Insurances & Finances
Insurances & finances
Before you leave your country, remember to obtain a travel insurance or the European Health Insurance Card. It’s recommended that you bring your vaccination certificate to Finland with you.
As a student, you have to pay the costs of your illness in Finland. For a residence permit, you will need private insurance to cover your medical expenses. The insurance you need depends on how long you will be studying in Finland. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you do not need insurance for the residence permit application, but it is a recommended addition to cover the costs not covered by the EHIC card.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Non- EEA/EU citizens must have a valid health and accident insurance. Savonia University of Applied Sciences is not responsible for any costs related to international students’ cases of illness or accident caused during leisure time. Insurance is required for the residence permit application.
EU / EEA citizens
If you are only staying temporarily in the Member State where you are studying, you are entitled to receive all necessary medical care. For this, you will need the European Health Insurance Card, which you can get from the institution with which your parents are insured. The card must be obtained before departure. The card confirms the holder is covered by sickness insurance in one of the EEA/EU member states and that he/she has the right to immediate medical treatment while staying in any other EEA/EU member state.
What type of insurance do I need and where to get it?
Insurance required for the residence permit https://migri.fi/en/insurance
Tuition fees
Universities of applied sciences and universities charge tuition fees from Bachelor’s or Master’s from non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizens.
Tuition fee for Bachelor students
Tuition fee for Master students
Cost of living
International students coming from outside the EEA and EU countries are required to prove that they have sufficient funds by depositing the sum of EUR 6720 (approx. USD 8720) yearly with a Finnish bank or with an international bank, with no conditions restricting the use of this account. A new deposit is required at the beginning of each academic year.
Savonia University of Applied Sciences has a scholarship programme only towards the tuition fee. Savonia UAS cannot offer any other financial aid for either Finnish or international students. International students must be able to cover their costs themselves or have a scholarship from their home countries or other sources.
Estimated monthly costs
- Accommodation € 290–400
- Lunch at student canteens € 40–65
- Self-catering € 85-130
- Monthly bus card 40 €
- Other expenses € 85-150
This estimate does not include social activities, travel or clothing. On average, a Finnish student spends € 600–800 a month.
Part-time work
Students are permitted to do a limited amount of paid work under a residence permit issued for studies if the work in question is internship included in the studies or linked with your final project work. Part-time employment is also possible, if the working hours do not exceed an average of 30 hours per week. However, a part-time job might be very difficult to find if you do not speak any Finnish.
Kela financial aid
If you are not a Finnish citizen, you may be entitled to governmental (Kela) financial aid with education in Finland provided that
- you are registered as a permanent resident of Finland in the population register system and
- your purpose for residence in Finland is other than education (for example, work, family ties or return migration).
Staying in Finland for the express purpose of attending school does not make you eligible for financial aid from the Finnish government.
KELA financial aid