Tuition Fees for Students from Outside the EU/EEA
The Itä-Suomen Liikuntaopisto will introduce tuition fees starting from 1 August 2026. The tuition fee mainly applies to students coming from outside the EU who study in Finland on a residence permit granted for the purpose of studies.
The tuition fee is charged for education and instruction. Students who are admitted must pay the tuition fee after receiving the admission decision and before the start of their studies. Studies cannot begin until the tuition fee has been paid.
Tuition Fee Amount
The tuition fee includes:
- Teaching and guidance in accordance with the curriculum or qualification requirements
- Study materials
- The right to student welfare services
The tuition fee for vocational and specialist vocational qualifications at the Itä-Suomen Liikuntaopisto is:
€9,000 per student per academic year
Who is required to pay the tuition fee?
The tuition fee applies to students who:
- Start a vocational or specialist vocational qualification programme
- Apply for a residence permit based on studies
- Are not citizens of:
- a member state of the European Union (EU),
- Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland
The tuition fee also applies to students already residing in Finland if they are not citizens of EU/EEA countries and hold:
- A student residence permit (B)
- A temporary residence permit (B)
- A continuous residence permit (A), if their first residence permit in Finland was granted on the basis of studies
- A continuous residence permit (A), if the sponsor’s residence permit or the sponsor’s first residence permit was granted on the basis of studies
Who is required to pay the tuition fee?
The tuition fee also applies to students already residing in Finland if they are not citizens of EU/EEA countries and hold:
- A student residence permit (B)
- A temporary residence permit (B)
- A continuous residence permit (A), if their first residence permit in Finland was granted on the basis of studies
- A continuous residence permit (A), if the sponsor’s residence permit or the sponsor’s first residence permit was granted on the basis of studies
Who is exempt from the tuition fee?
The tuition fee is not charged if the student:
- Holds a permanent residence permit (P) in Finland
- Holds a continuous residence permit (A) in Finland, except in the special cases mentioned above
- Holds an EU Blue Card or has been granted an EU long-term residence permit, or is a family member of a holder of either of these
- Is an exchange student with a residence permit valid for a maximum of one year
- Resides in Finland under temporary protection (valid until 4 March 2027)
- Has been granted international protection
- Is a student subject to compulsory education
Checking residence permits
The Itä-Suomen Liikuntaopisto verifies the basis of a residence permit for applicants residing in Finland with the Finnish Immigration Service before student admission.
Payment liability continues until the student receives a permanent residence permit.
Payment of the tuition fee
Students who are admitted must pay the tuition fee after receiving the admission decision and before the start of their studies. Once the student has received the admission decision and paid the tuition fee, they may apply for a residence permit for studies in Finland. If the student is not granted a residence permit, the paid tuition fee will be refunded. Studies cannot begin until the tuition fee has been paid.
The fee is not charged for the entire duration of studies if the basis of the residence permit changes during the studies to something other than a study-based residence permit.