Studying in Finland for Saudis is an exceptional academic choice that combines the best educational system in the world, technical innovation, and an advanced Scandinavian environment.
Finland stands out as an elite study destination in Northern Europe, as the universities of Finland comprise leading academic institutions that are globally ranked and famous for their excellence in research, development, and technical innovation.
Studying in Finland offers a unique academic environment that focuses on independence, creativity, and critical thinking. Education in Finland is known globally for its exceptional quality, as Finland occupies the top positions in the international education rankings.
The best universities of Finland offer distinguished programs in English in technology, engineering, design, and business, with relatively reasonable tuition fees and generous scholarships.
Finland is home to global tech companies such as Nokia and Supercell, and it is known for its leadership in innovation, digitization, and sustainability.
The Future Way website provides comprehensive information and specialized support for Saudi students wishing to explore the distinguished education opportunities in this Scandinavian country leading in education and innovation.
Why study in Finland?
Studying in Finland offers exceptional advantages that make it a prestigious study destination for Saudi students seeking a world-class education.
The best educational system globally
The Finnish educational system is considered the best in the world by expert consensus:
The international rankings:
- Finland occupies the top positions in the international PISA education ranking
- The Finnish education system is a model to be emulated globally
- The best teachers in the world — the teaching profession is highly prestigious
- Graduation and student success rates among the highest globally
The Finnish education philosophy:
- Focus on learning, not memorization and exams
- Academic independence — freedom to choose the learning path
- Critical thinking and creativity as priorities
- Personalized education — every student matters
- Equality and inclusiveness — distinguished education for all
The teaching methodology:
- Small classes — an excellent teacher-to-student ratio
- Interactive education — discussions and practical projects
- Continuous assessment — not only final exams
- Encouraging curiosity and questions
- Practical application — linking theory to reality
The results:
- Highly qualified graduates in demand globally
- Applicable skills in the labor market
- Independent thinking and the ability to innovate
- Globally recognized certificates of the highest standards
Innovation and technology
Finland is a global leader in innovation and technology:
Innovation indicators:
- Classified among the best 5 countries in the Global Innovation Index
- Huge investment in research and development (the highest percentage of GDP)
- Patents at a very high density
- A culture of innovation deeply rooted in society
The tech companies:
- Nokia — the global communications giant (headquartered in Espoo)
- Supercell — mobile games (Clash of Clans)
- Rovio — the maker of Angry Birds
- Wärtsilä — energy and marine solutions
- KONE — elevators and escalators
- Hundreds of tech startups
Digitization and artificial intelligence:
- The most digitized in the world
- Leadership in artificial intelligence and machine learning
- 5G and communications — Nokia is a global leader
- Cybersecurity — advanced expertise
- Digital government — a global model
The study environment:
- Strong partnerships between universities and industry
- Advanced laboratories and world-class research facilities
- Training opportunities at leading tech companies
- Entrepreneurship — strong support for startups
- An active innovation network — events and competitions
Sustainability and clean energy:
- A global leader in renewable energy and sustainability
- A circular economy — an advanced model
- Green and clean technologies
- Climate and environmental research
The best universities in Finland
Finland comprises a group of elite universities of Finland that enjoy advanced global rankings.
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is the most venerable and best university in Finland:
The basic information:
- Founded in 1640 — among the oldest universities in Northern Europe
- The largest Finnish university: 31,000 students
- Classified among the world’s best 100 universities
- A leader in scientific research in the Scandinavian countries
The global ranking:
- Rank 101 globally in QS Rankings 2024
- The best in Finland consistently
- Excellent rankings in specific specializations
The strong specializations:
- The natural sciences — physics, chemistry, and biology
- Medicine and health — a highly prestigious medicine faculty
- The social sciences — sociology and politics
- Law — among the best law faculties
- The humanities — languages, philosophy, and history
- Environmental and forest sciences — a global leader
- Pharmacy — an excellent program
The English programs:
- More than 30 master’s programs in English
- Advanced doctorate programs
- Most of the bachelor’s in Finnish/Swedish
The tuition fees:
- The master’s: 13,000-18,000 euros per year
- Generous scholarships — 50-100% of the fees
The location:
- In Helsinki, the Finnish capital
- Several campuses in the city
- World-class libraries and research facilities
Aalto University
Aalto University is the leading university in technology and design:
A historical overview:
- Founded in 2010 from the merger of 3 venerable universities:
- The Helsinki University of Technology (1849)
- The Helsinki School of Economics
- The School of Art and Design
- A modern university with venerable traditions
The ranking:
- Among the world’s best 150 universities
- The best in the Scandinavian countries for engineering and technology
- Very advanced rankings in art and design
The distinguished specializations:
- Engineering and technology:
- Electrical and electronic engineering
- Computer science and artificial intelligence
- Mechanical engineering
- Energy and environmental engineering
- Design — among the best design schools in the world
- Business — an excellent business school
- Architecture — a prestigious architectural program
Innovation and entrepreneurship:
- The leading innovation center in Finland
- Aalto Ventures Program — a startup incubator
- Strong partnerships with Nokia and tech companies
- Otaniemi — a technology and innovation district
The English programs:
- More than 20 master’s programs in English
- Technical, engineering, design, and business specializations
- Funded doctorate programs
The fees:
- The master’s: 12,000-15,000 euros per year
- Excellent scholarships — 50-100% for the outstanding
The campus:
- In Espoo (the suburbs of Helsinki)
- A modern and innovative campus
- Advanced technology and design facilities
- A vibrant innovative environment
University of Turku
The University of Turku is the second largest Finnish university:
General information:
- Founded in 1920
- About 20,000 students
- Classified among the world’s best 300 universities
- Located in Turku, the oldest Finnish city
The strong specializations:
- Medicine and health — an excellent medicine faculty and a university hospital
- The biological sciences — advanced research
- The natural sciences — chemistry and physics
- Education — prestigious educational programs
- Law and business
- The social sciences
The English programs:
- More than 20 master’s programs in English
- Diversity in science, medicine, and business
The fees:
- The master’s: 10,000-15,000 euros per year
- Scholarships are available
The city:
- Turku on the southwestern coast
- The oldest Finnish city
- Cheaper than Helsinki for living
- A rich history and beautiful coastal nature
Other prestigious Finnish universities:
- Tampere University — strong in technology and media
- University of Oulu — distinguished in communications technologies
- University of Jyväskylä — a leader in education and sports
The distinguished specializations
Studying in Finland is distinguished by some specializations in which the most famous universities of Finland enjoy an exceptional global reputation.
Information technology
Information technology is the strongest specialization in Finland:
Why Finland is a leader:
- Home of Nokia — a global communications leader
- 5G and communications — leading global expertise
- Linux was partly developed in Finland (Linus Torvalds is Finnish)
- Hundreds of games and software companies
The available programs:
- Computer Science
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML)
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science
- Software Engineering
- Communications technologies
- Cloud computing and networks
The leading universities:
- Aalto University — the best
- University of Helsinki
- Tampere University — very strong
- University of Oulu — communications technologies
The professional opportunities:
- Global tech companies in Finland
- Excellent salaries (60,000-80,000+ euros/year)
- An easy work visa after graduation
- High demand for technical skills
Engineering
Finnish engineering education is among the best in the world:
The engineering specializations:
- Electrical engineering — a global leader
- Mechanical engineering
- Energy engineering — a focus on the renewable
- Environmental engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Architecture
- Communications engineering
The methodology:
- Practical application — real projects
- Strong industrial partnerships
- Advanced laboratories
- A focus on sustainability and clean energy
The universities:
- Aalto University — the best
- University of Oulu
- Tampere University of Technology (TUT)
The fees:
- 12,000-15,000 euros per year
Design
Finland is a global leader in Scandinavian design:
Finnish design:
- Venerable traditions — global fame
- Functional and beautiful design — a Scandinavian philosophy
- Global brands: Marimekko, Iittala, Fiskars
The programs:
- Industrial Design
- Product Design
- Fashion Design
- Graphic Design
- Game Design
- Digital design and user experience (UX/UI)
Aalto University — the School of Arts and Design:
- Among the best design schools in the world
- Very advanced global rankings
- A globally prestigious certificate
The fees:
- 12,000-15,000 euros per year
The opportunities:
- A strong design industry in Finland
- Global companies and startups
- A culture that values design
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for studying in Finland are relatively strict, with high academic standards.
The academic GPAs
The academic requirements for admission to the best universities of Finland:
For the master’s programs:
- A bachelor’s certificate in a directly related specialization
- A cumulative GPA of no less than 3.3-3.5 out of 4.0 (about 80-85%)
- The competition is strong — high GPAs are required
The evaluation of certificates:
- The Saudi certificates are recognized
- They may require equivalency from the Finnish National Agency for Education
- The extent of the academic content’s match with the program is assessed
The documents:
- The bachelor’s certificate (translated and attested)
- A detailed transcript
- A description of the study courses
- A very strong motivation letter — extremely important
- 2-3 academic recommendation letters
- A CV
Additional factors:
- Practical experience — a great advantage
- Research activity — for the research programs
- Motivation and goals — assessed carefully
The deadlines:
- December-January usually for the programs that begin in September
- A short window — one must apply early
The English language
The English language requirements are strict:
The required scores:
- IELTS: 6.5-7.0 (less than 6.5 is usually not accepted)
- TOEFL iBT: 92-100
- Pearson PTE: 62-68
- Cambridge: CAE/CPE
The differences between universities:
- University of Helsinki: usually IELTS 6.5
- Aalto University: IELTS 6.5-7.0 depending on the program
- The technical programs: may accept 6.5
- The business and humanities programs: may require 7.0
The exceptions:
- Previous study in English at a recognized university
- Citizens of the English-speaking countries
The certificate validity:
- Within the past two years
The tuition fees
The tuition fees in Finland apply to students from outside the European Union since 2017.
The fees for international students
The fee system at the universities of Finland:
The change in 2017:
- Before 2017: education was free for all
- After 2017: fees for students from outside the EU/EEA
The annual tuition fees:
| University | Master’s fees |
|---|---|
| University of Helsinki | 13,000-18,000 euros |
| Aalto University | 12,000-15,000 euros |
| University of Turku | 10,000-15,000 euros |
| Other universities | 8,000-13,000 euros |
By specialization:
- Engineering and technology: 12,000-15,000 euros
- The natural sciences: 13,000-15,000 euros
- Business: 13,000-18,000 euros
- Design: 12,000-15,000 euros
- The social sciences: 10,000-13,000 euros
The doctorate programs:
- Free for all
- Rather, usually funded with a salary of 2,000-2,500 euros/month
The university scholarships
The scholarships in Finland are relatively generous:
The scholarship system:
- All universities offer scholarships for international students
- Legally mandatory — scholarships must be offered to a percentage of students
The scholarship percentages:
- 50% of the fees — the most common
- 100% of the fees — for the very outstanding
- Some scholarships include a living allowance (rare)
The criteria for obtaining the scholarships:
- Academic excellence — the basic criterion
- A high bachelor’s GPA
- A strong motivation letter
- Excellent recommendation letters
University of Helsinki:
- Scholarships of 50%-100% of the fees
- For accepted students with excellent academic performance
Aalto University:
- Scholarships of 50%-100% of the fees
- Highly competitive
The government scholarships:
- Very limited for the master’s
- Better for the doctorate
The Saudi scholarship program:
- Covers study at some accredited Finnish universities
- Comprehensive funding for scholarship recipients
The statistics:
- About 30-50% of international students obtain scholarships
- Most of them 50% of the fees
Living costs
The living costs in Finland are relatively high, as an advanced Scandinavian country.
Helsinki
The monthly budget in Helsinki:
The average: 800-1,200 euros per month
The breakdown:
- Housing: 400-650 euros
- A room in a shared apartment: 400-550 euros
- Student housing: 250-400 euros (very limited)
- A studio: 600-800 euros
- Food: 200-300 euros
- Home cooking: 150-200 euros
- With eating out: 250-300 euros
- Transport: 30-60 euros (a student card)
- Internet and phone: 20-40 euros
- Health insurance: 40-60 euros
- Personal expenses: 100-180 euros
Annually: 9,600-14,400 euros
The total annual cost:
- Fees: 12,000-18,000 euros
- Living: 9,600-14,400 euros
- The total: 21,600-32,400 euros
The other cities
The other Finnish cities are cheaper:
Turku, Tampere, Oulu:
- The monthly budget: 700-1,000 euros
- Cheaper than Helsinki by 15-25%
- Housing: 300-500 euros (easier and cheaper)
The small cities:
- The budget: 600-900 euros per month
- A high quality of life
- Less crowded
The Scandinavian comparison:
- Finland is slightly cheaper than Sweden and Norway
- More expensive than the countries of Southern and Eastern Europe
- Reasonable compared with Switzerland and Denmark
The cold climate
The Finnish climate is the greatest challenge for Saudi students.
Adapting to the winter
Facts about the Finnish climate:
Winter (November-March):
- Temperatures: -5°C to -25°C in the south
- Colder in the north: -15°C to -35°C
- Very short daylight hours: only 6 hours in the south
- The long darkness: the greatest challenge
- Heavy snow
Summer (June-August):
- Moderate temperatures: 15-25°C
- Very long daylight hours: 18-20 hours in the south
- The midnight sun in the north
- Very beautiful
The challenges:
- The intense cold — difficult for Saudis
- The winter darkness — a psychological effect
- The lack of sun — a vitamin D deficiency
- The huge difference from the Saudi climate
Adaptation strategies:
- Suitable clothing:
- Multiple layers
- Padded winter jackets
- Warm winter boots
- Gloves and a hat
- Vitamin D supplements — necessary
- Indoor lighting — special lamps for winter
- Physical activity — important for mental health
- Excellent heating — the buildings are well-equipped
- Winter activities — skiing, sauna
The positives:
- A wonderful summer and comfortable
- The stunning nature — snow and the northern lights
- The Finnish sauna — a cultural experience
- Winter activities — skiing, sledding
A tip: Psychological preparation is very important before going.
The Finnish language
The Finnish language is an important aspect despite the availability of the English programs.
The English programs
The English programs in Finland:
The availability:
- More than 400 master’s programs in English
- All universities offer English programs
- The technical specializations — the most
- Most doctorate programs in English
The bachelor’s:
- Very limited in English
- Most bachelor’s programs in Finnish/Swedish
The English language in society:
- The Finns speak English with very high fluency
- Especially the young and the educated
- Finland is among the best non-English-speaking countries in its proficiency
- Daily life is possible in English in the cities
The Finnish language:
- Very difficult — among the most difficult languages in the world
- Non-Indo-European — completely different
- 15 grammatical cases
- Complex pronunciation
Must one learn it:
- Not necessary for the study and daily life
- Very useful for long-term integration
- Necessary for wider job opportunities
- The universities offer free Finnish courses
Swedish:
- A second official language in Finland (5% of the population)
- Some programs in Swedish
- Easier than Finnish to learn
The visa
The visa procedures for studying in Finland are clear.
The type of visa: A student residence permit
The documents:
- A valid passport
- An admission letter from a Finnish university
- Financial proof: 560 euros per month (6,720 euros/year)
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Proof of housing
- A good-conduct certificate
The procedures:
- Applying online on Enter Finland
- Then an appointment at the Finnish embassy in Riyadh
- The processing duration: 4-8 weeks
- Fees: 300 euros
Work:
- 30 hours per week allowed
- Full-time during the holidays
After graduation:
- One year to look for work
- Ease of obtaining a work permit
Frequently asked questions about studying in Finland for Saudis
How much does studying in Finland cost?
The fees are 10,000-18,000 euros per year and living is 800-1,200 euros per month, with potential 50%-100% scholarships.
What is the best Finnish university?
The University of Helsinki is the most venerable, Aalto University the best for technology and design.
Is the climate very cold?
Yes, a bitter winter (-5 to -25°C) with long darkness. The adaptation is difficult but possible.
Must one learn Finnish?
No for the English programs and daily life, useful for integration and work.
How do I obtain a scholarship?
Academic excellence — a high GPA and a strong file. 30-50% of students obtain scholarships.
Conclusion
Studying in Finland represents an exceptional opportunity for education with the best educational system globally. The Future Way website provides comprehensive support for students in their academic journey to Finland, the country of innovation and educational excellence.
