Bachelor of Health Care, Physiotherapist

Our Bachelor of Physiotherapy program is designed especially for international students, offering comprehensive education in physiotherapy. The curriculum includes professional studies with clinical practice and Finnish language courses to enhance your career prospects in Finland.

The job description of a physiotherapist

A physiotherapist is a multi-skilled professional who promotes people's functional capacity, health, and wellbeing and movement. Their expertise is especially needed when aging, injury, pain, illness, or everyday challenges limit an individual's functional capacity. The physiotherapist's role in promoting health is significant.

The work of a physiotherapist is inspiring, independent, and responsible. They plan physiotherapy based on the individual's needs and goals, working with clients, people close to them and other experts.

Key competencies include functional capacity assessment, functioning promotion, rehabilitation, accessibility, technological, ethical, and social skills. Physiotherapists act as experts in multidisciplinary teams and networks at regional, national, and international levels. They work as experts in rehabilitation, for example planning and guiding therapeutic exercises and other physiotherapy methods for promoting health and wellbeing.

Overview of the Degree Programme

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy program spans 3.5 years and comprises 210 ECTS credits. The curriculum includes comprehensive coursework in physiotherapy. Additionally, the program integrates Finnish language studies to support your career development in Finland.

Familiarize yourself with the curriculum of degree programme.

Main contents of the Program

As a physiotherapist you will study:

• Cooperation and interaction with the client
• Instructing the client
• Functional ability and its assessment
• Structure and functioning of the human body
• Biomechanics
• Motor learning
• Therapeutic exercise

Physiotherapy degree programme includes also training in applied exercise and aquatic therapy as well as rescue from water. Basic swimming skills including basic diving skills are required for the studies.

Physiotherapy degree programme includes also clinical practice, where vaccinations are required, please read about the requirements: FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) Instructions for social and health care students concerning infectious diseases and vaccinations.

Please also notice: Health requirements for the applicant in Studyinfo

The studies include blended learning, group work, lectures, independent and virtual learning, practical training and various assignments and exams. Supervised clinical practice is included in the studies. Finnish language skills are used in clinical practice.

Studies include both online learning and contact teaching, and the balance between them varies from semester to semester depending on the course content. Blended studying requires flexibility and active participation in both online studies and guided on-campus sessions.

Language of Instruction and Finnish Language Studies

The program is primarily taught in English, making it accessible to international students. Studies will begin in English without the Finnish language proficiency requirement, and will form a foundation for self-study and on-the-job learning in terms of Finnish language skills. The programme is conducted bilingually with English and Finnish as the studies progress.

Bilingual Finnish language studies are an integral part of the curriculum. These studies are designed to help integration into Finnish society and employment prospects in Finland.

Applicants must have the minimum of B2 level in the English language (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to be accepted to the programme.

Structure and content of the studies

Professional studies and practical training

The Physiotherapy programme offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes professional studies, including practical training, clinical practice, and a bachelor's thesis project. The programme is designed to provide with integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Clinical practice

The program includes clinical practice, providing practical training throughout your studies. Clinical practice courses are from 5 to 10 credits and cover different aspects of physiotherapy. Some clinical practice periods can be conducted in the school's own facilities, you can gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment in HyMy Village.

At Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, social and health care students follow field-specific guidelines applicable to an authentic working environment. When practicing clinical skills at campus or in clinical practices, the hygiene requirements of the work and the customer and patient safety are taken into account.

When practicing clinical skills at campus or in clinical practices and work placements, the hygiene requirements of the work and the customer and patient safety need to be considered.

Students need to wear protective clothing in accordance with the guidelines of the universities of applied sciences when practicing. During the clinical practices and work placements, students need to follow the guidelines for workwear, protective clothing, use of personal protective equipment, etc. as defined by the clinical practice units.

For example, when caring for patients or clients, wearing long sleeves on their work clothes or wearing their own clothes may not be allowed in all clinical practice units. In addition, in most clinical practices the student must wear a photo ID card that identifies the student.

Thesis

The scope of the bachelor's thesis is 15 ECTS credits and it can be carried out either alone or in a group of 2-3 people. The bachelor's thesis can be done in cooperation with working life or as part of a larger project.

Qualification

The education produces the qualification of a physiotherapist (professional qualification). A physiotherapist is a licensed health care professional.

Only a licensed professional with a degree can work in the profession of physiotherapist. After completing the degree programme, you can apply for professional rights from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health Valvira.

The education offers diverse career opportunities in rehabilitation, sports and social and health care tasks.

Physiotherapists can work in client work and other expert tasks in hospitals, health centers, private sector of wellbeing and rehabilitation, as entrepreneurs or in the third sector (such as organisations or sports clubs).

Scholarships and tuition fees

Annual tuition fee

• 11 000 € for students, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2025
• 11 500 € for students, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2027.

This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.

Read more on tuition fees

Read about scholarships

More information

For more information on the application process please contact

Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 9 7424 5902
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Ask Guidance Counsellor about physiotherapy studies

Paula Lindqvist
Senior Lecturer
paula.lindqvist [at] metropolia.fi (paula[dot]lindqvist[at]metropolia[dot]fi)

Ask Head of Degree Programme about the content of the studies

Titta Komssi
Principal Lecturer
titta.komssi [at] metropolia.fi (titta[dot]komssi[at]metropolia[dot]fi)