How to budget for student life in Finland
Studying in a new country can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but also a challenging one. You may need to adjust to different living costs in Finland depending on your background, but budgeting your finances wisely can help you meet your needs, explore the Finnish way of life, enjoy social activities, and create unforgettable memories.
The first month is the most costly
It's a good idea to start saving at the same time as you start planning your studies abroad. It's not easy to advise on a budget for the first month because it depends on what you consider necessities and what you want and can find second-hand. Also, it depends on how many people are in your household, so modify your budget accordingly.
Rent and room furnishing consume your budget in the first month, depending on when you arrive in Jyväskylä and what kind of apartment and furniture you are looking for. However, the budget eventually stabilizes.
From our own experience as international degree students, we recommend that students should budget between 700 and 1,000 euros for the first month.
Reduce rental and furniture costs by buying second-hand
The typical rent for a shared flat from a student accommodation provider in Jyväskylä (Soihtu or KOAS) is between 250 and 350 euros, depending on size. Studios could cost between 350 and 500 euros. And of course, there are family apartments that can cost up to 700 or more.
Most student residences in Finland are rented unfurnished, except for a wardrobe. Furniture, bed frame and mattress, kitchen utensils, curtains, and so on can be costly when purchased new. However, some students have furnished their rooms for less than 200 euros by shopping at second-hand stores in Jyväskylä. Keep in mind that in this way it might take some time to gather all the furniture and equipment. When you buy a complete furniture set, some second-hand stores with transportation services could deliver it to your home for free or at a reduced price.
Aside from personally visiting businesses, students frequently purchase second-hand furniture and household goods through the Facebook group called Second-Hand Items in Jyväskylä or the Finnish second-hand website, Tori.fi. You can receive the furniture for free or at a fraction of the cost from other students nearing the conclusion of their studies who live near to your flat. If the pick-up location is far away, you must arrange for transportation.
In addition, in the Facebook group called Roskalava Jyväskylä, you can acquire furniture and household goods for free.
If your budget allows it, you may already order new furniture and household products online from major retailers such as IKEA, JYSK, Sotka, Asko etc. You can arrange for delivery on your first day in Jyväskylä.
Other necessities: Student union fee and Finnish phone subscription
Keep in mind that as a student you are also required to pay the Student Union fee (full academic year: 76,50€, the autumn term only 48,00 € / spring term only 50,00 €) and the Health care fee if you are outside the EU, which is 36.80 € per term, which gives you access to the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS).
Another thing to consider when arriving, especially from non-EU countries, is that you will probably need a Finnish sim card. Mobile companies like Elisa, Telia, and DNA have student programs that usually provide you with unlimited data for about and cost about 20-30 euros per month.
When everything is close, transportation is almost free
Walking, cycling, and taking the bus are the most popular modes of transportation in Jyväskylä. Students who live near university campuses like to walk and cycle to campus. Bicycles are also useful for getting around campus, attending lectures, sightseeing, attending quick social gatherings, grocery shopping, and exercising.
You may not have to pay much to get to and from campus. Cycling and walking are safe in Jyväskylä since there are dedicated cycling and pedestrian lanes - which also means that you may not have to pay much to get to and from campus.
Most students get a bike or a bus pass
Bicycles can be obtained for 50-100 euros from second-hand shops, other students, and Facebook groups. Of course, depending on the nature, usefulness, and extras of the bicycle, but also when you buy it, the price could be expensive. Cycling is an all-year hobby in Finland, so acquire two pairs of tires for winter and summer. The bicycle shop called Polkupyörätori near the campus is well-known for used bicycle sales and repairs.
Linkki, the public bus company, offers services throughout the Jyväskylä region. This implies that, depending on where you reside, you can easily get to and from campus. Linkki provides students with substantial discounts. When you show your student card at the point of sale, a monthly bus pass will cost you 40 euros at the moment (2024). You might pay 50% (1.65 euros) of the cost of a single ticket with your Linkki bus card linked to your student registration (load the card before riding or pay 3.50 euros cash to the driver).
Long-distance travel outside the Jyväskylä region is possible with VR trains and the bus companies Onnibus and Matkahuolto. When you buy train tickets weeks before your trip, you can save up to 70% on discounts. On the train, be prepared to display your student ID.
Where to buy groceries and household products
Prisma and Citymarket are the two largest retail malls in Finland. These are one-stop shops for groceries, household goods, ready-made foods, clothing, shoes, electronics, electrical goods, home appliances, and work supplies, among other things. These large markets are located a few kilometres from the Jyväskylä city centre in the Seppälä, Keljo, and Palokka areas. For other household items, you can have a look at stores like Clas Ohlson and Tokmanni.
Smaller shopping outlets, like S-Market and K-Market, can be found around Jyväskylä and are useful if you wish to walk, cycle, or do some quick shopping in your neighbourhood. In Jyväskylä, Lidl and SALE have a few shopping shops spread out over a wide area.
The general student consensus is that Lidl’s costs are frequently a few cents lower than other retailers, but it lacks brand variety. Prisma also boasts a wider range of brands and lower costs, and customers can get up to 60% off food, pastries, and other products on "reduced to clear" after 9 pm. Shopping for groceries in the evening is a smart idea because certain retailers cut the prices of perishable and limited shelf-life items.
Another piece of advice is to buy Finnish brands for quality and low prices because the products are manufactured in Finland and are frequently 'own brands' of the grocery group's parent company. Furthermore, inquire about the stores' 'loyalty schemes' to save money with further discounts. Use supermarket marketing brochures as well as those published in the widely circulated Jyväskylä Suur Jyväskylän Lehti (newspaper) to compare prices.
Students we polled for this blog post reported spending "back of the envelope" 200-250 euros a month on groceries and household goods. This may be less or more based on lifestyle, preferences, and interest, particularly in ethnic stores like Asian Food Jyväskylä Oy, Antalya Market and Silkkitie.
Campus restaurants are cheap for lunch and snacking
Students' restaurants give nutritious meals for the low price of 2.95 euros (show your student ID). Salads, milk/juice, a main meal, a side dish, bread, and a spread are included in the lunch. All the eateries offer vegetarian lunch options.
In student restaurants, a dessert can cost between 1.20 and 1.50 euros. Students might have takeout coffee or tea for 1 euro (small cup) and 1.50 euros (large cup) in between courses, personal study, and group meetings. When you take the coffee in the café's cup, you can pay 50 cents. Confectionery could cost between 1 and 3 euros. Be sure to check out the special prices in the university library’s cafe.
Campus restaurants can be found on all university campuses. Before picking where to eat for lunch, students often consult the menus of all eateries on the My JYU app.
Students who want to save money could bring a packed lunch to campus. Microwaves are available to students in the Lähde Library and other shared areas in departments.
Affordable sport and entertainment services through uMove, student union JYY and student associations
Aside from having one of the top education systems in the world, Finland has many tourist attractions. Students can visit lakes, forests, museums, festivals, architectural sites, and iconic cities. You should budget a few euros for travel to view these tourist attractions.
To save money, take advantage of the many free or low-cost tours organised by the student union JYY, study clubs, residence committees, and other social organisations in Jyväskylä. You can also take advantage or even get actively involved in student associations like ESN and IDESCO.
For sports and physical activities, students could purchase a yearly uMove pass (about 60 euros) to have access to the university's sports and fitness facilities. JYU also offers free sports courses through which you can also gain credit. Also, if you enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating, buy sport and fitness equipment from second-hand shops or during sales at prominent brands in the city center.
Check out also student-led clubs like the Taideklubi (art club), or clubs in the student villages that are usually for free.
Furthermore, if you buy tickets early, you can visit Finland's neighboring countries by sea, air, and land with cheap tickets for tourism and leisure.Remember to ask about student discounts and ‘rescue’ restaurant meals
When purchasing drinks, food, or clothing, inquire about student discounts. Many shops in Jyväskylä offer student discounts. Do not hesitate to ask at the check-out!
Students can also use the ResQ club app to 'rescue' meals from costly restaurants. Food from these restaurants that would otherwise go to waste is sold for a fraction of its original cost. With this app, you get delicious meals at a fraction of the cost.
Expenses differ – save a bit extra too
Because of personal preferences, no two monthly budgets can be the same. Some students spend around 600-700 euros per month since they live in shared apartments and are prudent with their spending. Other students estimate spending in the 900-1100 euros range per month due to living in a studio or one-bed flats, recreation, and travel.
So, plan a budget that suits your needs, but it is a very good idea for everyone to save a little extra money both for any unexpected expenses and for surprises in the global economy.