Home / University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027
The University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027 is a tuition fee waiver of 50% or 100% for non-EU/EEA master’s applicants who must pay tuition. You apply on the same Studyinfo form as your degree between 5 and 19 January 2027. Most awards cover half the fee, and no living-cost grant is offered.
This guide is for applicants from outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland who are weighing a master’s degree in Finland. It covers who qualifies, what the waiver is really worth, which documents the university wants, how to apply, and how much you can work once you arrive. Every fact below comes from official University of Helsinki or Finnish Immigration Service pages, and the places where sources disagree are flagged.
Quick Facts: University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027 (tuition fee waiver) |
| Provider | University of Helsinki, Finland |
| Level | Master’s (International Master’s Programmes taught in English) |
| Funding | Partial funding: 50% or 100% tuition waiver, no living-cost grant |
| Yearly tuition before waiver | €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000, depending on the programme |
| Length | Two years, if you earn at least 55 ECTS credits each year |
| Who can apply | Tuition fee-liable applicants from outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland |
| Application period | 5 to 19 January 2027 on Studyinfo |
| Deadline | 19 January 2027 (Finnish time, UTC+2) |
| Deadline status | Published. The 2027 closing hour is not yet stated. |
| Application fee | €100, one time, no waivers |
| Country | Finland |
| Official source | University of Helsinki: tuition fees and scholarship programme |
Application period: 5 to 19 January 2027. Deadline: 19 January 2027 (Finnish time, UTC+2). The scholarship request sits inside your master’s application, so there is no later date for the waiver. The 2027 closing hour is not published yet. The 2026 round closed at 15:00 UTC+2.
50% or 100%
Tuition categories. Most awards are 50%.
€13,000 to €18,000
Yearly tuition before any waiver.
2 years, 55 ECTS
Credits needed each year to keep it.
€100
One-time national application fee.
30 hours a week
Average limit on a student permit.
€800 a month
Minimum living funds for the permit.
We checked the University of Helsinki’s tuition and scholarship page, its master’s application page, the English-proof page, and Migri’s work and funds pages. Two gaps matter. First, the scholarship page still labels its categories for the 2025 to 26 round, while the application page confirms the 2027 window and the English page was updated for the autumn 2027 intake on 12 October 2026. We found no sign that the waiver structure changed. Second, the schedule page still shows the 2026 timetable, so 2027 milestones other than the application window are marked as last year’s pattern, not as confirmed dates.
- What Is the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027?
- Who Can Apply? Eligible Nationalities
- What Does the Scholarship Cover? Benefits
- Which Subjects Can You Study?
- What Are the 2027 Deadlines?
- What Documents Do You Need?
- How Do You Apply? Step by Step
- How Are Waivers Awarded?
- Working Hours and Payment
- International Applicant Guidance
- Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- FAQ
- Official Sources and Links
- Disclaimer
1. What Is the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027?
The University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027 is a tuition fee waiver, not a cash award. The university waives 50% or 100% of the yearly fee for selected master’s students from outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland. The waiver lasts two years when you stay on track, and most awards cover half the fee.
The University of Helsinki offers nearly 40 English-taught master’s programmes. Each one is 120 ECTS credits, which means two years of full-time study, and each has a single intake per year. Non-EU/EEA students pay €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000 per academic year, depending on the programme. The scholarship exists to shrink that bill for the strongest applicants.
It applies to master’s degrees only. The university says English-language bachelor’s applicants get no tuition waivers, although a degree programme may give a €1,000 Dean’s award to second and third year students based on their results.
“does not offer scholarships to cover living expenses”
University of Helsinki, tuition fees and scholarship programme, checked 2 November 2026.
50% and 100% Waivers Explained
A 50% waiver cuts your yearly tuition in half. A 100% waiver removes it. Both last two years if you complete at least 55 ECTS credits in year one. The university says only a very limited number of waivers exist, and most are 50%, so treat a full waiver as a bonus, not a plan.
- Who decides: the master’s programme you apply to chooses its recipients. Some programmes may award only 50% waivers.
- How you keep it: you must study full time and earn at least 55 ECTS credits per year. The university checks your progress after the first year.
- How you lose it: a change in your tuition liability ends eligibility, and so does false information in your application or cheating during your studies.
Some third-party listings mention a Finland Scholarship with a €5,000 relocation grant at Helsinki. The official scholarship page lists only the 50% and 100% waivers and says it offers nothing for living costs. Treat any cash grant as unconfirmed unless your programme’s Studyinfo page or your admission email states it.
2. Who Can Apply? Eligible Nationalities
Nationality alone does not decide eligibility. Tuition fee liability does. In general, citizens of countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland can apply, unless they already hold a residence status that exempts them from tuition. If you do not pay tuition, you cannot use this scholarship.
The university lists four requirements. You must be eligible for the master’s programme. You must be liable for tuition fees. You must meet the requirements for a Finnish entry visa and residence permit. And you must show excellent results in your previous studies.
Who Must Pay Tuition
Anyone who is not a citizen of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, and who holds no exempting status in Finland, pays tuition for an English-taught master’s degree. That covers applicants from the United States, Pakistan, India, Nigeria, China, Brazil, and every other country outside those groups.
Eligible nationalities and statuses at a glance
| Applicant group | Can use the waiver? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries with no exempting status | Yes | They are liable for tuition fees. |
| EU and EEA citizens (including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Swiss citizens | No | They pay no tuition, so there is nothing to waive. |
| Holders of a Finnish permanent residence card (type P) or an EU long-term resident permit (P-EU) | No | Both exempt you from tuition. |
| Holders of an EU Blue Card, a temporary protection permit, or a family member card of an EU citizen | No | All three appear on the official exemption list. |
| Holders of a type A permit granted for studying, or whose first Finnish permit was for studying | Yes | They remain liable for tuition. |
| Holders of a type A permit granted on other grounds | Usually no | It may exempt you. Migri checks your permit history. |
| Erasmus Mundus scholarship holders | No | They are exempt from tuition. |
Who Is Exempt From Tuition
If you hold a document that exempts you from tuition, you cannot receive a tuition waiver, because the scholarship programme is only for fee-liable students. You must prove your exemption yourself by uploading the document with your application. Your exempting status also needs to be valid when the academic year starts on 1 August.
Your status can change after you start. If you become exempt during your studies, you lose the scholarship from the following term, and any tuition for later terms is refunded.
Eligibility Decision Table
Use this table to find your row before you spend money on a language test or a document order. It reflects the official rules at the time of checking.
Are you a fit for the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027?
| Your situation | Result | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, applying from abroad | Eligible to request a waiver | Apply on Studyinfo and answer the waiver question. |
| EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen | Not applicable | You pay no tuition. Apply for admission only. |
| Holder of a type P or P-EU permit | Not applicable | Upload your permit as proof of exemption. |
| Holder of a study-based type A permit | Eligible to request a waiver | Upload the permit. Migri will review your history. |
| Applying to an English-taught bachelor’s programme | No waivers | Look at the Dean’s award after your first year. |
| Applying to a doctoral programme | Not applicable | Doctoral students are not liable for tuition. |
3. What Does the Scholarship Cover? Benefits
The main benefit is a tuition fee waiver of 50% or 100% for up to two years. Over a full degree, that is worth between €13,000 and €36,000, depending on your programme fee and waiver level. You still pay rent, food, insurance, and every other living cost in Finland.
- Tuition waiver: 50% or 100% of the yearly fee for the two-year degree.
- Services included with tuition: the university says the fee covers teaching and access to learning facilities, and that its library, Student Services, Career Services, and Exchange Services are free to students.
- Housing quota: the university keeps a housing quota for tuition fee-liable international degree students moving to Finland.
- Result with your admission: you learn your waiver status in the same acceptance email as your admission decision.
Cost Example With a 50% Waiver
A 50% waiver turns an €18,000 yearly fee into €9,000. A 100% waiver turns it into €0. The table and chart below use the university’s three published fee levels, so you can find your programme’s row on its Studyinfo page and read across.
Tuition you pay per year after the waiver
| Programme fee per year | With a 50% waiver | With a 100% waiver | Two-year tuition at 50% |
|---|---|---|---|
| €13,000 | €6,500 | €0 | €13,000 |
| €15,000 | €7,500 | €0 | €15,000 |
| €18,000 | €9,000 | €0 | €18,000 |
Now add living costs. Migri asks for at least €800 per month as proof of funds, which is €9,600 for twelve months. In an illustrative first year at a €15,000 programme with a 50% waiver, you would plan for €7,500 in tuition plus €9,600 in minimum living funds, or €17,100. That is a floor, not a forecast, because real costs in Helsinki run higher.
Other Costs After the Waiver
A waiver does not erase every bill. Plan for the application fee, the student union membership, a health fee, insurance, a residence permit fee, and everyday living costs. The university says living expenses in Helsinki run roughly €900 to €1,250 per month, which is above the permit minimum.
- Application fee: €100, one time, collected on Studyinfo.
- Tuition balance: due before the academic year starts. Last year’s deadline was 31 August, and the same date applies to the second year.
- Student union membership: the university requires you to pay the Helsinki University Student Union (HYY) fee after you pay tuition.
- Student health fee: you pay the Finnish Student Health Service fee directly to Kela.
- Insurance and permit fee: you need valid health insurance, and Migri may charge a fee for your residence permit application.
4. Which Subjects Can You Study?
The scholarship is not tied to one field. You can request a waiver in any International Master’s Programme, and each programme runs its own assessment and decides how many waivers to give. Subject areas below group the programmes by the faculties you should browse first on the university’s programme list.
Available subject areas and where to look
| Subject area | Faculty to browse first |
|---|---|
| Humanities | Faculty of Humanities |
| Education | Faculty of Educational Sciences |
| Law | Faculty of Law |
| Social Sciences, Economics and Business, Sustainability and Global Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Agricultural Sciences, Food Sciences | Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry |
| Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Molecular and Integrative Biosciences | Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences |
| Natural Sciences, Computer Science and Information Technology, Data Science, Mathematics and Statistics | Faculty of Science |
| Medicine and Health Sciences | Faculty of Medicine |
Two cautions apply. A faculty name is only a starting point, because some programmes sit across faculties. And joint degree programmes can charge fees that differ from the standard three levels, so read the programme page before you budget.
5. What Are the 2027 Deadlines?
The application period for the autumn 2027 intake runs from 5 to 19 January 2027, and that date is also your scholarship deadline. You request the waiver inside the same Studyinfo form. The official 2027 pages do not yet state the closing hour, so confirm it when the form opens.
Add 19 January 2027 to the scholarship deadline tracker and set a reminder for the week before. The form closes on the stated date, and you should treat the last day as a risk, not a plan.
Key dates: what is confirmed and what is last year’s pattern
| Milestone | 2027 status | 2026 round, for reference |
|---|---|---|
| Application form opens | 5 January 2027 (confirmed) | 2 January 2026 at 8:00 UTC+2 |
| Application form closes | 19 January 2027 (confirmed) | 16 January 2026 at 15:00 UTC+2 |
| Attachment upload deadline | Not yet published | 23 January 2026 at 15:00 UTC+2 |
| Admission and waiver results | Not yet published | 7 to 15 April 2026 |
| Deadline to accept the study place | Not yet published | 9 July 2026 at 15:00 UTC+3 |
| Tuition payment and registration | Not yet published | 31 August 2026 at 15:00 UTC+3 |
Deadline Time Zone Table
If the 2027 form closes at the same hour as in 2026, 15:00 Finnish time on 19 January 2027 lands at the local times below. This is an illustration, not an official conversion. Winter time applies in every listed zone on that date, so there is no daylight saving shift to worry about.
15:00 Finnish time on 19 January 2027, converted
| Region | Zone | Local time, 19 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | UTC+2 | 15:00 |
| Pakistan | PKT, UTC+5 | 18:00 |
| India | IST, UTC+5:30 | 18:30 |
| United Kingdom | GMT, UTC+0 | 13:00 |
| US East Coast | EST, UTC-5 | 08:00 |
| US West Coast | PST, UTC-8 | 05:00 |
6. What Documents Do You Need?
You need two sets of documents: those for your master’s admission and any programme-specific items. Every applicant uploads bachelor’s degree documents, a transcript with course names and grades, proof of English, and a passport or ID copy. Upload only what your programme asks for.
Degree certificate
It must name the institution, the graduation date, your name, and the degree awarded.
Transcript of records
Course names and grades are mandatory. Credits and completion dates are recommended.
Proof of English
One accepted test or qualification. See the table below.
Passport or ID copy
A passport ID page, national ID card, or both sides of a residence permit card.
Programme-specific items
Some programmes ask for extras such as a motivation letter. Find them on Studyinfo.
Official translations
Required when documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish.
“Do not submit any extra attachments.”
University of Helsinki, required application attachments, checked 2 November 2026.
Submit each document as its own PDF. Name files clearly, for example surname-first name-transcript. Do not merge different documents into one file, and do not email documents. If your name differs between your passport and your education records, upload an official proof of name change.
Proving Your English Skills
You must prove English with a method on the university’s approved list. Teacher statements and university-run test scores do not count. The most common route is a test: IELTS Academic at 6.5 overall with 6.0 in every section, or an equivalent score on TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge, or YKI.
Accepted English tests and minimum scores
| Test | Minimum requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each section | IELTS General is not accepted. UKVI, Online, and One Skill Retake versions are. |
| TOEFL iBT, taken before 21 January 2026 | 92 total, 22 in writing | Home Edition and Paper Edition also accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT, taken on or after 21 January 2026 | 4.5 total, 4 in each section | New score scale. Institution code 9872. |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall, 61 in writing | UKVI and Online versions also accepted. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | Pass at level A, B, or C (C2 also accepts a C1 certificate) | Only tests taken after 2005. |
| YKI (Finland) | Level 5 in all four sub-tests | Organized by the Finnish National Agency for Education. |
“You cannot demonstrate language proficiency by combining different test score reports”
University of Helsinki, proving your English language skills, updated for the autumn 2027 intake.
Scores for IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are valid for two years, and the score must still be valid when the attachment deadline passes. If it expires right after that date, submit one that stays valid for at least two more weeks. Not sure how your result compares? Our IELTS band score calculator shows your overall band from the four section scores.
You can skip a test if your earlier education was in English. The accepted shortcuts include a degree taught and assessed entirely in English in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, or the US. A degree from a longer list of countries, including India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the Philippines, also counts. Upper-secondary study in English in the Nordic countries, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the US works too, as do the IB and the European Baccalaureate with set grades.
If Your Bachelor’s Degree Is Unfinished
You can still apply. If your bachelor’s degree is incomplete, upload your latest transcript instead of a degree certificate. The transcript must name the degree you will receive. If you are admitted, your place is conditional, and you must graduate and submit the certificate by the end of August.
Translations and Certified Copies
Documents not in English, Finnish, or Swedish need an official translation, and you must upload the original too. Only translations from an official translator or the issuing institution count, with a stamp and signature on every page. At the application stage, good-quality PDF copies are enough. Certified or electronically verified versions are only required if you are admitted.
After admission, you have four delivery routes: an electronic credential service such as Parchment or Digitary, an electronically signed or verifiable PDF, a PDF sent by your institution from an official email, or physical documents. Chinese documents follow a separate verification route. Check the attachments page for your country before you order anything.
7. How Do You Apply? Step by Step
You apply for the scholarship and the master’s programme with one Studyinfo form. Choose your programme, upload your documents, pay the €100 fee if it applies to you, and answer the tuition fee waiver question. There is no separate scholarship portal or essay form.
Check the table above. Make sure you hold a bachelor’s degree or will finish one before the end of August.
Read each programme’s admission criteria on Studyinfo. The 2026 instructions allowed up to three programmes on one form, so confirm that this still applies in 2027.
Book your test early, because results can take time. Collect your degree papers, transcripts, passport copy, and any programme-specific files.
Pay the €100 fee, answer the tuition fee waiver question, and choose the 50% or 100% category.
Last year you had one extra week after the form closed. Confirm the 2027 date on Studyinfo and do not rely on it.
Your admission result and waiver result arrive together. If you receive a waiver, you will get instructions to accept or decline the scholarship agreement.
Sign the scholarship agreement, pay the remaining tuition if you got 50%, and apply for your residence permit through Migri as soon as possible, because processing can take months.
Two rules catch people off guard. First, the €100 fee is a national fee for non-EU/EEA applicants, collected on Studyinfo, and it covers every application for the same term. Second, the form does not forgive late work.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible to get an application fee waiver.”
University of Helsinki, international master’s programmes, checked 2 November 2026.
“You cannot save the application as a draft”
University of Helsinki, how to apply, 2026 round instructions. Confirm the same rule for 2027.
You can edit a submitted application until the period ends. Treat that as a safety net, and finish your uploads long before the final hours.
Scholarship Application vs Admission Application
They share one form, but they are judged as two decisions. You can be admitted without a waiver, and a waiver only exists if you are admitted. Knowing how the two differ keeps you from mixing up what you still owe the university after the acceptance email.
How the two applications compare
| Topic | Admission application | Scholarship request |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Studyinfo master’s form | Same form, waiver question inside it |
| Who assesses it | The master’s programme | The same programme |
| Result | Acceptance email | Same email |
| What you do next | Accept the study place | Accept the scholarship agreement |
| How you register | After paying full tuition | 100%: after accepting. 50%: after accepting and paying the balance. |
8. How Are Waivers Awarded?
Programmes pick recipients, not a central committee. They review your overall academic profile: previous results, any motivation letter, and the grounds you give in your waiver request. The university may also weigh its own and the programme’s strategic goals. You must be admitted to the programme before a waiver can exist.
The university does not publish a GPA cutoff for this scholarship. The one number it gives applies to a narrow group: graduates of English-language Helsinki bachelor’s programmes who finish on time. They get a 100% waiver with a GPA of at least 3.8 out of 5, and a 50% waiver with 3.4 to 3.7. Everyone else is judged against their own applicant pool.
Here is how to build the strongest case, based on those criteria:
- Know your standing. Calculate your cumulative average before you write anything. Our CGPA calculator helps you convert semester results into one number.
- Write grounds, not slogans. Explain why this programme and why Helsinki, and tie each reason to something on your transcript or in your work history.
- Use the letter. If your programme accepts a motivation letter, follow our guide on how to write a winning motivation letter and keep every claim specific.
- Keep a backup. Because only a very limited number of waivers exist, compare other Nordic options, such as the Dalarna University master’s scholarships in Sweden.
9. Working Hours and Payment
A student residence permit lets you work in any field for an average of 30 hours per week, according to Migri. That equals 120 hours per month or 1,560 hours per year. Work income cannot support your first permit application, and the scholarship pays no salary or stipend.
The cap is an average, not a daily limit. You can exceed 30 hours in some weeks, as long as the yearly average stays at or below that figure. Internships and thesis work required by your degree fall outside the limit.
One discrepancy is worth knowing. Migri measures the average across the year, while the University of Helsinki’s student guide describes term-time averages and unrestricted full-time work during holidays. Follow the wording on your own permit and ask Migri if the two readings would change your plan.
Pay and Income Reality
The scholarship does not pay you. If you take a job, your employer pays your wages, and the amount depends on the employer and the sector. This guide gives no wage figure because we found no official figure that applies to students across jobs.
Plan as though your income will be small. Another Finnish university, the University of Eastern Finland, tells new students never to rely on part-time work to pay for their studies, because jobs are hard to find and pay is not guaranteed. The same caution applies in Helsinki. Treat a job as a bonus, and fund your first year from savings, family support, or other awards.
Proof of Funds for Your Residence Permit
You must show you can cover your costs for the whole time your permit is valid. The University of Helsinki says you need at least €800 per month. If you have not yet paid tuition when you apply, Migri expects enough money in your bank account for the first year’s tuition and your living costs. If you have paid, attach the receipt.
Your acceptance email, including any waiver details, can be attached to the permit application. The university says Migri has checked that format. Start the permit process as soon as you can, because processing can take several months.
10. International Applicant Guidance
The University of Helsinki scholarship for international students is built for applicants from outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland. Your main jobs are proving tuition fee liability, proving English, and delivering verifiable education documents. Rules differ by country in only a few places: how documents are delivered, which English shortcuts apply, and which regional funding partners exist.
The university’s scholarship page also points to regional options. It names partnerships for students from Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, a scholarship for US students, and third-party awards for applicants from India and Indonesia. Check those entries if your passport matches.
For U.S. Applicants
US citizens are fee-liable for English-taught master’s programmes, so you can request a waiver. Your US bachelor’s degree can also prove your English if it was taught and assessed entirely in English, which means no IELTS or TOEFL in many cases. Your transcript must show course names and grades, and Parchment-style electronic delivery is accepted after admission.
The official page lists a private loan option for US students, and you should compare its terms carefully before borrowing. In January, the deadline hour converts to 08:00 on the East Coast if the closing time matches last year’s. Because only a very limited number of waivers exist, build a budget that works with a 50% waiver or none.
For Pakistani Applicants
Pakistani applicants are fee-liable and can request a waiver. Pakistan is not on the list of countries whose English-taught degrees count as language proof, so plan on an accepted test such as IELTS Academic. If the closing hour matches last year’s, 15:00 in Finland falls at 18:00 PKT on 19 January 2027.
- Transcripts: the document must show course names and grades. If yours lists only course codes, add a syllabus or course catalogue from your study years.
- Provisional certificates: a provisional certificate works only if it confirms the degree was awarded, not just that courses were completed.
- Programme criteria: each programme sets its own degree requirements. Check that your bachelor’s degree meets them before you pay the fee.
- Certification: check the country-specific rules on the attachments page before you order stamped or attested copies. We did not find a Pakistan-specific rule while checking, so confirm it directly.
For Applicants From Other Countries
If you studied in English in India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, or another listed country, your degree may replace a language test. Chinese applicants follow a separate document verification route. Applicants from countries that joined the Hague Convention can use an apostille if they must send certified copies. Everyone else needs the two-step legalisation process.
11. Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Most failed applications go wrong on paperwork, not ambition. The mistakes below are all documented in the university’s own instructions. Fixing them costs nothing if you catch them before the form closes, and it costs a year if you do not.
- Expecting living-cost support. The waiver pays tuition only.
- Assuming Helsinki is free for you. Tuition is free only for EU/EEA and Swiss citizens and the other exempt groups.
- Sending IELTS General. Only IELTS Academic is accepted.
- Mixing test reports. You cannot combine scores from different tests or sittings.
- Uploading screenshots of your Finnish studies. My Studyinfo screenshots are not official transcripts, and Finnish studies still need attachments.
- Adding extra files. Unrequested attachments slow your application down.
- Emailing documents. Upload them to the form instead.
- Counting on a 100% waiver. Most awards are 50%, and a declined or unavailable waiver is not guaranteed to be replaced.
- You confirmed that you are liable for tuition.
- Your English proof is valid through the attachment deadline.
- Your transcript shows course names and grades.
- Your files are separate PDFs with clear names.
- You paid the €100 fee or uploaded an exemption document.
- You answered the tuition fee waiver question.
12. FAQ
These are the questions applicants ask most about the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027. Each answer starts with the short version. For anything marked as last year’s pattern, check Studyinfo when the 2027 form opens.
How much is the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027 worth?
It waives 50% or 100% of your tuition fee, which is €13,000, €15,000, or €18,000 per year depending on the programme. Most awards are 50%. The waiver runs for two years if you earn at least 55 ECTS credits each year. It does not include money for living costs, so you must fund those yourself.
Who can apply for the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027?
You can apply if you are eligible for a University of Helsinki master’s programme, must pay tuition fees, can meet Finland’s entry and residence permit rules, and have excellent previous study results. In practice, that means citizens of countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland who hold no exempting residence status in Finland.
What is the deadline for the University of Helsinki Scholarship 2027?
The application period runs from 5 to 19 January 2027 on Studyinfo. You request the scholarship inside the same master’s application, so 19 January 2027 is also your scholarship deadline. The official 2027 pages do not list a closing hour yet. The 2026 round closed at 15:00 UTC+2, so confirm the hour when the form opens.
Is there a separate scholarship application form?
No. You request the tuition fee waiver on the same Studyinfo form you use for your master’s application. Choose the 50% or 100% category there, then upload the required attachments. Admission and scholarship decisions arrive together in your acceptance email, and you then accept the scholarship agreement if you receive a waiver.
Does the scholarship pay for living costs?
No. The University of Helsinki says its scholarship programme does not cover living expenses. You must show at least €800 per month for your residence permit, and real costs in Helsinki run higher. A waiver lowers your largest bill, but rent, food, insurance, and transport remain your responsibility.
Which English tests does the University of Helsinki accept?
Accepted options include IELTS Academic (6.5 overall, 6.0 in each section), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic (68 overall, 61 in writing), Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and YKI level 5. Some applicants can use an English-taught degree or upper-secondary education from listed countries instead. You cannot combine scores from different tests.
Can international students work while studying in Finland?
Yes. A student residence permit allows work in any field for an average of 30 hours per week, which Migri counts as 120 hours per month or 1,560 hours per year. Internships and thesis work required by your degree do not count toward that limit. You cannot use future work income to qualify for your first permit.
Can I get a 100% waiver if most awards are 50%?
You can request the 100% category, but the university says only a very limited number of waivers exist and most cover 50%. Each programme decides how to award them based on applicant strength and the size of its applicant group. Apply with your strongest academic case, and budget as if you may receive 50% or nothing.
Can I apply to more than one master’s programme?
The 2026 instructions allowed up to three master’s programmes on one application form, with one form per applicant. The 2027 pages repeat the application window but not the programme limit yet, so confirm the number on Studyinfo. Each programme assesses your waiver request separately, and you upload shared documents only once.
13. Official Sources and Links
- University of Helsinki: tuition fees and scholarship programme
- University of Helsinki: apply to international master’s programmes
- University of Helsinki: how to apply (2026 round schedule)
- University of Helsinki: required application attachments
- University of Helsinki: proving your English language skills
- University of Helsinki: explore international master’s programmes
- University of Helsinki: residence permit for degree students
- Migri: working and internships during studies
- Migri: income requirement for students
- Studyinfo: Finnish national education portal
University of Helsinki, Fabianinkatu 33, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
14. Disclaimer
This article is general information. Study Abroad with Arbaz is not part of the University of Helsinki, Studyinfo, or the Finnish Immigration Service. Dates, fees, and scholarship rules can change, and the university decides every admission and waiver. Check each detail on the official pages before you apply or pay any fee. Nothing here is legal, immigration, or financial advice.
Ready to Apply?
Open the official page, then follow our channels for deadline updates.
Official Application Page Subscribe on YouTube Join WhatsApp Channel
We would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment below and share what you think.