Eligibility for the degree programme is given by the general eligibility for bachelor’s degrees in universities of applied sciences in Finland.

For further information see the website University of Applied Sciences (UAS) Bachelor’s degree > Who can apply?

Applying to study in the field of Health Care and Social Services

The SORA legislation applies to education leading to a degree in applied sciences in the field of health care and social services, the humanities, physical exercise and maritime navigation. These fields have requirements concerning the safety of minors, patient and customer safety or traffic safety which restrict student admission. In this case, it is required that the health and functional capacity of approved applicants is such that they are able to take part in the practical assignments or training related to the studies.

A restriction related to health or functional ability does not prevent students from being admitted if the effects of the restriction can be reasonably eliminated, for example by making special arrangements. The purpose is not to impose unnecessary obstacles to the access to training for people with disabilities or people with other physical or mental restrictions. Restrictions apply only in situations where it is clear that the applicant cannot participate in the training because of their health or functional capacity. The severity of the obstacle and the situation related to its treatment are taken into account when assessing the applicant's suitability as a student in the degree programme concerned.

At the request of the university of applied sciences, students shall present an extract from the judicial record if, for their studies or practical training related to the studies, they are given assignments which essentially require working with minors. A university of applied sciences may oblige a student to present a certificate on a drug test if there is a reason to suspect that the student is performing practical assignments related to the studies under the influence of drugs or that the student has a drug addiction.

In the field of social welfare and health care, the studies include working with customer groups requiring special protection, in which case ethical requirements and requirements for patient or customer safety are crucial. The health and functional capacity of students shall be such that they are capable of performing assignments and practical training related to their studies.

Studying and working in these professions requires sufficient physical, mental and social capacity.

Obstacles to student admission may include, for instance, the following:

• Severe rash and/or allergy to e.g. medicinal products and detergents
• Sensory disability affecting functional ability
• Mental health disorder
• Substance abuse/drug abuse or misuse during the last two years
• Limited social capacity which makes it difficult to work with people
• Long-term illness or physical injury limiting participation in studies and practical training

An issue related to health or functional ability is not an obstacle to student admission if the obstacle can be removed by reasonable means. The severity and the management of the obstacle will be taken into account when assessing the applicant's suitability to be admitted as a student in the degree programme concerned.

Based on the applicant's notification submitted at the application stage, the university of applied sciences may require more detailed health information to assess whether the student will be able to manage the studies and which support measures will reasonably be required.

Students involved in traineeships in the field of health care and social services operating units shall be vaccinated against measles and chicken pox or have acquired immunity to them from natural infection, and those treating infants shall be vaccinated against whooping cough. In addition, annual influenza vaccination is required. (Section 48 of the Communicable Diseases Act 1227/2016). The required vaccinations are free of charge for students in the field of health care and social services.

The field of health care and social services is not suitable for individuals convicted of one of the following: offences against children, sexual offences, violent offences, crimes against freedom, or drug offences.

An extract from the judicial record shall be submitted for completing assignments or practical training included in the studies which require working with minors.

TAMK may cancel admission for the following reasons:

• applicant fails to submit certificates by the deadline specified by the university of applied sciences
• applicant has provided false information about his or her grades/educational background
• it is obvious that the student, in terms of his or her health status and functional capacity, does not meet the admissions criteria (Polytechnics Act 932/2014)
• applicant has concealed the cancellation of his or her prior study entitlement (Polytechnics Act 932/2014).

Language skill requirements

When applying to TAMK's Bachelor's Degree Programme in Nursing you must have at least skills level B1 in Finnish language (link to the Common European Framework of reference for languages).

Only those eligible applicants who have informed in their applications that they have the required skills in the Finnish language will be invited to the entrance examination. It is not necessary to send any documentary evidence of the Finnish language skills but the Finnish language skills will be tested in the entrance examination.

Sufficient English language skills are also required for degree programmes conducted in English. English language skills will be evaluated as part of the entrance exam.