Finland Scholarship 2027: 100% Tuition Waiver + €5,000 Grant for Non-EU Students
Every Finnish public university offers it. Non-EU/EEA students admitted to an English-taught Master’s get a 100% tuition waiver (fees run €8,000-18,000/year) plus a €5,000 first-year living grant. If you clear 55 ECTS in year one, the waiver auto-renews.
Finland is quietly one of the most student-friendly funding models in Europe. The 2027 joint application round opens early January 2027 and closes ~January 20, 2027 via studyinfo.fi.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Finland Scholarship |
| Funded by | Finnish Ministry of Education + universities |
| Level | Master’s (English-taught programs) |
| Value | 100% tuition waiver + €5,000 first-year grant |
| Awards | All eligible admitted non-EU/EEA students (university-dependent quotas) |
| Duration | Duration of the program (renewable) |
| Eligibility | Non-EU/EEA students admitted to Finnish Master’s programs |
| Coverage | Tuition (full), €5,000 living grant in year 1 |
| Application Route | Studyinfo.fi joint application + university scholarship consideration |
| Deadline | ~January 20, 2027 |
| Website | studyinfinland.fi |
—
What the Scholarship Covers
Tuition is the big win: 100% waiver on fees that would otherwise run €8,000-18,000 per year.
Tuition
- 100% tuition waiver at Finnish public universities
- Auto-renewed if you complete 55 ECTS in year 1 (a full study year is 60 ECTS)
Living Grant
- €5,000 first-year grant to cover living costs
- Note: this is a first-year grant; renewal is tied to tuition waiver, not automatic cash
University of Helsinki Variant
- Helsinki offers a 50-100% tuition waiver depending on the program
- No cash grant at Helsinki — the €5,000 applies to the standard package elsewhere
What it does NOT cover:
- Full living costs: plan €800-1,200/month for rent, food, and expenses in Finland
- Travel costs to/from Finland
- Dependents’ costs
—
Eligibility Requirements
1. Nationality
- Non-EU/EEA students (EU/EEA students are exempt from tuition and don’t need this scholarship)
2. Admission
- Must be admitted to an English-taught Master’s program at a Finnish public university
- The scholarship is tied to admission — you cannot apply separately
3. English Proficiency
- IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 92 / PTE 62 (typical thresholds; verify per program)
4. Academic Standing
- Relevant bachelor’s degree
- Strong academic record (competitive admission is the gate)
—
Application Process
Timeline: One national window. Joint application opens early January 2027, closes ~January 20, 2027.
Step 1: Choose Your Program (September-December 2026)
- Browse English-taught Master’s programs on studyinfo.fi
- Check each university’s scholarship policy (most follow the standard package; Helsinki differs)
Step 2: Prepare Materials (Before January)
- Transcripts, degree certificate, English scores, CV, motivation letter
- Some programs require additional essays or portfolios — check program-specific requirements
Step 3: Submit via Studyinfo.fi (January 2027)
- Apply through the national joint application system
- Deadline: ~January 20, 2027
- You can list multiple programs in one application (priority order)
Step 4: Scholarship Consideration
- Eligible admitted students are automatically considered for the Finland Scholarship at most universities
- Some universities require a separate scholarship form — check each
Step 5: Admission and Grant Decisions (Spring 2027)
- Admission results typically March-April 2027
- Program starts late August/September 2027
—
Selection Criteria
Admission is the selection. The scholarship follows the offer.
1. Academic Record
- Grades and the relevance of your bachelor’s to the Master’s program
2. Motivation and Fit
- Why this program, why Finland, what you’ll do with it
3. English Readiness
- Meeting program thresholds is a hard requirement
—
Finland vs. Other Nordic Funding Routes
| Scholarship | Country | Coverage | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland Scholarship | Finland | 100% tuition + €5,000 grant | ~Jan 20, 2027 |
| Danish Government Scholarships | Denmark | Full tuition waiver (+ stipend at some) | Jan 15 – Feb 1, 2027 |
| Swedish Institute Global Professionals | Sweden | Full tuition + SEK 12,000/month | ~Feb 2027 |
Finland advantages:
- Every public university participates — broad program choice
- €5,000 cash grant on top of the waiver
- Single national application window via studyinfo.fi
Choose Denmark if: you prefer the auto-consideration model and its universities add monthly stipends (e.g., SDU). Choose Sweden if: you’re a working professional needing a living allowance with the tuition.
—
Common Mistakes
1. Confusing the Scholarship with Admission
Mistake: Looking for a separate Finland Scholarship form.
Fix: The scholarship is tied to Master’s admission. Your priority is a strong university application.
2. Missing the Single January Window
Mistake: Applying “whenever” like rolling-admission programs.
Fix: The joint application closes ~January 20, 2027. There’s one round per year. Plan backward from it.
3. Assuming Helsinki Offers the €5,000
Mistake: Applying only to Helsinki and expecting the cash grant.
Fix: Helsinki’s variant is a 50-100% waiver with no cash grant. Check per-program policy before ranking choices.
4. Underestimating Living Costs
Mistake: Budgeting only the €5,000 grant.
Fix: Plan €800-1,200/month. The grant helps year one; your funding plan must cover the rest.
5. Missing the 55 ECTS Renewal Rule
Mistake: Assuming the waiver is permanent.
Fix: Renewal requires 55 ECTS in year 1. Treat your first year as a full-time commitment.
—
Should You Apply?
Yes, if:
- You’re a non-EU/EEA student seeking a Master’s in Europe
- Your target field is offered in English in Finland
- You meet English thresholds (IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 92+)
- You can fund living costs beyond the grant (€800-1,200/month)
Realistic expectations:
- Funding is generous but admission to Finnish programs is competitive — the scholarship follows a strong application
- No guarantee of the €5,000 at every university — verify the policy
Worth applying even if odds feel long:
- One application can cover multiple programs via studyinfo.fi
- Finland’s education quality + safe, English-friendly environment make it a strong default option
—
Strategy Tips
1. Start Program Research Now (August-September)
Shortlist 3-5 programs before the January window. Check each for scholarship specifics.
2. Rank Programs Strategically in Studyinfo
The joint application lets you list priorities. Research each program’s admission difficulty and scholarship policy before ranking.
3. Prepare Documents Before Christmas
Transcripts and English scores take time. Have everything ready before the January window opens.
4. Verify Each University’s Scholarship Form
Most auto-consider; some require a separate form. Check the university’s scholarship page before the deadline.
5. Budget for the Full Two Years
€5,000 in year one is real money, but it’s not a full cost-of-living package. Know your funding plan for years 1-2.
—
Next Steps
1. August-September: Browse English-taught Master’s programs on studyinfo.fi; shortlist 5
2. October-December: Prepare transcripts, English scores, motivation letters
3. Early January 2027: Submit joint application — closes ~January 20, 2027
4. March-April 2027: Await admission results
5. Late August 2027: Program starts — complete 55 ECTS in year 1 to keep the waiver
A 100% tuition waiver plus a €5,000 grant, at every public university in Finland, in one January application window. If Europe is on your list, this is the most straightforward route to a nearly free Master’s.
—
Related: Danish Government Scholarships 2027 · Swedish Institute Scholarship 2027 · NL Scholarship (Holland) 2026-27 · Scholarship Application Timeline 2026-2027