Majority of applicants non-EU/EEA citizens
There were about 8600 starting places to apply to in 431 study programmes on this joint application round, most of these being fully English-taught programmes.
The total number of applicants was around 32400, of which two thirds were non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizens. The application round also included the programmes offered by the University of the Arts; these attracted over 3700 applicants.
The number of international applicants was significantly smaller than last year. The recent implementation of a 100€ application fee for non-EU/EEA citizens may be seen as one factor for the smaller applicant numbers. Additionally, not exactly the same higher education institutions participated in the joint application in 2024 and 2025.
The most popular choices this year were for study programmes in the fields of business, administration and law, and information and communication technologies (ICT). Especially in these subjects, competition for study places will be tough.
The largest non-Finnish nationality groups this year for the English-taught programmes were Nigeria, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India.
The overall total number of applicants for autumn 2025 study start will be known later, once all the separate applications are also completed.
Admission process – what happens next
The higher education institutions are currently reviewing applications and preparing for their student selection. They will publish the final results each according to their own schedule, starting from the end of January and the beginning of February but no later than May 28.
You can check the detailed timetable with the university or UAS you have applied to. See also the Admissions results advice on the Studyinfo.fi site!
Accepted applicants will automatically receive information about the selection via email.
Good luck in the student selection process to all those who applied!
Some programmes still open for admission
A number of English-taught degree programmes have separate applications or rolling admissions, whereby individual universities can accept applications outside the January joint application.
So, in case you missed the January joint application period, check the Studyinfo.fi database for degree study programmes where application may still be ongoing.
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(Statistics source: EDUFI / Vipunen - Education Statistics Finland)
EDUFI link https://www.oph.fi/en/news/2025/number-applicants-halved-joint-application-higher-education-english