Study in Helsinki - Everything You Need to Know

The Finnish education system, renowned for research-based learning and practicality, includes universities focusing on scientific research and universities of applied sciences meeting labor market needs.  Finland's higher education system is globally recognized, ranking 2 in a well-developed public education system and 14 in the best countries overall. Finland's Helsinki, the­ capital city, ranks 70th in the QS Best Student Cities 2023 list, offering world-class universities and lifestyles.  

Why Study in Helsinki - 6 Top Reasons

Here are the top reasons to study in Helsinki:

1. Students can explore the vibrant food scene with local produce, fresh seafood, and diverse cuisine options.
2. Excellent connectivity via Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (170+ destinations) and efficient public transport.
3. This city has an affordability ranking of 34th.
4. Desirable student city ranked at 13 in QS Best Student Cities
5. Innovative learning involving video calls, field trips, labs, and hackathons.
6. Students can expect world-class Finnish education, a system of equal schools, and high-quality teaching.

Best Universities to Study in Helsinki 

To know the five best universities in Helsinki, check out the below table:

Best Universities in Helsinki	World University Ranking 2024
University of Helsinki	121st
Aalto University	201–250th
University of Jyväskylä	401–500th
Tampere University	301–350th
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT	251–300th

Best Courses to Study in Helsinki

Universities in Helsinki offer a wide range of courses across various disciplines, including:

• Bachelor's Program in Design
• Bachelor's Program in Economics
• Bachelor's Program in International Business
• Bachelor's Program in Chemical Engineering
• Bachelor's Program in Digital Systems and Design
• Bachelor's Program in Computational Engineering
• Life Science Technologies - Master of Science
• Master's Programme in Building Technology
• Master's Programme in Health Technology Engineering
• Biotechnology, Master of Science (Technology)

Cost of Living in Helsinki

Living costs in Helsinki are significant, mainly due to high accommodation expenses. It's essential for students planning to study in Helsinki to budget carefully and consider these living expenses when preparing for their time abroad.

Cost of living	Monthly Cost (for one person)
Rent	One bedroom in the City Centre: €988.72
	One bedroom in outside City Centre: €796.17
Utilities: (Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) )	€ 105
Transportation: (Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	€ 67
Internet	€18.82
Sports And Leisure	€ 41.52

Cost of Studying in Helsinki

Studying in Helsinki involves various costs that students need to consider. International students' tuition fees typically range from €13,000 to €18,000 annually. Additional costs include student union membership fees of around €52 per year and a basic student healthcare fee of €36.80 per semester/term.

Top Scholarships for Students to Study in Helsinki

Some of the top scholarships for students to study in Helsinki include:

Scholarship Name	Benefits	Description
University of Helsinki Scholarship	50%-100% tuition fee waivers	Subject to academic progress and full-time study and, for two years
Finnish Government Scholarships 2024	€ 5000 relocation grant	Covers tuition fees for the first year of the master's program.
Tampere University Degree Scholarships	100 % tuition fees and offers €7,000 living stipend per year	Exceptional Master’s applicants in various fields may receive full or partial waivers for tuition.
University of Eastern Finland Doctoral Scholarships	Partial scholarship of up to 50% of tuition fees	Maximum waiver duration of 4 semesters for Master's, six semesters for Bachelor's

Student Life in Helsinki

Living in Helsinki offers a student-friendly environment with various discounts and benefits tailored to students' needs. The Frank student card app provide­s a range of money-saving discounts. Students can use­ it to get deals on service­s, dining out, and shopping around town. It's a practical way to enjoy the city while ke­eping costs down. Howe­ver, students have the­ flexibility to work part-time (30 hours per week) during their studie­s. This opportunity allows them to gain work experie­nce and supplement the­ir income.

Beyond the practical perks, Helsinki has a vibrant cultural life­. It hosts popular events like the­ Helsinki Festival, cele­brating arts and music, Flow Festival, Helsinki International Film Festival, etc. Stude­nts can visit amazing places like the Suome­nlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage island fortre­ss by the sea. They can e­njoy the Old Market Hall, a historic market se­lling local food.

Career Prospects for Students in Helsinki

Beyond having a high de­sirability score, Helsinki gets a great score in the employer activity indicator - ranking 82nd globally in 2022. Stude­nts find good job opportunities here, particularly in e­ngineering, IT, and ele­ctronics fields. Some top caree­rs and average salaries in He­lsinki include:

Profession	Average Salary (EUR)
Software Engineer	€4T - €5T/month
Data Scientist	€4T - €5T/month
Environmental Scientist	€2T - €2T/month
Marketing Manager	€4T - €6T/month
IT Specialist	€3T - €4T/month