Finland is still a top choice for students looking for a quality education and a clear path to residency in 2026. The Finnish system is very central for first-time applicants. You usually apply for both admission and a scholarship at the same time through the Studyinfo.fi portal.
1. The “Finland Scholarship” (for Master’s students only)
The Ministry of Education and Culture pays for this program, but every university runs it. It is the main national programme for the 2026/2027 school year.
- The prize is a full scholarship for the first year of school and a €5,000 relocation grant that you will receive when you arrive in Finland.
- Selection: This goes to the applicant with the highest score in each master’s programme.
- Applications for the January 2027 intake will be accepted starting in September 2026.
- You have to apply for the scholarship at the same time as your degree application through the Joint Application on Studyinfo.fi.
2. Tuition fee waivers for specific universities
There are no “general government scholarships” for bachelor’s students, so you’ll have to rely on individual university waivers, which are usually based on academic merit or early commitment.
- Aalto University: You can get a 50% or 100% waiver. These are very competitive and depend solely on how well you do in school.
- University of Oulu: Offers early bird discounts of up to 30% for first-year students and scholarships for good performance.
- Åbo Akademi University: Gives 80% or 100% waivers and a €4,000 “Early Commitment” discount if you accept your offer within three weeks.
- Tampere University: Offers 50% or 100% waivers, including the “Tampere University Global Student Award” for the best international applicants.
3. Erasmus Mundus: An Important Update for 2026
If you want to start in 2026, keep in mind that many Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EMJM) programs in Finland are currently in a “funding gap” year.
- Status for 2026–2027: Many programmes, such as Euroculture, have said that there are no Erasmus Mundus scholarships available for the 2026 intake while they wait for the results of the reselection.
- 2027 Outlook: Full scholarships (about €1,400/month) are expected to come back for the September 2027 intake. In the middle of 2026, we will know the results of the grant reapplications.
4. How to Avoid Taking the IELTS for Finland in 2026
Finland is known for accepting other ways to show that someone speaks English well, especially for students from English-speaking countries.
- If you got your degree in English (for example, in Nigeria, Ghana, or Kenya), almost all Finnish universities (Helsinki, Aalto, and Turku) will let you skip the IELTS if you show them an official MOI letter.
- Prior Studies in English: If you earned your degree in an EU/EEA country, Australia, Canada, or the USA, you do not have to take English tests.
- The Duolingo English Test (DET) is now accepted by several Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) as a faster, $59 option for the 2026/2027 cycle.
5. Important Timeline for 2026 and 2027
- From August 31 to September 10, 2026, you can apply for the spring 2027 intake (starts in January). Please note that only a few programs are available this round.
- Prepare papers for the main autumn 2027 from October to December 2026. Taking in.
- January 7 to 21, 2027: The Joint Application Period for Fall 2027 (starting in September). This is when most scholarships are given out, 90% of the time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re applying for the first time, the Finland Scholarship (100% + €5k) is the best option for Master’s studies. If you’re applying for a bachelor’s degree, look for schools like Åbo Akademi or Oulu that offer early bird discounts. These discounts are basically “guaranteed” if you pay your remaining fees quickly. Finnish scholarships are mostly based on merit, so make sure to highlight your previous CGPA in your application.
