Nursing (Top up)
Bachelor of Health Care
Have you completed a nursing degree outside Finland and want to work as a registered nurse here?
The Nursing Top up programme is designed for internationally educated nurses who wish to strengthen their professional competence, learn Finnish, and prepare to apply for a registered nurse licence in Finland.
Completing the programme gives you the eligibility to apply for the registered nurse licence from Valvira – the Finnish national authority – but does not guarantee automatic approval. With the licence, you can begin a meaningful career in Finnish healthcare – safely, professionally, and with confidence.
Admissions criteria
Tuition fees & scholarships
Bachelor’s degrees 10 700 euros / academic year for students from outside the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.
Full-time studies
Mikkeli
Full-time studies
Mikkeli
Degree titles
- Bachelor of Health Care
Want to work as a registered nurse in Finland?
This Top up degree programme in Nursing leads to a Bachelor of Health Care degree in Nursing.
After completing your studies, you will apply for the licence from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira). The licence requires at least a B1 level proficiency in the Finnish language. This licence allows you to work in the healthcare sector in Finland and the EU.
During the programme, you will study the Finnish language and take a number of professional courses that are required to qualify as a registered nurse in Finland.
You will do your practical training during your studies and will be introduced to potential employers.
After graduation, you will be able to work efficiently and patient-safely in the Finnish-speaking nursing environment.
As a registered nurse working in Finland your work is independent, versatile, and responsible.
You will have wide expertise in the field of nursing, and you will be capable of working in changing and unpredictable situations. In this programme, you will gain knowledge and expertise about the Finnish language, the Finnish culture of nursing, and the Finnish social and healthcare system.
You will learn how to plan, execute, assess, and develop the nursing of patients and clients with different age groups in multiprofessional work groups and in different working environments.
During studies you can start learning Finnish from the basics or continue from your own starting level!
The work of a registered nurse is constantly changing because of the development of health services and health technology. After graduation, you will know how to work with patients and clients in healthcare, including electrical services and different virtual organisations. You will learn skills for working in digital services and service guidance.
With a degree as a registered nurse, you can be easily employed both nationally and internationally. You are able to work in hospitals, healthcare centres, nursing homes, home hospitals, rehabilitation centres, or in the private or third sector. You can also work as an entrepreneur.
The degree gives qualifications in accordance with EU directives, which enables you to seek a career in interesting and demanding duties both nationally and internationally.
- Registered Nurse
- English
- Nursing
- International
Why choose nursing studies at Xamk?
Good employment
Diverse employment opportunitie
Modern teaching environments
Learn in collaboration with the working life
.
Structure of studies
The curriculum of the Degree Programme in Nursing is 210 ECTS credits total. It is based on EU directives and national guidelines regarding the competence of nurses responsible for general care, including common competence areas of the University of Applied Sciences. The competence areas are included in the different study modules and courses.
Various situations in clinical nursing and patient education are practised during the studies. Modern simulation and learning facilities, with up-to-date equipment, enable the creation of realistic learning environments.
Approximately one third of the studies are implemented as clinical practice in various nursing environments. Clinical practice is carried out in units of primary healthcare, specialised healthcare, and the community sector.
The degree includes core competence and complementary competence studies. Core competence includes knowledge, skills and qualifications that registered nurses must master at work and that form the basis for continuous learning. Complementary competence expands and deepens the core competence.
The Degree Programme in Nursing comprises the following study modules:
Core competence 165 ECTS credits:
- Theoretical studies 105 ECTS cr
- Clinical practice 45 ECTS cr
- Thesis 15 ECTS cr
Complementary competence 45 ECTS credits
Student stories
Why study in Finland? Finnish institutions are well-respected in the global job market
Combining Quality Education with Practical Experience
Nursing top up studies are conducted full time.
Implementation of studies
The studies in the Nursing Top up Degree Programme will be arranged on the Mikkeli campus. The studies are daytime studies.
The studies will begin on campus in Mikkeli in August 2026.
You will participate in online meetings and in-person classes on campus according to the schedule.
One ECTS credit equals 27 hours of student work, so you will need to allocate sufficient time for independent study as well.
In addition, the studies include practical training periods of varying lengths in different nursing environments.
The training takes 1,5- 2 years to complete, The duration of the studies is based on the Valvira’s determined add-on studies, depending on one’s prior education in the field of nursing. Valvira is the National Supervisory Authority for the Welfare and Health.
Career opportunities
Registered nurses are employed by social and healthcare organisations, associations, or the private sector. Your workplace may be in a hospital inpatient ward, an outpatient clinic, a surgical ward, home care, various rehabilitation and nursing homes, or healthcare clinics.
Registered nurses can also work in development tasks or as entrepreneurs.
The employment rate of registered nurses is high, and there are substantial employment opportunities both nationally and internationally.
Only a graduated, licensed and registered professional can work as registered nurse in Finland.
Registered nurses are licensed healthcare professionals. The degree programme meets the criteria of nursing education as established by the European Council and contains the professional competence of a nurse responsible for general care.
Only a graduated, licensed professional can work as a registered nurse. After completing your studies, you will apply for a license from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.
Subscribe our newsletter!
Sign up for the Study at Xamk Newsletter, and you will receive information about Xamk, our programmes, application processes and open online studies and other courses.
For international students
Finland’s education system is regarded as one of the best in the world. Education is a strong part of Finnish culture from pre-school years into adulthood.
Get to know us and what we stand for!
Study in Finland
Study in Finland
Why choose Xamk?
Why choose Xamk?
Student life
Student life
FAQ – The most frequently asked questions
Finland has two types of higher education institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS).
Universities focus on scientific research and education based on it. Universities of applied sciences, on the other hand, offer a pragmatic education that responds to working life needs.
Studies at a university of applied sciences (UAS) focus on professional and practical know-how and skills. The practical experience provided by UAS studies is highly appreciated in many jobs and duties. UAS Bachelor’s level studies also gives you the opportunity to apply for further studies, such as completing a UAS master’s level degree and continuing as far as a doctoral degree. Our bachelor’s degrees always include supervised practical training that gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge learnt in theory into practice. You will become familiar with the duties of your own field in real working environments.
In most universities of applied sciences, social and health care students follow field-specific guidelines that are applicable to an authentic working environment.
When practicing clinical skills at campus or in clinical practices and work placements, the hygiene requirements of the work and the customer and patient safety need to be considered. Students need to wear protective clothing in accordance with the guidelines of the universities of applied sciences when practicing.
During the clinical practices and work placements, students need to follow the guidelines for workwear, protective clothing, use of personal protective equipment, etc. as defined by the clinical practice units. For example, when caring for patients or clients, wearing long sleeves on their work clothes or wearing their own clothes may not be allowed in all clinical practice units. In addition, in most clinical practices the student must wear a photo ID card that identifies the student.
We have over 11 500 students, and we offer 9 Bachelor’s degree programmes in English, 2 Master’s degree programmes in English, open UAS courses, global talent acquisition programmes and summer school courses.
You can also apply for exchange or double degree studies at Xamk.
Are you interested in practical learning? Would you like to study in modern facilities with top-class teachers? Are you attracted to new ways of teaching and learning? If you said yes, Xamk might be just the place for you.
Top 5 reasons to choose Xamk:
1. Finnish education system is one of the best in the world.
2. Excellent programmes with working life orientation
3. Our campuses are located in beautiful Finnish towns close to nature.
4. Best student life – it’s your time to enjoy and create wonderful memories.
5. Responsibility is our strategic choice.
Campuses in 4 cities
Xamk’s campuses are located in Kotka, Kouvola, Mikkeli, and Savonlinna. Some degree programs are offered entirely online.
Get to know your own campus!
See also these
Bachelor of Health Care, Nursing
Further information on studies
Contact Admission Services
Xamk’s Admissions Services primarily assists with matters related to applying for degree studies. You can contact us by phone or through our online form.
Mon-Fri 09.00-12.00
Degree education in Finnish:
- +358 44 702 8891
- +358 40 585 6610
Degree education in English:
- +358 40 585 6610
Contact request via online form: