Finland offers two main study intakes each year, September (the primary intake with the widest program selection) and January (a smaller intake available at select universities). Study in Finland helps Bangladeshi students plan around these Finland university intakes so applications are never submitted late.
Quick Answer
Finland's main intake is in September, with applications opening in January through the Joint Application system. A smaller January intake exists at select universities, with applications typically opening the previous October to December. The table below covers the next four Finland study intakes, from January 2026 through September 2027.
The table below shows Finland's upcoming study intakes with application windows. Dates marked "Confirmed" are published by Studyinfo.fi and participating universities. Dates marked "Projected" follow Finland's consistent yearly pattern but should be confirmed on Studyinfo.fi closer to the application period, since exact 2027 dates are not yet officially published.
| Intake | Program Availability | Application Window | Status | Classes Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 (Spring) | Limited, select UAS (e.g., VAMK, LAB) | October-December 2025 | Confirmed (Passed) | January 2026 |
| September 2026 (Main) | Widest range, most universities and UAS | 7-21 January 2026 (Joint Application) | Confirmed | September 2026 |
| January 2027 (Spring) | Limited, select UAS | Approx. October-December 2026 | Projected | January 2027 |
| September 2027 (Main) | Widest range, most universities and UAS | Approx. early-to-mid January 2027 | Projected | September 2027 |
The September intake is Finland's primary admission cycle, using the national Joint Application system at Studyinfo.fi. For the September 2026 intake, the confirmed timeline was as follows.
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Joint Application opens | 7 January 2026 |
| Joint Application closes | 21 January 2026 |
| Admission results published | By 27 May 2026 |
| Deadline to accept offer | 9 July 2026 |
| Classes begin | September 2026 |
For September 2027, applicants should expect a similar pattern, with the Joint Application likely opening in early-to-mid January 2027. For full step-by-step guidance on this process, see our Finland admission process page.
The January intake is smaller than the September intake and is mainly available at select Universities of Applied Sciences, including Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK) and LAB University of Applied Sciences. Program availability is limited compared to September, so it's worth checking which Finnish universities and UAS currently run a January intake before planning around it.
| Stage | Approximate Timing |
|---|---|
| Application period opens | October 2026 |
| Application period closes | December 2026 |
| Admission results published | January 2027 |
| Classes begin | January-February 2027 |
Despite Finland's centralized Joint Application system, the exact Finland university application deadline can still vary by program. The main September intake Joint Application window is typically a two-to-three week period in January, while the smaller January intake and some Master's programs may run separate application rounds between October and December. Missing the deadline for one intake means waiting for the next available cycle, which can delay enrollment by six months or more.
Choose the September intake if you want the widest possible choice of universities and programs. This is Finland's primary intake, and most Bachelor's and Master's programs only run in September.
Choose the January intake if you missed the September Joint Application window, want a faster start, or your specific program happens to run on this smaller cycle. For a broader look at why Finland works well for Bangladeshi students regardless of which intake you choose, see Why Study in Finland from Bangladesh.
Choosing the right intake, and preparing for it on time, is one of the most common places Bangladeshi applicants lose months unnecessarily. Study in Finland helps by:
Finland offers two main study intakes: September, the primary intake with the widest program availability, and January, a smaller intake available mainly at select Universities of Applied Sciences.
The September intake's Joint Application typically opens in January (7-21 January 2026 for the September 2026 intake). The January intake's application period typically opens between October and December of the previous year.
The main September intake Joint Application deadline is a fixed two-to-three week window in January. Some Master's programs and the January intake run separate deadlines, generally between October and December.
You can apply for the smaller January intake instead, though program and university availability is more limited, or wait for the following September intake.
Not necessarily easier, but it has fewer available programs, which can mean less competition for the specific programs it does offer. Overall admission depends on the applicant's academic profile, not the intake itself.
Finland typically has two intakes per year: September (main) and January (limited/select universities).
