Studies
Please notice, this content is based on 2024 curriculum and will be updated to 2025 curriculum by the time of the joint application.
A physiotherapist is a multi-skilled professional who promotes people's functional capacity, health, well-being and movement. The competence of a physiotherapist is needed especially when ageing, injury, pain, illness, dysfunction or a factor in an individual's everyday life limits the functional capacity of the individual or population. The physiotherapist's contribution to promoting the health of an individual or groups is significant.
The work of a physiotherapist is inspiring, independent and responsible. The physiotherapist plans physiotherapy based on the individual's needs and goals together with the client, with people close to them, and other experts. The competence areas of physiotherapists include functional capacity assessment, guidance and instruction skills, rehabilitation and therapy skills, accessibility competence, accessibility skills, technological competence, ethical competence and social competence. Physiotherapists act as experts in their own field in multidisciplinary working groups and regional, national and international networks based on multi-expertise.
Metropolia’s Physiotherapy degree programme aims to train skilled and innovative physiotherapists in a manner in which they develop their own work for the diverse and unpredicted needs of the changing society. The topical themes challenge professionals to continuously learn and reform their operating methods. In accordance with the needs of the social, health and rehabilitation services, the studies emphasise holistic learning and skills for multidisciplinary collaboration, which is based on client understanding and the active inclusion of clients.
During the education, a physiotherapist acquire the skills to aim at research approach, developmental approach and evidence-based approach and to promote their professional skills and continuous development in their field.
The content of Physiotherapy programme
During the initial stages of the physiotherapy studies, students delve into the basics of physiotherapy:
- 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
As the studies progress, the theoretical skills are deepened, and the students learn to assess and promote functional ability and the clients’ agency in different customer groups. At the end of the degree programme, the studies focus on research, development and innovation skills. In addition, students gain readiness in the management and entrepreneurship of physiotherapy operations.
Individual implementation of studies and studying in diverse learning environments and in projects enable the building of expertise to look like one's own and deepening according to one's own interests.
In addition to theory studies, the degree programme involves practice that promote professional skills, which can be carried out as e.g. workshops, exercise lessons, projects and work placements in working life partners’ various learning environments.
The extent of the bachelor´s thesis is 15 ECTS and it can be carried out either alone or in a group of 2-3 people.
The personal study plan (PSP) is supported by the recognition of prior competence (eRPL) and flexible individual implementation of studies.
Implementation method of physiotherapist studies
The studies in the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy take place on the Myllypuro campus, where diverse learning environments and working with working life partners and customers offer opportunities for joint multidisciplinary learning of different degrees during the studies. The studies are also carried out in the multidisciplinary projects of Metropolia's innovation hubs.
You can study to become a physiotherapist in multiform studies.
Becoming a physiotherapist in multiform studies
Multiform learning alternates with contact teaching, distance and online learning, and working life internships. The workload of education corresponds to full-time studies and credits are completed per semester of 30 credits (60 credits per year). The study period is 3.5 years.
To some extent, multi-form implementation makes it possible to work alongside studying. Working while studying requires flexibility from both the student and the employer to succeed. Multiform studies require the student to be self-reliant and responsible for their learning, because there is less contact teaching than in the day-to-day implementation.
There are usually 2-3 contact teaching days per week. In addition to contact teaching days, the studies include work-life training. Between contact teaching days, study independently and in groups using e.g. the educational university's digital learning environments.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning (eRPL) is applied. This enables, among other things, the acceptance of competence corresponding to the learning objectives of the curriculum of a physiotherapist born through previous education and work experience as part of studies.
Recognition of prior learning is assessed individually together with the student when drawing up a personal study plan.
The field of work of a physiotherapist
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 your degree, you can apply for professional rights from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health Valvira.
The education offers diverse employment and career opportunities in rehabilitation, sports and social and health care tasks.
Physiotherapists work in client work and other expert tasks in hospitals, health centres, private welfare and rehabilitation companies, as entrepreneurs or in the third sector (such as organisations or sports clubs).
Postgraduate study opportunities
After graduation, expertise develops in working life and in the diverse continuing education offered by the field. Applying to domestic or international master's programmes strengthens career opportunities in research and development.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee 11 000 €. This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
Ask Head of Degree Programme about studies
Senior lectorer Titta Komssi
titta.komssi [at] metropolia.fi (titta[dot]komssi[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Applying
- Application period8.1.2025 at 08:00 - 22.1.2025 at 15:00Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Blended studies
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2025 Joint Application to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2025. The application period starts on the 8 January 2025 at 8 am and ends on the 22 January 2025 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).
All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.
The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance exam of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), used for selecting students to study programmes leading to a bachelor’s degree and conducted in English. The entrance exam is completed by the applicant’s own computer remotely online.
Read more about the International UAS Exam and language requirements on the website uasinfo.fi
- Application period31.12.2024 at 08:00 - 30.4.2025 at 15:00Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Day-time studies
The Separate Application for International Degree Programmes is aimed at those applying on the basis of GMAT/GRE test, SAT test, the Edunation Pathway Diploma or a top-up degree for an education leading to a higher education degree in English. Application period for studies starting in autumn 2025 starts on 31 December 2024 08:00 am (local time in Finland).
Application instructions have been published on Studyinfo.fi Check the individual selection methods for each degree programme in Studyinfo.fi .
Useful links
More information
For more information on the application process please contact
Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Starting studies
How to start your studies in Metropolia
Welcome to study for a degree at Metropolia!
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and we are delighted to have you as a new member of our vibrant community of more than 16 000 students!
You have made an excellent choice - Metropolia offers you unique multidisciplinary opportunities throughout your studies with its strong connections to working life and active role in innovations built around socially significant phenomena.
We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. Welcome to Metropolia!
The below information applies to students who have been accepted to study for a full degree at Metropolia. Make sure to complete all the steps in order to secure your study place.
Confirming a place of study requires certain formalities to be completed by the deadline. More detailed instructions below:
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. You can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities' instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin! You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.
Note that participating online programmes does not entitle you receiving residence permit. See more about the topic in Finnish Immigration Service websites.
All Metropolia's students who do not have a Finnish personal identity code, have to apply for it before their arrival or register at the local registry office after their arrival to Finland to apply for one.
Students who have to apply for residence permit (i.e. non-EU/non-EEA citizens) before their arrival to Finland should ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System when they apply for their first residence permit. This way they will receive a Finnish personal identity code at the same time as they are issued with the permit. More information on this for residence permit applicants
Other students have to apply for the personal identity code from the local registry office of the city where you are living in.
More information on Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
More information on registration to the Finnish Population Information System
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student and Admission Services.
Metropolia does not have housing services to offer. Thus, it is the student's responsibility to find an accommodation for the period of their studies. There is a lot of competition in affordable housing, so it is important to start searching for a room many months prior to arrival. More information on accommodation
All foreign students (who are not EU citizens or citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) who come to Finland for the purposes of studying are required to have a health insurance, if the studies endure longer than three months.
More information on insurances
Student financial aid is for Finnish citizens. Foreign citizens are entitled to student financial aid if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for the purpose other than studying and they have registered as permanent residents in the Finnish population register system.
- Find out where your campus is located
- If you have a smart phone you can download the free HSL mobile app to get access to the public transportation Journey Planner and tickets (e.g. for travelling from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport to your apartment or from your apartment to the campus).
- If you have a smart phone you can download the Tuudo mobile app for free to get your digital student ID and student discounts (ID and discounts are available from the first day of the studies onwards)
- Information on student life and well-being, costs and finance, study environment etc.
When you start as a new student you need to activate your user account. Activation is possible when the right to study begins. For joint application, activation is possible from 1 August.
The purpose of the activation is that you personally accept the rules of the account usage policy and start using your account. Activate your user account primarily using Mobile Certificate and Netbank User ID. Please read first the instructions in IT Services wiki.
Tuudo is a mobile app with which you can use various Metropolia web services easily on your smart phone. With Tuudo you can get VR, HSL, Matkahuolto and Kela student discounts immediately. The benefits are free for all Metropolia students.
In Tuudo you can check Metropolia, Admission Services, and student union METKA announcements, your schedule, study attainments, and cafeteria menus.
Get Tuudo on your phone from the app store for free and start using it!
During your studies, your support of well-being and health is Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS). The specialist in student health care offers you general, mental and oral health services and supports the well-being of study communities.
Our services can be used by students completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences who have registered as attending for the semester.
Master the facts! Familiarize yourself with our services and user instructions on the address fshs.fi, and the Health information resource on the address yths.fi/en/health-information-resource. You can also find information about appointments as well as current information about your service unit on the address yths.fi/en/service-units.
Start using Self! Self is the student’s own online service for health care issues at FSHS. In Self, you can manage appointment bookings, communicate via SelfChat and start a remote consultation. Log in to Self as a user immediately from the beginning of the semester and keep your contact details up to date for as long as you are a student. Read more: yths.fi/en/self-info.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative (kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-education).
If you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee. However, you can to use the FSHS’s services.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people? On this page you will find welcome letters for each degree program.
Welcome letters are information packages prepared by your future tutors. They include, for example, important dates as well as information about studying, student benefits, or student life.
Create your own profile and sign up to JobTeaser portal now and stay up to date on job vacancies, training and upcoming recruitment events promoted especially to Metropolia students. There are hundreds of job opportunities available and a lot of information to support your career planning.
JobTeaser is a career portal where you can find lot of career information in one platform.
- Open jobs and traineeships
- Working life events
- Advice & guidance
- Employer profiles
Sign up and start exploring
Sign up to JobTeaser using your @metropolia.fi email address: https://metropolia.jobteaser.com/
You can also download a Jobteaser application.
How to start Physiotherapy studies
Degree program-specific instructions will be published later.