |
Your scholarship eligibility and admission eligibility are closely connected. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission or funding. Scholarship awards remain competitive and depend on the university’s selection process.
Required Documents for the Scholarship Application
Your documents should tell one consistent academic story. The official application system requires educational documents and any programme-specific attachments. You should follow the exact document instructions for your chosen programme rather than uploading unnecessary files.
Important required documents can include your academic transcript, degree documentation, proof of language proficiency, and programme-specific materials. Depending on your circumstances, you may also need a passport copy or residence document to establish your tuition-fee status.
| Document | Purpose |
| Bachelor’s degree documents | Proves previous education |
| Academic transcript | Shows academic performance |
| Language proof | Confirms required language skills |
| Passport or ID | Helps verify identity and fee status |
| Programme-specific documents | Meets individual programme criteria |
| CV | Include only when required or useful |
Do not rely on a generic document checklist from another website. The official programme instructions should control your application. A missing mandatory attachment can prevent your application from moving forward to academic evaluation.
How to Apply for Helsinki University Scholarships 2027-28
The scholarship application is submitted together with your Master’s admission application. First, select a suitable international Master’s programme. Then read its admission requirements carefully and prepare the requested attachments.
Next, complete the online application through the Finnish Studyinfo system during the official application period. If you are liable for tuition, you can request a scholarship through the same form. There is no separate scholarship application form.
| Step | What to Do |
| 1 | Choose your Master’s programme |
| 2 | Check admission requirements |
| 3 | Review scholarship conditions |
| 4 | Prepare your documents |
| 5 | Complete the Studyinfo application |
| 6 | Request the tuition-fee waiver |
| 7 | Upload required attachments |
| 8 | Submit before the deadline |
| 9 | Monitor your admission result |
The application process rewards careful preparation. Check every uploaded file before submission. If the university requests a specific format or certification, follow that instruction exactly. Late or incorrect attachments can create serious problems during evaluation.
After admission, scholarship results are included with the admission decision. If you receive a waiver, you must accept the scholarship agreement according to the university’s instructions before it takes effect.
Helsinki University Scholarships 2027-28 Application Deadline
Mark the application deadline early because the 2027 intake has a short application window. The University of Helsinki currently lists 5–19 January 2027 as the application period for international Master’s programmes starting in autumn 2027.
| Important Item | 2027 Intake |
| International Master’s application opens | 5 January 2027 |
| Application closes | 19 January 2027 |
| Intake | Autumn 2027 |
| Application method | Online |
Do not wait until the final day. Your admission application needs more than a simple form. You may need educational records, language evidence, programme-specific documents, and other supporting material. Prepare everything before the application window opens.
The exact supporting-document deadlines and programme instructions can change. Therefore, check the official scholarship website and your chosen programme page before submitting. The university itself advises applicants to follow current application instructions.
Living Costs and Financial Planning in Finland
Winning a tuition waiver does not make every part of your education free. The University of Helsinki clearly states that its scholarship programme does not cover living expenses. You should therefore budget for accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, study materials, and personal spending.
Your living costs in Finland will depend heavily on your lifestyle and housing choice. Helsinki can be expensive compared with smaller Finnish cities. Before accepting an award, calculate your expected monthly budget and make sure you can support yourself throughout the degree.
| Expense Area | What to Plan For |
| Housing | Rent and housing-related costs |
| Food | Groceries and student meals |
| Transport | Public transportation |
| Healthcare | Required and applicable healthcare costs |
| Insurance | Residence-related requirements |
| Study materials | Books, equipment, and supplies |
| Personal costs | Phone, clothing, leisure, and other needs |
Student life can offer useful savings. Student benefits may reduce some everyday expenses, while student healthcare, discounted public transportation, and student meals can help manage your budget. However, these benefits should supplement your financial plan rather than replace it.
Is Free Study in Finland Possible?
The phrase free study in Finland can be misleading for non-EU/EEA students. At the University of Helsinki, eligible scholarship recipients can receive a 100% tuition waiver, but the university does not pay their living expenses through this scholarship.
For that reason, compare postgraduate scholarships in Finland carefully. Some opportunities may cover tuition, while others can provide broader funding. Your goal should be to understand exactly what an award pays before you make your visa, housing, and travel plans.
FAQs
Is the University of Helsinki scholarship fully funded?
A 100% tuition waiver can cover the full tuition fee. However, the university does not provide living-expense scholarships through this programme. Therefore, applicants should not assume that accommodation, food, travel, or other personal expenses are included.
Can international students apply for these scholarships?
Yes. Eligible international applicants who must pay tuition can request a tuition-fee waiver while applying for an international Master’s programme. The applicant must also satisfy the relevant admission conditions.
What is the Helsinki University Scholarships 2027-28 deadline?
For international Master’s programmes beginning in autumn 2027, the current application period runs from 5 January to 19 January 2027. Always verify the dates on the university website before applying.
Does the scholarship cover living expenses?
No. The University of Helsinki states that its scholarship programme does not offer scholarships for living expenses. You need separate financial resources for your daily costs.
Is IELTS required?
English-language Master’s applicants must demonstrate the required language skills. The exact accepted evidence and exemptions depend on the applicable language requirements, so check your selected programme rather than assuming IELTS is always required or always waived.
Conclusion
The Helsinki University scholarships in Finland can be a valuable route for talented international students who want a Master’s education at a leading research university. The strongest approach is simple: choose the right programme, understand its requirements, prepare your documents early, and submit a complete application.
Most importantly, plan beyond tuition. A scholarship can remove a large academic expense, yet your cost of studying in Finland also includes daily living. Review the official conditions carefully and build a realistic financial plan before you travel.
Official University of Helsinki scholarship and tuition information:
University of Helsinki
Tuition Fees and Scholarship Programme
Official Master’s application information:
University of Helsinki
Apply to International Master’s Programmes
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