Studying in Helsinki
Helsinki is Finland's capital and its largest student city — home to around 660,000 people and three internationally respected universities. Compact, safe, seaside and highly digital, it combines Nordic quality of life with one of Europe's most active international-student communities.
Cost of living in Helsinki
Helsinki is the most expensive city in Finland, but still affordable by Nordic and Western-European standards. A realistic monthly student budget is €900–€1,250. Rent dominates that figure, so securing subsidised student housing early makes the biggest difference.
| Monthly expense | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Student housing (HOAS shared / studio) | €380 – €620 |
| Private studio rent | €700 – €950 |
| Groceries | €200 – €300 |
| HSL public transport (student season) | €38 – €55 |
| Phone & internet | €20 – €30 |
| Leisure & misc. | €100 – €200 |
Universities in the Helsinki region
University of Helsinki
Finland's oldest and largest research university (founded 1640), ranked around the world top 100.
View programmes, rankings & admissions →Aalto University
Science, technology, business and design, based in Otaniemi, Espoo — a 20-minute metro ride from central Helsinki.
View programmes, rankings & admissions →Hanken School of Economics
A specialist business school in the heart of Helsinki with triple international accreditation.
View programmes, rankings & admissions →Thinking about studying in Helsinki?
Get our free step-by-step Finland application guide — deadlines, documents, tuition and residence permits in one place.
Student housing in Helsinki
The main student housing provider is HOAS (Helsinki Region Student Housing Foundation), offering furnished shared flats and studios from roughly €380–€620 a month. Apply the moment you receive your admission letter — waiting lists are long for the autumn intake. On the private market, sites such as Vuokraovi and Oikotie list studios from about €700. Aalto students can also apply to AYY housing in Otaniemi.
Getting around
Helsinki's HSL network covers the metro, trams, buses, commuter trains and ferries across the capital region. A student-discounted 30-day AB-zone ticket costs about €38. The city centre is flat, walkable and cyclable, with city bikes available from spring to autumn. The airport is a 30-minute train ride from the central station.
Student life
Student life in Helsinki runs through the student unions (HYY at the University of Helsinki, AYY at Aalto) and subject associations, famous for their coloured overalls (haalarit). Expect sauna evenings, sea-front cafés, a lively startup and design scene, and free or cheap access to museums, libraries such as Oodi, and the archipelago. English is spoken almost everywhere, making Helsinki one of the easiest European capitals to settle into as an international student.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Helsinki as a student?
- Most international students in Helsinki budget €900–€1,250 per month. Rent is the biggest expense: a HOAS student room costs roughly €380–€620, while a private studio runs €700–€950. Finnish student canteens serve subsidised meals from about €2.95, which keeps food costs low.
- Which universities are in Helsinki?
- The University of Helsinki and Hanken School of Economics are in the city itself, and Aalto University sits in neighbouring Espoo, a 20-minute metro ride away. Together they cover research, technology, business, design and the humanities.
- How do students get around Helsinki?
- Helsinki has an integrated HSL network of metro, trams, buses, commuter trains and ferries. A student-discounted 30-day season ticket for the AB zones costs around €38, and the city is compact and very walkable and cyclable.
- How much money do I need to show for a residence permit in Helsinki?
- The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) requires international students to prove at least €800 per month (about €9,600 per year) in available funds for a student residence permit, regardless of which Finnish city you study in.