Scholarship in Finland Without IELTS 2026 | Fully Funded. Apply for fully funded scholarships here. Are you looking for a prestigious scholarship in Europe? Finland, renowned for having one of the world’s best education systems, offers remarkable opportunities for international students to pursue their Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees. A common question among aspiring scholars is: “Can I study in Finland without IELTS and still secure a fully funded scholarship?” The good news is, absolutely! By strategically targeting university-specific funding and leveraging language waivers, you can make your dream of studying abroad in the Nordics a reality for the 2026 intake. This comprehensive guide will show you how to navigate the application process to maximize your chance of receiving a tuition fee waiver and even an additional grant for living expenses, turning your educational ambition into a high-value career investment.
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🔍 Types of Finland Scholarships for 2026
While the Finnish Government does not offer a unified “fully funded” scholarship for Bachelor’s or Master’s students, many individual universities provide highly generous schemes that come very close, primarily to attract top non-EU/EEA international students.
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University-Specific Tuition Fee Waivers: This is the most common and vital type. Prestigious institutions like the University of Helsinki, Aalto University, Tampere University, and the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) offer waivers covering 50% to 100% of the tuition fee. Securing a 100% tuition waiver is your first step towards a virtually fully funded opportunity.
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Finland Scholarships: This is a separate scholarship for non-EU/EEA students awarded by Finnish universities, offering a full tuition fee waiver for the first year and a €5,000 relocation grant to cover initial living expenses. This type is generally highly merit-based and targets the highest-achieving students.
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Departmental/Program Grants: Some specific, high-value Master’s programs—especially in technology, engineering, and business intelligence—may offer additional grants or stipends for living costs (sometimes up to €7,000 per year) based on exceptional academic merit. These grants help cover living expenses, contributing significantly to a fully funded package.
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✅ Your Path to Eligibility (Simplified Criteria)
To be considered for these highly competitive merit-based scholarships in Finland, you generally must meet the following criteria, with specific focus on bypassing the IELTS requirement:
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Non-EU/EEA Citizenship: These scholarships are exclusively for students from outside the European Union/European Economic Area, as EU/EEA students do not pay tuition fees.
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Academic Excellence: You must hold a strong academic record, typically with a high GPA from your previous degree. Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of your admission application.
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Admission to a Degree Program: You must have applied and received an unconditional or conditional offer for a Bachelor’s or Master’s program taught in English at a participating Finnish university.
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📝 How to Study in Finland Without IELTS:
While English proficiency is mandatory, you can often secure a language waiver or use alternatives to the standard IELTS or TOEFL tests:
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Previous Education in English: If your previous Bachelor’s or Master’s degree was taught entirely in English, you can often provide a letter from your former institution confirming the English as Medium of Instruction (MOI). This is the most common way to get an IELTS waiver.
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Alternative Tests: Many universities accept other recognized tests like PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, or Duolingo English Test (check university-specific lists).
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Successful Interview: Some Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) and a few research universities may waive the test requirement if you perform exceptionally well in a mandatory admissions interview, where your English speaking and comprehension skills are assessed.
🚀 Application Process and Required Documents
The scholarship application in Finland is often seamless, as it is integrated directly into the university admission application. No separate application is typically required for the main tuition waivers.
1. The Application Process
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Choose Your Program: Select a degree program from a university that explicitly offers scholarships for international students.
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Apply for Admission: Submit your application through the national portal, Studyinfo.fi, or directly to the university’s system during the application window (check deadlines below).
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Apply for the Scholarship: On the same application form for admission, there will usually be a dedicated section or checkbox to indicate that you wish to be considered for the University’s Scholarship or Tuition Fee Waiver. Crucially, check this box!
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Assessment: Your scholarship eligibility is assessed based on the same documents and academic merit used for your admission decision.
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2. Essential Documents
Be prepared to upload high-quality scans of the following documents:
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Official Academic Transcripts and Diplomas: Proof of your academic history and degree completion.
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Proof of English Proficiency: Either an accepted test score (IELTS/TOEFL alternative) or an MOI (Medium of Instruction) letter from your previous university.
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Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlighting research, work experience, and publications (especially for Master’s programs).
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Letter of Motivation/Personal Statement: A powerful essay explaining your academic goals and why you deserve the financial aid. Use terms like “professional development” and “return on investment” to appeal to the scholarship committee.
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Copy of Passport: For non-EU/EEA identity verification.
🗓️ Important Dates and Deadlines (2026 Intake)
The main application periods for Finnish universities are typically as follows. These dates apply to both admission and the integrated scholarship application:
| Action/Deadline | Common Dates (Approximate) |
| First Joint Application Period | January 7 – January 21, 2026 (Mainly for studies starting in Autumn) |
| Second Joint Application Period | March – April 2026 (Check university for program availability) |
| Separate Applications/Rolling Admissions | Varies by University/UAS; can open earlier/later. |
| Scholarship Decision | Usually announced alongside the Admission Acceptance Letter. |
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are fully funded Finnish government scholarships available for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees?
A: No. The claims of a central, fully funded Finnish government scholarship for these levels are generally misleading. However, the combination of a 100% Tuition Fee Waiver plus a €5,000 Finland Scholarship Grant (offered by the universities themselves) results in a package that is very close to fully funded, providing strong educational investment.
Q2: What is the minimum GPA/Percentage needed for a tuition fee waiver?
A: While there is no official minimum, since these are highly merit-based scholarships for non-EU/EEA students, you should aim for the highest possible academic standing. A GPA in the top 10% of your graduating class is generally competitive.
Q3: If I get a 100% tuition fee waiver, what costs do I still have to cover?
A: You will still need to cover your living expenses (rent, food, travel, insurance). The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) requires applicants for a student residence permit to prove they have at least €6,720 per year (€560 per month) available. This is where the €5,000 Finland Scholarship grant is extremely helpful.
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🌐 Official Website Links
Official Finnish National Study Portal:
Study in Finland Official Website
Official Finnish Higher Education Application Portal:
visit the official website of the Finland Government Scholarship. You can check the procedure (How to apply).
- 2# The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool: Visit Here
3# The EDUFI Fellowship Program in Finland for Researchers: Visit Here
You can apply for the fellowship grant at any time. Please send the application to us at least five months before the planned start of the fellowship.
- 4. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship: Visit Here
- 5# The University of Helsinki scholarship: Visit Here
List of Scholarships in Finland:
There are the scholarships below offered by the Finland Universities and Scholarships in Finland Without IELTS 2026 | Fully Funded | Free Study in Finland Pool.