The path studies are intended for nurses resident in Finland who have completed their nursing degree outside the EU. You cannot apply with a degree in practical nursing only, but a degree in practical nursing completed in Finland will speed up your path. The studies are implemented at the Kemi campus according to an individual study plan. There are study days at the campus that require attendance according to the individual study plan, and each student should be prepared for compulsory campus days on a weekly/monthly basis. The studies require commitment to studying, motivation, self-guidance and sufficient linguistic, mathematical and IT skills. The student must have their own computer (laptop).


You have the possibility to complete these studies in Finnish or English.

If you wish to complete your studies in Finnish, good Finnish skills are required (at least level YKI 3 in the national certificate of language proficiency, in which case ¾ of the subtests must be passed). It is possible that some of the studies will be implemented in English. Please note that if you decide to complete your studies in Finnish you don’t need to pay tuition fees. 

If you want to study in English, you will need to have a good command of English. The student must demonstrate their English language skills either by taking an international language test or through previous studies. It is possible that some of your studies will be in Finnish, in which case good Finnish skills are required (at least level YKI 3 in the national certificate of language proficiency, and ¾ of the subtests must be passed).

Information of the studies

For nurses resident in Finland who have completed their nursing degree outside the EU.

Path studies are primarily the first academic year’s studies. Studying takes place in groups of degree programme students according to timetables. For a more detailed description of the first year’s studies, see the course links below. Open University of Applied Sciences (Open UAS) students have the same study requirements as degree programme students.

A limited right to study will be granted for Open UAS studies. The right to study only applies to studies that are indicated in the description. When drawing up an individual study plan, previously acquired skills are identified and recognised.

Studies start 1.8.2025.

The maximum duration of the path studies is 1.5 years. For more detailed study module information and content, click the name of the study module below.
More information on open studies is available at Open UAS avoinamk@lapinamk.fi and sirpa.orajarvi@lapinamk.fi

 Implementations included in path studies

Autumn 2025, 30 ECTS

  • Start your UAS Studies 5 ECTS
  • Evidence-based Competence in Nursing 5 ECTS
  • Professional Interaction and Communication in Multicultural Nursing 5 ECTS
  • Competence in Health Care and Social Service System 5 ECTS
  • Competency in the Fundamentals of Medication, Pharmaceutical Calculation and Pharmacology 5 ECTS
  • Nursing Finnish 5 ECTS

Spring 2026, 33 op

  • Safety in Nursing 5 ECTS
  • Patient Education and Health Promotion 5 ECTS
  • Anatomy and Physiology 5 ECTS
  • Guided Practice in Transforming Social and in Health Care Environments 8 ECTS
  • Guided Practice in Social and in Health Care Environments 10 ECTS

 

After you have completed the path studies (63 credits), you can apply for a degree programme student position at Lapland UAS through a separate application (Open UAS application). Credits from path studies completed at Open UAS can be transferred after you have submitted an application and been accepted as a degree programme student. As a degree programme student, you will usually continue your studies in the same group of students in Finnish or English nursing education.

In an English degree programme, students may be subject to a tuition fee. More information: Tuition Fee at Lapland UAS – Lapland University of Applied Sciences. If you have any questions related to the tuition fees, please do not hesitate to contact globalschool@lapinamk.fi

Students will be accepted for path studies in the order of enrolment. Enrolment is binding, and the number of study places is limited. Original degree certificates will be checked when the studies begin.

Applying starts 14.4.2025 and ends 16.5.2025.

Note: If you are unemployed, please identify the impact of studies on unemployment security beforehand from the Unemployment services.