Finland Scholarships for African Students: Two Opportunities to Check in 2027 Date checked: 5 November 2026 Finland is becoming an attractive study destination for international students because of its quality educatio

Finwhere

Date checked: 5 November 2026

Finland is becoming an attractive study destination for international students because of its quality education, modern learning environment and English-taught degree programmes. African students, including applicants from Kenya, can apply for some Finnish university programmes if they meet the admission requirements.

Students should understand that not every scholarship covers all expenses. Some universities offer tuition-fee reductions instead of paying for accommodation, food, travel and other living costs. Here are two bachelor's degree opportunities to consider for the 2027 academic year.

1. University of Oulu – International Business Management

The University of Oulu offers a bachelor's programme in International Business Management. The programme is taught in English and is designed for students interested in business, management and international markets.

The rolling admission period for autumn 2027 opened on 1 October 2026 and closes on 25 February 2027, unless all available places are filled earlier. The university also has a joint application period from 7 January to 21 January 2027.

International applicants who have completed an upper-secondary qualification that gives them eligibility for higher education in their home country may apply, provided they meet the programme's other requirements. For the rolling admission route, applicants are selected using SAT or ACT results.

The annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA students is €10,000. The university lists a 20% tuition-fee waiver from the second year of study. This is a tuition reduction, not a full scholarship covering all living expenses.

Applicants should prepare their KCSE or other upper-secondary certificate, academic records, proof of English proficiency where required, and SAT or ACT results for the rolling admission route. Applicants should check the official admission instructions for the exact documents and submission deadlines.

Official programme information:
https://www.oulu.fi/en/apply/bachelors-international-business-management

1. LAB University of Applied Sciences – International Business

Another option is the Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business at LAB University of Applied Sciences. The programme is taught in English and is available at the Lahti and Lappeenranta campuses.

The rolling application period for the August 2027 intake opened on 2 November 2026 and closes on 30 April 2027, or earlier if the programme becomes full.

Applicants must have completed an upper-secondary qualification that gives them eligibility for higher education in the country where they studied. LAB also checks academic performance and English-language proficiency. For most programmes, applicants with an upper-secondary qualification completed outside Finland must meet a 75% academic threshold. Some programmes have different requirements.

The annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA bachelor's students is €11,000. LAB's published scholarship information states that eligible bachelor's students can receive a €3,000 reduction in annual tuition fees from the second year onwards. Students must complete 60 ECTS credits during each academic year to qualify.

Applicants should prepare their upper-secondary certificate, academic transcript, grading-scale information where needed, English-language test certificate if applicable, and a copy of their passport. Documents may need official translation into English, Finnish or Swedish.

Official programme information:
https://lab.fi/en/study/bachelor-business-administration-international-business

Documents African applicants should prepare

Although requirements differ between universities, applicants should generally prepare:

• A valid passport.
• KCSE certificate or another recognised upper-secondary certificate.
• Academic transcript or school results.
• Official translations where required.
• Proof of English-language proficiency if required.
• SAT or ACT results if required by the chosen admission route.

Applicants should check whether their qualifications meet the university's admission requirements before applying. Some universities may request additional documents.

How to apply

The official Finnish application portal is Studyinfo.fi. Applicants can search for English-taught programmes, check application dates, read admission requirements and submit applications online.

The application fee for applicants from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland is generally €100. Students should also plan for tuition fees, accommodation, food, health insurance and residence-permit requirements.

Official application portal:
https://studyinfo.fi/

Final advice

Finland offers opportunities for African students, but applicants should read the official university information carefully. A tuition-fee scholarship does not automatically mean that all study and living expenses are covered. Students should never assume that admission or a visa is guaranteed.

The best approach is to prepare academic documents early, check deadlines and apply directly through official university or Studyinfo websites.