Higher Studies in Finland For Bangladeshi Students: Admission, Visa, Scholarship, and Costs
A nation’s study environment and employment landscape deeply influence the quality of life and future prospects for international students. When education is integrated with accessible job markets, learners experience both academic and personal growth. European countries are globally recognised for maintaining rigorous academic standards. Their specialities are cutting-edge research, practical curriculum, and international collaborations. Among them, Finland stands out as a Schengen country, offering freedom of movement and cultural immersion. Let’s explore what makes this Nordic nation an ideal destination for Bangladeshi students.
Eligibility Criteria for Higher Studies in Finland
Before embarking on an academic journey to Finland, applicants must carefully review the eligibility requirements, which vary by program level. For bachelor's degrees, students must have completed their Higher Secondary Certificate, high school diploma, or an equivalent qualification. Master's programs require a completed undergraduate degree in a relevant field, with academic credits aligning with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
In the case of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), a distinctive requirement for master’s applicants is a minimum of two years of relevant work experience post-graduation. Doctoral programs, on the other hand, call for a postgraduate degree along with a well-structured research proposal or prior academic publications.
Some universities may additionally request standardised test scores such as GMAT or GRE, particularly for competitive or business-related programs. Certain institutions might also include entrance examinations, SAT assessments, or online interviews as part of their admissions procedures.
Despite Finnish and Swedish being the official languages, English is widely spoken—especially among younger generations. It eliminates the need for foreign students to learn the local languages. However, applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in English, typically through IELTS or TOEFL scores, which are highly regarded by Finnish universities.
Top Universities in Finland and Popular Fields of Study
The top-ranked educational institutions in Finland in recent years are:
- Aalto University
- University of Helsinki
- University of Oulu
- University of Turku
- Lappeenranta University of Technology
- Tampere University
- University of Jyvaskyla
- University of Eastern Finland
- Abo Akademi University
- University of Vaasa.
The Best Fields of Study at Finnish universities
Here are some of the most popular subjects to study in Finland
- Engineering, Manufacturing, and Construction
- Health and Welfare
- Business Administration
- Law
- Arts and Humanities
- Information and Communication Technologies
- Natural sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics
Application Procedures for Admission of Universities in Finland
Finnish universities, including both traditional institutions and Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), operate two major intakes for international students:
Autumn semester: Beginning in August or September
Spring semester: Starting in January or February
Each admission cycle generally remains open for 5 to 6 months, allowing applicants ample time to prepare and submit documents.
Admission systems vary across universities and UAS institutions, each maintaining its own set of guidelines and document requirements. However, there are two main application pathways:
Joint Application: Allows candidates to apply to a maximum of six different programs across various institutions using a single application form.
Separate Application: A conventional method in which applicants apply to individual programs at specific institutions.
To explore programs and complete online applications, the following platforms are commonly used:
Official websites of UAS institutions
Official university websites
Studyinfo portal: https://opintopolku.fi/konfo/en/
Essential Documents for University Admission
Finnish higher education institutions typically require the following:
- A fully completed application form
- Certified copies of academic transcripts and diplomas
- Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL)
- Copy of passport.
Additional Requirements for UAS and Advanced Programs
- Proof of employment (for UAS master’s programs)
- Special arrangements form (if needed for entrance exams)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Motivation letter or personal statement
- Reference letters (if applicable)
- Academic publications (for doctoral studies)
- Except for English proficiency certificates and passport copies, all documents originally in Bengali must be submitted along with official translations.
Student Visa (Residence Permit) Application for Finland
For stays longer than 90 days, international students are required to obtain a residence permit rather than a standard student visa. This permit not only covers the full duration of study but also grants permission to engage in part-time employment.
Postgraduate students entering Finland for academic research must apply for a residence permit for scientific research, typically allowing up to two years of stay.
Upon receiving approval for the residence permit, students must apply for a D-type visa, which facilitates immediate entry into Finland. The D-visa should be applied for as soon as the residence permit is granted, enabling entry within two weeks and collection of the residence card from within Finland. However, this visa comes with a validity limit of 100 days for entry.
To begin the process, applicants must create an account on the Enter Finland portal:
https://enterfinland.fi/eServices/account/emailregistration
After completing the online submission, the application form must be printed, signed, and submitted along with all supporting documents to the Finnish Embassy.
Required Documentation for Student Visa
After receiving the official offer letter from a Finnish educational institution, the visa application begins with gathering a complete set of documents. These include:
- Official admission letter issued by a Finnish university or UAS
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages and a validity of at least six months beyond the intended arrival in Finland
- Proof of income, such as employment certificates (if applicable)
- Financial sufficiency documentation, demonstrating access to a minimum of EUR 800 or BDT 1,07,216 (EUR 1 = BDT 134.02) per month. It amounts to an annual bank statement of at least EUR 9,600 (BDT 12,86,592) for the first academic year
- Scholarship or sponsorship documents, if financial aid is awarded
- Health insurance certificate:
For study periods longer than two years, the policy must cover at least EUR 1,20,000 (BDT 1,60,82,400)
- For durations shorter than two years, coverage of EUR 40,000 (BDT 53,60,800) is required
Additional documents may be requested by the embassy based on individual circumstances.
Booking an Appointment with the Embassy
Once the Enter Finland online application is complete, the next step involves scheduling an in-person appointment for a visa interview. This is done via the VFS Global registration portal:
https://services.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/frp/register
After successful booking, a queue list is generated with the appointment date and time. On the scheduled date, applicants must visit the embassy with all original documents and printed application forms.
Diplomatic Mission Address: Nyaya Marg (E-3), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, India
During the embassy visit, biometric enrollment—including fingerprints and photographs—is conducted. Once the interview is complete, the application is forwarded to the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) for assessment.
Residence Permit Approval and D Visa Issuance
Upon evaluation, the Finnish Immigration Service issues the final decision in the form of a Decision Envelope, sent to the embassy. Applicants are notified both via email and through their Enter Finland account. Collection of the envelope requires a physical visit to the embassy.
A positive decision makes the applicant eligible to immediately apply for a D-type visa, which allows rapid entry into Finland. The D visa is generally processed within two weeks, though some cases may require up to one month.
Following arrival in Finland, students can collect their residence permit card, the official document authorizing their stay and part-time work. While the permit decision itself may take 6 to 9 months in some cases, the physical card is typically issued within two weeks of the decision. A valid passport must be presented during card collection.
Fees and Processing Charges
The application fee for the residence permit (study purpose) when submitted online is EUR 450 (BDT 60,309). In addition, once the permit decision is positive, applicants must apply for a D-type visa, which incurs an additional fee of EUR 95 (BDT 12,732).
Moreover, there is a VFS service charge of EUR 20 (BDT 2,681) applicable during the embassy appointment stage for handling the logistics and documentation.
All payments can be made digitally through Visa or MasterCard during the online application process. Alternatively, these fees may also be paid at the time of the embassy interview.
However, it is important to note that opting for offline or paper-based applications typically results in higher fees and longer processing durations.
Study and Living Costs in Finland
Overall tuition fees range between EUR 8,000 to 20,000 annually (BDT 10,72,160 to 26,80,400). Beyond these costs, depending on the university and academic programme, students must prepare to meet daily living expenses independently.
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) mandates a minimum monthly budget of EUR 800. However, a more realistic estimate is EUR 900 to 1,000 (BDT 1,20,618 to 1,34,020) per month to comfortably cover essentials such as food, accommodation, and transportation.
For housing, international students can choose between student housing foundations and the private rental market. Within student housing, a single room in a shared apartment typically costs between EUR 200 (BDT 26,804) and EUR 380 (BDT 50,928) per month. Private or family flats offer more autonomy but tend to involve higher costs and longer waiting lists.
Additional student-related costs include an annual student union fee of around EUR 50 to EUR 70 (BDT 6,701 to 9,382). It grants access to subsidised meals and public transport discounts. This fee is compulsory for university students, while UAS students may choose to opt in.
The Finnish Student Health Service fee is approximately EUR 35 (BDT 4,691) per term, adding up to around EUR 70 (BDT 9,382) annually.
Scholarship Opportunities in Finland
Several prestigious scholarship schemes are available for international students pursuing higher education in Finland. These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden, covering tuition fees and, in some cases, additional living costs.
The University of Helsinki offers a competitive scholarship programme that includes tuition waivers of 50 percent or 100 percent, valid for two years. Recipients must maintain full-time academic status, completing at least 55 ECTS credits per year to retain the award.
The Finland Government Scholarships are more comprehensive, covering not only full tuition fees but also living expenses, travel costs, health insurance, and accommodation. This scholarship is awarded for one academic year initially, with the possibility of renewal based on academic performance.
Tampere University offers admission-based tuition fee scholarships covering 50 percent of the programme fees for both Bachelor's and Master's students.
At the University of Oulu, the International Scholarship Plan includes multiple awards with specific provisions for different programmes. Particularly, Nokia extends a selective scholarship of EUR 3,000 (BDT 4,02,060) to outstanding candidates in disciplines like Computer Science, Electronics, Wireless Communications, and Sustainable Systems. The Centre for Wireless Communications provides a dedicated EUR 6,000 (BDT 8,04,120) scholarship in the Wireless Communications Engineering Master’s Programme.
At the doctoral level, most scholarships are fully funded, encompassing the entire study cost along with a monthly stipend.
Post-Study Work Opportunities
International graduates in Finland are eligible to apply for a post-study work permit valid for up to two years. This extension allows time to seek employment or start a business within the country.
Students intending to settle permanently in Finland must reside continuously in the country for a minimum of four years, which includes their study period. During this residency, they may not stay outside Finland for more than three consecutive months at any given time.
Summing Up
Higher studies in Finland are both prestigious and accessible, thanks to its top-ranked universities and generous scholarships for international students.
The application process remains smooth and transparent, provided all eligibility criteria are met diligently. However, two critical requirements must be prioritized: proving financial solvency to cover living expenses and securing valid medical insurance throughout the stay. Equally important is maintaining punctuality in aligning the residence permit approval with the issuance of the D-visa.
In essence, Finland combines academic integrity with structural efficiency, offering Bangladeshi students a well-rounded platform for higher education.