Studies
What is it like to study Social Services?
See our student Chrish's experience of studying Social Services in Metropolia.
Job opportunities and working as a Bachelor of Social Services
As a Bachelor of Social Services, you are qualified to work with various client groups. Provision of services and client work is seen through a social pedagogical framework. The work may consist of supporting clients in their home or community settings, co-ordination of services, or supportive guidance and assistance. You may work with people of all ages.
Job opportunities for Bachelor of Social Services:
- Early childhood education and care
- Child welfare
- Family work
- Guidance and education in youth work
- Social counselling in schools
- Work with adults
- Community work
- Work with the elderly
- Work with people with disabilities
- Work with people with substance abuse issues
- Work with people with mental health issues
- Preventive work against violence
- Multicultural work and work among diverse people
Bachelor of Social Services have also the opportunity to work as self-employed professionals and service providers.
By choosing certain studies that are related to early childhood education, the student has a possibility to obtain a qualification to work as a Bachelor of Social Services in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care (Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi).
The Curriculum
The curriculum, based on a social pedagogical framework, focuses on empowering citizens, preventing marginalization, and promoting inclusion and social pluralism. Working as a Bachelor of Social Services requires multi-disciplinary education, collaborative skills, and an ability to examine and develop oneself and one's field.
As the student moves through the degree programme, they will take part in thematic learning processes such as: expanding knowledge of Social Pedagogy, collaboration with working life partners and investigative development within social services.
The curriculum of the degree programme is based on the following competences of the Bachelor of Social Services (Sosiaalialan AMK -verkosto 2023):
- Ethical competence in the social work field (Sosiaalialan eettinen osaaminen)
- Competences in social work with clients (Sosiaalialan asiakastyön osaaminen)
- Competences in social service systems (Sosiaalialan palvelujärjestelmäosaaminen)
- Critical and inclusive civic competences (Kriittinen ja osallisuutta edistävä yhteiskuntaosaaminen)
- Research, development and innovation skills (Tutkimuksellinen kehittämis- ja innovaatio-osaaminen)
Language of the studies and language awareness
Tuition is offered in English with opportunities to gain real-world Finnish as part of internships and theory courses. Finnish language will be built into the courses as the student progresses through the curriculum. Therefore, as part of the studies, graduates have a possibility to gain Finnish skills at least to a level B1 in the Finnish language in order to facilitate their employment in the Helsinki region.
Those who already master Finnish at a native level, will have the opportunity to develop their language mentoring skills.
To be employed in Finland into the social work field, professionals generally need to have a sufficiently good level of Finnish language skills.
Studying with us
The students are studying in a multicultural group. The learning methods may include individual learning, group work and project learning. As a student, one can participate in international activities in various ways at different stages of the studies.
Faculty members of the degree programme are pedagogically qualified teachers who have experience teaching in English with a language aware approach. The English tuition degree programme at Metropolia is one of the most skilled in Finland. The degree programme annually invites guest lecturers to enrich the programme. Teaching is mainly Campus-based, but to be able to study with us, one needs to have a working laptop and access to internet.
Teaching methods include for example:
- lectures
- discussions
- group work
- learning assignments
- projects
- workshops
- e-learning
- independent studies
- internships
There are job placements or internships three to four times during the studies. Job placements are in various working environments in the field of social services.
Prior to any internships, it is the student's responsibility to obtain and prove a criminal record extract as a prerequisite for admission to the internship. In the beginning of the studies, students will be guided to apply their criminal record extract from Finnish authorities.
If one moves to study in Finland from other countries, one needs to obtain an authenticated criminal record extract from the authorities in one’s country of origin. This should be as up to date as possible, less than 6 months old at the beginning of the studies.
International Activities
As a student of the degree programme one will have many opportunities to join in international activities.
The degree programme is in partnership with a number of universities and institutions of higher education in many European countries, Africa, Asia and the USA. Activities include student and staff exchanges, international projects and intensive week programmes.
A majority of the degree programme students participate in some exchange programme and complete either the second or third placement in another country.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA applicants 11 000 €.
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
Want to know more about the Bachelor of Social Services degree programme?
Applying
- Application period1.5.2024 at 08:00 - 15.5.2024 at 15:00Start of studiesSyksy 2024
- Day-time studies
The transfer application is aimed at all students enrolled in studies leading to a Finnish higher education degree and:
- who wish to transfer their study rights from one Finnish higher education institution to Metropolia so that the degree title remains the same or changes
OR - who wish to transfer their study rights within Metropolia from one degree programme to another, so that the degree title changes.
Students transferring within Metropolia in such a way that the degree title remains the same, are not considered as "transfer students" and have their own separate application procedure available on Metropolia intranet (OMA). Please note that it is not possible to transfer from abroad.
Students applying for a transfer should note that their maximum study period or the period for which they are entitled to receive student financial aid will not be extended due to the transfer. The maximum study period is calculated from the date on which the student accepted the study place in the previous higher education institution.
- Application period1.5.2024 at 08:00 - 31.5.2024 at 15:00Start of studiessyksy 2024
- Day-time studies
The Application on the Basis of Metropolia’s Open UAS Studies is aimed at those who have completed open UAS studies at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. Studies are considered to be Metropolia's if they are entered in the Metropolia's study register, and open studies if they have not been completed with the right to study for the degree-leading education.
Application period: 1 May 2024 at 8:00 am - 31 May 2024, all times refer to local time in Finland https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/finland/helsinki.
Application instructions: will be published at Studyinfo.fi by the beginning of the application period.
- Application period1.5.2024 at 08:00 - 15.5.2024 at 15:00
- Day-time studies
The Application on the Basis of Finnish Higher Education Studies is aimed at those who have completed higher education studies in Finland. Studies are taken into account regardless of whether they have been completed as open studies or in education leading to a degree, or whether the right to study is valid or has expired.
Application period: 1 May 2024 8:00 am - 15 May 2024, all times refer to local time in Finland https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/finland/helsinki.
Application instructions: will be published at Studyinfo.fi by the beginning of the application period.
Hyödyllisiä linkkejä
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)
Sinua saattaa myös kiinnostaa
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.
Step-by-step guide for starting your immigration process:
- Check your National Learner ID (shows at Studyinfo in the same place where you accept the study place) and write it down for yourself, as you must inform it when applying for a residence permit.
- Prepare for the application by checking you have all the necessary attachments and information before you begin.
- Create your user account in Enter Finland online service
- Fill in the application form for student residence permit carefully and accurately. Also attach all the required documents. This will help the Immigration service when they will process your application later.
- Please follow the bulletins issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on the ministry’s web page.
- Pay and submit your application
- Visit the selected authority to identify yourself
- Follow the processing of your application
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 registration to the Finnish Population Information System
Please note that it can take approximately 4 weeks to get the code. 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.
New students in august 2024
Degree Programme in Social Services, group SXG24S1
Congratulations and welcome to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences!
The Semester will start on Thursday 22nd of August 2024 at 10.00 on Myllypuro campus (Myllypurontie 1, 00920 Helsinki), next to Myllypuro metro station. You will be studying in part of an international group, this will be great opportunity for all of us!
We encourage you to carefully read in advance the following instructions provided for students.
Getting prepared in practice:
- One recommended way to orientate yourself to your studies is to familiarize yourself with our Curriculum: Curriculum of Degree Programme in Social Services
- While studying with us you need to have your own laptop with you from the first day on. Our IT teachers strongly recommend at least the following: Max 5 years old basic laptop with Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating system, or a max 5 years old Mac. Preferably, buy a computer with an operating system in English.
- It is the student's responsibility to obtain and hand in a criminal record extract before the start of the Internship 1 in Spring 2025, as a prerequisite for admission to the internship. If you move to Finland from elsewhere to study, you must obtain the authenticated criminal record extract from the authorities in your country of origin. This should be as up to date as possible, less than 6 months old at the beginning of your studies. If you live in Finland, in the beginning of your studies you will be guided to apply criminal record extract from the Finnish authorities (Legal Register Centre).
Information on starting your studies:
- Above this letter you will find detailed information about accepting the study place and understanding the process after that. Please read those instructions carefully.
- From mid-May onwards, you can check the schedule of the autumn semester in Metropolia’s Schedule Machine (Lukkarikone): https://lukkarit.metropolia.fi. Your group ID is SXG24S1. Please note that the times are subject to change.
- In August, before the start of your studies you will receive an email with arrival instructions, timetables for the first days, contact information to tutor teachers and other useful information. Your first course will be Orientation to Studies.
- When you enter the campus for the first time, please bring along a card, such as a library card or gym card, which you can activate to serve as your access pass. All students need an access pass in order to move around on the campus. Due to information security reasons, please do not use a card with a chip (e.g. a bank or credit card).
- On the first day, our tutor students will welcome you to the campus lobby to escort you to the right classroom. We look forward to seeing you in August!
- We expect to see everyone present on the Campus in August. If there is a delay with your visa/arrival we will inform you about how to start your studies. The info will be given by e-mail, just before your studies start.
- General instructions on starting your studies in Metropolia. Information about Myllypuro Campus.
If you are moving from abroad
- It’s good to apply for a visa as soon as possible, should you need one. You will find further information in the links above.
- It’s also useful to know that if you are not a citizen of EU or ETA countries, you will have to take the initiative to pay tuition fee before starting your studies (please note, an early bird fee applies to fast payments). You will find further information in the links above.
If you don’t know Finnish yet
If you don’t know Finnish yet, a special emphasis is laid on learning Finnish skills during your studies. You are going to need good Finnish skills, because all internships are conducted in Finnish working environments. The aim is that everyone graduating from the degree programme have had a chance to gain at least an intermediate level of Finnish, because this enables you to register as a Bachelor of Social Services and work in the social services field in Finland. Without Finnish skills it is challenging to find employment employed in Finland.
- You can start familiarizing with Finnish language by taking for example an online course Superalkeet. The course will give you a taste of Finnish language and it can be studied at any point before August. Link to the course material: https://sites.google.com/view/superalkeet/etusivu?authuser=0
- You will need many kinds of Finnish phrases already in the beginning of your stay in Finland. Here you can find some useful phrases. Please start using them! Do not hesitate to try, it is good to learn to listen and to speak Finnish from the first day on. It will get easier every day! https://yle.fi/aihe/oppiminen/suomen-kielen-alkeet
On behalf of our team, a warm welcome!
Laura Holmi
Head of the Degree Programme, Senior Lecturer
laura.holmi [at] metropolia.fi (laura[dot]holmi[at]metropolia[dot]fi)