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Study in Finland from Bangladesh
Strong scholarships, high quality of life
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Studying in Finland from Bangladesh typically costs €8,000–€18,000 a year in tuition for non-EU students, with living costs around €700–€1,100 a month. Scholarships covering 50–100% of tuition are common and awarded with admission. You apply for a residence permit for studies through Migri, and most programmes are taught entirely in English.
Tuition
€8,000–€18,000 per year for non-EU students at most universities; scholarships frequently reduce this substantially
Living costs
€700–€1,100 per month covering accommodation, food and transport; Helsinki sits at the upper end
Intakes
The main joint application runs in January for an August/September start; a second round opens for some programmes
After graduating
Residence permit to look for work or start a business, valid for two years after graduation
Why Bangladeshi students choose Finland
Finland is unusual in how routinely it discounts its own tuition: scholarships covering half or all of the fee are built into the admission process at many universities rather than being a separate competition. For a strong applicant, the effective cost can drop well below the headline figure - which is what makes Finland worth a serious look despite the high nominal fees.
- ›Tuition scholarships of 50–100% are awarded with admission at many universities
- ›Over 500 degree programmes taught entirely in English
- ›Two years to look for work after graduating on a post-study residence permit
- ›Consistently ranked among the safest countries with the highest quality of life
Cost of studying in Finland
| Tuition | €8,000–€18,000 per year for non-EU students at most universities; scholarships frequently reduce this substantially |
|---|---|
| Living costs | €700–€1,100 per month covering accommodation, food and transport; Helsinki sits at the upper end |
| Currency | EUR (€) |
| Work while studying | Up to 30 hours per week on average during term, with no limit during holidays |
Figures are indicative and move with exchange rates and policy. Confirm current amounts on Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) - Studying in Finland before you budget or transfer funds.
Entry requirements
Academic
HSC with a strong GPA for Bachelor's programmes; a relevant Bachelor's for Master's. Many programmes also set an entrance examination.
English language
IELTS 6.0–6.5 is the common requirement; several universities accept PTE, TOEFL or an MOI letter, and some run their own entrance exam.
No IELTS score yet? There are recognised alternatives - see which ones count, and where they don't.
Residence permit for studies (Migri): step by step
- 1 Apply through Studyinfo.fi during the joint application period
- 2 Receive your admission decision and any tuition scholarship offer
- 3 Pay the tuition instalment required before the permit application
- 4 Take out health insurance meeting Finnish requirements
- 5 Apply for the residence permit through Enter Finland and visit the VFS centre in Dhaka for identification
Official guidance: Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) - Studying in Finland
Hoping to bring your husband or wife with you? Dependant rules differ by country, by course level and by year, so this is worth checking before you apply rather than after. See our spouse & dependant visa support.
Scholarships
- ›University tuition-fee scholarships of 50–100%, awarded with admission
- ›The Finland Scholarship for non-EU/EEA students starting a Master's
- ›Doctoral positions, which are normally salaried rather than fee-paying
Universities we work with in Finland
Frequently asked questions
How much money must I show for a Finland student residence permit?
Migri sets a minimum monthly amount you must have available for living expenses, and you also need to have paid any required tuition instalment. Published figures vary widely across consultancy websites, so take the amount directly from migri.fi at the time you apply - this is the single most common point of confusion for Bangladeshi applicants.
Can I study in Finland without IELTS?
Sometimes. Universities may accept an MOI letter, PTE, TOEFL or their own entrance examination in place of IELTS. It is decided programme by programme, so it needs checking against the specific course rather than assumed.
Is tuition really free in Finland?
Not for Bangladeshi students. Tuition-free study applies to EU/EEA nationals. Non-EU students pay fees - but scholarships covering 50–100% of tuition are awarded routinely with admission, so the amount actually paid is often far lower than the published fee.
Can I work while studying in Finland?
Yes, up to an average of 30 hours a week during term and without restriction during holidays. Finding part-time work without Finnish is harder outside the biggest cities, so it should not be central to your funding plan.
What happens after I graduate in Finland?
You can apply for a two-year residence permit to look for work or start a business. Finland has an ageing workforce and active shortages in technology, engineering and healthcare, which works in favour of graduates in those fields.
