Arcada’s Nursing TopUp degree programme is aimed at those who already have a bachelor's degree, a Diploma, or a similar level of Nursing education of a minimum 3 years duration and which is completed outside of Finland, work experience and skills in Finnish or Swedish.
The TopUp programme offers internationally educated nurses the possibility of obtaining a Finnish Bachelor of Health Care, 210 ECTS, in approximately one to two years. This is possible through the accreditation of former studies, practical training and work experience up to the extent of 150 ECTS, leaving to study the remaining credits that have a specific focus on EU and Finnish competencies.
In the Nursing TopUp programme you will study both online and on campus. All exams and simulations or practical sessions take place on campus. It is possible to study alongside work, as long as you make sure that you can attend the compulsory campus days. You will be informed of the on-campus dates well in advance. In some cases, your current work can be accredited as practical training, but this requires individual planning with the relevant teachers once the studies have begun.
The Arcada Patient Safety and Learning Centre (APSLC) provides an active simulation-based environment where theory and practice are combined. Through simulation-based training, students learn to handle high-risk situations and special equipment, while at the same time improving their Finnish/Swedish language, critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills. A broad spectrum of difficult crisis and accident situations can be recreated in this simulation environment, which is safe and secure, easily adjustable and realistic.
The TopUp programme is taught in English, but language skills in Finnish or Swedish are necessary to complete work practice periods.
"},"osaamistavoitteet":{},"isMuokkaajaOphVirkailija":false,"ammattinimikkeet":[{"kieli":"en","arvo":"nurse"},{"kieli":"en","arvo":"registered nurse"}],"asiasanat":[{"kieli":"en","arvo":"nursing"},{"kieli":"en","arvo":"arcada"}],"isTyovoimakoulutus":false,"hasJotpaRahoitus":false,"isTaydennyskoulutus":false,"opetus":{"maksullisuusKuvaus":{"en":"There is a tuition fee of 13 000 € for an applicant with a Nursing Diploma and a tuition fee of 11 000€ for an applicant with a Bachelor's degree.
There is no Early bird discount, nor scholarship possibilities.
Read more on tuition fees on Arcada's website.
"},"suunniteltuKestoKuvaus":{"en":"The duration of studies is 1 to 2 years.
"},"koulutuksenAlkamiskausi":{"alkamiskausityyppi":"alkamiskausi ja -vuosi","koulutuksenAlkamiskausi":{"koodiUri":"kausi_k#1","nimi":{"fi":"Kevät","sv":"Vår","en":"Spring"}},"koulutuksenAlkamisvuosi":"2027","henkilokohtaisenSuunnitelmanLisatiedot":{}},"suunniteltuKestoVuodet":1,"onkoApuraha":false,"lisatiedot":[{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_08#1","nimi":{"fi":"Kohderyhmä","sv":"Målgrupp","en":"Target group"}},"teksti":{"en":"Arcada’s Nursing TopUp degree programme is aimed at those who already have a Nursing degree completed outside of Finland, work experience and intermediate skills in Finnish or Swedish.
Finland’s official languages are Finnish and Swedish. In order to be admitted to the TopUp programme in Nursing, you must have satisfactory language skills in Finnish or Swedish. Language is an important aspect of both professional engagement and patient safety. Thus, Arcada embeds language teaching into both theoretical courses and clinical skills teaching, as well as offers a Professional vocabulary-enhancing Finnish course and a beginner course in Swedish for those with Finnish language skills. For those with Swedish skills, there will be a professional vocabulary-enhancing Swedish and beginner course in Finnish. Further language courses can be taken at Arcada if you want to deepen your language skills.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_12#1","nimi":{"fi":"Sisältö","sv":"Innehåll","en":"Content"}},"teksti":{"en":"As a student in the Nursing TopUp programme, you will focus on gaining the following competencies, but from a Finnish perspective:
The TopUp programme offers internationally educated nurses the possibility of obtaining a Finnish Bachelor of Health Care, 210 ECTS, in approximately one to two years. This is possible through the accreditation of former studies, practical training and work experience up to the extent of 150 ECTS, leaving to study the remaining credits that have a specific focus on EU and Finnish competencies.
The Nursing TopUp curriculum is comprised of two modules for those with a previous Bachelor’s degree; Finnish Nursing Competencies 30 ECTS and Finnish Nursing Practice 30 ECTS and three modules for those who have a Nursing diploma; Finnish Nursing Competencies 30 ECTS, Finnish Nursing Practice 30 ECTS and Research Methodology and Thesis Writing 30 ECTS. The competencies are in relation to EQF 6 and comprise the dimensions of knowledge, skills and attitudes. Practical training is completed from basic professional studies to advanced professional studies. In addition to national legislation, the nurse's practical training is also regulated by EU directive (2013/55 / EU).
For more detailed information, please visit arcada.fi/en.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_09#1","nimi":{"fi":"Koulutuksen antama pätevyys","sv":"Kompetens som utbildningen ger","en":"Qualification"}},"teksti":{"en":"The Nursing TopUp degree programme will qualify you as a registered nurse with EU competencies. The nurse’s profession is regulated by Finland’s Act on Health Care Professionals (559/1994) and the Decree on Health Care Professionals (564/1994). Only a person who has a professional exam and has been registered as a professional practitioner can work as a registered nurse in Finland. After graduating you will receive the title of Bachelor of Health Care (Registered Nurse) and can register with Valvira (Finland’s National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health) for the right to work as a professional practitioner in Finland.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_04#1","nimi":{"fi":"Uramahdollisuudet","sv":"Karriärmöjligheter","en":"Career opportunities"}},"teksti":{"en":"The aim of our Nursing TopUp degree programme is to educate competent nurses with good knowledge of encountering, supervising and caring for patients with different levels of health issues. The programme provides you with the competence to act in different caring settings, from open counselling centres to intensive care units.
After graduation, you can work with health promotion or with critically ill patients in hospitals or open care. You can choose to work with children, youth, adults or elderly in Finland, the rest of the Nordic countries or even more internationally.
You can work in municipalities or in private organisations, as an employee or by starting your own company.
"}},{"otsikko":{"koodiUri":"koulutuksenlisatiedot_06#1","nimi":{"fi":"Kansainvälistyminen","sv":"Internationell verksamhet","en":"Internationalisation"}},"teksti":{"en":"The TopUp programme is built on solid in-house expertise, following national recommendations, and complying with Valvira’s professional practitioner requirements. However, it is unique as it embraces diversity, inclusion and multicultural values in its teaching that have been gained through long-term cooperation with international nurses who have chosen to work in Finland.
A degree from the Nursing TopUp degree programme truly enhances your international career opportunities, as it will qualify you as a registered nurse with EU competence.
"}}],"maksut":[{"maksullisuustyyppi":"lukuvuosimaksu","maksunMaara":13000.0}],"suunniteltuKestoKuukaudet":0,"opetustapaKuvaus":{},"opetuskieletKuvaus":{},"opetustapa":[{"koodiUri":"opetuspaikkakk_4#1","nimi":{"fi":"Monimuoto","sv":"Flerform","en":"Blended teaching"}}],"opetusaikaKuvaus":{},"opetuskieli":[{"koodiUri":"oppilaitoksenopetuskieli_4#2","nimi":{"fi":"englanti","sv":"engelska","en":"English"}}],"opetusaika":[{"koodiUri":"opetusaikakk_1#1","nimi":{"fi":"Päiväopetus","sv":"Dagundervisning","en":"Day time teaching"}}]},"yhteyshenkilot":[],"tyyppi":"amk"},"formatoituModified":{"fi":"17.6.2026 klo 14:58","sv":"17.6.2026 kl. 14:58","en":"Jun. 17, 2026 at 02:58 PM UTC+3"},"koulutustyyppi":"amk"}