For applicants living in Finland

The next application to the Nursing TopUp bachelor's degree programme for studies beginning in August 2026, will be carried out as a joint application from 7 - 21 January 2026, closing at 3 pm (UTC+2) on the last day. The application will be carried out twice a year. The deadline for most attachments is 28 January 2026 at 3 pm (UTC+2).

The Nursing TopUp programme is aimed at those who already have a Nursing degree completed outside of Finland, work experience (desirable) and language skills in Finnish and English.

Application should be submitted through Studyinfo.
You can access the programme site on Studyinfo and also move on to the application form by clicking on the link.

Eligibility

This application is for you who have:

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
Finnish language skills
English language skills

Work experience

Work experience is not mandatory, but highly desirable and will give additional points in the admissions process.

Work experience is only counted after the date when the Nursing certificate/diploma was awarded, and needs to be proven by a work certificate. Work experience gained before or during your bachelor studies cannot be counted towards the work experience minimum requirement. Work experience can be counted up to 31.07.2026.

Part-time work is converted to full-time work so that 150 hours or 20 full-time working days (a minimum of seven hours per day) are equal to a month. The work experience does not have to be continuous or from the same employer. Practical training or on-the-job learning is not counted as work experience if it forms a part of the degree used for applying.

Language requirements

Finnish language requirement
All applicants must have Finnish language skills at a minimum level of A2 on the European framework before the start of studies.

You can prove your Finnish language skills with one of the following:

National Certificate of Language Proficiency
Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate
Certificates or verification from established educational institutions that offer language instruction and can be verified by Arcada

Finnish language proficiency can not be proven with language courses such as Duolingo.

Applicants must attach proof of skills in Finnish or proof of participation in accepted Finnish course to their application by 28 January 2026 by 3 pm (UTC+2). If the applicant is pursuing a Finnish language course aiming at level A2 result, they must submit a copy of a final certificate by 30 June 2026.

An applicant who is completing Finnish studies at the time of application can be conditionally admitted but must provide a Finnish language certificate at minimum level A.2 by 30 June 2026.

Admission of an applicant who, before the start of studies does not meet the level A.2 in Arcada's own test, can be cancelled.

The applicant's Finnish language skills will be assessed in the entrance exam/interview.

English language requirement

Applicant can prove their skills in English with one of the following:

Bachelor or Master studies in English, which includes a thesis written in English
IELTS or IELTS online ; academic:
- one skill retake test is accepted
- minimum overall band score 6.0
- valid for three years
TOEFL Internet-based or Home Edition test:
- minimum score 67
- test result must arrive directly from the Educational Testing Service
- Arcada's TOEFL code 5724
- valid for two years
Pearson Test of English Academic or Academic online:
- minimum score 51
- results are accepted only when sent through the online PTE account
- valid for two years
Cambridge ESOL’s tests B2 First (First Certificate in English) Cambridge Advanced:
- minimum score 170
- include your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret number when sending your results to Arcada
OET, (Occupational English Test )
- minimum score C
- valid for two years
Oxford ELLT Global :
- from 1 July 2023 onwards: minimi score 6.0 (Test sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking)
- Digital Oxford ELLT Global also accepted
Certificates or diplomas from verified educational providers that can be verified by Arcada

Please note that if you have a diploma you are required to prove English language proficiency through an English language test, since your studies did not include a thesis.

English language proficiency can not be proven with language courses such as Duolingo.

The OET, TOEFL and Pearson certificates are valid for two years. IELTS is valid for 3 years. Applicant must attach proof of skills in English by 28 January 2026 at 3 pm (UTC+2).

Please ensure that you have allowed your language test result to be verified by Arcada. Test results that can not be verified will not be accepted.

The applicant's English language skills will also be assessed in the entrance exam.

Admission through entrance exam on campus

If you reside in Finland you can select to be considered through an entrance exam held on campus.

The entrance exam to Nursing TopUp is held on campus Arcada, Helsinki on 30-31 March 2026.
The entrance exam will test applicants' suitability for higher education studies. It will consist of a written test as well as interviews and language tests.

The exam does not require any preparation. Detailed information on the entrance exam will be given in the invitation letter sent to applicants who have proven their eligibility.

Please note that if you live outside of Finland or the EU/EEA area, it will unfortunately be difficult if not impossible to get a visa for the sole purpose of taking part in an entrance exam. Arcada can unfortunately not assist further in the process other than to send out a formal invitation letter and therefore such applicants are recommended to apply through the pre-admission course.

Applicants are ranked and admitted based on total points for the entrance exam, points for work experience and language skills.