Practical Nurse, Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care
You may apply for this education if you meet requirements regarding sufficient language skills (Finnish and English), health requirements and, are generally eligible for secondary education and interested to work with elderly.
Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care gives you the opportunity to work as a practical nurse specialising in elderly care.
The job tasks include supporting the functional independence in the elderly by providing care, assisting with daily activities, monitoring health conditions, and offering emotional support. As a practical nurse you may work for example in home care, nursing homes, or day centers. If you value independent work and wish to support the elderly in their daily activities, choosing a career as a practical nurse allows you to make a meaningful impact and contribute to improving the quality of life for the elderly. Generally, there is a large demand for practical nurses in Finland.
The Content of Education
The scope of the studies is 180 competence points (cp) and it is composed of vocational units (145 cps) and common units (35 cps). A personal study plan will be made for each student based on their previous experience and studies. If the applicant already has prior knowledge or skills in the field, this plan can enable faster progress through the studies. Completing the studies typically takes approximately 2.5-3 years.
Vocational units
- Customer interaction and guidance (20 cps)
- Promotion of well-being and functional capacity (25 cps)
- Medication care in the area of practical nurse´s responsibility (10 cps)
- Competence area of elderly care and rehabilitation (60 cps)
- Optional Modules of the Vocational Qualification (30 cps)
Common units
- Communication and interaction competence
- Mathematics and science competence
- Citizenship and working life competence
Read more detailed descriptions of the content of the degree in the composition of qualification. (The link opens in a new tab.)
Form of Instruction, Teaching Time and Language
Studies are organized as contact studies during daytime at the Pohjolankatu Campus in Savonlinna. The studies are mainly conductedin Finnish, with support in English, especially at the beginning of the studies. Competence is assessed in Finnish.
Who can apply?
This education is suitable for everyone interested in social and health care. There are some requirements which must be filled:
- At least 18 years of age
- Basic level (A2.1) skills in Finnish (will be tested in an aptitude test, which cannot be completed online / via an app)
- Minimum score of 85 points in Duolingo English test or 5.0 in IELTS General Training Test (other language tests, such as TOELF, are not accepted).
- A general upper secondary school certificate or school-leaving certificate
- Good physical and mental condition to study and work as a practical nurse. Additional information at Opintopolku.fi; Applicant´s health and functional capacity (the page is currently in Finnish only).
Applications that do not meet the requirements cannot be progressed to the stage of the selections process.
Price
Please note! As of 1 August 2026, tuition fees will be introduced in Finland for upper‑secondary students from outside the EU and EEA (third‑country nationals). A third‑country national refers to a person who is not a citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. You can find the most up‑to‑date information on tuition fees on our website: Tuition fees for applicants coming from outside the EU and EEA.
Tuition fee is EUR 12,000 per year. If the student completes the qualification within the planned duration of three years, the total tuition fee is EUR 36,000. Whether a student is required to pay a tuition fee depends on the type of residence permit they hold. You can find more information here. For others, the education is free of charge.
The aptitude test is free of charge, but you are responsible for covering the costs of the Duolingo or IELTS test certificate, as well as expenses related to housing and travel.
At the beginning of their studies, students are required to purchase note-taking materials and work shoes at their own expense. Computers are available for use on campus. For remote studies conducted at home, students must have their own computer and are responsible for any related costs.
Students are entitled to a free lunch on days when they have on-campus instruction.
Samiedu does not offer scholarships or other financial aid options.
For the resident permit, applicants must provide evidence to the Finnish Immigration Service that they have sufficient funds in their bank account to cover living expenses. More information is available on the Finnish Immigration Service website. (The link opens in a new tab.)
Application information
The application period is until 7 September 2026.
The aptitude test will be conducted on the 13 October 2026 at the Pohjolankatu Campus in Savonlinna, Finland. Conducting an online aptitude test is not feasible.
A maximum of 25 students will be selected for the education based on sufficient language skills, preliminary assignment, and the aptitude test. A minimum of 15 students must be selected to start the education. Student admission will be made after aptitude tests.
The education is scheduled to start on 5 April 2027.
If you have questions related to the education or the application, please contact us by email at admissions@samiedu.fi. We kindly ask that you refrain from making phone calls regarding this matter.
Application Procedure:
1. Take the Duolingo or IELTS General Training English Test.
Every applicant must attach a Duolingo English test score certificate (minimum score of 85) or an IELTS certificate (minimum score of 5.0) to the application.
The Duolingo English Test is an online exam that assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills and takes less than an hour to complete. Official results are available within 48 hours after completing the test. This link opens the Duolingo English Test in a new tab.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) General Training test is a widely accepted English language test that assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The test takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and official results are typically available within 6–8 days. Both test centre–based IELTS and IELTS Online are accepted. More information is available on the official IELTS website. (The link opens in a new tab.)
2. Record a max. 2-minute video where you answer the following questions in Finnish and English:
Vastaa suomeksi:
- Miksi haet lähihoitajakoulutukseen?
- Miksi sinusta tulisi hyvä lähihoitaja?
- Miten olet opiskellut suomen kieltä?
- Kuinka kauan olet opiskellut suomen kieltä?
Answer in English:
- Why you should be selected for this education?
- How do you assess your own readiness and ability to move to Savonlinna and to live and study there?
You need to be visible in the video. Please attach a link to your video in your application (do not send the video as an attachment; please ensure the link works and the link is open at least until the end of October 2026). Videos longer than 2 minutes will not be assessed.
3. Attach certificates of your previous education, as well as your Duolingo English test or IELTS test certificate and a video link to the application.
All applicants who have submitted the required certificates and meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to an aptitude test via email. The aptitude test will be held at the Samiedu Pohjolankatu Campus, Pohjolankatu 4, Savonlinna on 13 October 2026.
The aptitude test begins at 9:00 AM. Please reserve the entire day for the test. The aptitude tests are conducted in collaboration with the Finnish Psychological Center. The aptitude test will be conducted in Finnish, with English support available if necessary.
If you do not participate in the aptitude test, or if you receive a score of 0, or do not meet the health requirements, you cannot be selected for the qualification.
