Nursing Schools and Programs in Finland

Nursing Studies in Finland

Bank of Siltasaari

Registered nurses in Finland are trained at universities of applied sciences (UAS). The degree is the Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing. It takes three and a half years and 210 credits, and it qualifies the graduate to apply for the right to practise as a registered nurse. Some of these programmes are taught in English, which makes nursing one of the health professions that international students can enter in Finland without Finnish at the start.

Finland has 13 universities and 22 universities of applied sciences, with over 30,000 international students, according to the official Study in Finland portal (2026). The Finnish National Agency for Education describes universities of applied sciences as multi-field institutions of professional higher education.

How the degree is organised

Novia University of Applied Sciences in Vaasa gives a clear picture of the structure. Its Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing has an extent of 3.5 years and 210 credits. The programme consists of:

• Core studies, including languages
• Professional studies in clinical competence, professional development and nursing research
• Practice: internships in hospitals, health centres, nursing homes and community care
• A bachelor's thesis of 15 ECTS credits

Nursing is a regulated profession under Finnish law. According to Novia, its degree follows article 31 of EU Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications.

Language: English in class, Finnish or Swedish on the ward

This is the point that international applicants most need to understand. At Novia the programme is taught in English and the examination language is English. The internships, however, take place throughout Finland in Finnish and Swedish, and the supervision language during clinical training in hospitals is Swedish or Finnish. Both languages are taught from the first year. Before graduation, students must show competence in Swedish or Finnish at level B1.

The same applies after graduation. Health care professionals must have sufficient oral and written language skills for their duties, and employers are required to assess this. The Finnish Supervisory Agency accepts proof of proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish.

Where to study

• Vaasa: Novia University of Applied Sciences is a Swedish-speaking institution on the Finnish coast. Its English-taught nursing degree is based in Vaasa, and the school cooperates with Vaasa Central Hospital and health care centres in Ostrobothnia.
• Helsinki: the University of Helsinki does not train registered nurses. Its Faculty of Medicine offers a Master's Programme in Development of Health Care Services, which leads to a Master of Health Sciences.

Other universities of applied sciences also teach nursing in English. The Study in Finland portal mentions, for example, Diak, which offers a Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing in English.

Admission

Applicants need a secondary school diploma that gives access to higher education in their home country. Novia asks for a senior secondary school degree or a university degree. Many English-taught programmes in Finland have their main joint application period in January, for studies starting the following autumn. Novia's application period for nursing runs from 7 to 21 January 2027. Applications are made on Studyinfo.fi, and non-EU/EEA applicants pay an application fee of €100.

Admission may include an entrance exam or interview and proof of English, such as IELTS or TOEFL. A UAS master's degree requires a bachelor's degree and two years of relevant work experience.

Costs and residence permit

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland usually pay tuition fees for English-taught degrees. Fees typically range from €9,000 to €20,000 per year, according to Study in Finland (2026). At Novia the studies are free for EU citizens, and fee-paying students can apply for a scholarship.

For living costs, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) sets a minimum of €800 per month. Study in Finland recommends about €900 to €1,200 per month, depending on the location. Non-EU/EEA students usually need a residence permit for studies longer than 90 days. International students may work part-time up to 30 hours per week on average during the academic year.

Licence and careers

The right to practise is granted on application by the Finnish Supervisory Agency, to professionals trained in Finland and abroad. Registered nurse, public health nurse and midwife are licensed professions. Practical nurse is a different category: a protected occupational title, not a licensed profession.

Graduates work in hospitals, health centres, nursing homes and other health care facilities. After graduation, Finland offers a two-year permit to look for work or start a business. A nursing degree also gives access to master's-level studies at a university of applied sciences or a university.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study nursing in English in Finland?

Yes. Novia University of Applied Sciences teaches its Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing in English in Vaasa. Clinical training is supervised in Swedish or Finnish, so students learn these languages during the degree.

How long does a nursing degree take in Finland?

Three and a half years, with 210 credits, at a university of applied sciences.

Do I need Finnish to work as a nurse in Finland?

You need sufficient Finnish or Swedish for your duties. Employers must assess this, and Novia requires level B1 in one of the two languages before graduation.

How much does it cost?

Non-EU/EEA students usually pay tuition of €9,000 to €20,000 per year for English-taught degrees. The Finnish Immigration Service requires at least €800 per month for living costs.