Cheapest Universities in Finland 2023
Finland is often recognized as one of the world’s most pleasant places to live.
During the previous two decades, it has consistently ranked top in the world for having the best healthcare system, the happiest citizens, the strongest economy, and the best education.
Education is, in fact, incredibly important to the Finnish people. They are noted for their innovative educational methods, a well-functioning system, and a large number of people having university degrees (almost 40 percent)
We’ll look at some of Finland’s cheapest universities for international students in this article.
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Diaconia University of Applied Sciences
Undergraduate programs tuition fee: $4,890 – $6,110
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: ($7,330)
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, or DIAK, is Finland’s most affordable university for international students. It is also one of the largest employers of social workers in Finland.
Social work, health care, diaconal work, and interpreting are among the courses offered at the university. Diak is a privately held company with a number of church organizations and foundations as major shareholders.
Despite its ties to the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland, students are not forced to follow that faith, and the university welcomes students of all faiths, beliefs, and countries.
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Kajaani University of Applied Sciences
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs: $7,300
https://www.kamk.fi/en/Applicants/Tuition-Fee-and-Scholarships#:~:text=The%20tuition%20fee%20for%20non,EEA%20citizens%20or%20exchange%20students. (Undergraduate and Graduate Tuition Fee Link)
Kajaani University is a university of applied sciences located in Kajaani, a tiny town in Finland’s heartland. The university, like the town in which it is located, is small, with just over 2000 students enrolled.
That hasn’t stopped it from enjoying enormous success, and the Ministry of Education and Culture considers its teaching to be the best in Finland. In 2019, the rate of student satisfaction was likewise the highest of any Finnish university. These honors will undoubtedly boost the university’s profile and attract a larger number of students from Finland and abroad.
Kajaani University provides Finnish bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as four bachelor’s degrees: International Business, Sports and Leisure Management, Tourism, and Esports Business.
Studying in Finland on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in Finland. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: Finland is in the Schengen area, so you will apply for a national long-stay student visa (type D) at the embassy or an accredited visa centre in Abuja or Lagos, not a short-stay Schengen visa. Expect to show an admission letter, proof of funds in a blocked or verifiable account, health insurance and accommodation. A major advantage: once you hold a residence permit you can travel across the Schengen area.
Language of instruction: Finland offers a substantial number of degree programmes taught entirely in English, particularly at master’s level. Undergraduate teaching is more often in the local language. An English test is usually required, though some institutions waive it where your previous degree was taught in English. Confirm both the programme language and the waiver policy in writing before applying.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in Finland, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from Finland itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in Finland?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in Finland subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in Finland and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in Finland?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for Finland shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in Finland
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for Finland before you apply or pay anything.