Frequently asked questions

• are Finnish or EU citizens,
• have a residence permit card for a family member of an EU citizen in Finland, 
• have a European Union Blue Card, 
• have a continuous residence permit (A) granted on grounds other than studies. If a person's residence permit type has changed from a continuous residence permit granted on the basis of studies to a continuous residence permit granted on another basis, the person is still required to pay the application fee.
• have a permanent Finnish residence permit 
• have a long-term resident’s EU residence permit,
• are under temporary protection in Finland.

Scholarships are not available for first-year students, so there are no scholarship requirements in the admission process.

The University of Turku Merit Scholarship is available for students who have paid for their studies during their first year(s) of studies at the University of Turku. The scholarship is awarded based to all students who fulfill the credit and grade requirements. There is a separate application process for the merit scholarships. The admission services of the University will invite all eligible applicants to apply for the scholarship when the application round opens in spring.

The University offers an Early Bird discount of 2000 euros for master’s degree applicants who accept their study offer and pay the tuition fee within a set timeframe. 

> Read more about the tuition fees, the Merit Scholarship and the Early Bird discount!

Most Finnish universities have their international programmes in the national Joint Application in January. In the Joint Application you can apply to max. six (6) programmes. Of those six, max. three (3) can be programmes of the University of Turku. Please note that you can submit only one application – if you submit several, only the last one will be taken into consideration and all others will be deleted.

In addition, some universities may have their own separate applications at the same time with the Joint Application or at some other time. You can apply in the Joint Application + in separate application(s). You can also be offered several study places. However please note that you can only accept one study place beginning in the same semester. Accepting the study place is always binding.  Also note that the deadlines for accepting the study place can be different depending on the University and application.

Please see the full admission requirements for each programme on Studyinfo.fi. You can reach the full admission requirements through a link on each programme’s own page on the University’s website. The admission requirements include the general eligibility requirements, as well as programme-specific admission requirements. The programme-specific requirements include information about, for example, if your previous degree should be from a specific field in order to be considered eligible.

Please note that Higher National Diplomas (HND) and post-graduate diplomas are not considered equivalent to bachelor's degrees (or master's) and thus they are not accepted,

The country-specific experts at our Admission office will check your eligibility (institutional accreditation and ECTS correspondence) during the application period in detail. Specific answers regarding an individual applicant’s eligibility will not be given outside the application process.

Yes, you can. Your possible admittance is conditional until you submit proof of your graduation to University of Turku. Proof of graduation must reach University of Turku by 11 August 2026. Please see the country specific requirements on how to send the documents.

If you apply for a Bachelor's degree programme, you need to attach either your latest transcript of records, or a statement from your school stating the expected date of graduation.

If you apply for a Master's degree programme, you must attach your most recent transcript of records in the application form during the application period. 

The University of Turku does not offer bridging or preparatory/premaster programmes. All applicants must be eligible to continue their studies in a research university without attending a bridging or a preparatory/premaster programme. Eligibility requirements of the University of Turku must be met at the time of the application. It is not possible to supplement your previous qualification or your English language proficiency during the studies to meet these requirements.   

Yes, you can. There are no age limits and also those who have graduated a long time ago are welcome to apply.

You are exempt from taking an English language test if you have a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) or an equivalent degree in an English-language programme in an EU/EEA country or one of the following countries:

• Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Dominica, Cameroon, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Dominica, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, South Africa, United Kingdom, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Zimbabwe, Zambia.

No, that is not possible. There is only one application period per year and we can’t accept applications outside that application period.

During the application period, we require only scans of the original documents, and their possible translations, attached to the application form. Please note that

• translations given by a translator are not enough without the original documents.
• certified true copies are not considered as originals unless given by the awarding institution or Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
• Diploma Supplement (DS, used mostly in Europe) can be accepted as a transcript of records and, if given in English, a translation of the transcript and of the degree certificate, if it contains all the required information. However, in addition to DS you need to submit also the original degree certificate.

Documents submitted according to the country-specific requirements are required only if you are admitted and accept the study place. In that case, you should submit them by the end of May.

Please watch our video tutorial on how to fill in the application form here.

Yes,the University of Turku has two international bachelor's degree programmes: Information and Communication Technology within the Faculty of Technology, and Sustainable and Social Entrepreneurship within Turku School of Economics.

Yes, you can. Please check the UTU Graduate School’s website.

If you are fluent in Finnish you can. You need to prove your Finnish language skills with a certificate when you apply and take part in a written entrance exam in Finnish. You can find application instructions and information e.g. on language requirements here. Information only available in Finnish.

Full degree programmes in Medicine/Dentistry at the undergraduate level are only available in Finnish at the University of Turku. You would need to speak Finnish fluently in order to apply. Note that Finnish universities do not offer any language preparation year options; you should be fluent in Finnish already when applying.

No, unfortunately it is not possible to transfer to the University of Turku from another institution abroad. The only way to become a degree student at UTU is to apply to our degree programmes from the start.

Bachelor's and Master's degree students get the admission offers in March/April (depending on the year in question). After receiving an admission offer, you need to

1. Accept the study place at Studyinfo by the deadline given in your letter, most likely in July. For master's degree applicants who are liable to pay tuition fees, there is a specific deadline to get an Early Bird discount. Note that you may accept only one offer of admission to a study programme leading to a higher education degree in Finland in education that begins in the same academic term, and it is not possible to alter the confirmation once done at Studyinfo.
2. Provide your verified educational degree documents to the Admission Services by the deadline. Usually the deadline is in May for students with a complete degree and in August for students applying with an incomplete degree.
3. Pay the possible tuition fee by 31 July according to the instructions in your admission letter. If you do not need to pay tuition fees, you can proceed to registration.
4. After accepting the study place, you need to register with the University by paying the Student Union membership fee. Registration is possible from around mid-May (for newly admitted students, for students who have deferred their study place registration opens 1 June) and must be done by 31 August at the latest. You will receive an e-mail about this with instructions.

Remember also:

• Pay the compulsory Student Health Care fee directly to Kela once per term (autumn term 15 November and spring term 15 March) either with Finnish online banking credentials or as a bank transfer.

Accepting the study place is done online at Studyinfo, and once done, it cannot be altered later. You can accept only one study place leading to a higher education degree in Finland per semester. If you have applied for several programmes/universities and get admitted to more than one, you have to choose which study place you accept. Read more about admission.

If you have accepted your study place and you change your mind, it is possible to forfeit your study right with a notification to the Study Registry located in Student Centre Disco.

There are no scholarships available for first-year students. 

The University of Turku Merit Scholarship is awarded based on studies at the University of Turku and the programme the student has been admitted to. Students who have paid for their studies during their first year(s) of studies at the University of Turku are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

In order to receive the scholarship, the student must apply for the scholarship and fullfill the following requirements. All students who fulfill these requirements will be awarded a scholarship for the following academic year.

> Read more about the University of Turku Merit Scholarship

Regarding your specialisation track, please be in touch with your programme coordinator. The email address can be found in the admission offer letter. 

The deadline for providing the original documents is 31 May. Read more information about providing the original documents.

If you have applied with an incomplete degree in January:

• Proof of your graduation must reach University of Turku by 11 August. Proof of graduation can be sent to us different ways depending on the country where the degree was completed. Read the country specific information here. If you were accepted conditionally, it’s written in your admission offer, which you received in April.

If you arrive to Turku before the deadline for providing the original documents, you can bring the original documents in person to the Student Centre Disco (on the University Hill). However, depending on the country, you might have to arrange your documents to be delivered directly to us in a specific way, so please read the instructions and country-specific requirements carefully.

If you have any problems with your documents, please be in touch with us: admissions@utu.fi

The orientation is usually held at the end of August on campus. We recommend you to arrive in Turku well in advance to get settled in before the orientation and the studies start.

During the first weeks, your student tutor will help you with all the practicalities. Please note, that most of the housing providers lease the apartments for whole months, so it is likely that you have your accommodation available from the beginning of the month.

Yes, you can. For more information, please check the Finnish Immigration Services website for student’s family members.

If you have children, please find information about how to enroll your children in daycare or school.

Also, we highly recommend you contact the advisors of International House Turku, a counselling service offerred free-of-charge by the City of Turku, they can instruct you about many things about moving to Finland with your family or spouse.

Yes, you can. Keep in mind that all our degree programmes require full-time studying, and you will not have time to simultaneously work full-time. Also, your residence permit might restrict the number of hours you can work per week. Please find more information on the Finnish Immigration Services website. Many Finnish and international students work alongside their studies, mostly in the hospitality and cleaning industries. There are several job portals in Finland where you can search for jobs yourself.

However, you should not completely rely on finding a job and being able to finance your living that way. The University can’t offer part-time jobs for students, and unlike in many countries, job opportunities on campus are uncommon. Finding a job requires activity and initiative and many employers require their staff to know Finnish.

The UTU Career Services (Rekry) can help you to start your career in Finland after you have started your studies. On the career after studies website you can find information and resources to develop your career prospects already during studies.

The University has a website dedicated to Financial Matters, which also includes some information on working alongside your studies.

No, but we offer the University of Turku Merit Scholarship for students who have paid for their studies during their first year(s) of studies at the University of Turku. In order to receive the scholarship, the student must apply for the scholarship and fullfill the following requirements. All students who fulfill these requirements will be awarded a scholarship for the following academic year.

The University only occasionally has open vacancies that can be applied to by students. Open vacancies are announced through the University’s website and intranet, as well as through e-mail. Whether employment or internship, the student is responsible for searching for the position independently.

We have collected some information on financial matters and average living expenses. In general, you should have minimum 800 €/month/person in your use. This amount covers only the most necessary costs and does not include leisure activities.

Yes, if you are not from an EU/EEA country. To be precise, you will need a residence permit (a visa is needed only if you plan to stay for less than 90 days in Finland). Please check the Finnish Immigration Service’s website.

EU/EEA citizens do not need a residence permit to Finland.

For information about registration of the right of residence of a citizen of the European Union, see the Migri website.

We recommend starting the residence permit process immediately after receiving the admission letter. Please contact Migri, the Finnish Immigration Office, to get instructions.

We have gathered some information about the residence permit on the University's website, but unfortunately, the University has no power regarding the visas or residence permits and can’t influence the process.

Regarding questions about the health insurance and residence permit, please contact Migri. Find more info about the insurance requirements on the Migri website.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you do not need to take out other insurance. By presenting the European Health Insurance Card, you can prove your right to necessary medical treatment in another EU or EEA country and in Switzerland. Your card must be valid for the duration of your stay in Finland.

The housing situation in Turku is relatively good and student apartments are easy walking, cycling or a bus ride distance from the campus.

The University of Turku cannot, unfortunately, guarantee or arrange housing for students. Please apply for housing well in advance, observing the deadlines set by individual housing providers.

Read more about housing in Turku and living expenses in Finland.

The University does not directly provide accommodation to its students. Students are responsible for seeking accommodation for themselves on time. However, in Turku, the Turku Student Village Foundation (TYS) provides affordable quality housing for students. It is easy to apply for housing with TYS by filling in the apartment application on their website.

For other housing options, please see the University’s website on housing.

The health care fee is compulsory for most of the students and must be paid directly to Kela once per term (spring term 15 March and autumn term 15 November).

Students who have social security coverage from another EU/EEA country or from Switzerland or the United Kingdom do not have to pay the healthcare fee. Read more about how you should proceed if you have social security coverage in another EU/EAA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

In 2025, the student healthcare fee in higher education is EUR 35.60 per term.

The University of Turku does not offer distance learning (online) studies at the moment. Studying in the international degree programmes at the University of Turku requires being present in Turku/Rauma for the contact teaching conducted on campus.

If you wish to know whether your degree programme offers any studies that you can do online or remotely, please contact your degree programme coordinator directly and ask them. The contact details can be found in your admission offer letter or on your programme’s webpage: go to utu.fi/degrees and click your programme’s name.

Please find more information on the academic year, grading and credits, and the degree system on our website. If you would like to know more about the contact hours vs. independent work, or anything else regarding the studies in your programme, we recommend you to be in touch with your programme and your student tutor(s).

The University’s Centre for Language and Communication Studies provides language studies to the University community. Some Finnish studies are included in every international degree programme as mandatory courses, and you can sign up for extra courses, too. These will be introduced during the international orientation every August.

It is also possible to include other language courses in your degree. Regarding this, please be in touch with your student tutor and your programme and check the webpage of the Centre for Language and Communication Studies.

In Finland, people speak very good English and you will have no problem doing your studies and living your everyday life purely in English. However, getting to know the local language can help you to know the people and the culture better.  

Our graduates are able to find employment in Finland and abroad. The degree is globally recognized and respected. If you plan to settle in Finland, you should start learning Finnish early. There are opportunities for doctoral studies, and plenty of support for entrepreneurs.

There are a lot of student activities and possible hobbies for students in Turku. You can read more on our website, and please visit also the Study in Turku website - a website of the city of Turku with more information on what this city has to offer for students!

You can also ask about the student life from your tutors or chat with our student ambassadors!

Turku as a student city provides various activities for you to do in your free time. Turku is surrounded by beautiful nature, you can take a walk by the Aura river, visit the University of Turku’s Botanical Garden, or have a barbeque with friends at Ruissalo beach. Join our various student and recreational organisations they host numerous events for students. CampusSport offers sports services for students including dancing classes, indoor cycling, running, combat sports, and many more. Enjoy many student discounts, immerse yourself in culture at the various theatre, concerts, museums, and libraries. Always check out the City of Turku's website to know what events are going on in town.