Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees

The tuition fee in the Bachelor’s degree programmes offered by Diak is €9.500 per academic year for new students who start their studies on or after 1 August 2024.

New students will receive payment details and instructions by email. The tuition fee for the first academic year cannot be paid in installments.

After the first year, the tuition fee can be paid in two installments. The deadline for the payment for the autumn semester is the end of July and for the spring semester the end of November. Fee-paying students will receive an email with payment instructions in May.

If a student does not pay the tuition fees by the deadlines, they will lose their study entitlement (right to study). If they wish to continue their studies, they need to apply for reinstatement of the study entitlement, which is subject to a €50 fee. They also need to pay the tuition fee in full to be able to continue their studies.

The conditions for increasing the annual tuition fee are defined in the Student Agreement made between the student and Diak.

Scholarships

Diak does not grant scholarships for the first academic year.

Non-EU/EEA students who pay tuition may apply for a scholarship at the end of each academic year.

If the student applies for a scholarship and is still waiting for course assessments to be registered to MyDiak, they can be granted a conditional scholarship. In this case, the course credits have to be registered to MyDiak by the end of the June in the spring semester.

The scholarship consists of three (3) parts.

1. Annual scholarship based on completed credits: 600 euros
   • Students who have obtained 55 credits or more during the previous academic year may be granted a scholarship. The credits will be counted cumulatively.
   • At most, 15 credits of the total number of credits that confer the right to obtain a scholarship can come from studies that have been accredited on the basis of prior learning.
   • This scholarship can be applied for three (3) times during studies.
2. Scholarship based on completed Finnish courses: 400 euros per one Finnish basic level course
   • Student needs to participate in and pass Diak’s Finnish Basic Level 1A-C courses or other Finnish courses possibly offered by Diak and as agreed with study guidance counselor.
   • This scholarship can be applied once after each Finnish Basic Level 1 course.
3. Scholarship for graduating students, based on completed credits during the last semester: 300 euros

• Students who have obtained 27 credits or more during the last semester* before graduating may be granted a scholarship. The credits will be counted cumulatively.

*Student is expected to graduate in 3.5 years which is the normative duration of the degree programme.

Scholarship application

The next scholarship application period starts on 4 May and ends on 15 May 2026. Link to the application form will be added to this page in April 2026.

Contact details for the Admission Services

Tuition fees

The tuition fee for students who have started their studies before 1 August 2024 is €4.000.

After the first year, the tuition fee can be paid in two installments. The deadline for the payment for the autumn semester is the end of July and for the spring semester the end of November. Fee-paying students will receive an email with payment instructions in May.

If a student does not pay the tuition fees by the deadlines, they will lose their study entitlement (right to study). If they wish to continue their studies, they need to apply for reinstatement of the study entitlement, which is subject to a €50 fee. They also need to pay the tuition fee in full to be able to continue their studies.

The conditions for increasing the annual tuition fee are defined in the Student Agreement made between the student and Diak.

Scholarships

Non-EU/EEA students who pay tuition may apply for a €2.000 scholarship at the end of each academic year. Scholarships are based on study performance. All students who have obtained at least 55 credits included in their degree programme during the previous academic year are granted a scholarship. The credits are counted cumulatively.

If the student applies for a scholarship and is still waiting for course assessments to be registered to MyDiak, they can be granted a conditional scholarship. In this case, the course credits have to be registered to MyDiak by the end of the June in the spring semester.

If the student completes summer studies, the credits can be counted for the next year’s scholarship.

At most, 15 credits of the total number of credits that confer the right to obtain a scholarship can come from studies that have been accredited on the basis of prior learning.

Under special circumstances, scholarships of smaller size may be considered as well for students who obtained more than 50 but fewer than 55 credits during the previous academic year. In such cases, the students must append explanations to their scholarship applications, detailing their credits and the reasons why the number of credits remains below 55. These students will also be required to include the appropriate documents.

Students may apply for a €1000 scholarship for their final semester if they have obtained no fewer than 27 credits during the semester in which they apply. The credits will be counted cumulatively.

Scholarship application

The next scholarship application period is from 17 November until 30 November 2025. Please note that this application period is for students who graduate during autumn semester 2025.

Link to the application form

Contact details for the Admission Services

Diaconia University of Applied Sciences (Diak) is committed to the laws and regulations applicable to universities of applied sciences in Finland, including but not limited to the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014, as amended), as well as the degree regulations and other study-related regulations confirmed by Diak. These policies are subject to update/change from time to time.

• Degree regulations
• Other study-related regulations

Diak provides the student with the programme in accordance with the study information as amended from time to time. Diak makes reasonable efforts to ensure the quality of the programme offered. Subject to the student successfully fulfilling the requirements of the programme and completing the programme, the student is awarded the applicable degree.

Specific details relating to the arrangements for the programme are available in the study information. Study information means the documents published and updated by Diak containing details of Diak’s study programmes, policies and other relevant information for students enrolled at Diak.

The student is obliged to comply with applicable laws and policies during their studies at Diak. To be issued a degree certificate, the student must complete the studies included in the degree.

The students’ rights, obligations and responsibilities are defined in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (in Finnish), Diak’s Degree Regulations and other study-related regulations.

The student is required to, for instance:

• Accept the offered study place and prove their eligibility by the given deadlines. If an applicant who has been offered admission does not accept the study place or prove their eligibility by the deadlines, they will lose the offered study place.
• Pay the tuition fee by the given deadline if the student is liable to pay tuition fees. If the student does not pay the tuition fee by the deadline, they will lose their right to study.
• Register for the academic year by the given deadlines. If the student does not register for the academic year by the given deadlines, they will lose their right to study.
• Respect the resources and facilities offered by Diak. Diak will not tolerate violence, bullying or intimidation of any kind. All cheating, plagiarism or other academic offences are taken very seriously. Formal disciplinary action will be taken against students who commit any above-mentioned acts. Such action will be taken in accordance with Diak’s Policies and may result in a warning from Diak’s CEO, Rector, revocation of the student’s right to study, or other measures deemed necessary by Diak.
• Ensure that they possess adequate and valid medical insurance if so required by the Finnish Immigration Service. Diak does not have any insurance related to the student apart from accident insurance which covers curricular activities and journeys which are directly related to such activities. The accident insurance does not cover accidents that take place off school hours. For the purposes of insurance, accident is a sudden, external occurrence that causes physical injury and is beyond the control of the insured.
• Be aware of and agree that they need to have a valid residence permit to study in Finland if so required by the Finnish Immigration Service. Matters related to immigration and residence permits, as well as the grounds thereof, are governed and decided by the Finnish government and the Finnish Immigration Service. The student is responsible for independently providing the necessary materials and information directly to the Finnish Immigration Services or other relevant authorities. The student is aware that Diak does not have any control over immigration matters, such as the application process or related decisions.
• Keep their contact information up to date by updating it in the study management system themselves.

The current tuition fees are:

• For students whose right to study started on or after 1 August 2024, the annual tuition fee is €9500.
• For students whose right to study started before 1 August 2024, the annual tuition fee is €4000.

The tuition fee may increase by up to 10% over the duration of a student’s period of studies (estimated 3.5 academic years) and no less than three months’ notice will be provided for an increase in the tuition fee.

Diak offers an early bird discount for applicants who accept the offered study place and pay the tuition fee within 14 days of receiving the offer letter from Diak. The early bird discount is 500 euros on the tuition fee of the first academic year.

If the tuition fee payment is made later than within 14 days of receiving the offer letter, the payment has to be made in full.

Please note that the tuition fee has to be paid by the deadline for accepting the study place at the latest. The applicant’s deadline for accepting the study place is visible at Studyinfo. In spring 2026, the general deadline for accepting the offer is 9 July 2026. Applicants offered admission on 3 July or later will have 7 days to accept the offer and pay the tuition fee.

Who pays tuition fees?

Universities of applied sciences and universities charge a tuition fee from bachelor’s or master’s level students studying for a degree in languages other than Finnish or Swedish. EU/EEA area and Swiss citizens are not subject to the charge.

Liability to pay tuition fees is governed by Section 13a of the Universities of Applied Sciences. The Universities of Applied Sciences Act in Finnish

Exemptions

Grounds on which the student is exempted from paying tuition are defined in Section 13a of the Universities of Applied Sciences. See The Universities of Applied Sciences Act in Finnish.

Documents that exempt from paying tuition fees are listed at Studyinfo:

The tuition fee is not charged for persons who, under the Aliens Act

• have a EU Blue Card
• have a permanent residence permit card in Finland
• are under temporary protection, that is, have a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection in Finland
• have a long-term resident’s European Union residence permit issued to third-country nationals (EU residence permit for third-country citizens with long-term residence permit card in Finland)
• have a EU family member’s residence card in Finland
• have a Brexit residence permit card (type SEU = Right of residence under the withdrawal agreement, or P SEU = Right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement)

A continuous residence permit card in Finland (type A) may also exempt you from paying tuition fees if it was granted on grounds other than studying. Please note that in the following cases the tuition fee is charged:

• If your first residence permit in Finland was granted for the purpose of studying, you are required to pay tuition fees, even if you later obtained a continuous residence permit (type A) on other grounds.
• If you have a continuous residence permit (type A) based on family ties, and your family member originally came to Finland on a residence permit granted for studying, you are also required to pay tuition fees.
• If your current continuous residence permit (type A) is granted for studying.

However if your continuous residence permit (type A) is based on family ties in Finland, and your family member is a Finnish citizen or is staying in Finland with a permanent residence permit, you will be exempted from tuition fees.

If you are exempted from paying tuition fees based on a residence permit, you are required to present a new residence permit card to Diak when the previous one expires.

Diak has the right to check the status and history of your residence permit directly from the Finnish Immigration Service to determine whether you are exempted from paying tuition fees.

Paying tuition fees

First academic year

The tuition fee for the first academic year is paid by the deadline for accepting the study place. Applicants who are offered admission will receive payment instructions by email.

Consequent academic years

From the second academic year onward, the tuition fee can be paid in two instalments, the first of which is due by the end of July and the second by the end of November. Due date means that the payment must be made 31 July/30 November.

Diak makes reasonable effort to send a payment reminder to all fee-paying students. Students must pay the tuition fee by the deadline, even if they do not receive a reminder.

Registration and attendance

Students are required to pay the tuition fee for every semester that they are registered as attending. Being registered as attending gives the student the right to complete studies. The number of credits completed does not effect the amount of the tuition fee. If the student has registered as attending and paid the tuition fee but does not complete any credits, this is not a reason to receive a refund.

Students are not required to pay the tuition fee for semesters that they are registered as non-attending. Being registered as non-attending means that the student cannot complete any credits.

Please note that there are restrictions on circumstances in which a student can register as non-attending during their first academic year. Please see the Enrolment and schedules page..

Non-payment consequences

A student who does not pay the tuition fee by the deadline will lose their right to study. If a student has lost their right to study, they may apply for reinstatement of the right to study. The application is subject to a €50 fee, in addition to which the student is required to pay the pending tuition fee.

Status changes during studies and refunds

If your immigration or citizenship status changes during your studies, you are required to provide Diak with a full copy of the relevant authority’s decision concerning the change of status and present a new residence permit card or proof of citizenship. The status justifying the exemption must be valid before the beginning of each semester to exempt you from the tuition fee for the said semester and you must provide the copy of the decision by the payment due date. A pending residence permit or citizenship application does not exempt you from paying the tuition fee.

If your immigration or citizenship status changes in the middle of the academic year and you will no longer be liable to pay tuition fees based on the change, you will be exempted from paying tuition fees from the following semester onwards. If you have already paid the tuition fee for the following semester, the paid tuition fee can be refunded if the you present a new residence permit that is valid on the 1st day of the semester (1 August or 1 January).

Example 1: A student has paid the tuition fee for the whole academic year 2025–2026. In October 2025, they present a new residence permit card that exempts them from paying the tuition fee and that becomes valid on 1 January 2026 at the latest. The student can receive a refund of the tuition fee for spring 2026.

Example 2: The student has paid the tuition fee for the whole academic year 2025–2026. In January 2026, they present a new residence permit card that exempts them from paying the tuition fee and that has become valid on 1 January 2026 at the latest. The student can receive a refund of the tuition fee for spring 2026.

Example 3: The student has paid the tuition fee for the whole academic year 2025–2026. In January 2026, they present a new residence permit card that exempts them from paying the tuition fee and that has become valid on 15 January 2026. The student is not entitled to a refund as the residence permit was not valid on 1 January 2026, when the semester began.

Paid tuition fees for the first academic year will not be refunded except where an admitted student is unable to obtain a residence permit for studies or the programme question is cancelled by Diak. If the student requests a tuition fee refund due to a negative decision on their residence permit application, they must submit a copy of the decision to Diak as soon as possible after receiving it. The tuition fee is not refunded if the admitted student has cancelled the residence permit process themselves.

In all refunds, there is a handling fee of €250 to cover the refund administrative costs. The handling fee will be deducted from the refunded amount.

Payment instructions

Diak has partnered with Flywire to accept tuition fee payments. Students who are liable to pay tuition fees will receive payment instructions by email. Diak does not issue invoices for tuition fees.

Link to Flywire payment portal

The payment options listed on Flywire depend on the country where the payment is made. If your country is not listed on Flywire’s drop-down menu, please contact Diak to receive alternative payment instructions. Diak does not accept cash payments.

Diak has a scholarship scheme for students who are liable to pay tuition fees. The scholarship schemes are different for students whose right to study began on or after 1 August 2024 and for students whose right to study began before 1 August 2024.

The scholarship schemes may be subject to change.

The scholarship application periods are confirmed separately for each spring and autumn. Typically, the application periods fall on May and November.

If the student applies for a scholarship and is still waiting for course assessments to be registered to Diak’s study information system, they can be granted a conditional scholarship. In this case, the course credits have to be registered to MyDiak by the end of the June in the spring semester.

Students whose right to study began on or after 1 August 2024

The scholarship consists of three (3) parts.

1. Annual scholarship based on completed credits: 600 euros

2. Scholarship based on completed Finnish courses: 400 euros per one Finnish basic level course

• Student needs to participate in and pass Diak’s Finnish Basic Level 1A-C courses or other Finnish courses possibly offered by Diak and as agreed with study guidance counselor.
• This scholarship can be applied once after each Finnish Basic Level 1 course.

3. Scholarship for graduating students, based on completed credits during the last semester: 300 euros

• Students who have obtained 27 credits or more during the last semester* before graduating may be granted a scholarship. The credits will be counted cumulatively.
• *Student is expected to graduate in 3.5 years which is the normative duration of the degree programme.

Students whose right to study began before 1 August 2024

Non-EU/EEA students who pay tuition may apply for a €2000 scholarship at the end of each academic year. Scholarships are based on study performance. All students who have obtained at least 55 credits included in their degree programme during the previous academic year are granted a scholarship. The credits are counted cumulatively.

If the student applies for a scholarship and is still waiting for course assessments to be registered to MyDiak, they can be granted a conditional scholarship. In this case, the course credits have to be registered to MyDiak by the end of the June in the spring semester.

If the student completes summer studies, the credits can be counted for the next year’s scholarship.

At most, 15 credits of the total number of credits that confer the right to obtain a scholarship can come from studies that have been accredited on the basis of prior learning.

Under special circumstances, scholarships of smaller size may be considered as well for students who obtained more than 50 but fewer than 55 credits during the previous academic year. In such cases, the students must append explanations to their scholarship applications, detailing their credits and the reasons why the number of credits remains below 55. These students will also be required to include the appropriate documents.

Students may apply for scholarships for a €1000 scholarship for their final semester if they have obtained no fewer than 27 credits during the semester in which they apply. The credits will be counted cumulatively.

Diak shall not assume any liability for any failure to perform an obligation under these regulations, when and to the extent such failure to perform is caused by or results from circumstances reasonably beyond its control, including, without limitation, events such as strike or boycott, natural disaster, national or regional emergency, act of any governmental authority, change of laws or regulations, unforeseeable discontinuation of public funding, civil disorders or other civil unrest, acts of aggression, war, energy shortages, network traffic failure, fire, water damage, explosions, failure of utilities, mechanical breakdowns, material shortages, epidemic, pandemic or other outbreak of serious illness, staff shortage due to illness, or other similar events beyond Diak’s reasonable control.

Diak assumes no liability over changes in the programme or availability of specific courses or other content.

Diak is not liable for and does not warrant that the programme is suitable for any specific occupation, job, position or purpose. Some of the programmes offered by Diak may, however, lead to the holder of the resulting degree to generally qualify for certain professions. Please note that certain professions, especially within the social services and healthcare sectors, may require additional licenses or authority permits before they can be practiced within a certain country or region.

Diak shall not assume any liabilty over any indirect or consequential damages. Limitation of liability does not cover damages caused by intentional or gross negligent acts or personal injuries resulting from occupational accidents in connection with the student’s curricular activities insofar such accident is covered by the regulatory accident insurance provided by Diak.

For questions related to admissions or tuition fees, please contact Diak’s Admission Services.