Studies
Our Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program is designed for international students, offering comprehensive training in laboratory science. The curriculum includes professional studies, internships, and Finnish language courses to enhance your career prospects in Finland. Join us to gain the skills needed for a successful career in biomedical laboratory science.
What does a biomedical laboratory scientist do?
A biomedical laboratory scientist takes various samples, guides patients and healthcare workers, conducts patient examinations and analyses various laboratory samples.
Client service, in-depth understanding of the laboratory research process and quality management are core competencies of a biomedical laboratory scientist. A biomedical laboratory scientist takes care of the operational condition of research equipment and devices. A biomedical laboratory scientist is responsible for the well-being and safety of the patient during the examination and works in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Biomedical laboratory science is a field of the future that is constantly evolving. New technologies, such as artificial intelligence and genomics, opens up new possibilities for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Overview of the Degree Programme
The Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program spans 3.5 years and comprises 210 ECTS credits. It combines professional studies, hands-on laboratory training, and Finnish language courses. The program is mostly taught in English, making it accessible to international students. The role of Finnish language strengthens in studies as language skills increase. You will gain expertise in laboratory techniques, human cell biology, and sample analysis, preparing you for a successful career in biomedical laboratory science.
Duration and Scope of the Program
The Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program is a 3.5-year degree, totaling 210 ECTS credits. The curriculum includes comprehensive coursework in laboratory techniques, human cell biology, and sample analysis. Additionally, the program integrates Finnish language studies to support your career development in Finland. Familiarize yourself with the curriculum of the degree programme.
As a biomedical laboratory scientist you will study:
- Taking samples
- Point of Care Testing
- Clinical histology and cytology
- Clinical chemistry and hematology
- Clinical microbiology
- Clinical genetics
- Clinical physiology, neurophysiology and nuclear medicine studies
The studies include group work, lectures, independent and virtual learning, laboratory work, various examinations, and work-based projects. Supervised internship is included in the studies. Finnish language skills are needed in the internships.
Language of Instruction and Finnish Language Studies
The program is primarily taught in English, making it accessible to international students. However, bilingual Finnish language studies are an integral part of the curriculum, with approximately 20 ECTS credits dedicated to language courses. These studies are designed to help you integrate into Finnish society and improve your 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.
Health and Skill Requirements
To succeed in the Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program, students must meet specific health and skill requirements. Good vision acuity, normal reading capacity, normal inward movement of both eyes (near point of convergence), as well as normal stereo vision and normal colour vision are essential.
According to the admission criteria for social and health care studies, students must be in good health and have no health issues that would prevent them from studying in this field. Students selected for the biomedical laboratory science degree program are required to have sufficient vision and normal color vision for the profession of biomedical laboratory scientist.
Students must submit a vision certificate to the study place reception (within 14 days) after being accepted to the study place. Link to vision certificate.
Selections are conditional until the vision certificate has been submitted and checked.
Your way of working should be careful and precise. Continuous self-development is important in the work of a biomedical laboratory scientist. >Additionally, students should have strong fine motor skills and the ability to interact effectively with patients. These requirements ensure that you can perform laboratory tasks accurately and safely.
Check the health requirements.
How Biomedical Laboratory Science Differs from Nursing?
Biomedical Laboratory Science focuses on laboratory testing and analysis, essential for diagnosing and monitoring diseases. Unlike nursing, which involves diverse tasks of patient care, this field emphasizes laboratory techniques, sample analysis, and research. This distinction makes it ideal for those interested in the scientific and technical aspects of healthcare.
Structure and Content of the Studies
The Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes professional studies, laboratory work, internships, and a thesis project. The coursework covers essential topics such as laboratory techniques, human cell biology, and sample analysis. The program is designed to provide you with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring you are well-prepared for a career in biomedical laboratory science.
Professional Studies and Laboratory Work
The professional studies component of the program covers a wide range of topics essential for a career in biomedical laboratory science. You will gain hands-on experience in laboratory techniques, human cell biology, and sample analysis. The curriculum is designed to provide practical skills through extensive laboratory work, ensuring you are well-prepared to perform various diagnostic tests and analyses in real-world settings.
Internships
The program includes 75 ECTS credits of internships, providing extensive practical training throughout your studies. Internships are distributed evenly across the program. Internships range from 1 to 15 credits and cover various aspects of laboratory work. Some internships are conducted in the school's own laboratory, ensuring you gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment.
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.
In most universities of applied sciences, social and health care students follow field-specific guidelines that are applicable to an authentic working environment. 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 thesis is 15 ECTS credits and it can be carried out either alone or in a group of 2-3 people. The thesis is done in cooperation with working life or as part of a larger project. During the course, the students deepen their competence in a selected area of clinical laboratory work.
Career Opportunities and Employment
Graduates of the Bachelor of Biomedical Laboratory Science program have career prospects in Finland and internationally. However, to work in Finland, it is essential to have a sufficient command of the Finnish language. In Finland, there is a high demand for biomedical laboratory scientists, ensuring strong employment opportunities for those who meet the language requirements. Graduates can work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, research laboratories, and diagnostic centers
Qualification
Only a licensed professional with a degree, can work as a biomedical laboratory scientist. After completing the degree, the student applies for the right to practice a profession from the Finnish Supervisory Agency.
Biomedical Laboratory Scientist is licensed as a health care professional. The degree corresponds to the criteria set by the Finnish National Degree System for a university of applied sciences degree and the European Framework of Reference for Degrees and Other Competences.
A degree in biomedical laboratory sciences is a professionally oriented bachelor-level university degree. The training meets the requirements of the European Union Directive (2013/55/EU) on the recognition of professional qualifications.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee for non-EU/EEA applicants 11 000 €.
This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
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)
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You will receive information 1–3 times a year about Metropolia's degree programmes, application schedules, and studying with us.
Applying
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2026Apply now!
- Blended studies
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2026 Joint Application 1 to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2026. The application period starts on the 7 January 2026 at 8 am and ends on the 21 January 2026 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.
Application fee
Applicants who are not citizens of the EU, EEA or Switzerland are required to pay an application fee in order to apply to higher education studies. The application fee of 100 euros is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.
The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies. The application fee is not refunded if you cancel your application or are not offered admission.
More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)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
Students of biomedical laboratory science and those completing a biomedical laboratory scientist degree are required to have good sharpness of vision (vision acuity), normal reading capacity and normal inward movement of both eyes (near point of convergence), as well as normal stereo vision and normal colour vision. Those selected for the degree programme must obtain a certificate from an optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist, which must be submitted in a separately instructed manner no later than 14 days after accepting the study place. Student selection is conditional until the university of applied sciences has processed and assessed the information regarding the vision of the person who has accepted the study place.
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences may cancel the student selection if:
- certificates regarding vision are not submitted within the deadline announced by the university of applied sciences and/or
- it is obvious that the student's vision does not meet the requirements for admission as a student described on the uasinfo.fi website. - Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2026Apply now!
- Blended studies
The Separate Application for International Degree Programmes is aimed at those applying on the basis of GMAT/GRE test, SAT/ACT test, the Edunation Pathway Diploma or a credit transfer -based student selection for an education leading to a higher education degree in English. Application period for studies starting in autumn 2026 starts on 1 December 2025 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 .
Students of biomedical laboratory science and those completing a biomedical laboratory scientist degree are required to have good sharpness of vision (vision acuity), normal reading capacity and normal inward movement of both eyes (near point of convergence), as well as normal stereo vision and normal colour vision. Those selected for the degree programme must obtain a certificate from an optician, optometrist or ophthalmologist, which must be submitted in a separately instructed manner no later than 14 days after accepting the study place. Student selection is conditional until the university of applied sciences has processed and assessed the information regarding the vision of the person who has accepted the study place.
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences may cancel the student selection if:
- certificates regarding vision are not submitted within the deadline announced by the university of applied sciences and/or
- it is obvious that the student's vision does not meet the requirements for admission as a student described on the uasinfo.fi website.
Useful links
More information on the application process
Tel. +358 9 7424 5902, Mon-Wed 10 am – 12 pm
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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 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 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.
How to start Biomedical Laboratory Science studies
Bachelor’s degree, Biomedical Laboratory Science, blended studies
Congratulations on your study place. Welcome to start your studies in Bachelor’s degree, Biomedical Laboratory Science and in Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.
Welcome to study in Metropolia xx.8.2026. The Zoom link will be sent to the email address you provided closer to the starting day of the studies.
Start date and time xx.8.2026.
If you are in Finland: 9am-12pm, Metropolia Myllypuro campus reception, https://www.metropolia.fi/en/about-us/campuses/myllypuro-campus
Take a card with a chip with you (not a debit/credit card), which you can register as a campus key card.
If you are not in Finland: 13pm-16pm, Zoom
Next meetings:
- xx.8.2026, Zoom, Digital systems & learning environments
- xx.8.2026, Zoom, Guidance counsellor and tutor teacher meeting
The Zoom link will be sent to the email address you provided closer to the starting day of the studies.
Group identifier: SXR26S2
Tutor teacher: Jenny West, jenny.west [at] metropolia.fi (jenny[dot]west[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Head of degree programme: Mari Virtanen mari.virtanen [at] metropolia.fi (mari[dot]virtanen[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Other information
One of your first courses will be anatomy and physiology. The textbook recommended for this course is Marieb, E.N. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. Pearson (any edition will do). The book is available in both print and ebook formats, but we suggest you purchase the print format because you will need the book throughout your studies.
Vaccinations
Studying in biomedical laboratory science requires that you have been vaccinated. Please check your own vaccinations. You need to have these vaccinations: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, whooping cough and seasonal influenza. Vaccinations must be taken before going to the first internship. Many internships also require taking two coronavirus vaccines. In the case of tuberculosis, an inquiry is carried out before the start of the internship. If you are in Finland, you have the opportunity to get vaccinated from student health care.
Health and Vision
According to the admission criteria for the social and health care sector, the student must have a state of health that does not prevent them from studying in the field, https://www.uasinfo.fi/to-the-applicant/#health. Students admitted to the Degree Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Science are required to have sufficient vision and normal colour vision.
Specific information about vision:
Vision requirements: Students of biomedical laboratory scientist and those completing a biomedical laboratory scientist degree are required to have good sharpness of vision (vision acuity), normal reading capacity and normal inward movement of both eyes (near point of convergence), as well as normal stereo vision and normal colour vision.
- Sense of colour: Ishihara plates, Panel D-15 or H.R.R. test
- Stereo vision: TNO, Randot or Titmus test, at least 60 seconds of arc
- Visual acuity without and/or with glasses at far distance, minimum 1.0
- Near visual acuity, 40 cm text model, capacity to read the line 0.8
- Near point of convergence test, three repetitions, normal: less than 10 cm, with a maximum 12 cm for repetitions.
Tester’s assessment of the suitability of the applicant’s vision for laboratory work. The student must submit a certificate of sufficient vision at the beginning of the studies by xx August 2026 the UAS will initiate an assessment of the student's suitability. Link to the opinion on eyesight.
Teaching clinic
Professional vision examination
Eye examinations will be carried out on xx.5.2026, xx.5.2026 and xx.8.2026.
The examinations will take place at the Myllypuro campus, Myllypurontie 1. The building is right next to the metro station. You can register at the reception of the HyMy-village in building B, which is located on the first floor. Please arrive at the reception 15 minutes before the eye examination time. You will be taken to the eye examination rooms on the 2nd floor. The cost of the examination for a student is €5.
Book your appointment at https://hymykyla.mbooking.fi/ajanvaraus
by xx May 2026 for the May eye examinations and by xx August 2026 for the August eye examinations.
For more information, please email: mira.jarvinen2 [at] metropolia.fi (mira[dot]jarvinen2[at]metropolia[dot]fi)