✦ SAW Finland · Study Guide
Autumn is your chance to start a Finnish future
The Autumn Joint Application is open for selected programmes starting in January 2027. Before you choose a course, learn where the institution is, what it is known for and what daily student life may look like.
Important deadline: the Autumn Joint Application runs from 31 August 2026 at 08:00 to 10 September 2026 at 15:00 (UTC+3). You can choose up to six options, but in this autumn round you must place them in order of preference. Open the official notice →
Finland’s higher-education system includes research-focused universities and practical Universities of Applied Sciences. The official Study in Finland directory says Finland has 13 universities and 22 UAS, with more than 600 English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes overall. The exact autumn selection is smaller and changes each round, so use this article to understand the institutions — then use the live Studyinfo record to confirm the programme, campus, fee, eligibility and selection method. [1] [2]
Know the basicsThree things to do before you apply
6 optionsChoose up to six programmes in one application.
Rank themAutumn choices must be placed in preference order.
€100 feeUsually applies to non-EU/EEA/Swiss Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants.
Live checkProgramme details on Studyinfo are the final authority.
1 · Search the actual courseFilter Studyinfo for English, degree level, location, application period and field of study.Open Autumn English search →
2 · Compare the institutionLook at campus, teaching style, city, work connections, living costs and the route to your career.Browse profiles below →
3 · Prepare the proofCheck your qualification, English evidence, entrance exam or SAT/GMAT requirement before submitting.Read official admissions guidance →
Helsinki firstCapital-region campuses, closest to Helsinki
For applicants who want the largest concentration of employers, public transport and international organisations, begin with the capital region. Distances are approximate city-to-city orientation, not exact campus measurements. Some institutions have more than one campus.
Helsinki0 km · city centre
Espoo10–15 km · metro area
Vantaa15–20 km · airport region
Lahti100–110 km · rail link
Porvoo50 km · east of Helsinki
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Capital-region reality: Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa are connected, but they are not one campus. Check the exact address, commute and teaching location in the programme description. “Helsinki area” may mean a different city.
Find your fitUniversity and UAS profiles by city
These profiles are orientation notes, not a promise that every institution appears in every application round. The official live course record decides what you can apply for now.
Helsinki · Espoo · Vantaa · the capital region
Arcada University of Applied SciencesHelsinki · UAS
English-oriented, practical studies in business, health care and nursing, engineering and ICT. A compact Helsinki campus with strong working-life connections.
Hanken School of EconomicsHelsinki & Vaasa · University
A specialist business school with English Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD routes, plus a second campus in Vaasa. Suits applicants interested in economics, finance and international business.
Haaga-Helia University of Applied SciencesHelsinki & capital region · UAS
Business-focused UAS with study areas including international business, ICT, tourism, hotel and restaurant management, and sports coaching.
Metropolia University of Applied SciencesHelsinki, Espoo & Vantaa · UAS
Finland’s largest UAS, with capital-region campuses across business, culture, health and social services, technology, engineering, ICT and nursing.
Laurea University of Applied SciencesVantaa, Espoo, Helsinki & Porvoo · UAS
A capital-region UAS with practical study environments in business, nursing and health care, safety/security, cyber security, ICT and social services.
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak)Helsinki & several cities · UAS
People-centred education in social services, health care, diaconia and interpreting. Check the exact campus and language for the programme you choose.
Humak University of Applied SciencesHelsinki & several campuses · UAS
Specialises in community education, adventure and outdoor education, youth and NGO work, creative industries, work-community development and interpreting.
University of the Arts HelsinkiHelsinki · University
Finland’s specialist arts university: the Academy of Fine Arts, Sibelius Academy and Theatre Academy. Admission is often highly programme-specific.
University of HelsinkiHelsinki · University
A broad research university with English study opportunities across sciences, education, ICT, health, agriculture, social sciences, humanities and more.
Aalto UniversityEspoo · University
Otaniemi campus blends technology and engineering, business and economics, and arts and design. A strong choice for applicants interested in innovation, startups and interdisciplinary work.
Police University CollegeTampere · special public-sector institution
Specialist police education and research. Entry, language and citizenship-related requirements are programme-specific; do not treat it as a general English-taught UAS route.
Turku · Tampere · Lahti · Hämeenlinna · southwest and southern Finland
University of TurkuTurku · University
A multidisciplinary research university with strong links to medicine, health, business, education, technology, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Turku University of Applied SciencesTurku · UAS
Practice-oriented education in business, engineering, ICT, health and social services, education, culture and maritime-related fields.
Åbo Akademi UniversityTurku & Vaasa · University
A multidisciplinary university with Swedish as its main language of instruction, plus English-taught options in selected fields. Check language requirements carefully.
Tampere UniversityTampere · University
A multidisciplinary research university known for technology, engineering, health, education, business, social sciences and natural sciences.
Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)Tampere · UAS
A practical, industry-connected UAS in Finland’s major technology city, with study areas in engineering, ICT, business, health care, media, culture and services.
LAB University of Applied SciencesLahti & Lappeenranta · UAS
A practical institution focused on innovation, industry and commerce. English options are commonly connected to business, technology, health, culture and services; check the campus.
Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)Hämeenlinna & Häme region · UAS
A regional UAS with practical programmes in business, engineering, ICT, nursing, natural resources, climate-smart agriculture, construction and sustainability.
LUT UniversityLappeenranta & Lahti · University
A science and business university known for technology, energy, environmental solutions, sustainability, engineering and economics.
Jyväskylä · Vaasa · Pori · Seinäjoki · west and central Finland
University of JyväskyläJyväskylä · University
Strong in learning, education, wellbeing, natural sciences, psychology, sport and health, business, ICT, humanities and social sciences.
JAMK University of Applied SciencesJyväskylä · UAS
An international UAS with practical routes in business, engineering, automation and robotics, nursing, ICT, logistics, tourism and hospitality.
University of VaasaVaasa · University
Internationally oriented programmes in business, economics, technology, engineering and ICT, with strong connections to the Vaasa energy cluster.
Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMK)Vaasa · UAS
A practical, international UAS connected to the Vaasa energy and technology ecosystem; study areas include business, engineering, ICT and health.
Novia University of Applied SciencesTurku, Vaasa & other west-coast campuses · UAS
Multidisciplinary, practical education across business, engineering, health, maritime studies, natural resources, services and arts. Campus and language vary.
Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK)Pori & Rauma · UAS
An international west-coast UAS with practical programmes in business, engineering, health care, ICT, services and maritime-related studies.
Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK)Seinäjoki · UAS
A work-oriented regional UAS with strengths in business, engineering, food and agriculture, ICT, health, automation and entrepreneurship.
Oulu · Rovaniemi · Kajaani · Kuopio · Joensuu · eastern and northern Finland
University of OuluOulu · University
A science and technology university with English options across engineering, ICT, health, education, business and natural sciences. Oulu is a major northern technology hub.
Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk)Oulu · UAS
Northern UAS education in business, engineering, ICT, health and welfare, arts, media and culture, with a strong practical and technology focus.
University of LaplandRovaniemi · University
Finland’s Arctic university, combining art and design, education, law, social sciences, tourism research and Arctic expertise.
Lapland University of Applied SciencesRovaniemi, Kemi & Tornio · UAS
The EU’s northernmost UAS, with practical programmes in business, engineering, health, services, tourism, ICT and Arctic-related development.
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)Kajaani · UAS
Known for practical programmes in business, game development, software and AI, engineering, tourism, esports, health and nursing.
University of Eastern FinlandJoensuu & Kuopio · University
A broad university with English routes connected to public health, medicine, environmental and forest sciences, business, IT, education and law.
Savonia University of Applied SciencesKuopio, Iisalmi & Varkaus · UAS
A versatile UAS with practical fields in business, engineering, health care and ICT, linked to the industrial and health ecosystem of eastern Finland.
Karelia University of Applied SciencesJoensuu · UAS
A practical UAS where business, engineering and ICT students work with companies and institutions on development projects.
South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (Xamk)Kotka, Kouvola, Mikkeli & Savonlinna · UAS
A multi-campus UAS with links to business, engineering, health, forestry, maritime studies, logistics, ICT, culture and services.
Centria University of Applied SciencesKokkola & Pietarsaari · UAS
A west-coast UAS with English possibilities in business, ICT, engineering, chemical engineering, international business and nursing.
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Important: This directory is for choosing where to investigate. It does not mean every institution listed has an English-taught programme in the Autumn Joint Application. Open the official Studyinfo record and the institution’s own admissions page before you submit.
Your application checklistDo not press submit until these are ready
| Check | What to confirm | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Programme | Degree title, campus, January 2027 start, language and teaching format. | Studyinfo and institution page |
| Eligibility | Upper-secondary qualification for Bachelor’s; Bachelor’s degree for Master’s. UAS Master’s normally also requires two years of relevant work experience. | Programme admission criteria |
| Selection | International UAS Exam, SAT/GMAT, interview, certificate-based selection or another method. | Studyinfo and UASinfo |
| English | Whether IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge or another proof is accepted — and the exact score. | Programme requirements |
| Fee | Most non-EU/EEA/Swiss Bachelor’s and Master’s applicants pay a €100 application fee; exemptions exist. | Official fee guidance |
| Student life | Tuition, scholarship rules, rent, transport, health insurance and student residence-permit finances. | Study in Finland and Migri |
Common questionsBefore you choose a school
Can I choose six institutions?
You can choose up to six study options, which may be from different higher-education institutions and fields. In the autumn joint application, place them in your true preference order. The final offer follows the application rules and your results.
Does this autumn application start studies in September?
No. The current Autumn Joint Application described by Studyinfo is for programmes starting in January 2027. The January joint application is normally the main route for studies starting in autumn, but always follow the live official application period.
Is a university better than a UAS?
Neither is automatically better. Universities are research-oriented and UAS programmes are typically practical and closely linked to working life. Choose according to your learning style, career goal, programme curriculum and admission route.
Is the €100 application fee always required?
Applicants who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland generally pay the €100 fee for Bachelor’s or Master’s applications, but Studyinfo lists exemptions for certain citizenships and Finnish residence statuses. Check the official fee page for your situation.
Should I use an education agent?
You do not need an agent to apply through Studyinfo. If you use help, verify every claim against Studyinfo and the institution. Be cautious of anyone promising admission, a visa or a job in exchange for a large payment.
Your best application starts with research
Do not choose only a programme title. Choose a city, a learning environment and a realistic path to the life you want to build in Finland.
Open Autumn Joint Application →Search Studyinfo🎓 Finnish University Cities & Job Opportunities
Do not choose only a programme title. A practical starting point for choosing where to study, live and build a career.Read the full guie and know your city well.
Explore Finnis Cities here →Learn Finnish Free