Finland has opened its January 2027 intake application window for a select group of university of applied sciences (UAS) programmes, and this cycle is smaller, faster-moving, and less competitive than the main autumn round — making it a genuine opportunity for international students who missed the September intake or want to start their Finnish degree sooner.
Unlike the big Joint Application cycle every January (for studies starting the following September), the January intake is a separate, programme-specific admission round run directly by individual universities of applied sciences. Not every institution offers it, seats are limited, and deadlines vary by university so timing matters more than usual.
Here's everything confirmed, verified, and current as of September 2026.
Quick Answer: Key Facts About Finland's January 2027 Intake
- Who it's for: Bachelor's-level international applicants (a few Master's options exist separately) wanting to start studies in January 2027.
- Where to apply: Directly through each university's own admission page and/or Studyinfo.fi, Finland's national application portal.
- Application fee: €100 one-time fee for non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants, covering all applications submitted for the same intake.
- Tuition: Free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens; roughly €6,000–€18,000/year for non-EU/EEA students, with UAS scholarships available.
- New rule to know: Finland's "one study right" rule, in force from 1 August 2026, affects anyone accepted into a programme starting on or after 1 January 2027 who already holds a Finnish degree-level study right.
Why This Intake Is Getting Attention Right Now
Most guides to studying in Finland focus on the large September intake, whose application period opens every January. That has created confusion — many students assume Finland only accepts new students once a year. In reality, several universities of applied sciences run a genuine second intake in January, with applications opening in the preceding months. Because so few blogs cover it accurately, competition is comparatively low, and scholarship funds are often less oversubscribed.
Confirmed Universities Offering the January 2027 Intake
Availability and windows differ by institution and programme, so always confirm on the university's own admissions page before applying. Based on current admissions pages:
| University | Programme(s) | Application Window | Studies Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turku University of Applied Sciences | Selected Bachelor's programmes (Joint Application) | 31 August – 10 September 2026 | January 2027 |
| Karelia University of Applied Sciences | BBA International Business; BEng Industrial Management (rolling admission) | 6 May – 31 August 2026 (closed) | 12 January 2027 |
| Other UAS institutions | Vary by programme — check Studyinfo.fi and UASinfo.fi | Vary | January 2027 |
Important: Because January-intake windows close earlier than most students expect, some rolling-admission programmes (like Karelia's) may already be full or closed by the time you read this. Always verify live availability on the university's official page or Studyinfo.fi before starting your documents.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Finland's January 2027 Intake
- Shortlist eligible programmes. Search Studyinfo.fi and UASinfo.fi and filter for programmes starting in January 2027 most search filters default to the September intake, so this step is easy to miss.
- Check your eligibility. For Bachelor's programmes, you generally need to be eligible to apply for higher education in your home country. UAS Master's programmes require a completed Bachelor's degree plus, in most cases, two years of relevant work experience.
- Prepare your documents early. Academic transcripts, proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Cambridge), a valid passport, and for some programmes SAT scores, entrance exam results, or an interview.
- Pay the application fee. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants pay a one-time €100 fee, valid for all applications submitted for the same intake.
- Submit through Studyinfo.fi or the university's direct portal, depending on which system the programme uses.
- Track your admission decision and accept your place by the university's stated deadline missing this forfeits the seat with no waiting list in rolling-admission programmes.
- Apply for your Finnish residence permit as soon as you receive your offer, since Migri processing typically takes one to three months.
Tuition Fees and Scholarships
Finland charges tuition to non-EU/EEA/Swiss students, generally in the €6,000–€18,000 per year range depending on the institution and field of study (engineering and business programmes tend to sit at the higher end). EU/EEA/Swiss citizens study tuition-free.
Every UAS runs its own scholarship scheme, commonly covering 50–100% of tuition based on academic merit, with a smaller number of institutions offering early-payment discounts or conditional refund policies if a student's residence permit application is denied. Because scholarship budgets reset with each intake, the January round can sometimes offer better odds than the more crowded September cycle simply because fewer applicants are competing for the same funds.
What Changed: The New "One Study Right" Rule
From 1 August 2026, Finland's amended Universities of Applied Sciences Act means that if you already hold an active study right at a Finnish university or UAS at the same or lower degree level, accepting a new study right will terminate the old one. This applies to any admission round where students start studies on or after 1 January 2027 including this intake. If you're currently enrolled in Finland and considering switching programmes for January 2027, confirm exactly how this affects your existing study right before accepting a new offer.
January Intake vs. September Intake: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | January Intake | September Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Programme availability | Limited — select UAS programmes only | Wide — most universities and UAS |
| Application competition | Lower | Higher |
| Application system | University-direct or Studyinfo.fi (varies) | Studyinfo.fi Joint Application (main round) |
| Best for | Students ready to start sooner, or who missed autumn admissions | Most international students, widest programme choice |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finland's January 2027 intake still open for applications? It depends on the university and programme. Some windows, like Turku UAS's Bachelor's application period (31 August – 10 September 2026), are open now; others with rolling admission may already be closed. Always confirm current status directly on Studyinfo.fi or the university's admissions page.
Do all Finnish universities offer a January intake? No. The January intake is offered by a limited number of universities of applied sciences for select programmes. Most Finnish universities and UAS institutions run only one main intake per year, starting in September, with applications submitted the preceding January.
What is the application fee for international students in Finland? Non-EU/EEA/Swiss applicants pay a one-time €100 national application fee, which covers all programmes applied to for the same academic term. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and a small number of other exempt categories do not pay this fee.
Can I get a scholarship for the January intake? Yes. Each university of applied sciences runs its own scholarship programme, typically based on academic merit, and funding is available for both September and January intakes. Since fewer students apply for January, scholarship competition can be comparatively lighter.
How long does the Finnish residence permit take after acceptance? Processing through Migri, Finland's immigration service, generally takes one to three months, so applicants should apply for their residence permit as soon as they receive an admission offer to avoid delays before the semester starts.
What is the "one study right" rule and does it affect new applicants? It's a legislative change effective 1 August 2026 that ends a student's existing Finnish study right at the same or lower level if they accept a new one. It mainly affects students who already hold a study right in Finland and are applying to switch or add a programme starting in January 2027 or later; first-time international applicants are not affected.
Final Takeaway
Finland's January 2027 intake is real, currently active for select universities of applied sciences, and significantly under-covered compared to the September cycle which is exactly why it's worth acting on quickly if you're eligible. Confirm your target programme's exact window on Studyinfo.fi or the university's own page, prepare your documents now, and don't wait for a "second reminder," since several of these windows close within days, not weeks.
