- Non‑EU/EEA students generally pay between €8,000–18,000/year for English-taught master’s programs’
- Technical fields like Software Engineering typically fall in the mid to upper range—around €10,000–15,000 per year .
- University of Helsinki programs, for example, charge roughly €13,000–18,000/year depending on the specific track .
Living Expenses (Monthly Breakdown)
Based on guidance from Study in Finland:
- Official requirement: €800/month, but a realistic student budget falls in the range of €900–1,000/month
- Rent:
- Student dorms/shared rooms: €240–380/month
- Private/shared flats: €400–700/month depending on city
- Food & Groceries: €180–250/month
- Transport:
- Student monthly pass: €35–60/month
- Utilities & Internet: ~€84–120/month
- Miscellaneous (entertainment, study materials): ~€100–150/month
- Total monthly costs: ~€900–1,200/month, with minor variations by city.
One-Time & Annual Costs
- Application fee: €100 via national portal
- Student union & health service fees: €50–70 annual membership + ~€70/year for student healthcare
- Insurance: €300–600/year
- Study materials & miscellaneous: €200–500/year
- Initial setup (deposit, furnishings, SIM, winter gear): approx. €800–1,500 (one-time)
Annual Budget Summary
| Cost Component | Estimated Annual Cost (€) |
| Tuition (Software Engineering) | €10,000–15,000 |
| Living expenses (€900–1,000/mo) | €10,800–12,000 |
| Insurance + Health Fees | €370–670 |
| Student Union + Materials | €250–570 |
| Initial Setup (one‑time) | €800–1,500 |
| Total Year 1 | €22,220 – €28,740 (~PKR 5.4–7M) |
| Subsequent years | €21,420 – €27,240 (minus setup) |
Scholarships & Financial Support
- Many Finnish institutions (e.g., Aalto University, University of Helsinki, University of Turku) offer merit-based scholarships that may cover partial or full tuition
- Government-funded scholarships like Finland Scholarship also offer coverage plus €5,000 relocation grants
- Agreements are often managed via the university admission portal (e.g., Studyinfo.fi, Study in Finland)
Working Part-Time & Student Aid
- Students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week during semester—ideal for offsetting living costs .
- Finnish Kela student aid (grants, loans, housing subsidy) is not available to non-EU/EEA/migrant students
- Many students rely on part-time jobs or scholarships; budgeting should not presume job income.
Final Take
A Master’s in Software Engineering in Finland is a notable investment:
- Tuition: €10k–15k/year
- Living expenses: €10.8k–12k/year
- Total 1st-year: €22.2k–28.7k
However, this investment brings access to high-quality education, strong tech ecosystems, and part-time earning potential. Plus, scholarships from top universities can significantly reduce the total cost.