Finances for exchange students

Average living expenses in Turku are about €600–900 per month. You need to cover your living expenses independently.

As a student, you can get discounts on student lunches, public transport and many cultural activities, such as museums and theatres. Student union membership is obligatory for Master's Degree students, voluntary for the exchange students, and the students will get the student discount as being the member of the student union.

For example (last updated Feburary 2025):

• Meals cost 2,95 € in student cafeterias with a student card.
• A one way bus ticket: 3,15 €, 4,50 € by cash
  • With a bus card (student priced) for the local buses costs 40 €/month.
• The CampusSport fee (optional) for the whole Academic Year 2025-2026 is 85 € and 56 € for one semester.

Cost of living per month:

The Starting Package for exchange students is 80 € and includes a 45 € deposit which will be refunded if all the items are returned clean and in good condition. This package contains some useful household items such as plates, cups, curtains, pillow, blanket etc. (This service is optional and only for the members of the Student Union.)

If you come from a non-EU/EEA country, you need to prove that you have sufficient funds for living when applying for a student residence permit. You need to show that you have at least €560 per month for the duration of your studies (Please notice! The income thresholds will increase to 800 €/month starting on November 1 2024.) This is the absolute minimum required by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Student accommodation in Turku is provided by the Student Village Foundation of Turku. You can apply for an apartment after you have received your letter of acceptance. There are apartments available in many parts of the city of Turku.

The monthly rental costs vary depending on the size and type of the apartment. Single rooms in a shared apartment are usually cheaper than single apartments. Also family apartments are available, but the costs are higher. The rental costs of the Student Village Foundation are usually a bit cheaper than on the open market.

For example, a one bedroom apartment in the Student Village area costs approximately €290–450 per month. A room in a shared apartment in the Student Village area costs approximately €250 per month. Whereas a room in a shared apartment in other TYS areas costs approximately €230 per month.

Depending on the housing provider there may be an additional 60 € admission fee (paid only once) and a deposit fee (250€ -500€). The deposit fee will be paid from the home country, and it will be returned to the student at the end of the study period.

Other housing options.

Students get meals for reduced price at student cafeterias. The average cost is 2,95€ / meal. 

See the selection of student cafeterias and their menus

Read our student blog to find out more about student cafeterias!

Check an useful video about student restaurants and grocery stores in Turku by our UTUambassador Tolga!

Examples of prices in grocery store (August 2023):

• There are no tuition fees for exchange students coming to the University of Turku under student exchange agreements.
• Some degree students pay tuition fees from 2017 onwards. This does not apply to citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
• Membership of the Student Union is 55 € / Academic Year or 27,5 € / Semester (autumn and spring semester). The membership fee of the Student Union is obligatory for degree students but voluntary for exchange students. Nevertheless, it is recommended for all because of the excellent benefits.
• Master's and Bachelor's degree students are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) and must pay a healthcare fee to Kela once per term. You do not have to pay the healthcare fee if you have social security coverage from another EU/EEA country or from Switzerland or the United Kingdom. In 2024, the fee is 36,80 € per term.
• The student card - you can download the Tuudo App after paying the Student Union Membership fee. It will take few days before your payment information is transferred from the UTU study register to Tuudo.
• Books and materials are usually available in the libraries. If the library only has few copies of a book, you may need to acquire the material some other way, such as buying it from a bookstore or second-hand. 

Many students in Finland finance their studies with part-time jobs. However, you should not completely rely on finding a job and being able to finance your living that way. Finding a job requires activity and initiative and many employers require their staff to know Finnish. Unlike in many countries, job opportunities in campus are uncommon.

The Career Services of the University of Turku advises and assists you at key stages of the job-seeking process. City of Turku also provides help and information for job-seekers.

• Career after studies - information and resources to develop your career prospects alread during studies
• Career Services for the University of Turku (intranet)
• Public employment and business services
• Osaamispiste in Turku - knowledge centre for immigrants
• Careers in Southwest Finland (Job openings where Finnish language skills are not mandatory)
• How to Get a Part-time Job as an International Student in Turku? (A blog post written by our student Tianrui)
• Unlock your potential - How UTU Career Services can help you (A blog post written by our student Oshani)
• My story: How Strategic Volunteering Paved the Way to a Career at the University of Turku (A blog post written by our student Kristaps)