University of Turku Scholarships for International Students (2026)

By Atif Bashir | Published October 16, 2025 | 9:03 pm | 173 views

If you’re considering studying in Finland, the University of Turku (UTU) offers some great opportunities for international students beginning in 2026. From merit-based awards to special discounts, UTU is making it easier and more affordable for students from all over the world to pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in a broad range of fields.

About the University of Turku

Founded in 1920, UTU is located in Southwest Finland. It enjoys a strong reputation for research, international outlook, and quality education.
The university offers many English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes in fields such as technology, health sciences, economics, social sciences, humanities, etc.
It has excellent infrastructure, modern facilities, and a supportive environment for global students.

Tuition Fees & Who Pays Them

Students from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. These fees vary depending on the faculty and the degree programme.
Examples of Master’s programme tuition fees (2026): about €10,000-€12,000/year for faculties such as Education, Humanities, Science, Technology, Medicine, Social Sciences, etc.
For Bachelor’s programmes, similar ranges apply—usually around €10,000/year for most programmes.

Exemptions from Tuition Fees

Some students are exempt from paying these fees. These include:

Holders of the EU Blue Card or permanent residence permit in Finland
Those with continuous residence permit (type A) for reasons other than just studies
Individuals with an EU family member’s residence card or under temporary protection status
Exchange students or those enrolled in doctoral (PhD) programmes

Scholarship & Financial Support Options

UTU provides several scholarship and discount options to help reduce financial burdens. These include:

1. Early Bird Discount

Available to newly admitted Master’s students.
If you accept the offer and pay your first-year tuition within a set deadline, you get a €2,000 discount on that first year.
This is helpful especially if you can arrange your finances early and avoid delays.

2. University of Turku Merit Scholarship

Aimed at students who perform well academically during their studies at UTU.
Master’s students who qualify can have 50% of their second-year tuition fees waived.
Bachelor’s students can receive a 50% waiver for tuition fees in their second and third years.

Requirements tend to include:

Completing at least 55 ECTS credits in an academic year
Maintaining an average grade of 3.0/5.0 or above
Having completed at least 4 ECTS in Finnish language before applying
Note: Eligible students are typically invited to apply each spring

3. Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award

For U.S. citizens pursuing Master’s or PhD level studies at UTU.
Offers full tuition fee waiver for the programme duration.
Also includes a monthly grant of €1,000, which helps with living costs.

What Tuition Covers

When you pay tuition (or after a scholarship/waiver), you still gain access to many services and benefits at UTU:

A large number of English-taught courses (400+ in many subjects)
Language courses (Finnish, English, and other languages such as Chinese, Japanese, French, etc.)
Extensive library access (both physical and digital collections)
24/7 IT services, Microsoft Office tools, etc.
Sports and fitness facilities via CampusSport (with modest annual fees)
Health services, student union membership, discounts (e.g. meals), etc.

These privileges make the student life experience richer, beyond just academics.

Eligibility & Application Process

Here’s how to know if you qualify and how to apply:

Nationality: Scholarships are open to students from all nationalities. Anyone who is accepted into eligible UTU degree programmes can apply (unless restricted by specific scholarship terms).
Academic performance: Many scholarships use metrics like completed credits (ETCS), grade averages, and other academic indicators.
Language skills: For certain scholarships (e.g. Merit Scholarship), some Finnish language learning (e.g. 4 ECTS) is required before applying.

Steps to Apply

First, apply to your desired Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at UTU.
If your programme requires a tuition fee, pay your first-year tuition (unless you qualify for exemption).
If eligible, apply for the Merit Scholarship in spring (the university usually sends invitations).
For U.S. students interested in the Fulbright-UTU Graduate Award, apply through the Fulbright Finland Foundation.

Living Costs & Other Practical Tips

Finland generally has a high cost of living. For Turku, it’s recommended to budget at least €800/month for essentials like housing, food, transport, insurance etc.
UTU doesn’t manage most student housing directly. However, there are options such as affordable student apartments via the Turku Student Village Foundation (TYS).
Students outside EU/EEA may also need to consider visa, residence permit, and health insurance requirements.

FAQs & Common Concerns

Application fee: Non-EU/EEA applicants usually pay an application fee (e.g. around €100) for degree programmes. Exemptions can apply in certain cases (EU/EEA citizens, some residence permit holders).
Working while studying: International students are allowed to have part-time jobs, though full-time commitment to studies is expected. Language skills can help in finding better work.
Does UTU provide accommodation? Not directly. Student housing is arranged via external student housing organizations (like TYS).

Why These Scholarships Are Worth It

Reducing financial burden: With merit scholarships and discounts, the cost of tuition (and indirectly, the cost of living) becomes more manageable.
Encouragement to excel: The Merit Scholarship rewards continued academic achievement, pushing students to maintain good performance.
Access to full range of services: Even if part of costs are waived, students still get access to libraries, language programmes, health services, etc., making the overall experience supportive.
Global exposure: UTU has diverse student body and courses in many subjects, so you get exposure to different perspectives and an international environment.

Final Thoughts

If you’re aiming for higher education abroad and have been considering Finland, the University of Turku offers solid scholarship options that make studying there more feasible. To maximize your chances:

Apply early (where deadlines matter)
Keep up strong grades and earn sufficient credits
Learn some Finnish if required
Stay up to date with scholarship invitations and deadlines

Atif Bashir