Studies
What is it like to study Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields
See our student Jonna's experience of studying Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields in Metropolia.
Why Study Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields with Us?
Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields (shorter CRASH) is a transdisciplinary Master’s degree programme aimed at professionals in the fields of culture and arts, social services and health.
Creativity and different ways to express it, as well as cultural activities and arts related experiences, belong to all people as part of a good and meaningful life. The aim of CRASH degree programme is to strengthen the professional competences needed when promoting health, well-being, inclusion and a sense of community in society through creativity and arts.
Upon graduation, students are able to reflect in a new way on the importance of creativity in human life and to reconstruct working practices from this perspective. The studies are designed to combine expertise from different fields locally and internationally, as well as to strengthen multidisciplinary and international collaboration skills of professionals.
How studies are carried out?
The education is carried out as blended learning. You will study together with a diverse group of professionals from fields related to culture, arts, social services and health care.
A special feature of the CRASH degree programme is the multidisciplinary collaboration initiated already in the application phase and carried out through the studies. Expert lectures, workshops, projects and group work with peers, as well as supervision support your learning. There are approximately four contact-teaching days a month, some of which are carried out with remote connection.
In the application phase, the applicants present their preliminary development / thesis idea, which will be further developed at the beginning of the studies. The aim is to build multidisciplinary partnerships combining the fields of culture, health care and social services.
Lectures, seminars, workshops and study materials are mainly in English. However, Finnish can be used as a support language and some written assignments can be prepared in Finnish as well.
The underlying premise of the CRASH programme is to foster a unique forum for co-creation and togetherness. In practice, community-building is emphasised throughout the studies, and students must commit to working together with others and actively participate in live and online teaching. The studies are advanced-level and rely on phenomenon-based learning.
What Will You Study?
The content of the degree program in CRASH is based on development processes (multidisciplinary project, research methodology studies and thesis), advanced-level professional studies in the theme of creativity, culture, art and well-being, as well as elective studies.
For professionals in the fields of culture and arts the curriculum consists of the following elements:
- Creativity, Culture, Arts and Well-being – Advanced-level Studies
- Creativity, Health and Well-being (10 ECTS)
- Multidisciplinary Dialogue and Evaluation (5 ECTS)
- Developing the Use of Creativity and Arts in Promoting Well-being
- Co-creation Project (5 ECTS)
- Research Methods and Skills (5 ECTS)
- Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Elective Studies (5 ECTS)
For professionals in the fields of health care and social services the curriculum consists of the following elements:
- Creativity, Culture, Arts and Well-being – Advanced-level Studies
- Creativity, Health and Well-being (10 ECTS)
- Multidisciplinary Dialogue and Evaluation (5 ECTS)
- Working Methods for Creative Practice 1 (5 ECTS)
- Working Methods for Creative Practice 2 (5 ECTS)
- Creativity in Projects (5 ECTS)
- Developing the Use of Creativity and Arts in Promoting Well-being
- Co-creation Project (5 ECTS)
- Research Methods and Skills (5 ECTS)
- Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)
- Elective Studies (20 ECTS)
Future Career Prospects
The graduates are professionals in using creativity and arts in social and health fields. They are able to utilize the opportunities of creativity to support people's lives and well-being, promote the realization of cultural rights, evaluate the effectiveness of activities as well as reconstruct professional practices, structures and thinking.
The Master's degree in Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields CRASH provides strong competences to act as a developer, innovator, expert and leader in using creativity and arts in various operating environments in social and health fields. It also gives you competences to work in expert positions in the social and health sector as well as in the field of arts and culture, both nationally and internationally. In working life, you can act as a bold innovator of multidisciplinary practices in solutions related to health, well-being, creativity and inclusion.
A list of some of the master's theses published in CRASH Degree Programme. All links open on the Theseus website.
- Aura, Hanne (2023). ”For once we are asked” – Professionals’ perspectives on the reality of elderly care in intensive assisted living and institutional care facilities.
- Bäckman, Vera (2023). Embodied practices in developing empathy skills of social services students.
- dal Maso, Annuska (2024). If there are no ethics, there is no humanity: Ethical considerations in participatory research with substance users.
- de Carvalho, Taina (2022). Arts-based eco-social pedagogical approach in primary school setting. How to help future generations shape a better world?
- Hekkala, Mirjam (2022). “May they be well.” Migrant Roma Women’s Experiences of Long-Distance Mothering.
- Huttunen, Riitta & Riskilä, Sampo (2022). The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Well-Being of Freelance Rhythm Musicians Working in Finland during 2020–2022.
- Ilola, Maj (2023). Improving Accessibility and Inclusion of Hybrid Arts Events with People with Disabilities.
- Juvonen, Laura (2022). “With my own voice I could encourage others to also join in” Music-making to strengthen the parent-child early interaction.
- Korkatti, Maria (2024). Perceptions of North Karelian older men about culture and the barriers to cultural participation.
- Kultanen, Jonna (2023). Smiles for the Future – Preventative Oral Health Promotion with Arts-based Methods for Preschool Children.
- Lahti, Kaisa & Martikainen, Sera (2023). Towards social inclusion through a community art project: community animation film in collaboration with people with developmental disabilities.
- Liebkind, Jenny (2022). “I Started to Think More Open-Mindedly...” – Promoting Interfaith Harmony with a Joint Music-Making Approach.
- Liimatainen, Katri (2024). Advocates for hope: School staff supporting lgbtq+ students in secondary school.
- Lillvis, Karolina (2022). Increasing well-being experiences through cultural event. Improving participation and communality as eventful well-being promotion aims.
- Mattila, Minna-Maria (2023). To be seen and heard – Medical students’ experiences on communication and interaction skills in and through drama-based exercises.
- Olin, Laura & Perttola, Elo (2024). Where words do not reach – Applying approaches of process drama and expressive arts therapy in a pre-school context.
- Panagiotou, Xanthippi (2024). Visibility of dis/ability: Capturing shadows of ableism and disablism through a Photovoice-based approach.
- Saari, Anna (2024). Arts-related activities for dementia family caregivers’ wellbeing promotion.
- Suvisaari, Gillan (2023). Co-creating a game about sexual health with adolescent boys: utilizing game-based learning as a creative approach in sexual health promotion and sex education.
- Theodorou, Tal Riva (2024). Better in Tune: Towards constructive facilitation process of orchestra auditions.
- Tonteri, Jenna (2023). Illustrated Meanings of Climate Change Mitigation’s Co-benefits to Human Health in High-income Countries. A literature review and autoethnographic inquiry.
- Ågren, Minttu & Suoninen, Heli (2023). TruthStory: A study of the empowering elements of a creative storytelling project for gender diverse people.
Lecturers
The study programme is enriched by the participation of international guest lecturers in addition to its regular teaching staff.
Laura Huhtinen-Hilden
Principal Lecturer
Sanna Kivijärvi
Senior Lecturer
Mai Salmenkangas
Lecturer
Leigh-Anne Rauhala
Lecturer
Johanna Lehtinen-Schnabel
Lecturer
Katri Keskinen
Lecturer
Some of the esteemed guest lecturers contributing to the program:
- Professor Emerita Norma Daykin, University of the West of England Bristol
- Dr. Katey Warran, University of Edinburgh and University College London
- Dr. Giorgos Tsiris, Queen Margaret University
- Dr. Sue Smith, Falmouth University
- Dr. Kai Lehikoinen, University of the Arts Helsinki
- Ninni Perko, Dancer, Artistic Director, Sivuun Ensemble
- Sophia Alexandersson, Artistic Director, ShareMusic and Performing Arts
Degree Titles
Please note that this education alone doesn’t provide a qualification to work in the regulated professions in social and health fields for students from the fields of culture. The Finnish translation of the degree title will be one of the following:
Culture and Arts:
- Musiikkipedagogi (ylempi AMK)
- Muusikko (ylempi AMK)
- Kulttuurituottaja (ylempi AMK)
- Medianomi (ylempi AMK)
- Muotoilija (ylempi YAMK)
- Vestonomi (ylempi AMK)
- Konservaattori (ylempi AMK)
Social and Health fields:
- Apuvälineteknikko (ylempi AMK)
- Bioanalyytikko (ylempi AMK)
- Fysioterapeutti (ylempi AMK)
- Geronomi (ylempi AMK)
- Jalkaterapeutti (ylempi AMK)
- Kätilö (ylempi AMK)
- Optometristi (ylempi AMK)
- Osteopaatti (ylempi AMK)
- Röntgenhoitaja (ylempi AMK)
- Sairaanhoitaja (ylempi AMK)
- Sosionomi (ylempi AMK)
- Suuhygienisti (ylempi AMK)
- Terveydenhoitaja (ylempi AMK)
- Toimintaterapeutti (ylempi AMK)
- Ensihoitaja (ylempi AMK)
Application
Spring Joint Application for the English Degree Programmes:
- 7 January 2026 - 21 January 2026
Separate Application on the Basis of Finnish Higher Education Studies
- 1 May - 15 May 2026
Transfer Application
- 1 May - 15 May 2026
Application instructions will be published on this website.
We will organize an online Q&A session on Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 8 - 9.00 a.m.
Join us online to ask about applying and learn more about CRASH-studies. Event Zoom-link.
Students' and Alumni's experiences
Scholarships and tuition fees
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students. Annual tuition fee 12 500 € for those, whose right of study starts after 31 July 2024
There is no tuition fee for EU/EEA students.
Head of Degree Programme
Master's programmes at Metropolia - Subscribe to our newsletter
You will receive information 1–3 times a year about our Master's degree programmes, application schedules, and studying with us.
Starting studies
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 in Migri site
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 in DVV site
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student Services with the official document. Acceptable documents are for example DVV:s document (Notification of registration), Finnish passport, Finnish identity card with a photo, issued by police, Finnish driver's license, residence permit or KELA card with a photo.
User account activation is possible from the start date of your study right. Activate your user account before the orientation days by following the instructions available on the IT Services website. To activate your account, you will need personal online banking credentials or a mobile certificate. Also check the instructions provided by your degree programme.
If you do not have Finnish online banking credentials or a mobile certificate, authenticate using the Candour ID application. After authentication, you will receive instructions on how to activate your user account. Read the instructions for authentication and receiving user accounts on the Information Management Services website.
Once you have activated your user account, enable multi-factor authentication for Microsoft 365 services. First enable SMS authentication, and then Microsoft Authenticator. If possible, also enable alternative authentication methods on your other mobile devices. This will help you avoid login issues if your primary phone is replaced or lost. Follow the instructions available on the IT Services website.
If you have any questions about user account activation or multi-factor authentication, please contact the Helpdesk. You will find the contact information on the IT Services website.
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 in Student's Guide
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.
More information on student financial aid in Student's Guide
- 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. in Student's Guide
New students need a laptop for their studies.
Minimum laptop requirements for new students:
- Windows 11 or Mac computer
- Intel i5/i7 processor (at least 8 gen), AMD Ryzen 5/7 or equivalent processor
- RAM 8 GB memory
- SSD hard disk min. 256 GB
The life cycle of the laptop should be at least 4 years. The estimated cost of a laptop meeting the recommended specifications is between €600 and €800 and upwards. If the student's studies are geared towards gaming or graphic design, for example, the laptop should have a more powerful graphics card and more SSD hard disk space.
The recommended operating system will depend on the degree programme and the area of specialisation. As a general rule, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X are safe choices for a laptop operating system. Students of XR Design, 3D Animation and Visualisation and Visual Communication Design will be informed in the first weeks of their studies about the purchase of their own computer and the features they need.
Tuudo is a mobile app with which you can use various Metropolia web services easily on your smart phone. With Tuudo you can get Kela student discounts immediately. The benefits are free for all Metropolia students.
In Tuudo you can check 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 in Kela's site fshs.fi, and Kela's Health information resource on the address.
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 about Self in Kela's site.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative. Read more about health care fee in Kela's site.
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.
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.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people?
On Student Union Metka's site 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.
You can also download a Jobteaser application.
In the Student’s Guide you will find instructions for your studies, as well as important announcements and events for students.
Starting CRASH studies 2026
Welcome to study in Master's Degree Programme in Creativity and Arts in Social and Health Fields (CRASH)!
Compulsory orientation day 2026
- Thursday 27 August, 9AM–3PM: Lectures, workshops, practical orientation, getting to know your fellow students and the teaching staff (live, Arabia Campus, Soiva: Muotoilijankatu 1B, Helsinki, room AS102)
Schedule for studies
Studies will be organized mainly on Thursdays and Fridays between 9 AM – 3 PM. There will be approximately 4-5 contact teaching days a month during the autumn 2026 and spring 2027 semesters. The final semester (autumn 2027) will mainly center around independent work and advising meetings regarding the master’s thesis.
Please note: as part of mandatory studies, all CRASH students will participate in a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) organised together with three European universities. Please make sure to make space for the BIP Programme in your calendar. If joining the BIP programme will not be possible due to force majeure reasons, an independent study option will be provided. However, please utilise this option only if absolutely necessary.
Studies are scheduled as follows (changes may occur):
Teaching days, autumn 2026
Please note: days marked with * are reserved only for students in the Social and Health track. Students in the Arts and Culture track may choose the course as an elective, if they wish.
When we meet face to face, it will take place at the Myllypuro Campus or at the Arabia Campus in Helsinki.
August
- Thu 27 Aug (live)
- Fri 28 Aug (live)
- Mon 31 Aug individual study plan discussions, approx. 20 min/student (online, Zoom) The schedule for the ISP discussions will be shared, and amendments can be made on Thursday August 27.
September
- Fri 4 Sept (online)
- Thu 17 Sept (live)
- Fri 18 Sept (live)*
October
- Thu 1 Oct (live)
- Fri 2 Oct (online)
- Thu 22 Oct (online)
- Fri 23 Oct (live)*
November
- Thu 5 Nov (online)
- Fri 6 Nov (online)
- Fri 13 Nov (online)
- Thu 19 Nov (online) (morning 9AM–12PM only for social and health track students, afternoon 1PM onwards for everyone)
- [Fri 20 Nov (online) BIP related check / can be cancelled if considered unnecessary]
- Sun 22 Nov -– Sat 28 Nov (live) Blended Intensive Programme week
December
- Thu 3 Dec (online)
- Fri 4 Dec (live)*
- Thu 10 Dec (live)
- Fri 11 Dec (live)
As some changes may occur, please carefully check the final schedule before the semester starts. Information about how to orientate yourself to the studies will be shared with new students through e-mail.