Apply to Nursing TopUp (Joint application)

The Nursing TopUp programme is aimed at an applicant who has:

a degree in Nursing completed outside of Finland; Bachelor of Nursing; Diploma of Nursing; GNM (General Nursing & Midwifery); PCL (Proficiency Certificate Level); or Technical level Nursing studies of a minimum 3 years
work experience within the field (recommended but not required as of spring 2025)
Finnish language skills
English language skills

The estimated length of studies is 1–1,5 years depending on the applicants background.

The application to the Nursing TopUp programme for applicants residing in Finland will be held biannually through the joint application in January with studies starting in August, and through the joint application in September with studies starting in January.

The application to the Nursing TopUp programme for applicants residing outside of Finland will be held once a year during the joint application in January and the studies commence in August. These applicants are required to complete a pre-admission and Finnish course before the start of their studies. The registration to the next pre-admissions course will be open from 1 October–16 November through this link. Applicants residing in Finland can also choose to apply through the pre-admission course.

All applications are to be submitted through Studyinfo.

Supporting documents for Nursing TopUp

Here you will find a detailed list on the required documents for the Nursing TopUp application.

Translation to Swedish, Finnish or English

All educational certificates in languages other than Swedish, Finnish or English must be translated. All certificates in other languages have to be translated into one of these languages by an officially certified translator. A copy of the original document (in original language) shall also be submitted. The translation shall bear the stamp and signature of the translator.

Original certificates

You may need to submit your original certificates for verification by the start of your studies. Any false information regarding qualifications will make you disqualified for admission.

How to submit documents

When you fill in the application form, you are at the same time requested to upload application documents that are needed for the processing of your application. Note that some documents are mandatory attachments to the application, thus application can not be submitted if the mandatory document is not attached to application.

If you wish to upload your documents at a later time, you can do that through the link found in the application confirmation e-mail you received when you applied. The deadline is specified for each attachment in the application form.

Educational documents

Please include both the final diploma as well as all academic transcripts of your previous education (bachelor, diploma or similar) Ensure that they show all courses included in the degree, and if possible include also registration certificates (right to work as a nurse/midwife etc)

If your final diploma and/or transcript records are not issued in Finnish, Swedish or English, you will also need translations into one of these languages. All certificates in other languages have to be translated into one of these languages by an officially certified translator. A copy of the original document (in original language) shall also be submitted. The translation shall bear the stamp and signature of the translator.

Work certificates

Include all relevant certificates of possible previous work experience. Work experience should be from the health care field, but does not necessarily need to be from nursing. Please include work certificates only, as work contracts signed at the beginning of the employment usually do not in fact prove the duration of employment. You can also add a CV but note that this is not accepted as valid work certificate on its own.

Ensure that the certificates include name of employee, employer, possible task and time of employment and that the certificate is dated for when it was signed.
If the certificates are not issued in Finnish, Swedish or English, they must also be translated by an official translator.

Proving English language skills proficiency

Prove your English proficiency by attaching one of the accepted certificates as listed under each intake.

Ensure that you have enabled Arcada to verify your score from the respective language test provider.

Proving Finnish language skills proficiency

Prove your Finnish proficience by attaching one of the accepted certificates as listed under each intake. Ensure that you have enabled Arcada to verify your score from the respective language test provider.

Certificate of completed Pre-admission course (if applicable)

If you have completed the pre-admission course, you must attach a certificate of completed course or certificate of attendance.

Documents proving refugee or similar status

Decisions to grant asylum or residence permits issued on the basis of a need for protection of refugees or applicants in a refugee-like situation should be submitted as soon as possible.

Proving citizenship and/or exemption from tuition fee

In addition to the application documents, you should submit a copy of passport or residence permit document proving exemption from tuition fees:
•    Passport ID page or ID card of EU/EEA/Switzerland which states citizenship
•    Passport ID page (all other citizenships)
•    Residence permit card, both sides; Type A (granted for other reasons than studies), Type P or type P-EU
•    EU Family Member's Residence Card in Finland

Valid proof of identification

All applicants are required to submit valid proof of identification.

•    Passport
•    National Id card issued in an EU/EEA-country
•    Finnish Id card