Study at a vocational school in Finland? Free check

1. Are you a citizen of Finland, another EU/EEA country or Switzerland?

Yes No

2. Where do you live now?

In Finland Outside Finland

3. What is your Finnish residence permit based on? Check your permit card or Migri decision.

Permanent (P or P-EU) Family – my family member is a Finnish or EU citizen Family – other Work Studies (or my first permit was for studies) International or temporary protection Not sure

Are you 18 or older?

Yes No

Which field interests you?

Tourism, hotels, customer service Care / practical nurse Cleaning and property services Restaurant and catering Other / not sure yet

Your Finnish level Not sure? Take the free Finnish Level Check (10 minutes) and come back.

None Beginner (A1) A2 B1 or better I don't know

English test result

IELTS 5.0+ or Duolingo 85+ Lower than that No test yet

Do you have an upper secondary school certificate (high school or vocational)?

Yes No

Tourism background English-taught tourism programmes are often for people who already work in the field.

I have a tourism or hospitality qualification No tourism qualification

2+ years working in tourism or customer service Less than 2 years

Please answer every question.

For students from outside the EU/EEA who need a residence permit for studies. The school charges the tuition fee after you accept your place, and it must be paid before Migri decides on your permit.

Tuition fee per year (€)Often about €7,000–16,000 a year; some programmes cost more. Check the programme page.

Length of studiesTotal fee over the whole programme.

Months on your first permitMigri: €800 for each month, in your own account.

Health insurance for the year (€)Required by Migri. Studies under 2 years: must cover medical costs up to €120,000; 2 years or longer: medicines up to €40,000. Excess max €300. Ask for a quote.

Flight and first month's rent deposit (€)Your own estimate. Optional.

Money you have now (€)Only money that can be in the student's own account.

Needed before the permit decision

€0

The order

You are admitted and accept the study place.
The school sends the bill. You pay the tuition fee (usually the first year).
You apply for the residence permit with proof of payment, the money in your own account (bank statement for the last 6 months) and insurance.
Migri decides. Studies start only after the fee is paid.

Good to know

• Ask the school what happens to the fee if the permit is refused, before you pay.

• Students may work on average 30 hours a week, but don't plan to pay the tuition fee with part-time work.

• The total for the whole study time is €0 in tuition fees.

Want free help with your application?

Fovo checks your situation with you and guides you through the application. Guidance is free: we never charge you for applying or for a study place. We reply in English or Thai.

I agree that Fovo (TAsol Oy) may store my answers and contact me about studying in Finland. Fovo shares my details with a school only with my permission. Privacy Policy

This check is general information based on public information from Finnish vocational schools, Migri and the Finnish National Agency for Education as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Every school decides on admission and the tuition fee in each case, and Migri decides on residence permits. Requirements differ between schools and programmes.

Sources: Migri: residence permit for studies · Stadin AO: who pays the tuition fee · Example tuition fees (Samiedu)

← All Study in Finland guides

Can I study at a vocational school in Finland?

The order

Good to know

Want free help with your application?