Studies
Bachelor of Physiotherapy for International Students
Our Bachelor of Physiotherapy program is designed especially for international students, offering comprehensive education in physiotherapy. The curriculum includes professional studies with clinical practice and Finnish language courses to enhance your career prospects in Finland.
The job description of a physiotherapist
A physiotherapist is a multi-skilled professional who promotes people's functional capacity, health, and wellbeing and movement. Their expertise is especially needed when aging, injury, pain, illness, or everyday challenges limit an individual's functional capacity. The physiotherapist's role in promoting health is significant.
The work of a physiotherapist is inspiring, independent, and responsible. They plan physiotherapy based on the individual's needs and goals, working with clients, people close to them and other experts.
Key competencies include functional capacity assessment, functioning promotion, rehabilitation, accessibility, technological, ethical, and social skills. Physiotherapists act as experts in multidisciplinary teams and networks at regional, national, and international levels. They work as experts in rehabilitation, for example planning and guiding therapeutic exercises and other physiotherapy methods for promoting health and wellbeing.
Overview of the Degree Programme
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy program spans 3.5 years and comprises 210 ECTS credits. The curriculum includes comprehensive coursework in physiotherapy. Additionally, the program integrates Finnish language studies to support your career development in Finland. Familiarize yourself with the curriculum of degree programme.
Main contents of the Program
As a physiotherapist you will study:
- Cooperation and interaction with the client
- Instructing the client
- Functional ability and its assessment
- Structure and functioning of the human body
- Biomechanics
- Motor learning
- Therapeutic exercise
Physiotherapy degree programme includes also training in applied exercise and aquatic therapy as well as rescue from water. Basic swimming skills including basic diving skills are required for the studies.
Physiotherapy degree programme includes also clinical practice, where vaccinations are required, please read about the requirements: FSHS (Finnish Student Health Service) Instructions for social and health care students concerning infectious diseases and vaccinations.
Please also notice: Health requirements for the applicant from Studyinfo.
The studies include blended learning, group work, lectures, independent and virtual learning, practical training and various assignments and exams. Supervised clinical practice is included in the studies. Finnish language skills are used in clinical practice.
Multiform studies require the student to be self-reliant and responsible for their learning, because there is less contact teaching than in the day-to-day implementation.
Language of Instruction and Finnish Language Studies
The program is primarily taught in English, making it accessible to international students. Studies will begin in English without the Finnish language proficiency requirement, and will form a foundation for self-study and on-the-job learning in terms of Finnish language skills. The programme is conducted bilingually with English and Finnish as the studies progress.
Bilingual Finnish language studies are an integral part of the curriculum. These studies are designed to help integration into Finnish society and employment prospects in Finland.
Applicants must have the minimum of B2 level in the English language (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to be accepted to the programme.
Structure and Content of the Studies
Professional Studies and Practical Training
The Physiotherapy programme offers a well-rounded curriculum that includes professional studies, including practical training, clinical practice, and a bachelor's thesis project. The programme is designed to provide with integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Clinical practice
The program includes clinical practice, providing practical training throughout your studies. Clinical practice courses are from 5 to 10 credits and cover different aspects of physiotherapy. Some clinical practice periods can be conducted in the school's own facilities, you can gain hands-on experience in a controlled environment in HyMy Village.
Thesis
The scope of the bachelor's thesis is 15 ECTS credits and it can be carried out either alone or in a group of 2-3 people. The bachelor's thesis can be done in cooperation with working life or as part of a larger project.
Qualification
The education produces the qualification of a physiotherapist (professional qualification). A physiotherapist is a licensed health care professional.
Only a licensed professional with a degree can work in the profession of physiotherapist. After completing the degree programme, you can apply for professional rights from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health Valvira.
The education offers diverse career opportunities in rehabilitation, sports and social and health care tasks.
Physiotherapists can work in client work and other expert tasks in hospitals, health centers, private sector of wellbeing and rehabilitation, as entrepreneurs or in the third sector (such as organisations or sports clubs).
Scholarships and tuition fees
Annual tuition fee 11 000 €. This fee applies only to non-EU/EEA degree students.
More information
For more information on the application process please contact
Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Ask Head of Degree Programme about studies
Senior lecturer Titta Komssi
titta.komssi [at] metropolia.fi (titta[dot]komssi[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
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You will receive information 1–3 times a year about Metropolia's degree programmes, application schedules, and studying with us.
Applying
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025
- Blended studies
Instructions for applying
In the spring 2025 Joint Application to higher education, you can apply to degree programmes that start in the autumn of 2025. The application period starts on the 8 January 2025 at 8 am and ends on the 22 January 2025 at 3 pm (local time in Finland).
All the information needed to apply can be found on the national Studyinfo.fi portal. At Studyinfo.fi you can find descriptions of degree programmes, application criteria, application instructions, application forms and much more.
Application fee
From January 2025 onwards there is going to be an application fee of 100 euros. The application fee is collected for applicants from countries outside EU/EEA seeking education leading to a degree in higher education. The Finnish National Agency of Education will collect the application fee in connection with filling in the Studyinfo application form. The application fees are introduced for applications starting 1 January 2025 and onwards, when applying for degree programmes beginning on or after 1 August 2025. There is no application fee for Finnish or EU citizens.
More about application fee in Studyinfo.fi.
Questions about application fees? Contact applicationfee [at] oph.fi (applicationfee[at]oph[dot]fi)The application fee does not guarantee that you will be offered admission to studies.
The International UAS Exam is a joint digital entrance exam of the Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), used for selecting students to study programmes leading to a bachelor’s degree and conducted in English. The entrance exam is completed by the applicant’s own computer remotely online.
Read more about the International UAS Exam and language requirements on the website uasinfo.fi
- Application period-Start of studiesautumn 2025Apply now!
- Day-time studies
The Separate Application for International Degree Programmes is aimed at those applying on the basis of GMAT/GRE test, SAT test, the Edunation Pathway Diploma or a top-up degree for an education leading to a higher education degree in English. Application period for studies starting in autumn 2025 starts on 31 December 2024 08:00 am (local time in Finland).
Application instructions have been published on Studyinfo.fi Check the individual selection methods for each degree programme in Studyinfo.fi .
Useful links
More information
For more information on the application process please contact
Metropolia's Student and Admission Services:
+358 40 712 5100
admissions [at] metropolia.fi (admissions[at]metropolia[dot]fi)
Starting studies
How to start your studies in Metropolia
Welcome to study for a degree at Metropolia!
Congratulations! You have been admitted to Metropolia University of Applied Sciences and we are delighted to have you as a new member of our vibrant community of more than 16 000 students!
You have made an excellent choice - Metropolia offers you unique multidisciplinary opportunities throughout your studies with its strong connections to working life and active role in innovations built around socially significant phenomena.
We are happy to have you with us and help you with any questions you might have. Welcome to Metropolia!
The below information applies to students who have been accepted to study for a full degree at Metropolia. Make sure to complete all the steps in order to secure your study place.
Confirming a place of study requires certain formalities to be completed by the deadline. More detailed instructions below:
Non-EU/EEA students need a student residence permit. You can begin the student residence permit application online at Enterfinland.fi. Remember that you must personally visit a Finnish embassy or consulate as part of this process. Start your residence permit process as soon as possible, carefully following the immigration authorities' instructions and regulations, so that you can receive your permit in good time before your studies begin! You can find detailed information and advice on the residence permit requirements and procedures on the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) website.
Note that participating online programmes does not entitle you receiving residence permit. See more about the topic in Finnish Immigration Service websites.
All Metropolia's students who do not have a Finnish personal identity code, have to apply for it before their arrival or register at the local registry office after their arrival to Finland to apply for one.
Students who have to apply for residence permit (i.e. non-EU/non-EEA citizens) before their arrival to Finland should ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System when they apply for their first residence permit. This way they will receive a Finnish personal identity code at the same time as they are issued with the permit. More information on this for residence permit applicants
Other students have to apply for the personal identity code from the local registry office of the city where you are living in.
More information on Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
More information on registration to the Finnish Population Information System
After you have received the personal identification code, remember to inform it to the Student and Admission Services.
Metropolia does not have housing services to offer. Thus, it is the student's responsibility to find an accommodation for the period of their studies. There is a lot of competition in affordable housing, so it is important to start searching for a room many months prior to arrival. More information on accommodation
All foreign students (who are not EU citizens or citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland) who come to Finland for the purposes of studying are required to have a health insurance, if the studies endure longer than three months.
More information on insurances
Student financial aid is for Finnish citizens. Foreign citizens are entitled to student financial aid if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for the purpose other than studying and they have registered as permanent residents in the Finnish population register system.
- Find out where your campus is located
- If you have a smart phone you can download the free HSL mobile app to get access to the public transportation Journey Planner and tickets (e.g. for travelling from the Helsinki-Vantaa airport to your apartment or from your apartment to the campus).
- If you have a smart phone you can download the Tuudo mobile app for free to get your digital student ID and student discounts (ID and discounts are available from the first day of the studies onwards)
- Information on student life and well-being, costs and finance, study environment etc.
When you start as a new student you need to activate your user account. Activation is possible when the right to study begins. For joint application, activation is possible from 1 August.
The purpose of the activation is that you personally accept the rules of the account usage policy and start using your account. Activate your user account primarily using Mobile Certificate and Netbank User ID. Please read first the instructions in IT Services wiki.
Tuudo is a mobile app with which you can use various Metropolia web services easily on your smart phone. With Tuudo you can get VR, HSL, Matkahuolto and Kela student discounts immediately. The benefits are free for all Metropolia students.
In Tuudo you can check Metropolia, Admission Services, and student union METKA announcements, your schedule, study attainments, and cafeteria menus.
Get Tuudo on your phone from the app store for free and start using it!
During your studies, your support of well-being and health is Finnish Student Health Services (FSHS). The specialist in student health care offers you general, mental and oral health services and supports the well-being of study communities.
Our services can be used by students completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or a university of applied sciences who have registered as attending for the semester.
Master the facts! Familiarize yourself with our services and user instructions on the address fshs.fi, and the Health information resource on the address yths.fi/en/health-information-resource. You can also find information about appointments as well as current information about your service unit on the address yths.fi/en/service-units.
Start using Self! Self is the student’s own online service for health care issues at FSHS. In Self, you can manage appointment bookings, communicate via SelfChat and start a remote consultation. Log in to Self as a user immediately from the beginning of the semester and keep your contact details up to date for as long as you are a student. Read more: yths.fi/en/self-info.
The health care fee for students in higher education will be paid to Kela on your initiative (kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-education).
If you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Switzerland or the United Kingdom, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee. However, you can to use the FSHS’s services.
Already excited about starting your studies in Metropolia and meeting new people? On this page you will find welcome letters for each degree program.
Welcome letters are information packages prepared by your future tutors. They include, for example, important dates as well as information about studying, student benefits, or student life.
Create your own profile and sign up to JobTeaser portal now and stay up to date on job vacancies, training and upcoming recruitment events promoted especially to Metropolia students. There are hundreds of job opportunities available and a lot of information to support your career planning.
JobTeaser is a career portal where you can find lot of career information in one platform.
- Open jobs and traineeships
- Working life events
- Advice & guidance
- Employer profiles
Sign up and start exploring
Sign up to JobTeaser using your @metropolia.fi email address: https://metropolia.jobteaser.com/
You can also download a Jobteaser application.
How to start Physiotherapy studies
Degree program-specific instructions will be published later.