A month in Helsinki, in numbers
| Item | Monthly | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Student housing room (HOAS) | EUR 300-500 | There is a waiting list |
| Private shared flat | EUR 500-800 | |
| Food | EUR 200-280 | Campus lunch is subsidised |
| Transport | EUR 35-45 | HSL student discount |
| Phone and internet | EUR 15-25 | |
| Personal and other | EUR 80-150 | Winter clothing is separate |
| Total | EUR 700-1,100 | Lower with a HOAS place |
Where students actually live
HOAS housing is spread across the capital region. The familiar student areas are Otaniemi (Aalto's campus, in Espoo), Kumpula and Viikki (University of Helsinki campuses), Kallio (affordable and lively), and the outer parts of Espoo and Vantaa for the lowest rents. Metro, tram and commuter rail together make living away from the centre a normal choice rather than a compromise.
The universities
- University of Helsinki — Finland's largest and oldest, research-led
- Aalto University — engineering, business and design together, on the Otaniemi campus
- Metropolia and Haaga-Helia — universities of applied sciences, more vocational
The three savings that actually work
- 1Student housing. Far below private rent. Apply the day your offer arrives; the waiting list is real.
- 2Campus lunch. Subsidised for students, which covers one meal a day cheaply.
- 3Student union membership. The transport and meal discounts come with it.
Work, honestly
Finland permits student work within defined limits, but the real barrier is language — a great many jobs require Finnish. English-language work exists in technology, research, cleaning and food delivery. Helsinki is the best market in the country, but do not budget for first-semester income.
The honest bits
- 1Long, dark winters. Daylight is very short from November to January and this is a genuine adjustment.
- 2Winter clothing is a one-off cost — allow EUR 200-400.
- 3On the other side: safety, transparent administration, and a long post-study residence permit for job-seeking.
Before you fly
- 1Apply to HOAS as soon as you accept.
- 2Match your funds to Migri's income and insurance conditions — see the proof of funds guide.
- 3Note the application round — see the Finnish application walkthrough. Miss January and you wait a year.
Official sources — check for yourself
Rules and figures change. We review these articles periodically and show the date above, but always confirm the current requirement with the official source before you act on it.
Common questions
How much does a student need per month in Helsinki?+
Typically EUR 700-1,100. A HOAS student housing place cuts accommodation substantially, and subsidised campus lunches plus discounted transport take a meaningful edge off Nordic prices.
How much money do I need to show for a Finnish student permit?+
Migri publishes a minimum income requirement each year and that is the only figure to work from. Do not build your funds around a number from a blog, an agent or an old forum post.
Is there English-language work in Helsinki?+
In some sectors — technology, research, cleaning and food delivery. Many jobs still require Finnish, so first-semester earnings are not something to budget for. Starting Finnish changes the picture from the second year.
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