Finland intakes and application dates

Most Finnish degrees start in the autumn, and you apply on Studyinfo.fi. Your residence permit comes after you have a study place, so the university application is the first step.

The two intakes

• Autumn (September start): the main intake. The joint application is held every January. In 2025 it ran from 8 to 22 January.
• January start: only a small number of programmes. The joint application usually opens from late August to mid-September. For studies starting in January 2027 it ran from 31 August to 10 September 2026.

Some programmes accept applications outside the joint application periods. For autumn starts these often fall between late November or early December and late January, and some universities use rolling admissions over several months. Always check each programme's own dates.

How to apply

• Apply online at Studyinfo.fi. There is no application fee.
• In one joint application you can choose up to six degree programmes.
• A bachelor's needs upper secondary certificates that qualify you for higher education in your home country. A master's needs a completed university-level bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• A master's at a university of applied sciences also needs at least two years of work experience in the field after your bachelor's.

Working back from your start date

1. 1

   Choose up to six programmes

   Search the Studyinfo.fi database and read each programme's application dates and entry rules.

2. 2

   Apply in the application period

   Submit your application and documents before the closing time.

3. 3

   Accept your study place

   Then prepare your bank funds and health insurance for the residence permit.

4. 4

   Apply for the student residence permit

   Apply online to Migri. See our visa guide for the documents and fee.

Official sources

• Study in Finland: how to apply
• Study in Finland: joint application for January 2027
• Migri: studying in Finland