10 Best Nursing Schools in Finland|Tuition & Requirements

Finland is a beautiful country with a distinct and historic culture, beautiful architecture and a fascinating way of life.

Finland is located in Europe and it is home to many colleges, of course, you can find some top nursing schools in Finland also.

Finland is considered to have one of the best education systems in the world.

One of the greatest and unique things about Finland is that education in Finland is completely free. That simply implies that students are not required to pay tuition fees.

There are two types of upper-level educational systems, and they are:

Universities: Universities are more research-based institutions that teach theory, as well as the academic side of certain subjects.

Polytechnic Universities: Polytechnic schools are all about the practical side. They prepare graduating students for careers in applied fields.

Students in Finland not only go for bachelor’s degrees but there are also students who go to graduate-level schools, just like master’s programs and PhDs.

International students who are not from the European Union in recent times are required to pay for educational tuition and fees in most universities, especially for English taught programs.

What Degrees are there for Nursing in Finland?

The first pathway towards your nursing practice in Finland is through apprenticeship or completing competence-based qualification courses.

Once you finish such a course, a graduate gains the status of a practical nurse.

The second pathway is through completing a bachelor’s degree course in nursing. In this case, a graduate bears the status of a registered nurse.

Usually, bachelor’s degree courses take more time to complete than competency-based ones.

However, the status they allow to obtain is proven to have more benefits. Registered nurses have a higher level of qualification, they have more skills, and above all, they can perform different types of tasks, when compared to practical nurses.

Some of the universities or nursing schools in Finland as you might regard them, that offer bachelor’s degree courses in nursing are:

If you are looking to go for a master’s degree in nursing, then you might want to consider the program which Arcada University of Applied Sciences offers.

Requirements to Study nursing in Finland

There are different types of requirements to expect and it all depends on the level of the program that you are going for.

For bachelor’s degree programs, your certificate of secondary school education which must be notarized and translated into English (Finnish) is enough.

If you want to check out other necessary documents, check out the eligibility pages of  Arcada University and Centria University.

But for master’s degree programs, a bachelor’s degree and basic experience in certain fields are usually required.

The List of Best Nursing Schools in Finland

  1. Novia University of Applied Sciences
  2. Lapland University of Applied Sciences
  3. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
  4. JAMK University of Applied Sciences
  5. Savonia University of Applied Sciences
  6. Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
  7. Arcada University of Applied Sciences
  8. Centria University of Applied Sciences
  9. Swedish Polytechnic
  10. LAB University of Applied Sciences


Novia University of Applied Sciences

  • Degree: Bachelor of Health Care
  • Field of study: Health and Welfare
  • Extent: 3,5 years 210 credits
  • Location: Vaasa
  • Application period: 5-19 January

The Degree Programme Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing is a small, flexible and familiar programme with many international students.

They educate culturally competent registered nurses in a multicultural environment.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students at Novia UAS: The tuition fee for Bachelor degree programmes is 6000 euro per academic year and the tuition fee for Master degree programmes is 9000 euro per academic year.

Program Details


Lapland University of Applied Sciences

  • Degree: Bachelor of Heatlh Care, Sairaanhoitaja (AMK)
  • Location: Kemi, Finland
  • Duration: 210 ECTS, 3,5 years
  • Teaching time: Full-time studies


Lapland University of Applied Sciences educated healthcare professionals with general and special knowledge in health care and nursing.

The studies enable graduates to work in Finland and other international environments in hospitals and health centres as well as in the private sector.

At Lapland University of Applied Sciences tuition fees will be charged to the non-EU/EEA citizens who accept a study place in an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme starting on 1 September 2017 or later.

Check out the tuition fee and Scholarship details.


Satakunta University of Applied Sciences

  • Degree programme in Nursing
  • Extent (credits): 210 ECTS cr
  • Duration: 3.5 years
  • Study type: Full-time studies
  • Language of tuition: English
  • Intake: 35
  • Campus: Satakunnankatu 23, Pori, Finland
  • Next application period: 17 August – 14 September 2022
  • Studies begin: January 2023
  • Early Bird Scholarship: 1,500 €
  • Success in Studies Scholarship: 50 % of the paid fee
  • Finnish Language Skills Scholarship: 1,500 € or 3,000 €
  • Student Ambassador Scholarship: 200–500 €

The tuition fee is 9,500 euros per academic year for non-EU/EEA students in each Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree programme taught in English.

SAMK campus is located in the city centre of Pori and it is future’s learning environment with over 4000 students currently enrolled.

Program Details


JAMK University of Applied Sciences

  1. Annual intake: 40
  2. Degree: Bachelor of Health Care
  3. Study modes: Full-time studies
  4. Starts: 22/08

This is one of the nursing schools in Finland, where the nursing studies are based on a personal study plan and this allows you to build your own career path.

The education in Degree Programme in Nursing is highly esteemed and meets the strict quality requirements set in the EU legislation – A Bachelor of Health Care is a Registered Nurse.

There are NO tuition fees for Finnish or other EU/EEA-citizens.

The fees will concern non-EU/EEA degree students who start their studies in English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes in August 2017 or after that.

The tuition fee does not apply to persons who are citizens of EU countries, in the EEA, or persons who are treated as EU citizens by agreement by the EU, or the family members of such persons.

The tuition fees of Jamk University of Applied Sciences for NON-EU/EEA citizens are:

  • €8,000/academic year for bachelor’s degrees taught in English
  • €9,000/academic year for master’s degrees taught in English

Program Details


Savonia University of Applied Sciences

  • Degree programme: Registered Nurse
  • Degree title: Bachelor of Health Care
  • Duration: 210 ECTS, 3.5 years
  • Study mode: Full-time studies
  • Study place: Microkatu campus, Kuopio, Finland
  • Language: English
  • Annual intake: 25

During your time of study at this university, being one of the best nursing schools in Finland, you will master the required concepts, methods and skills to enable the critical assessment and also allow decision making in changing unpredictable nursing situations.

Their registered nursing program offers a multi-professional learning environment in a modern environment in well-furnished modern facilities.

They have a simulation Centre, clinical skill laboratories, and health technology.

Furthermore, nursing students have access to several internships throughout the whole duration of their studies, starting already from the first year.

Savonia UAS is one of Finland’s biggest and most versatile Universities of Applied Sciences, with over 000 Finnish students, 500 international students and 500 employees.

The tuition fee for Bachelor’s studies is 6000 euros per academic year.

In case the student accepts the study place by 30 April and registers as a present for the first academic year, she/he will get the first year with an Early bird –price (5000 euros).

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Arcada University of Applied Sciences

  • Nursing Program Link: Bachelor/Master
  • Degrees Offered: Bachelor, Master

Centria University of Applied Sciences

Language of Learning in the nursing schools in Finland

The majority of nursing programs are offered in English Langauge. You can find such nursing programs offered in English at:

Higher degree courses may be taught in English as well as Finnish and Swedish. For example, the master’s degree program offered by Arcada University is taught only in Swedish.

Therefore ensure you check the school and their language of instruction before you start your application.

Applicants that are non-native English speakers may be asked to send a certificate of English Language proficiency to be able to study nursing in Finland.

Besides, students are also encouraged to learn Finnish because fluency in Finnish is necessary for those who will choose to do clinical practice in Finland.

Nursing schools in Finland in English

There are nursing schools in Finland where students can study in English. Students receive good theoretical and practical skills in nursing, nursing science and nursing research so as to be able to contribute to the development of nursing.

In the learning process, students will be able to formulate links between practical experience, as well as theoretical concepts.

These links require the integration of theory and practice and that is facilitated by reflection on practice.

At Lapland University of Applied Sciences, the clinical practice can be done either in Finland or partly abroad.

Studying in an international program gives you excellent opportunities to have an education that is highly valued.

You study 15 credits of Finnish language while Finnish speaking students study English and Swedish language.

The Finnish language is used in practical training which is carried out in Finnish speaking organizations during the studies.

Employment possibilities are excellent in Finland for registered nurses.

What do you benefit from studying in English?  

  • Your language skills are improved
  • You learn to work with multicultural teams
  • Good Language skills are highly valued by employers
  • You will start creating your international professional networks already during your studies

Nursing in Finland for international students

There are nursing schools in Finland for international students in the sense that, there are schools where international students can study nursing.

As an international student, you must know that Finland has quite strict rules concerning immigration.

Depending on if you are a non-EU citizen, European Union citizen or citizen of the Nordic countries, the rules and regulations that will apply to you differs.

Visa and Resident Permit

We will be talking about visa and resident permits for different categories:

Citizens of the Nordic countries 

As a citizen of one of the Nordic countries, you do not need a visa or residence permit to be able to study in Finland. If you stay in Finland for longer than six months, you are required to register personally at the local Register Office.

EU/EAA citizens

If you are a citizen of one of the EU/EEA countries, you also do not need a visa to enter Finland.

If your studies/practical training will last longer than three months, of which attending the nursing schools in Finland will take longer than three months, then you must register your right to reside in Finland AFTER YOU ARRIVE.

The registration takes place at the nearest Finnish Immigration Service point, which is in Rovaniemi or Oulu, and usually, it costs 50€.

You need to have the following documents in order to do the registration:

  • Application form (submit online)
  • Passport (recommended) or internationally recognized official identity card
  • Your European Health Insurance card
  • Your Letter of Acceptance or study certificate from Lapland UAS
  • You must be able to show that your upkeep is secured during your stay in Finland. (e.g bank statement, grant certificate)

Non-EU citizens

You are allowed to study at Finnish Educational Institutions for three months without applying for a permit if you are a Non-EU citizen.

Afterwards, you can then complete your studies within the period of validity of your visa or while in agreement on the abolition of the visa is in force.

Furthermore, if your studies last longer than three months, you need to apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Embassy or mission that represents Finland in your home country before your departure.

For further information visit the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland formin.finland.fi (> Entering Finland and travelling abroad > Entering Finland> Guidance for foreign citizens planning to travel to Finland).

Additional Information

As part of the requirements, you have to prove that you have sufficient funds. Enough to cover your living expenses in Finland; that is, a minimum of  560 €/ month or 6 720 €/year.

After your first year, you must apply for the continuation of your residence permit for each academic year at the nearest Finnish immigration Service Point in Rovaniemi or Oulu.

When applying, you must include or attach the application details of your comprehensive health insurance cover with a reliable company or institution and when extending your residence permit.

Also, certifications for your success in your studies are necessary.

Visit the website of the Finnish immigration Service: www. migri.fi (> In English > Enter Finland>Extended and permanent residence permits) for further information.

What are your thoughts about these nursing schools in Finland? Please share your thoughts with us.

Editor’s Pick

Reference:

https://studyabroadaide.com/study-nursing-in-finland-international-students/

Uscollegeinternational.com: https://uscollegeinternational.com/best-nursing-schools-finland/

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