Finland
1 Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodAugust StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Fulbright Graduate Degree Grants
- Yes
Award Profile
The award is offered to pursue an International Master’s Degree Program at the University of Helsinki.
The Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award includes:
- a monthly grant (EUR 1 000) for 9 months
- a travel award (USD 1 600)
- a full tuition scholarship*
- Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school on Finnish language and culture
- residence permit allowance (included for accompanying family members as well)
*Based on the agreement with the Fulbright Finland Foundation, the University of Helsinki awards a scholarship for the recipients of the Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award to cover the annual tuition fee. The tuition scholarship is granted also for the second year of master’s studies provided that the grantee has been successful in their studies during the first year.
Please see further information on the benefits on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant term begins in early September. In exceptional circumstances, the Fulbright Commission may consider beginning the grant period later in the year. If this is your preference, please indicate it explicitly in your application.
The grantee will be eligible, free of charge, to participate in a Fulbright Finland Foundation pre-approved summer school in Finland consisting of courses on the Finnish language, culture, and society, pending the availability of suitable programs. These courses may take place already in July.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes an Arrival Orientation in Finland in the capital city region in late August. The orientation is a compulsory part of the grant program.
Orientation
Candidate Profile
The award competition is open to U.S. students who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Academically talented graduating seniors may also apply before having their degree in hand. The grant is aimed at students who wish to complete a full master’s degree at the University of Helsinki.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
Please find videos, blogs, and articles about the Fulbright U.S. Student alumni's experiences in Finland at the Fulbright Finland Foundation website: https://www.fulbright.fi/grant-programs-to-finland/fulbright-us-student-program
You can also follow the grantees' activities on the Foundation's social media channels:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fulbright.finland/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fulbrightfinland/
Eligibility
4 Months
Please see further eligibility information on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
Special Application Instructions
In the Fulbright online application, for Award Name, please select Univ of Helsinki from the drop-down menu to be considered for this award.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
Finnish or Swedish language proficiency is not required unless it is needed to successfully complete the project / study plan. Applicants do not necessarily need Finnish or Swedish in order to be able to study in Finland. Finnish universities have a wide selection of programs and courses taught in English.
English is widely spoken in academic circles and in the country as a whole. Candidates should consult the academic department as to the availability of courses and programs in English, as well as the possibility of successfully conducting research in English. Some study of local languages prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.
Fulbright Proposal Types
No
Yes
Affiliation
Candidates are responsible for establishing contact and securing an affiliation with the University of Helsinki and are required to apply independently for admission to the university and comply with their application deadlines. Attach your university acceptance letter to your Fulbright Application if you have received it already. However, if you don't have the university admission letter by the Fulbright application deadline due to the university application schedule, explain this situation and the university application schedule clearly in your Fulbright application and submit the university application as soon as the university application period opens.
University admission guidelines can be found on the university websites or by contacting the International Coordinator at the school or department to which you wish to apply.
Please see further instructions on the letter of affiliation for degree-seeking students at the Finnish Fulbright Commission website.
Please see more information on academic programs and courses at the University of Helsinki website.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Please see details on the cost of study in Finland and the university provided scholarships at the Study in Finland website and from the Finnish Fulbright Commission website.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- a monthly grant (EUR 1 000) for 9 months
- a travel award (USD 1 600)
- a full tuition scholarship*
- Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school on Finnish language and culture
- residence permit allowance (included for accompanying family members as well)
*Based on the agreement with the Fulbright Finland Foundation, the University of Helsinki awards a scholarship for the recipients of the Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award to cover the annual tuition fee. The tuition scholarship is granted also for the second year of master’s studies provided that the grantee has been successful in their studies during the first year.
Please see further information on the benefits on the Finnish Fulbright Commission's website.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
- Language training allowance
Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school on Finnish language and culture provided.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
Grantees are provided with many enrichment events during the academic year, for example, the American Voices seminar in the fall and the Mid-year meeting in the Spring.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
Tuition
· If you are a non-EU/EEA student applying to an English-taught Master's degree program in order to complete a full degree at a Finnish institution, you will be required to pay tuition (app. 8 000 - 21 000 USD/year).
· Finnish universities provide scholarships for tuition. Also, the Fulbright Finland Foundation awards funded in partnership with Finnish universities include a full-tuition scholarship as part of the Fulbright grantee benefit package (please see further information at the specific award websites).
· In Finland, tuition fees are not charged for Doctoral studies, or degree courses offered in Finnish or Swedish. Exchange students are usually not charged tuition fees, either.
· Please see more details on tuition fees and university-provided scholarships on the Study in Finland website and on the universities' websites.
· The student is responsible for finding out if fees apply and for covering fee costs.
Budgeting
· Please find living cost information on the Study in Finland website and on the universities' websites.
· We have also collected living cost information on the Foundation's website.
· Please note that whether your status at the Finnish university entitles you to student-discounted meals, travel, and housing, has a significant effect on your total budget. For example, doctoral students are not entitled to subsidized meals, travel discounts, low-cost student housing, or Student Health Services. Thus, make sure you find out what benefits you will be entitled to as a student in Finland by contacting your host university’s International Office well before arriving in Finland.
Funding second-year living costs as a Master's student: Find out here how the previous Master's students have funded their living costs during the second year of their studies in Finland.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing for the grant term. They are provided with tips and support during the process.