University of Helsinki Scholarship 2026/27: Tuition Funding for International Master's Students in Finland
- Country
- Finland
- Level
- Masters
If you're an international student drawn to studying in one of the world's happiest, safest countries, the University of Helsinki is an outstanding choice, and its scholarships make a Finnish master's degree far more affordable. Consistently ranked among the top universities globally, Helsinki offers dozens of English-taught master's programmes, and it supports talented non-EU/EEA students with tuition funding.
Here is a clear, honest guide to how that funding works: what it covers, who qualifies, and how to apply. One important point up front, because several listings blur it: these are tuition-fee awards, not all-inclusive packages, and the university itself is explicit that living costs are not covered.
At a glance
- University: University of Helsinki, Finland
- Level: Master's programmes taught in English
- Award type: Tuition-fee waivers (50 percent or 100 percent)
- Finland Scholarship: Full first-year tuition plus a one-time 5,000 euro grant
- Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA students liable for tuition fees
- Does not cover: Living expenses (stated by the university)
What the scholarships actually cover
Here is the honest picture. The University of Helsinki charges tuition of roughly 13,000 to 18,000 euros per year for its English-taught programmes, and its scholarships are designed to reduce or remove that tuition. There are two main routes:
- Helsinki Scholarship: a tuition-fee waiver of either 50 percent or 100 percent, granted for two years to strong applicants. A 100 percent award removes tuition entirely.
- Finland Scholarship: part of a national programme, this covers full tuition for the first year and adds a one-time grant of 5,000 euros to help with relocation. The university awards up to one per master's programme.
The key thing to plan around is that the university explicitly does not provide scholarships for living costs. So even with a 100 percent tuition waiver, you will need to fund your own living expenses in Helsinki, which are typically several hundred euros a month. Treat these awards as excellent tuition support rather than a complete living package, and budget accordingly.
Why study at the University of Helsinki
Beyond the funding, Helsinki is a genuinely strong choice. It is a top research university with a wide range of English-taught master's programmes, located in a safe, high-quality-of-life capital, and Finland allows graduates to stay and look for work after their studies. Scholarship recipients also enjoy student benefits such as meal and transport discounts through the student union.
Who can apply
- You are a non-EU/EEA international student liable to pay tuition fees in Finland
- You have been admitted (or are applying) to an English-taught master's programme at the University of Helsinki
- You have excellent results in your previous studies and can prove them
- You meet the English language requirement for your programme
- You can satisfy Finland's entry visa and residence permit requirements
How to apply
- Choose an eligible master's programme taught in English at the University of Helsinki.
- Apply for admission through the official application system during the application period.
- Apply for the scholarship at the same time. For most programmes, your scholarship consideration is part of the admission application, so there is no separate contest.
- Provide strong evidence of academic excellence, since selection is merit-based.
- Await your combined decision, which indicates admission and any scholarship awarded, then confirm your place.
Deadlines
Scholarship selection follows the university's master's application period, which typically runs around December to January for the following autumn intake. Because the exact dates change each year, always confirm the current application window and scholarship terms on the official University of Helsinki page before you apply.
Apply and confirm the details
Read the current tuition fees, scholarship terms, and application dates on the official University of Helsinki page: University of Helsinki tuition fees and scholarships.
Keep exploring: see all our scholarships, get ready with our free IELTS and English prep, or read how we verify every listing.
Disclaimer: FoundScholar is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Helsinki. Details change each year, so always confirm on the official source before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is the University of Helsinki scholarship fully funded?
Not for living costs. The university states clearly that it does not offer scholarships to cover living expenses. Its awards are tuition-fee waivers of 50 percent or 100 percent of tuition. The separate Finland Scholarship covers full first-year tuition plus a one-time grant of 5,000 euros. So even a 100 percent award covers tuition, and you still need to budget for living costs in Helsinki.
What scholarships are available?
The Helsinki Scholarship provides a 50 percent or 100 percent tuition-fee waiver for a master's programme, and the Finland Scholarship (a national programme) covers full first-year tuition plus a one-time 5,000 euro grant. The university awards up to one Finland Scholarship per master's programme.
Who is eligible?
Non-EU/EEA international students who are liable for tuition fees, who have been admitted to an English-taught master's programme at the University of Helsinki, who show excellent previous academic results, and who meet Finland's visa and residence requirements.
How do I apply?
You apply for the scholarship as part of your application to the master's programme, during the university's application period (typically around December to January for the following autumn intake). Selection is based on academic merit. Confirm current dates on the official Helsinki page.