Are you interested in becoming a nurse in Finland? If yes, one common route is to complete a Bachelor of Health Care in Nursing, which is usually a 210 ECTS program completed in about three and a half years. After graduation, nurses apply for professional licensing in Finland. To become a public health nurse, students typically complete a 240 ECTS program that takes about four years.
Finland continues to need more nursing professionals. A recent Finnish Government release estimates that, by 2040, Finland will need nearly 26,000 more practical nurses and about 9,400 more registered nurses compared with 2021. Because healthcare services depend heavily on trained nursing staff, nursing graduates may find opportunities in hospitals, health centers, social welfare services, and other care settings.
Being a nurse in a European country can open many opportunities and benefits for you. If you’re planning to start your nursing career in Finland, you will need to find a nursing school that fits your goals, language skills, and career plans. To help you with this, we listed top nursing schools in Finland that you can consider.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Finland
1. Lapland University of Applied Sciences
The Lapland University of Applied Sciences was established in 2014 through the merger of Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences and Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences. Its Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing program is offered in Kemi and prepares students for nursing work in hospitals, health centers, and private-sector healthcare settings in Finland and internationally.
The nursing program is worth 210 ECTS and is typically completed in 3.5 years. The program is taught in English, and international students complete Finnish language studies during the degree. Finnish is used during practical training in local healthcare organizations, so developing Finnish language skills is important for clinical practice and future employment in Finland.
2. Satakunta University of Applied Sciences
The Satakunta University of Applied Sciences offers its Bachelor of Health Care in Nursing as a full-time, English-taught program in Pori. The program has an extent of 210 credits and a duration of 3 years and 6 months.
The degree program in nursing focuses on working with clients in different age groups, promoting their health and well-being, and treating their diseases. The SAMK program prepares future nurses for work in different healthcare environments, including hospitals, care institutions, clients’ homes, and counseling centers.
Studies at this nursing school in Finland include professional nursing studies, clinical practice, complementary studies, and a bachelor’s thesis. Toward the final stages of the degree, students can choose complementary studies worth 10 ECTS, depending on the options available in that semester.
As the main language of the program is English, it is open to international applicants who meet the admission requirements. Students whose native language is not Finnish study Finnish during the program, and part of the studies may be implemented in both English and Finnish to support clinical practice and future nursing work in Finland.
3. Novia University of Applied Sciences
The next top nursing school in Finland is Novia University of Applied Sciences, which has educational activities in Vaasa, Turku, Raasepori, and Pietarsaari. Novia UAS was formed in 2008 by bringing together the Swedish University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences Southwest.
The Bachelor of Health Care in Nursing is a full-time, English-taught program in Vaasa. It comprises 210 ECTS over 3.5 years and aims to prepare students for a professional nursing career in a multicultural and international healthcare environment.
During the program, studies are split between core studies, professional nursing studies, practice, and a bachelor’s thesis. Clinical training takes place in settings such as hospitals, health centers, nursing homes, and other care environments.
Teaching and examinations are in English, but some national nursing recommendations are mainly in Finnish and Swedish. Students need basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish before participating in practice, and the supervision language during hospital clinical training is either Swedish or Finnish. Before graduation, students must show competence in either Swedish or Finnish at level B1.
4. JAMK University of Applied Sciences
JAMK University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary university of applied sciences with campuses in Jyväskylä and an Institute of Bioeconomy in Saarijärvi. Its Bachelor of Health Care in Nursing has a scope of 210 ECTS credits and an annual intake of 20 students.
During the JAMK nursing program, you will learn to plan, implement, and develop health-promoting, preventative, healing, and rehabilitative work in healthcare. The nursing studies are based on a personal study plan, which helps students build their own career paths. Practical training makes up about one-third of the nursing studies and is carried out in several phases in different healthcare environments. Part of the practical training can also be completed abroad.
5. Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Last on our list of the best nursing schools in Finland is Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Its English-taught Bachelor of Health Care, Registered Nurse program is a full-time, on-campus program at the Microkatu campus in Kuopio. The program is worth 210 ECTS, takes 3.5 years, and has an annual intake of 20 students.
By following this program, you will develop the competencies needed for nursing work in Finland and international contexts. You will also gain a multicultural understanding of nursing. The program offers a multi-professional learning environment in modern facilities, including a simulation center, clinical skills laboratories, and health technology resources. Studies combine personal tutoring, e-learning, and clinical nursing practice.
Savonia University of Applied Sciences has active student exchange partners in 30 countries and about 200 Erasmus agreements with European universities. Students can develop intercultural skills through the university’s international activities and, after completing a bachelor’s degree, may continue to master’s-level studies if they meet the relevant admission requirements.
FAQs: Nursing Studies in Finland
Can International Students Take a Nursing Program in Finland?
International students can take a nursing program in Finland if they meet the admission requirements set by their chosen university. Like other programs, nursing schools may require academic transcripts, proof of eligibility for higher education, and language proficiency or language-study readiness, depending on the program.
Non-EU/EEA students who study in Finland for more than 90 days usually need a residence permit for studies rather than a short-term visa. The Finnish Immigration Service requires accepted students to show sufficient funds, possible tuition-fee funding, and valid insurance when applying for a residence permit for studies. You can learn more through our Finland student visa guide.
If you are an undergraduate degree-seeking student who wants a comprehensive article about the application process at a Finnish university, read this article!
Is it Expensive to Study Nursing in Finland?
For EU/EEA/Swiss students, Finnish higher education programs are generally tuition-free. Non-EU/EEA students usually pay tuition fees for English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs. Among the nursing programs listed in this article, current annual tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students are generally around EUR 9,500 to EUR 10,000 per academic year, depending on the university. Scholarships and early-bird discounts may be available, so always check the university’s official tuition page before applying.
We hope that this article on the best nursing schools in Finland was helpful. If you are planning to pursue your studies in Finland, explore our Study in Finland Page for more good-to-know information and tips! Also, check out our Available Programs for International Students!
