Studies
Study Nursing in Finland
See our students experiences of studying Nursing in Metropolia.
Do you want to study Nursing and Finnish language in bilingual degree programme?
You can study Nursing in English, learning also Finnish language at the same time. In bilingual Nursing education there is no Finnish requirement. The studies are aimed at immigrants starting their Finnish studies from the basics, but they are also suitable for Finnish speakers who wish to study in English and in an international and multicultural degree programme.
The programme is organized by TOKASA project, which is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
As a Registered Nurse you will work in a people-oriented profession
As a Registered Nurse
- you are an expert in nursing
- you work in multidisciplinary teams with different professionals
- you are responsible for the holistic care, disease prevention and health promotion of people of all ages
Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing Degree gives you a qualification as a Registered Nurse in line with EU directives.
Could I be a Nurse?
A nursing profession may be for you if:
- You are interested in working with people and want to promote their health and well-being.
- You are cooperative and motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team.
- You are inspired to learn new things and able to adapt quickly to changing situations.
- You are willing to work in shifts.
As a nurse, you are expected to have the following skills, which are learned during your studies:
- The ability to organise your own work and take responsibility.
- The ability to anticipate and make independent decisions.
- Strong communication skills.
- Strong clinical skills.
- The ability to work with others as a part of multiprofessional team.
To study nursing, you should be in good health and functional capacity.
Diverse working opportunities in Nursing
A bilingual nursing degree provides you excellent and varied opportunities to work as a Registered Nurse both in Finland and internationally.
You can work with people of different ages
- in specialised healthcare, for example in hospital wards, emergency units, an operating theatre or intensive care unit.
- in primary health care, for example in home care and hospital wards.
- in the private sector in health and welfare services.
- in the third sector, in associations and organisations.
- in health technology.
- as an expert and in consultancy roles.
- as an entrepreneur.
After graduation, you will be able to work in Finnish language in Finnish healthcare with excellent employment and career opportunities. Studying in bilingual degree programme will enhance your language skills both in Finnish and in English and ability to work also in international environment.
How will you study?
The studies are mostly provided as contact teaching on campus, as simulation learning, and by training practical skills both independently and with other students. Part of the studies will be carried out as independent online studies.
You will begin the studies in English without the Finnish language proficiency requirement. The role of Finnish as a language of instruction strengthens as the studies proceed. During the studies, you can either start learning Finnish from the basics or continue the studies from your own starting level. Finnish language is integrated in the courses from the beginning of the studies. If your first language is not Finnish, the elective studies in your curriculum will be Finnish language studies. If your first language is Finnish, you can select also other elective studies. As a student you must be motivated and committed to study Finnish to reach the required proficiency.
At Metropolia, you have an opportunity to complete part of your studies in our Future Proof Health and Wellbeing innovation hub. Read more about the Research and Development Programs and Collaboration Platforms in innovation hub.
Studying Nursing in modern learning environments
At the Myllypuro campus, you will study in internationally unique learning environments. In the simulation hospital, you can practise a wide range of nursing skills independently in skills workshops and under the guidance of a teacher. The simulation hospital's facilities are similar to a real hospital environment and include teaching facilities for paediatric nursing and medical care, emergency, intensive care and surgical wards, as well as an ambulance.
Internationalization
You will study in a multicultural group of students and teachers, with English and Finnish as teaching languages. You will have the chance to participate in international activities like projects and joint teaching by international partners. International student exchange is also a possibility.
Student experiences
Anna and Michael
Nursing students Anna and Michael tells about their experiences and studies in Metropolia.
Further education opportunities
The Bachelor of Health Care degree gives you eligibility for Master's programmes in Finland and abroad. Once you have completed your Master's degree, you can apply for postgraduate studies for a doctorate. There are also options for continuing education.
After graduating, you can apply to study
- Master´s Degree in Universities of Applied Sciences, where an additional 2 years work experience is required.
- At Metropolia, you can study for example the following degrees:
- Master´s Degree in University, for example Master´s in Nursing Science
Language proficiency requirements and Qualification
The programme is conducted bilingually with English and Finnish. Applicants must have the minimum of B2 level in the English language. There is no Finnish language requirement when applying, and by the time of graduation the aim is that you have reached the required Finnish language level to be able to work in Finland as a Registered Nurse. At the end of the studies, you will demonstrate having reached the language skills required in profession.
The degree in Nursing is a Bachelor level degree. The programme meets the standards of the European Union Directive (2013/55/EU) on the recognition of professional qualifications, as well as the national criteria and European Qualifications Framework (EQF level 6) set for degree programmes.
Only certified professionals who have completed the appropriate degree may work as a registered nurse. After completing the degree, you will apply for the right to practice nursing profession from Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health, according to the Act on Health Care Professionals (559/1994). Health care professionals are required to have the sufficient oral and written Finnish/Swedish language proficiency.
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee 11 000 € for new non-EU/EEA degree students.
Ask Head of Degree Programme more about studies
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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 2026
- Day-time 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
- Application period-Start of studiesspring 2026Apply now!
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 November 2025 8:00 am - 30 April 2026 3:00 pm, all times refer to local time in Finland.
In flexible admission (i.e. rolling admission) the study places are filled in the order in which applications are received, so that all applicants who meet all the student selection requirements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the application ends or the study places are filled.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.
Note: Many degree programmes accept applications on a continuous basis. However, applicants who are required to pay tuition fees should carefully consider the timing of their application. In most cases, it is not advisable to begin studies in the middle of a term (either autumn or spring), as tuition fees cannot be paid for only part of the term. For this reason, it is generally best to apply well in advance of the start of the term, so that studies can commence from the very beginning.
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. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. 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) - Application period-Start of studiesspring 2026Apply now!
- 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. The completed studies must be accreditable to the degree programme to which you are applying in accordance with the curriculum of the degree programme. The required credit points (ECTS) and other possible threshold conditions are mentioned in the student selection criteria on Studyinfo. 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 November 2025 8:00 am - 30 April 2026, all times refer to local time in Finland.
In flexible admission (i.e. rolling admission) the study places are filled in the order in which applications are received, so that all applicants who meet all the student selection requirements are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until the application ends or the study places are filled.
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.
Note: Many degree programmes accept applications on a continuous basis. However, applicants who are required to pay tuition fees should carefully consider the timing of their application. In most cases, it is not advisable to begin studies in the middle of a term (either autumn or spring), as tuition fees cannot be paid for only part of the term. For this reason, it is generally best to apply well in advance of the start of the term, so that studies can commence from the very beginning.
Application fee
There is an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee 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. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.
More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)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.
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2026Apply now!
- Day-time 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 .
Useful links
More information on the application process
Tel. +358 9 7424 5902, Mon-Wed 10 am – 12 pm
You may also be interested
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.
Start of studies in the Nursing degree programme in January 2026
Answer the Survey for New Students by 20 December 2025. If you are registered as an absent student for spring 2026, answer the questionnaire only when you start your studies as a present student.
Familiarize yourself with the Nursing curriculum in Study Guide.
Attend a virtual Zoom meet-up on Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 9-10.30 (Finnish time) together with the head of the degree programme Anna Sievers, Finnish language teachers Hanna Lenkola, Welcome hub coordinator Lilli Rasilainen. Join the December meet-up In Zoom.
Students who are not in Finland yet in January
Attend a virtual Zoom meet-up on Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 9-10.30 (Finnish time) together with the head of the degree programme Anna Sievers, Finnish language teacher Hanna Lenkola & Welcome hub coordinator Lilli Rasilainen. Join the January meet-up in Zoom.
Start of studies
All orientation events will take place on Myllypuro Campus, Myllypurontie 1, 00920, Helsinki (if not stated otherwise).
5 January 2026 at 12.00 - 16.00 at Myllypuro Campus MPD1006: Finnish language level test
This concerns students, who already live in Finland and have studied Finnish before. The test is just to map out the overall Finnish language skills in the group and support your individual study planning. Please, reserve a full day for the language tests.
9 and 12 January 2026: Individual online meet-ups with Finnish language teacher
Please, book your meeting times here.
19 January 2026 at 9.00: Official start of studies
The studies start 19 January 2025 at 9.00! The first days are orientation days, and it is very important to attend these classes. There will be no separate tutorials on the topics covered at the orientation days, so it is very important that you attend from day one.
The beginning of the first semester will be held hybrid (= simultaneously in-person at Myllypuro Campus and Online). Online-participation is only offered for students who have not arrived in Finland yet. In-person participation for all is required at Myllypuro Campus from week 12 onwards (16 March 2026). Be prepared to have a full schedule throughout the semester from 19 January onward.
If you have prior nursing studies, your studies will start as early as week 3.
Spring 2026 timetable, daytime attendance
The spring semester timetable will be available in week 52 at Lukkarikone
The daytime timetables for the nursing course can be found under SXN26K1T. Please bring your own laptop on the first day.
Please note that there might be some changes in the schedule before your studies begin.
Student tutors will help you to start your studies. They will create a WhatsApp group, and the link will be distributed later by email.
Please attend the following guidance meetings at Myllypuro Campus:
- Wednesday, 7 January 2026, from 9.00 to 11.30, Myllypuro campus, MPA1014. Contact person Riikka Sorri (riikka.sorri [at] metropolia.fi (riikka[dot]sorri[at]metropolia[dot]fi)).
- Individual meetings at Myllypuro MPA1015 / book your own time from this link Wednesday 7 January from 12.30 to 16.00, Thursday 8 January 2025 from 9.00 to 16.00 or Friday 9 January 2026 from 9.00 to 16.00. Contact person Anna Sievers (anna.sievers [at] metropolia.fi (anna[dot]sievers[at]metropolia[dot]fi))
- RPL workshop on Monday 12.1.2026 from 14.30 to 16.00, Myllypuro Campus, MPC5014. Bring your own laptop. Contact person Anna Sievers (anna.sievers [at] metropolia.fi (anna[dot]sievers[at]metropolia[dot]fi))
- For students with prior higher education studies (other than nursing), separate instructions on how to include your prior studies in your study pathway are provided at the beginning of your studies.
If you have previously completed nursing degree studies, please review the Metropolia curriculum in advance and compare it with your earlier studies. Bring your laptop and an official transcript of your previous studies to the guidance meeting. You can request the transcript, including details of your completed courses and credits, from your former higher education institution. This will help you compare your prior studies with the Metropolia curriculum and ensure a smoother continuation of your studies.
The studies start in week 3, so it is essential that you attend the guidance meetings. Otherwise, the start of your studies may be delayed.
Information for new students
Make sure to complete all the steps in common guidelines above in order to secure a smooth start for your studies.
Welcome hub
At Metropolia Welcome Hub, you’ll find information and guidance on settling in the Helsinki metropolitan area, housing, managing everyday life, and integrating into the local community.
Introduction to studying in Metropolia and Finland
Join Welcome to Metropolia UAS Moodle workspace. The Moodle workspace contains important information for new students. Please note that you may join the Moodle workspace from 1 January 2026 onward, after activating Metropolia´s user ID.
Microsoft Pro Plus 365 software package
Get to know Metropolia's e-services and download and install the Microsoft Pro Plus 362 software package free of charge before the start of your studies. You can download and install the software package after activating your user ID. Instructions: Student Survival Guide - e-services at Metropolia
Study certificate
You can request a certificate from Metropolia's Student and Applicant Services once your study rights have started, i.e. from 1 January 2026.
If you are applying for student accommodation from HOAS, it is sufficient to submit a study certificate at the start of your studies.
TE Office form (TEM621 form)
If you are applying for unemployment benefit for full-time independent study, you must first accept the study place and register for attendance. The Student and admission Services will fill in the TEM621 form and send it to the student by e-mail. Send your request by e-mail to this address: studentservices [at] metropolia.fi (studentservices[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Students registered as absent
If you are registered as absent for the spring semester 2026: see the instructions for starting studies in autumn 2026 on this same page in May 2026.
If you are registering as absent for the spring semester 2026 and the autumn semester 2026: See the instructions for starting your studies in spring 2027 on this same page in November 2026.
Enroll for the academic year 2026-2027 according to the instructions sent by Metropolia Student Services by e-mail. Student Services will send the instructions in April 2026. Enrolment must be done between 1 May and 31 May 2026 in Metropolia's OMA system. If you do not register for the academic year, you will be marked as resigned as of 1 August 2026.
Contact details for career coaches and guidance counsellors
Head of the Degree Programme in Nursing, Career coach
Anna Sievers
Senior Lecturer, Career coach
Alexis Mbeutcha
Finnish as Second Language teacher
Hanna Lenkola
Guidance Counsellor
Riikka Sorri