Living Expenses in Finland for International Students

Finland is one of the popular low-cost study destinations in Europe. Finland regularly has one of the highest standards of living among all nations of Europe. This is indicative of its extraordinary level of living. You can study there at an affordable cost or by having scholarships. University of Helsinki, Aalto University, and University of Turku are the top universities in the country. 

However, tuition fees are not the only important thing for a student to consider. The second most considerable factor is living expenses. Based on the estimated tuition fees and living costs, students must determine their study abroad budget. The living expenses vary based on different factors, which are discussed below in this blog.

Budget for Living in Finland

Students must estimate their cost of living before going to Finland for study purposes. The monthly living expenses are projected to be between 900-1250€. This covers travel, lodging, and food.

Expenses You Need to Bear for Living Cost

Accommodation

A student’s maximum proportion of living expenses goes to getting accommodated. Students can have different types of accommodation based on their preferences, affordability, and lifestyle. A student can either have a shared apartment or a private apartment (1 BHK €850 - €1300) or stay as a paying guest. Moreover, they can choose student housing in Finland. Student housing is the most popular accommodation option for international students in Finland. In most Finnish universities, student housing is managed by the Finnish Student Housing Foundation (KOAS). Depending on the location, size, and amenities offered, the monthly rent for KOAS apartments varies from €200 to €600.

Food

Every individual has their own preferences and quantity of food items. But the below table shows basic items' prices in Finland's capital, Helsinki: 

Transportation 

For several reasons, students must travel to different locations. If a student lives off campus, they must travel for a variety of things, such as to and from classes, grocery shopping, book purchases, and so on. However, the price varies depending on the route and manner of transportation. Students can have their own bicycle ride, which costs zero. However, to go to distant places, students have a local bus ride, which costs €2.95 - €3.10 for one-way transport.  However, students can have monthly passes for the bus ride, which ranges between  €57 - €70.

Other Expenses

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do international students get paid in Finland?
900-1300 euros per month

How much is the bank balance required for a Finland student visa?
EUR 6720 per year

Conclusion

Finland offers a good standard of living at an affordable cost for students. Students must also consider living expenses, which usually run between €900 and €1250 per month, in addition to tuition fees. The largest portion of living cost is accommodation, with options ranging from shared student housing (€200-€600) to private apartments (€850-€1300). Food, transportation, and utilities are additional expenses that vary according to lifestyle choices. Students who intend to study in Finland must carefully arrange their money.