Bachelor of Health Care, Registered Nurse
Bachelor of Health Care
Registered Nurse
Study nursing and build a career that matters!
3,5 years • 210 ECTS
Microkatu campus, Kuopio, Finland
Full-time studies • On-campus • Fully Taught in English
Apply Through Direct Application
Direct application to Savonia’s English-taught Bachelor’s degree programmes opens on 1 October 2026.
1. Care for Diverse Health Needs
During your studies you build strong nursing expertise to support, supervise and care for people with diverse health needs in meaningful, professional and person-centred ways.
2. Clinical Reasoning and Decision-Making
During your studies, you will acquire the concepts, methods, and practical skills necessary to make critical assessments and informed decisions in dynamic and unpredictable nursing situations.
3. Finnish Language Skills for Working Life
During your studies, your proficiency in the Finnish language will develop and improve, and by the time of graduation, you will have achieved sufficient proficiency to work professionally in Finland.
What will you learn?
1st year
Build a strong foundation in nursing by understanding people as biopsychosocial beings and applying nursing principles to promote health, functional ability and patient care.
2nd year
Develop evidence-based nursing competence in medication management, perioperative, paediatric, family, mental health and substance abuse nursing through studies and clinical placements.
3rd and 4th year
During your third year, you apply gerontological and interprofessional nursing knowledge, identify development needs in healthcare, and use research, development and innovation skills in your Bachelor’s thesis.
During your fourth year, you strengthen independent professional practice, coordination and decision-making skills in diverse healthcare settings while developing effective communication in international environments.
Prepare for a Nursing Career in Finland
Finnish-language nursing education will be integrated into studies from the very beginning. Alongside developing your professional nursing skills, you will build the spoken and written Finnish language skills needed to work as a healthcare professional in Finland.
The Finnish Supervisory Agency (LVV) grants licensing, upon application and upon the announcement of the UAS, to practice nursing as a licensed professional. The professional qualification of a nurse and the education of a nurse working in general nursing are regulated by the directive 2013/55/EY of the European Parliament and of the Council as well as by the European Qualifications Framework, 2006.
In the field of health care and social services, the studies include working with customer groups requiring special protection, in which case ethical requirements and requirements for patient or customer safety are crucial. The health and functional capacity of students shall be such that they can perform assignments and practical training related to their studies
Learn by doing
1. Multi-professional Learning Environment
The programme offers a multi-professional learning environment in modern facilities, including a simulation centre, clinical skills laboratories, and health technology resources.
2. Clinical Training
The studies include 85 credits of clinical training to enhance professional skills, in different care environments. Collaboration with working life is also integrated into the theoretical courses.
3. Thesis
The programme includes a Bachelor’s Thesis (15 ECTS). In addition, students can participate in multidisciplinary development and project activities in the social and healthcare sector.
Programme Structure
The extent of the Degree Programme in Nursing is 210 ECTS. You are expected to complete 60 ECTS during each study year, which is equivalent to 1600 hours of a student’s workload.
The courses in the curriculum constitute wide modules; they are not separate but support the student’s overall development and the development of his or her expertise. Consequently, teaching and work based RDI are combined during the process.
The detailed structure of your studies is as follows:
• Basic studies 30 ECTS
• Professional studies 165 ECTS*
• Elective studies 10 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS
*Includes 85 ECTS of clinical training
Career and Future
The qualification offers a wide range of employment opportunities, for example in specialist care, primary healthcare and the private healthcare sector in Finland and abroad. The nursing degree also enables you to work in a variety of specialist positions and international assignments. In addition to these, the degree programme in nursing enables working in specialist or consultant tasks, as an entrepreneur, or in voluntary organisations and international jobs.
Job title: Registered Nurse (RN)
My Journey as a Nursing Student at Savonia
“One of the things I expected from Savonia was a high-quality, stress-free learning environment, and I can honestly say that the university has met all my expectations. The building is modern and welcoming, and the professors really care about helping us succeed. The nursing program is comprehensive, and it’s designed in a way that encourages us to grow both academically and personally.”
Kuopio as a Study City
Kuopio is the largest of Savonia’s campus cities, with over 120,000 residents and a vibrant student community. Located in Eastern Finland, the city combines the benefits of urban services with easy access to nature, offering a balanced environment for studying and everyday life.
Tuition fees
Explain the tuition fee for the degree programme and who is required to pay it. Guide users to more detailed information about tuition fees, refund policies and scholarships on the dedicated page. This text can also be largely the same across degree programme pages. Approximately 30–40 words.
How to apply to this programme
There may be more than one way to apply for the same degree programme. The right application route for you depends on your previous qualifications.
Contact Us for More Information
Have questions about applying or studying at Savonia? Our staff is here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Katri Huuskola
Coordinator of Degree Programme in Nursing
katri.huuskola@savonia.fi
+358 44 785 6410