Estimated Monthly Living Costs in Vaasa
The average monthly living expenses for a student in Vaasa—including accommodation, food, the student healthcare fee, and transportation range approximately between €800 and €1,300, depending on your personal lifestyle. Factors such as your housing choices, family situation, and daily habits can significantly influence your overall costs.
All degree students are expected to cover their own tuition fees (if applicable) and living expenses. It is essential to ensure you have adequate financial resources to support yourself throughout your entire period of study.
We strongly recommend budgeting more than the minimum estimate to ensure financial security. Having extra funds can provide a more comfortable standard of living and help cover unexpected expenses.
Examples of Typical Monthly Expenses (Individual Student)
- Student accommodation:
Approximately €300–600 for a small apartment or a room in a shared apartment. Larger apartments typically cost €600 or more. Renting from the private market is generally more expensive. - Local transportation:
Starting from around €40 per person, based on the cost of a 30-day student ticket. (See Lifti for more details.) - Food:
Estimated at €250–450, which includes one average-priced student meal per weekday and groceries costing around €40–100 per week. - Additional expenses:
Clothing (especially for winter), furniture, hobbies, and other personal items.
Note: Family size significantly impacts living costs and should be considered when planning your budget.
Other Fees to Consider
- Tuition fee (if applicable)
- Student Union Fee: 35€ for an academic year. Please check the VAMOK website for more details.
- Student healthcare fee: Approximately €70 per year
- Health insurance: Required for international students and recommended for all
Financing your studies in Vaasa
It is important to note that finding a part-time job can be challenging, especially if you do not speak the local languages. International students with a residence permit for studies are allowed to work in paid employment for a maximum of 30 hours per week. Please note that taxes must be paid on any income earned in Finland.
Even though part-time work is permitted, you should not rely on it as your only source of income to finance your studies.
Please also make sure that you focus on your studies. To maintain a healthy study-life balance and achieve good learning results, it is essential to plan your budget and funding for the entire study period realistically before arriving in Finland.
