A Finnish university campus after the first winter snowstorm — angular modern academic buildings against a fresh blanket of snow.

Finland Applications open Closes 31 May 2027

HAMK Finnish Language Scholarships and Early Bird Discount

HAMK takes an unusual approach to scholarships: rather than rewarding grades alone, it ties its money to learning Finnish, which is the single thing that most determines whether an international graduate can actually stay and work in Finland. Non-EU/EEA students pay EUR 9,700 a year for a Bachelor's or EUR 11,700 for a Master's. Paying within 21 days of admission cuts that to EUR 8,900 and EUR 10,700 respectively — an Early Bird saving of EUR 800-1,000, or around LKR 276,000-345,000. The language awards are where the real money sits. Bachelor's students who complete at least 60 ECTS in their first year and reach CEFR A2 in Finnish receive EUR 3,200; those who then complete a second year with 60 ECTS or more and reach CEFR B1 receive a further EUR 6,500. Master's students can receive EUR 2,500 for reaching A2 with at least 45 ECTS in their first year, but HAMK does not offer a B1 award at Master's level. HAMK makes the testing route affordable: its own A2 test is free on the first attempt (EUR 108 for retakes) and it reimburses your first YKI B1 test, which normally costs EUR 190. Test dates are published each spring. Be clear about the trade-off. This is not a merit scholarship you can win on your Sri Lankan A/L or degree results — it requires sustained credit progress plus real effort in a language most Sri Lankans start from zero in. If you are not willing to study Finnish seriously alongside your degree, only the Early Bird discount applies to you and your effective cost stays close to the full fee. Living costs in Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki, Forssa or Valkeakoski run roughly EUR 700-900 a month and are not covered.

For the 2027-2028 academic year, Early Bird payment must be made within 21 days of admission; the standard Bachelor's payment deadline falls around 31 May 2027 and Master's around 9 July 2027. HAMK publishes its A2 test dates each spring — confirm current dates on hamk.fi.

HAMK - Häme University of Applied Sciences

University-funded

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Language Awards

EUR 2,500-6,500

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Early Bird

EUR 800-1,000 off tuition

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Fees

EUR 9,700 BA / EUR 11,700 MA

info How this award actually works

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Who awards it

HAMK - Häme University of Applied Sciences — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.

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What it covers

Up to EUR 6,500 for Finnish Proficiency + EUR 800-1,000 Early Bird. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.

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Where we come in

We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Tuition-Paying Non-EU/EEA Student

You must be a fee-paying non-EU/EEA student on an English-taught HAMK degree. Students in Finnish-taught programmes, EU Blue Card holders, permanent residence permit holders and holders of a continuous (Type A) permit granted on non-study grounds do not pay tuition and are outside the scheme.

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Finnish Proficiency Is the Trigger

Bachelor's: EUR 3,200 at CEFR A2 after a first year of 60+ ECTS, then EUR 6,500 at CEFR B1 after a second year of 60+ ECTS. Master's: EUR 2,500 at CEFR A2 after a first year of 45+ ECTS, with no B1 award at Master's level.

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Sustained Credit Progress

The credit thresholds apply every year the award is claimed. Falling behind on ECTS disqualifies you regardless of your language level.

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Testing Costs Largely Covered

HAMK's own A2 test is free on the first attempt and EUR 108 for retakes. HAMK reimburses your first YKI B1 test attempt, which normally costs EUR 190.

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Apply through Studyinfo

HAMK's English-taught degrees are applied for through Finland's joint application portal in January for the autumn intake, with any programme entrance task completed as required.

Pay within 21 days for the Early Bird rate

Paying within 21 days of admission gives a Bachelor's fee of EUR 8,900 instead of EUR 9,700, or a Master's fee of EUR 10,700 instead of EUR 11,700. Payment is made through the HAMK Store or Flywire.

Start Finnish in your first semester

The awards are built around a two-year language trajectory. Beginning Finnish in semester one is the only realistic way to hit A2 in year one and B1 in year two.

Sit the tests and submit the scholarship form

Take the HAMK A2 test on a published date, or the YKI test for B1. Then submit the scholarship application form with your bank details and test results.

Apply for the Finnish residence permit

Apply through Migri with your admission letter, tuition receipt, proof of living funds and insurance. Note that switching from a study-based to an employment-based permit changes your tuition exemption status.

Why HAMK?

HAMK teaches across seven campuses in southern Finland, with strengths in bioeconomy, technology, business and health care. Its scholarship design is a deliberate signal: the university is funding the language skills that turn an international student into an employable Finnish graduate.

EUR 8,900

Early Bird Bachelor's Fee

EUR 9,700

Max Language Awards (BA)

Free

First A2 Test Attempt

Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?

Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.

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