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Claim: An X user claims relocating to Finland for study costs only $900.
Verdict: False. According to relevant agencies responsible for study migration, the cost of living in Finland as an international student is more than $900.
Full Text
The average individual would think that after over 24 years of civilian rule and counting, the country should have moved past its inhabitants’ complaints about a comatose electricity supply despite tariff hikes, death traps on federal roads, biting inflation, etc., but things continue to deteriorate in Nigeria.
Unfortunately, the government’s inability to turn things around has made Nigerians seek a better standard of living beyond the shores of Nigeria. In a data inquiry released in 2024, about 56% of respondents hinted they would like to leave Nigeria.
Closely related to this development, an X user, Jesse of Ozone (@DrJesseglee), asserted that Nigerians could move to Finland and study while working with only $900. He wrote;
“As a Nigerian, don’t miss out on Finland. They need Nigerians. Study while working and move with your family. Just $900. Requirements: Passport, WAEC/NECO, and transcripts.”
DUBAWA found the claim when another X user, FindingSolace (@lifeinsolace), attempted to disapprove the claimant’s assertions, including mentioning that the average tuition fee in the Schengen country is between €8,000 and €11,000.
The post attracted over 2 million views, 1,100 comments, 2,700 retweets, 16,000 likes, and 8,400 bookmarks.
Some X users who viewed the post expressed different reactions to it. Some asked for more details, while others queried its authenticity.
“With a total of 10m, I can settle there?” (@WarriWeido) inquired.
“Stop this lie for engagement. There are no jobs in Finland,” (@lifeinsolace) said.
“Scammers like you prey on desperate people, selling them false dreams for a quick buck,” (@SecretDiary) criticised.
The outright contradictory comments in response to the post prompted DUBAWA to verify it.
Verification
DUBAWA did a keyword search on Google and discovered Study Portals Masters, which lists Finland’s cost of living for international students. The website reveals that international students could pay between €4,000 and €18,000 per academic year. However, it mentions that doctoral programmes (PhD) are free for all international students.
Furthermore, the average living cost for international students in Finland is between €700 and €11,100. The minimum amount a student must possess while studying in Finland is €560 per month, depending on the city where the student lives.
It also broke down some essential utilities and costs that foreign students would use while staying in the Nordic country. These are: public transport (€55 per month), accommodation (€300-€600 per month), phone/internet/electricity/garbage (€130 per month), and health-related expenses, including insurance and medication (€36 per month).
Another outlet, Study in Finland, informs that the master’s tuition fee varies by university and programme, and ranges from €8,000 to €20,000 per year. It also mentions that doctoral programmes do not charge fees regardless of nationality.
Study in Finland also mentions that the Finnish Immigration Service, commonly known as “Migri,” stipulates that the minimum funds a foreign student must have is €800 per month, but encourages them to have about €900 to €1,000 per month. This covers living expenses such as accommodation, food, and travel.
It further adds that students pay an annual student union fee of €50 to €70 per academic year, giving them discounts at restaurants and public transport.
A study in Finland mentions that although international students can work while attending classes, it is difficult to find jobs, especially those requiring the Swedish or Finnish language. This contradicts the claimant’s assertion that employment is guaranteed to foreigners who hope to study in Finland.
Finnish Immigration Service says if your studies take one year or more, you must have €9600 in your bank account while applying as an international student. If your course of study takes less than a year, you must have €800 per month at your disposal.
Conclusion
The claim is false. The cost of living in Finland as an international student is more than $900. Relevant agencies such as the Finnish Immigration Service, popularly known as “Migri,” stipulate €800 per month as the average cost an international student must have while studying in Finland. Another institute, Study in Finland, informs international students that tuition fees in the Scandinavian country range from €8,000 to €20,000 per annum.
