What are pathway studies?
Pathway studies are an alternative route to becoming a degree student. Pathway studies in Laboratory Science include the compulsory first-year studies of the degree program, 60 credits.
The studies are completed as classroom-based studies together with degree students during the first academic year at Metropolia's Myyrmäki campus.
Who is it for?
The 60-credit pathway studies in Laboratory Science are suitable for you if
- you are interested in degree studies in Laboratory Science and the field
- you are able to attend classroom teaching from Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and study independently at other times
- you have general study skills and the language skills required for the studies (English)
- you want to try studying at a university of applied sciences without losing your first-time applicant status
Contents
The 60-credit pathway studies in Laboratory Science (Bachelor) consist of the following courses:
- Orientation to Field and Studies 5 credits
- Fundamentals of Chemistry 1 5 credits
- Basic studies in Engineering Mathematics 5 credits
- Fundamentals of Chemistry 2 5 credits
- Mathematics and Physics in Chemical analysis 5 credits
- Laboratory Project and Professional Communication 5 credits
- Spectrometry 5 credits
- Analytical Separation Methods 5 credits
- Food Analysis 5 credits
- Microbiology and Professional English 10 credits
- Water Analysis 5 credits
Implementation
Studies take place from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. In addition to theoretical studies, teaching includes laboratory work, exercises, project work, and independent study. The degree program uses a lot of English-language material, such as work and user instructions. Some of the theoretical studies are conducted in English. The studies are conducted at the Myyrmäki campus in Vantaa. In addition to teaching tied to the study schedule, the studies require self-study and, for example, weekly assignments.
Language skills and other requirements
Those enrolling in pathway studies are responsible for ensuring that they have sufficient Finnish and English language skills. The main languages of instruction are Finnish and English.
Open university students are expected to have the same study skills as students enrolled in a degree program at a university of applied sciences. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have the required study skills. These skills include information retrieval skills, teamwork skills, and the ability to write various types of factual texts. Success in your studies requires taking responsibility for your own actions and learning, active participation in classes, and the ability to study independently.
Students must have access to their own laptop.
Price and payment
The pathway studies in laboratory analysis are subject to a fee. The price of the pathway studies (60 credits) is €1,500 (€25 per credit).
Enrollment in pathway studies
Students are selected for pathway studies in the order of enrollment until all places are filled.
Pathway studies begin in August and are completed during the fall and spring, so registration also takes place once a year in early August.
PLEASE NOTE The exact dates and number of places will be published in the registration system shortly before registration begins.
Applying for a degree program
Completing the pathway studies does not automatically guarantee admission to a degree program. However, by completing the 60-credit Laboratory Analysis pathway studies, you will be eligible to apply for a separate application process called ‘Application based on Metropolia's open university studies’.
This will allow you to become a degree student in Laboratory Science.
Applications for the Laboratory Science degree program are accepted once a year, starting on May 1.
Where can you find more information and advice?
Study content and implementation
Laboratory Science Degree Programme application page: more information about the studies and the degree
Curriculum in the Metropolia study guide: course objectives and contents
Open university of applied sciences fees, benefits, services, studying
Read the instructions on the open university of applied sciences website or contact Open UAS Customer Service
Applying as a degree student
Application based on studies completed at Metropolia's open university of applied sciences
Advice: hakijapalvelut [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Instructions for starting Laboratory Science pathway studies
Welcome to study at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Laboratory Science pathway!
You will study your first year together with degree students. Your student group is TXV26S1
Studies begin with orientation days for new students on August 19–20, 2026 at Metropolia's Myyrmäki campus. Please bring a laptop and ID with you to the orientation days.
Teaching according to the schedule will begin on Monday, August 24, 2026. Open university students do not register for courses themselves; you have already been registered for the courses.
Please read the general study instructions for the open university of applied sciences carefully before starting your studies.
How to start path studies at Metropolia
Welcome to study path studies at Metropolia!
Read below all the common instructions for Metropolia's path students.
When you start as a new student at Metropolia, you need to activate your Metropolia user ID. Metropolia user accounts are activated independently using online banking credentials or a mobile certificate at the beginning of your studies. You can usually activate your account before the start-of-studies information session or orientation days, provided that your information has already been transferred to Metropolia's systems. You will receive an email notification once your right to study has been registered.
See the IT Services website for instructions on how to activate your user account.
Identity Verification
If you did not complete strong electronic identification when registering for your studies, for example through the Suomi.fi identification service, you must verify your identity before you can activate your Metropolia user account.
- You can verify your identity by presenting an official identity document at a Student Services customer service desk during opening hours. The opening hours of the customer service desks are available on the Student Services website.
- If you did not complete strong electronic identification during registration and are unable to visit a campus to verify your identity, please contact the Open UAS customer service.
All messages related to your studies will be sent to your Metropolia email account, so make sure to set it up as soon as possible and check it regularly throughout your studies.
Before you can access your email and other Microsoft 365 services, you must first set up multi-factor authentication (Microsoft Authenticator).
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Once you have activated your Metropolia user account, set up multi-factor authentication by following the IT Services instructions.
You can also find answers to frequently asked questions about multi-factor authentication on the IT Services website.
Metropolia Email
How to log in to your Metropolia email:
- Go to outlook.office365.com.
- Enter your username in the format username [at] metropolia.fi (username[at]metropolia[dot]fi) and your password.
- Approve the sign-in using your Microsoft Authenticator app.
Please note that after activating your user account, it may take a few hours before you can log in to your email.
Open UAS students have access to Microsoft 365 Apps for the duration of their studies.
See the IT Services instructions for downloading Microsoft 365 Apps.
Cloud Services
Open UAS students have access to Metropolia's cloud services for the duration of their studies.
Open UAS students do not need to register for courses themselves, as you have already been enrolled in your courses when you registered for your studies.
Lukkarikone
Lukkarikone provides up-to-date timetables. We recommend checking your timetable regularly for any changes.
When you log in to Lukkarikone using your Metropolia credentials, your timetable will be displayed automatically. You can also search for your timetable using your group code.
Tuudo
Tuudo is a mobile app that allows you to view your timetable, completed courses, and other study-related information. Open UAS Path students can download a red student card in Tuudo, which entitles them to a special student meal discount at Metropolia's campus restaurants (excluding the student restaurant at the Arabia campus).
Download the Tuudo app free of charge from your phone's app store and set it up. When logging in, select Metropolia University of Applied Sciences as your institution and sign in using your Metropolia credentials.
OMA Service
On the OMA Student Desktop, you can view your study information. For example, you can check the validity period of your right to study, the courses you are enrolled in, and your completed courses and grades.
You can find your student number on the left-hand side of the page, next to your name.
How to log in to the OMA service:
- Go to opiskelija.oma.metropolia.fi.
- Enter your username and password.
Log in to the OMA Student Desktop.
Certificate of Study and Transcript of Records
You can download your study-related certificates yourself.
See the instructions for downloading your certificate of study and transcript of records in OMA.
Open UAS students are not eligible for Kela-subsidised student meals. However, Metropolia UAS has arranged a special meal discount for Open UAS students at the student restaurants on the Myllypuro, Myyrmäki and Karamalmi campuses. The meal discount is specific to these restaurants and does not apply to the student restaurant at the Arabia campus.
You can access the meal discount by presenting your red Path student card, which is available through the Tuudo mobile app.
Tuudo is a mobile app that allows you to conveniently access various Metropolia online services on your phone. For example, you can use Tuudo to view study-related announcements, your timetable, completed courses and grades, and daily lunch menus.
Download the Tuudo app free of charge from your phone's app store and log in using your Metropolia credentials.
If you have chosen to pay for your studies by invoice, the tuition fee will be invoiced in two instalments. The first invoice will be sent at the beginning of your studies, and the second invoice approximately four months after your studies begin. Invoices will be sent by post.
Please familiarise yourself with Metropolia Open UAS's payment and cancellation terms on the website. If you have any questions about paying for or cancelling your studies, please contact Open UAS Customer Service.
Please also notify Customer Service if your address changes during your studies.
Additional Studies at Metropolia
If you would like to take additional courses alongside your Path studies, you can register for courses offered by Open UAS through the online store. Please make sure that your additional courses do not overlap with your Path studies.
Additional Studies for Pathway Students through Cross-Institutional Studies
Metropolia Open UAS Pathway students can take additional courses offered by other higher education institutions free of charge through cross-institutional studies.
Learn more about cross-institutional studies in the Student Information Bank.
Instructions for Open UAS Path students on how to register for cross-instutional courses.
Once you have completed most of your Open UAS Path studies, you can apply to become a degree student through a separate admission process based on your Open UAS studies. Please familiarise yourself with the application instructions for your chosen degree programme, where you will find detailed admission requirements and application periods. See the application instructions on Metropolia's website.
You can also apply for a degree programme through the joint application process while completing your Open UAS studies. If you are admitted as a degree student during your Open UAS studies, please inform Open UAS Customer Service.
General Questions
- General guidance on Open UAS studies, payments and financial support applications.
Questions About Course Content or Schedules
Contact your course teacher or the designated Pathway contact person for your degree programme.
IT Support
Metropolia's IT Services provides guidance and support with technical issues related to Metropolia's services and user accounts.
The IT Services AI chatbot, Mikro-Mikko, can often help you resolve common issues:
You can also submit a support request to IT Services:
Applying for Degree Studies
Admissions Services Customer Service