University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027: Tuition Waiver Master’s Guide
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme / tuition fee waivers |
| Host university | University of Helsinki, Finland |
| Study level | English-taught international master’s programmes |
| Coverage | 50% or 100% tuition fee waivers according to the official scholarship page |
| Tuition fees | €13,000, €15,000 or €18,000 per academic year depending on programme |
| Living costs | Not covered by the tuition waiver |
| 2027 application period | 5 to 19 January 2027 for international master’s programmes |
| Application method | Apply for tuition fee waiver on the same application form used for master’s admission |
| Official pages | https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-bachelors-and-masters-programmes/apply-international-masters-programmes and https://www.helsinki.fi/en/admissions-and-education/apply-bachelors-and-masters-programmes/tuition-fees-and-scholarship-programme |
The University of Helsinki offers tuition fee waivers for excellent tuition-fee-liable applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. For studies starting in autumn 2027, the university states that international master’s applications will be open from 5 to 19 January 2027.
If you are comparing Finland routes, see `/aalto-university-excellence-scholarship-2027` and `/finland-scholarship-2027-guide` before deciding where to apply.
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| 50% tuition waiver | Covers half of the programme tuition fee |
| 100% tuition waiver | Covers the full tuition fee |
| Duration | University page states scholarship duration is two years, with full-time progress requirements |
| Living costs | Not covered; applicant must finance living expenses independently |
| Results | Scholarship result is included in the official acceptance email if a waiver is awarded |
| Application form | Scholarship request is included in the master’s application form |
The University of Helsinki’s tuition fees for English-taught master’s programmes are listed as €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000 per academic year, depending on the programme. A 50% or 100% waiver can therefore significantly reduce the tuition burden, but it does not fund rent, meals, travel, insurance, or residence-permit financial requirements.
Eligibility
✅ You Must:
- Apply to an eligible University of Helsinki international master’s programme.
- Be liable to pay tuition fees as a non-EU/non-EEA applicant without an exempting status.
- Meet the academic eligibility requirements of the master’s programme.
- Meet visa/residence-permit requirements for Finland if admitted.
- Have obtained excellent results in previous studies and prove them in the application.
- Apply for the tuition fee waiver using the same application form as master’s admission.
- Submit the application during 5-19 January 2027 for autumn 2027 entry.
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You are not liable to pay tuition fees.
- You are applying to doctoral studies; tuition fees do not concern PhD students.
- You miss the short January application period.
- You expect the tuition waiver to cover living costs.
- You fail to meet the admission eligibility or document requirements.
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Choose a University of Helsinki international master’s programme
Review the programme’s academic prerequisites, language requirements, tuition fee, and career fit. The university offers more than 30 multidisciplinary English-taught master’s programmes.
Step 2: Prepare documents before January
The application window is short. Prepare transcripts, degree documents, translations, language proof, passport/residence documents, and programme-specific materials before the application opens.
Step 3: Submit through Studyinfo
For the 2027 intake, apply during 5-19 January 2027. Finland’s national Studyinfo portal manages higher-education applications.
Step 4: Apply for a tuition fee waiver on the same form
The university states that tuition-fee-liable applicants can apply for a scholarship at the same time as they apply to an international master’s programme. There is no separate scholarship form.
Step 5: Monitor admission and scholarship results together
If you receive a tuition fee waiver, the result is included in your official acceptance email. You must then follow the scholarship agreement and registration steps.
Comparison Table: Finland Master’s Funding
| Scholarship | Coverage | Application Deadline | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki Scholarship Programme | 50% or 100% tuition waiver | Jan 19, 2027 application close | Strong applicants to Helsinki international master’s programmes |
| Aalto University Excellence Scholarship | Competitive tuition fee waiver | Jan 5, 2027 application close | Top applicants in technology, business, arts, architecture |
| Finland university scholarship routes | Varies by university | Mostly Jan 2027 admission windows | Applicants comparing Finnish institutions |
| Swedish KTH Scholarship | Full tuition waiver, no living costs | Jan 15, 2027 | Sweden-focused engineering/technology applicants |
Insider Tips
1. Prepare before the January window opens
The application period is only 5-19 January 2027. Do not start gathering documents after the portal opens.
2. Scholarship and admission evidence are the same story
The master’s programme assesses your degree application and scholarship application. Strong transcripts, clear programme fit, and complete documents matter.
3. Budget for living expenses
A 100% tuition waiver is valuable, but Helsinki living costs still require separate funding. Plan housing, meals, transport, insurance, and residence-permit requirements.
4. Check tuition fee liability carefully
Residence permit and citizenship rules changed from December 2024. If you have Finnish residence status, confirm whether you are tuition-fee liable before applying.
5. Use programme-specific fit
University-wide reputation is not enough. Your application should explain why the specific Helsinki master’s programme fits your academic background and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the University of Helsinki 2027 application period?
The official application page states that applications for studies starting in autumn 2027 are open from 5 to 19 January 2027.
What does the scholarship cover?
The University of Helsinki scholarship programme consists of tuition fee waivers that cover 50% or 100% of the tuition fee.
Does it cover living costs?
No. The official tuition and scholarship page states tuition waivers cover tuition; applicants still need funds for living costs.
Is there a separate scholarship form?
No. The university states that applicants apply for a tuition fee waiver using the same application form used for the master’s programme.
Who can apply?
Excellent tuition-fee-liable students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who apply to a University of Helsinki master’s programme and meet eligibility requirements.
Timeline Table
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Sep-Dec 2026 | Choose programme and prepare all documents |
| Jan 5, 2027 | Application period opens |
| Jan 19, 2027 | Application period closes |
| Early 2027 | Programme evaluates admission and scholarship application |
| Admission result email | Scholarship decision included if awarded |
| Aug/Sep 2027 | Begin studies if admitted and registered |
Your Action Plan
1. Select your target University of Helsinki master’s programme.
2. Confirm whether you are liable for tuition fees.
3. Prepare academic documents, translations, language proof and passport/residence documents before January.
4. Apply through Studyinfo from Jan 5 to Jan 19, 2027.
5. Request the tuition fee waiver in the same application form.
6. Build a separate budget for living costs.
7. Compare Aalto funding through `/aalto-university-excellence-scholarship-2027`.
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