How to apply in Finland's joint application via Studyinfo

Finland admits most international degree students through a national system: the joint application on Studyinfo.fi. You fill in one form, choose a small number of programmes, pay one fee and upload documents. The window is only two weeks long and attachments follow soon after, so preparation in November and December decides the outcome.

This guide covers the January 2027 round for studies starting in autumn 2027. For costs, work rights and post-study options, see our Finland country guide.

What you need before you start

Gather these before Christmas. The joint application window is too short to request documents from Pakistan once it opens.

• Passport (valid well beyond your intended start date)
• Bachelor's degree and transcripts, or a current transcript and expected-completion letter
• Officially certified translations for anything not in English, Finnish or Swedish
• English test result if the programme requires one (check each programme's list of accepted tests and exemptions)
• CV, motivation letter and any programme-specific assignments or video tasks
• A card for the €100 application fee
• A realistic budget for tuition and €9,600 of living costs (Step 6)

Step 1: Choose programmes and check how many you can list

Shortlist programmes on Studyinfo.fi and on university websites, then check how many choices your round allows. Tampere University, for example, allows two programmes at the same time in its master's round; other rounds differ.

Pay attention to:

• Eligibility: Finnish universities are strict about the field of your previous degree.
• Selection: many programmes score you on grades, motivation letter and sometimes an entrance assignment or interview.
• Tuition: fees for non-EU/EEA students are set by each university and programme. Check the exact figure on the programme page. Doctoral education is handled differently; see our funded PhD guide.

Universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu) offer more practical, work-oriented degrees. Research universities are more theoretical. Both can be a sound choice depending on your career plan.

Step 2: Mark the dates

For autumn 2027 entry, the main window is 7–21 January 2027, but several universities open their English-taught master's rounds earlier. Always check the exact programme.

Finland also runs smaller rounds in autumn for studies starting in January. If you miss January 2027, check whether any rolling or later rounds exist for your field, but do not plan on it.

Step 3: Fill in the Studyinfo application

Create your application on Studyinfo.fi, select your programmes in order of preference and submit before the closing time. The form is in English and asks for your personal details, previous education and programme choices.

Practical advice:

• Do not wait for the last hour. The deadline is 15:00 Finnish time, which is 18:00 in Pakistan in January.
• Enter your previous degree exactly as on your certificate.
• If your degree is not yet complete, say so and give the expected completion date.

Step 4: Pay the €100 fee on time

Applicants from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland pay a €100 application fee. You pay after submitting, by the deadline in the automatic email Studyinfo sends you. If you miss that deadline, your application is deactivated and you would have to submit a new one and pay again.

Some residence-permit holders are exempt; rules on exemptions differ between institutions, so check Studyinfo and your university's page rather than assuming.

Step 5: Upload attachments and complete assignments

Upload your degree, transcripts, translations, language proof and any programme-specific material by the attachment deadline. Late attachments are generally not considered.

Pakistan-specific points:

• Document format: universities state whether they accept scans or need certified copies. Some ask for documents to be verified later on arrival.
• HEC attestation: not always required at the application stage, but often needed later. Doing it early removes a common delay. See our HEC and MOFA attestation guide.
• Motivation letter: Finnish reviewers value specific, honest writing over decoration. Our statement of purpose guide explains how to structure it.

Step 6: Apply for a tuition scholarship and plan your money

Most scholarships for non-EU students in Finland are tuition waivers from the university itself, and many are applied for in the same Studyinfo form or by a separate early deadline. They typically cover part or all of the fee for the first year, with conditions for continuing in later years.

Tampere University, for example, links some scholarship and early-bird offers to accepting your study place by set dates in spring 2027. Read the terms carefully: a waiver that covers half the fee still leaves a large bill.

Then calculate what Migri will want to see:

Migri requires a bank statement covering the past six months in an account in your own name. Sponsorship agreements from relatives, friends or employers are not accepted, though money can come from family into your account; you may be asked to show its origin. Our proof of funds guide explains how to build a clean six-month history.

Step 7: Accept your place and apply for the Migri permit

When results arrive, accept your study place on Studyinfo by the deadline, pay tuition or confirm your waiver, and then apply for a residence permit for studies on Enter Finland, Migri's online service. Apply as early as possible: Finnish permits must be granted before you travel.

After submitting online you prove your identity at a Finnish mission or its service provider; check the current location for Pakistani applicants on Migri's website, since Finland's visa services for Pakistan are not always handled in Islamabad.

If your spouse or children will come with you, budget for Migri's family income table. In the Helsinki area it adds €610 per month for a second adult, €610 for the first child, €480 for the second and €360 for each further child; elsewhere in Finland the requirement is 10–15% lower. The Finnish government has also consulted on tighter rules for students' families, so check the current position before planning. See our guide on bringing your spouse and children.

Common mistakes

• Confusing rounds. The September round is for January starts; the January round is for autumn starts.
• Missing the fee email. The €100 deadline is separate from the application deadline.
• Uploading a transcript without a translation. Unofficial translations are usually rejected.
• Using a parent's account. Migri wants funds in your own account with six months of history.
• Counting the waiver as cash. A tuition waiver reduces tuition; it does not reduce the €9,600 living-cost requirement.
• Ranking a "safe" programme first. List the programme you actually want first.

Talk it through with us

Finland suits applicants who want a calm, high-quality system and are prepared for a strict, document-heavy process. If you would like us to check your shortlist, your eligibility for specific programmes or your funding plan, book a free 30-minute call with Visarole.