University of Oulu scholarships for international students are tuition fee reductions. If you are a Nigerian applicant admitted to an English-taught programme starting in autumn 2027, you can get an Early Bird discount on your first-year fee if you pay early, and a tuition fee waiver of 10% to 40% from your second year if you complete 60 credits a year. Neither one pays your rent or feeding.
You do not fill a separate scholarship form. You apply for admission on Studyinfo.fi between 7 and 21 January 2027, and the university handles the discounts from there. Below I have put the fees for each programme I could confirm on oulu.fi, the waiver percentages, the dates, the documents a Nigerian applicant needs, and how much money Finland’s immigration service wants to see in your account.
University of Oulu scholarships 2027: quick summary
- Who pays tuition: non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss students in English-taught degrees
- Annual fee: €8,500 to €14,000 (most programmes €10,000)
- Year 1 support: Early Bird discount if you pay by the early deadline
- Year 2 onwards: waiver of 10% to 40%, depending on programme
- Condition to keep it: 60 credits per academic year, including Finnish language studies
- Application window: 7 January 2027 (08:00) to 21 January 2027 (15:00), Finnish time
- Application fee: €100 for non-EU/EEA applicants, paid through Studyinfo
- Living costs covered: no; you must show €9,600 for your residence permit
How University of Oulu scholarships work from 2026 onwards
Many Nigerian blogs still describe an “International Scholarship” at Oulu that pays 50%, 75% or 100% of tuition. That scheme belongs to students admitted in 2025 or earlier. The University of Oulu Board approved a new model on 24 September 2025, and it applies to everyone starting studies in autumn 2026 and later. The reason the university gave is that, from 2026, tuition income must cover the full cost of teaching fee-paying students, and scholarships count as part of that cost.
The new model has two parts:
- An Early Bird discount on the first-year fee, for students who pay by a set lower-rate deadline after receiving their admission result.
- A tuition fee waiver scholarship from the second year onwards, based on how well you progress in your studies.
So if you see a 2027 post promising a 100% Oulu tuition scholarship, treat it as outdated. I could not find any full-tuition award for new 2027 students on oulu.fi.
University of Oulu tuition fees for non-EU students (2027 intake)
Tuition applies if you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and you do not hold a Finnish residence permit that exempts you. The fee covers teaching only. Accommodation, food and transport are on you.
Bachelor’s programmes (3 + 2 years)
Oulu has four English-taught bachelor’s programmes. Each one continues into a master’s, which is why they are listed as 3 + 2 years.
| Bachelor’s programme | Annual fee | Waiver | Fee after waiver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| Software Engineering and Information Systems | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| Electronics and Communications Engineering | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| International Business Management | €10,000 | 20% (30% in the master’s phase) | €8,000 |
For International Business Management, the waiver is 20% during the bachelor’s years and rises to 30% once you continue into the master’s phase.
Master’s programmes (2 years)
Each master’s programme page on oulu.fi lists its own fee and second-year waiver. These are the ones I checked for the 2027 intake:
| Master’s programme | Annual fee | Second-year waiver | Second-year fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| Software Engineering and Information Systems | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| Electronics | €10,000 | 30% | €7,000 |
| Environmental Engineering | €10,000 | 40% | €6,000 |
| Mineral Resources and Sustainable Mining (Geosciences) | €10,000 | 40% | €6,000 |
| Learning, Education and Technology | €10,000 | 10% | €9,000 |
| Education for Global Futures and Leadership | €8,500 | 10% | €7,650 |
| Biochemistry | €12,000 | 15% | €10,200 |
| Finance | €12,000 | 20% | €9,600 |
| Responsible Economics and Finance | €12,000 | 20% | €9,600 |
| Architecture | €14,000 | 40% | €8,400 |
Oulu runs more than 20 master’s programmes, so this table is not the full list. If your programme is missing, open its page under oulu.fi/en/apply and look for the “Tuition fee” line. It states the fee and the waiver in one sentence.
The Early Bird discount: what Oulu has and has not published
The Early Bird discount is the only first-year reduction for new 2027 students. Oulu’s own news report on the January 2026 round said most programmes offer it to students who accept their place within three weeks of getting their admission result. Oulu’s tuition page has a “1st year tuition fee and Early Bird discount” section for each degree level, but I could not confirm the per-programme percentages there as of 24 October 2026.
Third-party scholarship sites put the master’s Early Bird discount at between 5% and 30% depending on programme. I could not match that range to an official table, so use it only as a rough guide. Your admission letter will state the exact Early Bird amount and deadline for your programme.
What this means in practice: have your first-year fee ready before results come out. A Nigerian student who spends three weeks chasing a domiciliary account transfer can lose the discount. Banks and card companies may also add 1% to 3% in international charges, according to Oulu’s payment page, so budget for that too.
How to keep your University of Oulu scholarship after year one
The waiver is not automatic for every year. Oulu’s page for continuing students sets these rules:
- You must complete 60 credits in each academic year, in line with your approved personal study plan.
- Those 60 credits must include the compulsory Finnish language studies, worth 2 to 5 credits depending on your programme.
- You do not apply. Your faculty’s study services check your record after each year.
- If you fall short, you pay the full fee for the next academic year.
- In exceptional cases (for example, serious illness), you can ask your faculty to assess your case at the end of the academic year.
- You can receive the scholarship only once, for one degree programme.
Sixty credits is a full normal load in Finland. If you plan to work part-time, keep your hours low enough that you do not drop a course. One failed module can cost you more in lost waiver than you earn in a semester of evening shifts.
Other funding you can combine with Oulu’s scholarships
The options for Nigerian students are fewer than most blogs suggest. These are the ones I could confirm.
- Finland government scholarship. Oulu once offered the Finland Scholarship (first-year tuition plus a €5,000 relocation grant) for 2022 to 2024 intakes. Study in Finland, the official national portal, now says there are no governmental scholarship programmes for degree students and warns that “fully funded Finland government scholarship” adverts are misleading.
- Nokia master’s thesis scholarships. These are for students already at Oulu, not new applicants. The 2026/2027 call offered ten scholarships of €3,000 each to Computer Science and Engineering and Biomedical Engineering master’s students who had completed 60 credits, with a 31 August 2026 deadline.
- Doctoral positions. Doctoral study in Finland has no tuition fee. Oulu’s paid doctoral researcher jobs are advertised on its recruitment portal, and admission to a PhD does not by itself come with a salary.
- Erasmus Mundus. Erasmus Mundus programmes are exempt from Finland’s €100 application fee, and they carry their own full scholarships. I could not confirm a specific 2027 Erasmus Mundus master’s with Oulu as a partner, so check each consortium’s site. Our MARIHE Erasmus Mundus guide shows how those applications work.
University of Oulu 2027 application dates
All times below are Finnish time. Finland is one hour ahead of Nigeria in winter (UTC+2) and two hours ahead in summer (UTC+3). So 15:00 on 21 January 2027 in Oulu is 14:00 in Lagos.
January 2027 joint application (master’s and ICT bachelor’s)
| Stage | Date and time (Finland) |
|---|---|
| Application opens on Studyinfo | 7 January 2027, 08:00 |
| Application closes | 21 January 2027, 15:00 |
| Supporting documents deadline | 28 January 2027, 15:00 |
| Admission results | Not yet announced (the 2026 round released master’s results in April and bachelor’s in May) |
| Confirm your study place (master’s) | 13 July 2027, 15:00 |
| Tuition fee payment deadline | Not yet announced |
| Studies begin | August 2027 |
Rolling admission for International Business Management (bachelor’s)
| Stage | Date and time (Finland) |
|---|---|
| Application opened | 1 October 2026, 08:00 |
| First results | About four weeks after opening, then on a rolling basis |
| Confirm your place | Within three weeks of your admission decision |
| Application closes | 25 February 2027, 15:00, or earlier if places fill |
| Latest SAT/ACT verification | 11 March 2027, 23:59 |
| Verified diploma, transcript and English proof | 13 July 2027 |
| Tuition fee payment deadline | 13 July 2027 |
The rolling round is open right now and closes early if it fills, so if International Business Management is your choice, I would not wait for February. Oulu notes that its 2027 schedule can still change during autumn 2026.
Eligibility for Nigerian applicants
Bachelor’s: your WAEC alone will not get you in
Your secondary school result must make you eligible for a research university in Nigeria. But Oulu’s certificate-based selection only covers the Finnish Matriculation Examination, IB, European Baccalaureate and the German DIA taken in Finland. A Nigerian with WAEC or NECO therefore applies through SAT-based selection:
- Computer Science and Engineering, Software Engineering and Information Systems, and Electronics and Communications Engineering accept the SAT only. You need the full SAT (Reading and Writing plus Math).
- International Business Management accepts the SAT or ACT, through rolling admission.
Oulu publishes minimum SAT scores per programme on its SAT results page. Check them there before you book a test date, because SAT scores take time to reach the university.
Master’s: a relevant bachelor’s degree
You need a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the programme. Computer Science and Engineering, for example, asks for a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field such as physics or applied mathematics. Programme-specific requirements, including any pre-assignment or essay, are listed on the programme’s Studyinfo page.
English requirements and the Nigerian degree exemption
| Test | Bachelor’s minimum | Master’s minimum |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (or Academic Online, or UKVI academic) | 6.0 overall, 5.5 in each section | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each section |
| TOEFL iBT (taken on or after 21 Jan 2026) | 4.0 overall, 3.5 in each section | 4.5 overall, 4.0 in each section |
| TOEFL iBT (taken before 21 Jan 2026) | 78 overall | 92 overall |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall, 61 in Writing | 68 overall, 61 in Writing |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | Grade C or higher | Grade C or higher |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | C1 level or higher | C1 level or higher |
Duolingo is not on Oulu’s list. Your result must be valid on at least one day of the application period, and Oulu does not accept screenshots or provisional results.
Master’s applicants have good news here. Nigeria is on Oulu’s list of countries where a bachelor’s degree taught in English counts as proof of English. Your transcript or certificate must state that the language of instruction was English. If it does not, ask your university’s registry for an official letter confirming it. Online degrees and offshore-campus degrees do not qualify.
For bachelor’s applicants, Oulu’s page does not say whether WAEC or NECO English counts. Until the admissions office confirms it in writing, I would plan on taking IELTS or another listed test.
Documents checklist
| Document | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Notes for Nigerians |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary school certificate (WAEC/NECO) | Yes | Only if requested | Upload as the form asks; follow verification instructions after admission |
| SAT or ACT result | Yes | No | SAT only for the three ICT programmes |
| Bachelor’s degree certificate (or provisional certificate) | No | Yes | Final-year students can upload what they have and verify the degree later |
| Transcript of records | No | Yes | Must show language of instruction if you use the degree as English proof |
| English proof | Yes | Yes (can come after the application deadline; check the master’s timeline) | Test result, or English-taught Nigerian degree for master’s |
| Official translations | If documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish | Same | Usually not needed for Nigerian documents |
| Programme attachments | Some | Some (pre-assignment, essay) | Listed on each Studyinfo page |
| Passport or ID | Where requested | Where requested | Use the same name spelling on every document |
Oulu assesses only what you upload, and it does not return documents or review them before the application period opens. If you apply again the following year, you upload everything again.
How to apply on Studyinfo, step by step
- Pick your programme on oulu.fi and note its fee, second-year waiver and any extra requirement. In the January joint application you can apply for up to six study options across Finnish universities.
- Book IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or SAT early. Results take weeks to come out and must be ready within the application period.
- Gather and scan your documents in December. Get a language-of-instruction letter from your university if your transcript does not state it.
- On 7 January 2027, open studyinfo.fi, find the programme, and fill the application form. Rank your choices carefully.
- Pay the €100 application fee when Studyinfo asks for it. Oulu’s January 2026 report said unpaid applications are not accepted.
- Submit before 15:00 on 21 January 2027, then upload any remaining attachments by 15:00 on 28 January 2027.
- When you are admitted, accept your place and pay the first-year fee within the Early Bird window stated in your letter.
- Send verified copies of your degree, transcript and English proof by the deadline Oulu gives you, then apply for your residence permit.
Some programmes ask for a reference. If yours does, our recommendation letter samples will help your lecturer write a useful one.
How much money you need for the Finnish residence permit
This is where most Nigerian admits struggle, because the Oulu discounts do not reduce the living-cost requirement. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) sets these rules for students:
| Situation | What Migri wants to see |
|---|---|
| Studies of one year or longer | €9,600 in your bank account when you submit the permit application |
| You have already paid tuition | Proof of payment plus the €9,600 for living costs |
| You will pay tuition after applying | First-year tuition plus €9,600 in the account; living-cost money cannot count towards tuition |
| You have a tuition waiver or discount | The university’s scholarship certificate plus the €9,600 |
| You have a living-cost grant | Subtract the grant from €9,600 and attach the grant decision |
For a €10,000 programme with a 30% Early Bird discount (if your programme offers that much), year one would cost about €7,000 in tuition plus €9,600 shown for living costs, and you also need the €100 application fee and your flight. My advice is to pay tuition before you file the permit application. Then your account only has to carry the €9,600.
Refunds if your visa is refused
Oulu refunds tuition if Migri refuses your residence permit, provided you have earned no study credits that academic year (online or on campus). Refunds also apply if your conditional admission falls through, if you give up your study right during the registration period, or if Migri’s decision is delayed. The money goes back to whoever paid it, minus bank charges. If your application is still pending, do not start an online course, because any credit you earn removes the refund.
Is Oulu a good choice for a Nigerian on a budget?
In Oulu’s January 2026 round, Nigeria was one of the five most common applicant countries after Finland, alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Iran. That round drew 5,945 applications from 4,370 applicants for 825 places, so admission is competitive. Once you are in, everyone who pays on time and passes 60 credits a year gets the published percentage.
If you need a full scholarship to travel at all, Oulu is the wrong target for 2027. Look at awards that cover living costs, like the ones in our Sapienza University scholarships guide. If your family can raise the first-year fee and the €9,600, Oulu’s ICT and engineering master’s at €7,000 to €10,000 a year are among the more affordable English-taught options in Finland.
FAQ on University of Oulu scholarships
Does the University of Oulu give fully funded scholarships to Nigerians?
No. For 2027 entry, Oulu offers partial tuition reductions only: an Early Bird discount in year one and a 10% to 40% waiver from year two. None of them cover living costs.
Do I need to apply separately for the University of Oulu scholarship?
No. You apply for admission on Studyinfo, and the Early Bird discount and later waivers follow from your admission, payment date and credits. Faculty study services check your progress each year.
Can I apply to Oulu without IELTS?
For a master’s, yes, if your Nigerian bachelor’s degree was taught in English and your documents or an official letter say so. Bachelor’s applicants should plan on a listed test, since Oulu does not say WAEC or NECO English is accepted.
What is the University of Oulu application fee?
Non-EU/EEA applicants pay a €100 application fee through Studyinfo. Oulu does not accept the application if the fee is unpaid by its deadline.
Sources and updates
Fees and waivers come from the University of Oulu’s tuition fees and scholarships page for international applicants and the individual master’s programme pages on oulu.fi. The continuation rules come from Oulu’s page on tuition fees for continuing students, and the change of scheme from the university’s 25 September 2025 news report on the Board decision. Dates come from Oulu’s bachelor’s and master’s admissions timelines. English requirements come from Oulu’s language requirements page for master’s and the matching bachelor’s page. The application fee is confirmed by the Finnish National Agency for Education and Oulu’s January 2026 admissions report. Residence permit figures come from the Finnish Immigration Service’s income requirement for students. The status of government scholarships comes from Study in Finland. Information checked on 24 October 2026. I will update this post when Oulu publishes the Early Bird percentages, result dates and tuition payment deadline for 2027.
I am Jude Chinecherem, a final-year MBBS student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I know what it feels like to want an education your family cannot afford. When my parents could not pay for my schooling, I had to learn how to find scholarships and work the system out on my own, with nobody to guide me. I came out the other side, and now I share everything I learned so the next student does not have to figure it out alone. This is the advice I wish someone had given me back then.
