

Finnish universities offer tuition fee waivers ranging from 30% to 100%, but the exact coverage, eligibility, and competitiveness vary significantly by university and program, there is no single Finland Scholarships rate that applies across all of Finland Universities. Study in Finland helps Bangladeshi students understand exactly what each university actually offers before they build their application strategy around it.
Quick Answer
Finnish university scholarships are tuition fee waivers, not cash payments, and typically range from 30% to 100% depending on the institution. Coverage differs significantly between universities, some offer a guaranteed 50% waiver, others reserve 100% for a small number of exceptional applicants, and a few offer no scholarship in the first year at all. Always confirm the exact terms with your target university rather than assuming a general percentage applies.
Finnish universities generally provide scholarships by reducing or completely waiving tuition fees. In most cases, scholarships are not paid directly into a student's bank account, instead, they reduce the amount owed through a Tuition Fee Reduction or Tuition Fee Waiver applied at enrollment.
Common types of scholarships in Finland include:
The figures below have been checked directly against each university's official admissions pages, since scholarship percentages are frequently overstated by third-party websites.
| University | Confirmed Scholarship Structure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Helsinki | 50% or 100% tuition fee waiver | Master's programs only, Bachelor's programs are not eligible |
| Aalto University | 50% or 100% via Excellence Scholarship | Merit-based, limited number of awards |
| Tampere University | 50% tuition fee waiver + €2,000 early-bird discount (year one) | 100% waiver is reserved for temporary-protection-status applicants only, not general merit-based applicants |
| University of Eastern Finland | 30% (specific programmes, guaranteed) or 50% (other programmes, limited) | No confirmed 100% waiver tier |
| LUT University | No scholarship in year one | 50% waiver from year two (after 60 ECTS), additional 50% from year three (after 120 ECTS) |
The universities below are commonly cited as offering scholarships in the 50-100% range across third-party sources, but these figures have not yet been independently confirmed against each university's own official page. Applicants should verify current terms directly before relying on a specific percentage.
| University | Commonly Cited Range | Verification Status |
|---|---|---|
| University of Turku | 50% to full scholarship, program-dependent | Not yet independently confirmed |
| University of Oulu | 50%-100% | Not yet independently confirmed |
| University of Vaasa | 50%-100% | Not yet independently confirmed |
| University of Jyväskylä | 50%-100% (Limited) | Early-bird €1,500 discount confirmed, percentage not yet independently confirmed |
| Åbo Akademi University | 50%-100% | Not yet independently confirmed |
Finland's Universities of Applied Sciences are popular among Bangladeshi students for their practical, career-focused programs. The figures below reflect commonly cited ranges and have not yet been independently verified against each institution's official page.
| University of Applied Sciences | Commonly Cited Scholarship Range |
|---|---|
| Metropolia University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| Laurea University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| LAB University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| JAMK University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| Arcada University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% (Limited) |
| Savonia University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| Centria University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
| SeAMK University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% (Limited) |
| XAMK University of Applied Sciences | 50%-100% |
Academic qualifications:
English language requirements:
Most English-taught programs require IELTS 6.0-6.5, PTE 54-62, or TOEFL iBT 79-92, though requirements vary by university and program. For the full breakdown, see our language requirements guide.
Motivation Letter/SOP:
A strong, program-specific Statement of Purpose is one of the most important parts of a scholarship application. Universities typically evaluate why you chose Finland, why you selected that specific program, your future career goals, and how you will contribute to the university community.
Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Especially important for Master's applicants, highlighting academic achievements, work experience, research activity, and relevant skills.
Recommendation Letters:
Many Master's programs require one or two academic or professional recommendation letters.
It depends heavily on the university. A 100% tuition fee waiver is realistic at institutions like University of Helsinki and Aalto University for exceptional Master's applicants, but it is not available at all at LUT University in the first year, and University of Eastern Finland's confirmed waivers top out at 50%. Students with a strong GPA/CGPA, IELTS 7.0+, research experience, and a compelling SOP have the strongest chances wherever a full waiver is offered.
Among the universities verified for this guide, a 50% tuition fee waiver is the most consistently available scholarship level, confirmed at Tampere, Eastern Finland (in limited programs), and from year two onward at LUT. Universities use this model to attract talented international students while maintaining tuition revenue, making a 50% waiver a realistic target for many strong applicants, rather than assuming a full waiver is the norm.
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Document and SOP preparation | August-October 2026 |
| IELTS/PTE preparation | September-November 2026 |
| Application period | December-January |
| Scholarship decision | February-April |
| Residence permit process | April-July |
| Study start | August/September intake |
Choosing the right universities to apply to, and building a scholarship application that actually stands out, is where most Bangladeshi applicants lose ground. Study in Finland helps by:
No. Each Finnish university sets its own scholarship policy. Confirmed coverage ranges from 30% at University of Eastern Finland to 100% at University of Helsinki and Aalto University for exceptional applicants, with some universities like LUT offering no scholarship at all in the first year.
Yes, at some universities. University of Helsinki and Aalto University confirm 100% tuition fee waivers for exceptional Master's applicants, though this is highly competitive. Other universities, such as LUT and University of Eastern Finland, do not currently confirm a 100% tier.
A 50% tuition fee waiver is the most consistently confirmed scholarship level across verified universities, making it a realistic target for many strong applicants.
No. Finnish university scholarships are almost always tuition fee waivers or reductions, not cash payments made to a student's bank account.
No. University of Helsinki's scholarship program is limited to Master's degree programs. Its English-taught Bachelor's programs do not currently offer scholarships.
A strong academic record, a high English test score, a personalized and program-specific SOP, research experience where relevant, and early application all improve scholarship chances.