University of Helsinki Scholarships for International Master's Students
The University of Helsinki, Finland's largest and most prestigious university, offers a structured scholarship programme for international students admitted to English-taught master's programmes. Here is everything you need to know to apply.
The Helsinki Scholarship
The University of Helsinki Scholarship covers 50% or 100% of the tuition fee. In 2024, tuition for most master's programmes ranged from €13,000 to €18,000 per year, so a full scholarship is worth €26,000–€36,000 over two years. There is no additional living allowance — you will still need to fund your own accommodation and living costs.
Who Is Eligible?
The scholarship is available to non-EU/EEA students who are required to pay tuition fees. EU/EEA students study for free and are not eligible for this particular scholarship. You must apply through the university's admission process and be admitted to a programme before the scholarship decision is made.
Selection Criteria
Selection is based entirely on academic merit — your bachelor's GPA, the quality of your application documents, and any research experience. There is no separate scholarship application form; your admission application is used for the scholarship assessment.
Application Timeline
The University of Helsinki has one main admission round per year, typically with a January deadline for autumn entry. Scholarship decisions are communicated alongside admission decisions in March or April.
Other Funding at UH
Beyond tuition waivers, UH doctoral programmes typically include a funded position with a monthly salary of €2,000–€3,000. Research-track master's students should ask faculty supervisors about the possibility of a paid research assistant position.
