Studying in Tampere: universities, costs, housing and student life

Why study in Tampere

Tampere sits between two lakes in southern Finland and runs as one of the country's main student cities outside Helsinki. Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) both operate here, and the city keeps a lower cost of living than Helsinki while still offering a full range of degree programs in English.

Universities in Tampere

Tampere University had 21,500 degree students as of 2021, split across 18,800 bachelor's and master's students, 2,700 doctoral researchers, and 1,600 in medical specialty training. The university formed in 2019 from a merger of the University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology, which gives it a broad range from engineering to social sciences and medicine under one roof.

TAMK sits alongside Tampere University as the city's university of applied sciences, running practice-focused bachelor's degrees in fields such as business, engineering, and health care. Between the two institutions, Tampere holds one of the largest student populations of any Finnish city.

Tuition and funding

EU and EEA students study tuition free at Tampere University and TAMK, in line with Finland's public higher education funding model. Non-EU students pay tuition for bachelor's and master's degrees, a policy in place since Finland introduced fees for non-EU students in 2017, so check the current rate for your program directly with the university.

Tampere University and TAMK both run scholarship programs that cover part or all of the tuition fee for non-EU applicants with strong academic records. Applications for these scholarships typically run alongside the regular admission process, so apply for both together.

Cost of living in Tampere

Source: Numbeo cost of living data for Tampere . These figures track private market apartments. Most students pay less by renting a room in a shared flat or a TOAS studio instead of a full apartment.

Housing: TOAS student housing

TOAS (Tampereen opiskelija-asuntosäätiö) is the main student housing organization in Tampere. It manages both furnished rooms and unfurnished apartments across the city, plus a fast-track option for students who need a place at short notice.

• Apply through the TOAS website once you have a confirmed study place. Furnished rooms suit students who arrive with minimal luggage.

• Check the quickly-available listings if your admission comes late and standard application windows have closed.

• If TOAS has no space, private landlords and flatshare listings fill the gap, though at a higher price than TOAS rooms.

Getting around: transport

Nysse runs the public bus and tram network across Tampere and the surrounding region. A standard monthly pass costs around 65 EUR at the regular rate, according to Numbeo , though Nysse offers reduced fares for degree students, so check current student pricing directly on the Nysse website before you buy a pass. The city is compact enough that many students also get around on foot or by bike for most of the year.

Student union and services

Tamko is Tampere University's student union and runs alongside TAMKO, the separate union for TAMK students. Both provide orientation programs, subject associations, and support services for new students, including guidance on housing and study rights. Finnish public healthcare for students runs through the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS), which gives degree students access to general practitioners, mental health support, and dental care.

Academic calendar

Finnish universities run two main intakes. The autumn semester starts in late August or September and covers the bulk of bachelor's and master's programs, while a smaller spring intake in January covers a limited number of master's programs. Check your specific program's intake before you plan your move.

Applying as an international student

EU and EEA citizens register with Finnish authorities after arrival but do not need a visa to study. Non-EU students need a residence permit for studies, applied for through Finnish Immigration Services (Migri) before travel. Apply as soon as you accept your study place, since permit processing takes time and runs on a separate timeline from the university's own deadlines.

Practical steps before you arrive

Register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency soon after arrival to get a Finnish personal identity code, which gives you access to a bank account, a phone contract, and public healthcare through the student health service. Non-EU students complete this step alongside their residence permit registration.

Open a Finnish bank account once you have your personal identity code, since rent payments and many everyday services run through domestic bank transfers rather than international cards.

Health insurance

EU and EEA students can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for the initial period in Finland, and gain broader access to public healthcare once registered locally. Non-EU students typically need private health insurance for the full length of their residence permit, since Finland's public system does not automatically cover non-EU degree students the same way.

Where students live

Hervanta holds Tampere University's technology campus and a large share of TOAS housing, making it a common first choice for new students despite sitting outside the main city center. Students who prefer to live closer to downtown often choose Kaleva or Tammela, both within cycling distance of the main university buildings.

Student life in Tampere

Tampere sits between Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi, two large lakes that shape the city's layout and give students easy access to swimming, sailing, and lakeside walks in summer. The old Finlayson textile factory area now holds cafes, a cinema, and event spaces, and the city runs a full calendar of student events tied to both universities.

Winters run cold and dark, typical of southern Finland, and saunas are part of daily life rather than a novelty. Most student housing includes access to a shared sauna, and joining a subject association is the easiest way to meet people during your first term.