University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Master's Scholarship 2027 – Tuition Waivers for International Students

Scholarship Description

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) offers tuition waivers and an Early Bird discount to international students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are admitted to its English-taught Master's degree programmes. The tuition waiver programme is designed to provide partial support towards tuition fees, generally covering up to 30% of the fee.

UEF is one of Finland's leading multidisciplinary universities, with campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio. The university offers a wide variety of Master's degree programmes taught in English, with small-group teaching that enables close student-teacher interaction. Fluency in English is a prerequisite for all programmes, and a Master's degree typically takes two years to complete.

Important: UEF's tuition waiver programme provides partial support only. Applicants cannot apply for full (100%) tuition waivers, and the university does not offer scholarships on humanitarian grounds. Students are expected to have sufficient personal funds to cover the remaining tuition fees and living expenses throughout their studies in Finland.

Scholarship Location

The scholarships are tenable at the University of Eastern Finland, with campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio, Finland. Finland is a safe, clean, and technology-driven country with amazing nature, four seasons, Northern lights, and white nights.

Scholarship Deadlines

The next application period for Master's programmes taught in English for the September 2027 intake will open in January 2027 (first joint national application round).

Host Institution

The University of Eastern Finland (UEF) – one of Finland's leading multidisciplinary universities, offering Master's degree programmes taught in English across business, natural sciences, forestry, education, health, linguistics, and environmental law. The university is known for its high standard of education, inspirational teaching methods, and modern technology.

Level and Fields of Study

Level: Master's Degree (typically two years to complete).

Fields: Available for all international Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes taught in English at UEF, except for Erasmus Mundus programmes (which have their own scholarship arrangements). Programmes include:

• Business and Economics
• Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Biology)
• Forestry and Environmental Sciences
• Health and Biomedicine
• Linguistics and Education
• Environmental Policy and Law
• Data Engineering and Information Technology
• Urban Sustainability Studies

Note: Economics and Business Administration programmes have an early application period in October.

Target Group

International students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland who are required to pay tuition fees and who are admitted to an English-taught Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at UEF. Both Finnish and international applicants holding a relevant Bachelor's degree are eligible to apply for admission to Master's degree programmes.

Scholarship Duration & Amount

Annual Tuition Fee: €10,000 – €12,000 per academic year depending on the programme (for non-EU/EEA students).

For the 2027 intake, the following support is available:

1. Early Bird Discount – 30% for the First Academic Year:

• Value: 30% of the tuition fee (€3,000/€3,600) for the first academic year.
• To qualify, students must accept their offer of admission and pay the tuition fee (or first instalment) within 21 days of the publication of admission results.

2. 30% Tuition Waiver for Subsequent Years (Master's Second Year):

• Awarded based on academic progress during the first year of studies.
• Awarded to students who complete at least 55 ECTS credits during their first academic year (1 August – 31 July).
• A separate application period is organised after the first year of studies.

3. Finnish Proficiency Tuition Waivers:

• Scholarship A (tuition waiver, value €2,500) – awarded on the basis of a certificate demonstrating Finnish language proficiency.
• Scholarship B (tuition waiver, value €1,500) – awarded on the basis of studies completed at UEF.
• Students may apply once during their studies.

4. 100% Tuition Fee Waiver for Students Under Temporary Protection:

• Students admitted to an English-taught degree programme who are under temporary protection in Finland and liable to pay tuition fees are eligible for a 100% tuition fee waiver.

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland (tuition fee-paying students).
• Admission: Must be admitted to an English-taught Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at UEF.
• Academic qualification: Must hold a relevant Bachelor's degree (for Master's programmes) or secondary education certificate (for Bachelor's programmes).
• English proficiency: Must demonstrate fluency in English, as this is a prerequisite for all programmes.
• Application: Must complete the online application through the national Studyinfo.fi portal during the application period.

For the 30% tuition waiver (subsequent years): Must complete at least 55 ECTS credits during the first academic year, with studies included in the degree and approved as part of the Personal Study Plan (PSP/HOPS).

Important: Applicants cannot apply for full (100%) tuition waivers, except for students under temporary protection in Finland.

Application Procedure

1. Choose your programme – Explore the international Master's degree programmes taught in English at UEF on the university's website.
2. Check admission requirements – Ensure you meet the general and programme-specific admission requirements, including English language proficiency.
3. Prepare your documents – Gather your Bachelor's degree certificate, academic transcripts, English language test results, and other required documents.
4. Apply via Studyinfo.fi – Complete the online application through the national Studyinfo.fi portal during the application period (7 – 21 January 2027).
5. Apply for tuition waiver – During the application process, complete the relevant section on the application form to apply for tuition waivers and scholarships.
6. Receive admission results – Applicants are selected on the basis of their application documents. Results are posted immediately to applicants by email.
7. Accept your offer and pay – To qualify for the Early Bird discount, accept your offer and pay the tuition fee (or first instalment) within 21 days of the publication of admission results.
8. Pay subsequent years' fees – The annual tuition fee must be paid by 31 August each year, either as a single payment or in two equal instalments via Flywire.

Important notes: For the first academic year, the only tuition support available is the 30% Early Bird discount — there are no other tuition waivers or scholarships that can be applied for during the application process for the first year. For subsequent years, students may apply for the 30% tuition waiver (based on academic progress) and Finnish Proficiency Tuition Waivers. A separate application period is organised for these.

Official Website & Application Links

UEF – Tuition Fees, Waivers and Scholarships (Official Page)

UEF International Master's Programmes: https://www.uef.fi/en/international-masters-degree-programmes

Application Portal: Studyinfo.fi

Contact: admissions@uef.fi | Service number: +358 29 445 8990 (Mon–Fri, 10:00–14:00)