Bachelors degree in Nursing

The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in healthcare, emphasizing both clinical practice and theoretical knowledge. The program equips students with the essential skills and competencies to become registered nurses, capable of working in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations. The curriculum focuses on health promotion, patient care, nursing theory, and the development of clinical skills. The program integrates both academic learning and hands-on clinical placements to ensure that students are prepared to meet the demands of a fast-evolving healthcare environment. Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure as nurses in Finland and other EU countries, offering a broad range of career opportunities in healthcare.

Curriculum: The curriculum of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at TAMK is carefully designed to balance theoretical learning with practical skills. Students gain knowledge in various areas such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nursing ethics, and healthcare systems. The curriculum includes courses in clinical nursing, health promotion, patient management, mental health, and specialized nursing fields such as pediatric and geriatric care. Practical training is an integral part of the program, with clinical placements in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community health centers, ensuring that students apply their knowledge in real-world healthcare environments. In addition, the program incorporates modern technologies and innovative teaching methods to enhance learning and prepare students for the digitalization of healthcare.

Research Focus: The research focus in the Nursing program at TAMK is centered on improving healthcare practices and outcomes. Research topics include patient care, evidence-based nursing, health promotion, and the development of innovative healthcare practices. The university’s research activities aim to contribute to improving the quality of care, patient safety, and the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. TAMK encourages students to engage in research projects during their studies, fostering a culture of inquiry and critical thinking. Research in nursing at TAMK also emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together nursing, medicine, and other healthcare fields to solve complex challenges in healthcare delivery and management.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a core component of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing program at TAMK. The program’s strong ties with healthcare providers and organizations ensure that students have opportunities for practical learning through clinical placements. These placements take place in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and interact with professionals in the field. Furthermore, TAMK collaborates with healthcare providers to ensure that the curriculum remains up-to-date with the latest developments in nursing and healthcare. Through these partnerships, students have access to modern healthcare technologies and are exposed to best practices in patient care. This engagement provides students with a deeper understanding of the nursing profession and prepares them for future roles in healthcare.

Global Perspective: The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at TAMK is designed with a global perspective, providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to work in diverse international healthcare settings. The program emphasizes cultural competence, preparing students to provide quality care to patients from various cultural backgrounds. In addition, TAMK offers opportunities for international exchanges and internships in healthcare institutions worldwide, allowing students to experience different healthcare systems and practices. The program also incorporates global health challenges, such as infectious diseases, aging populations, and the impact of global health policies. Graduates are prepared to work in international healthcare environments, whether in hospitals, NGOs, or global health organizations, ensuring they are equipped to meet the needs of a diverse patient population.

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

Application Fee: €100

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 60% or above in their previous academic qualifications.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 60 or higher.
• PTE: Overall score of 55 or higher.

Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) offers various scholarship opportunities for international students to help support their studies in Finland. These scholarships aim to alleviate the financial burden of tuition fees and living expenses, ensuring that talented students from around the world have the chance to pursue their academic goals at this prestigious institution.

TAMK Scholarship for Non-EU/EEA Students: TAMK provides a scholarship program for non-EU/EEA students who are required to pay tuition fees. The scholarship is designed to reduce the financial burden on international students and help them achieve their educational aspirations. The scholarship covers 50% or 100% of the tuition fees depending on the student’s academic performance.

TAMK Scholarship for Finnish Language Studies: TAMK also offers scholarships for international students who wish to take Finnish language courses. These scholarships are aimed at students who wish to enhance their language skills, facilitating better integration into Finnish society and the job market. The scholarship may cover the cost of language courses, allowing students to improve their proficiency in Finnish, which is highly beneficial for both academic and professional opportunities in Finland.

Government Scholarships: The Finnish government offers scholarships for international students through various programs, especially for students from specific countries or regions.

Erasmus+ and Exchange Programs: International students participating in exchange programs or internships may be eligible for additional financial support through the Erasmus+ program or other EU funding initiatives.

External Scholarships: Various private organizations, foundations, and companies offer scholarships for international students at TAMK. These scholarships often focus on specific fields of study, academic achievement, or research contributions.

Graduates of the Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) are equipped with the skills and qualifications necessary to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities in healthcare. As nursing professionals, TAMK graduates can find employment in hospitals, community health centers, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and even international healthcare settings. 

Registered Nurse: The most direct career path for graduates is working as a registered nurse (RN) in a variety of healthcare settings. Registered nurses are responsible for providing patient care, administering medications, monitoring patient conditions, and working closely with doctors and other healthcare professionals to develop care plans. Graduates can work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare settings.

Clinical Nurse Specialist: Graduates with a special interest in a specific area of nursing (e.g., cardiology, pediatrics, geriatrics) can pursue roles as clinical nurse specialists. These advanced practice nurses provide expert advice and support to other healthcare providers and manage complex patient cases. Clinical nurse specialists may also be involved in research, policy development, and education.

Nurse Practitioner (Advanced Practice Nurse): With additional education and certification, graduates of the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing can pursue advanced roles as nurse practitioners (NPs). NPs are licensed to provide primary and specialized care, prescribe medications, and perform diagnostic procedures. Nurse practitioners often work independently or in collaboration with physicians.

Public Health Nurse: A public health nurse works to improve community health and wellbeing through preventive care, health education, and health promotion programs. Graduates interested in population health can work in public health agencies, schools, or community organizations, focusing on health prevention, vaccination programs, maternal and child health, and disease surveillance.

Nurse Educator: Graduates interested in teaching and mentoring future nurses can pursue careers as nurse educators. Nurse educators work in nursing schools and academic institutions, where they teach students, develop curricula, and supervise clinical training. They may also be involved in continuing education programs for practicing nurses.

Geriatric Nurse: As the global population ages, there is a growing demand for geriatric nurses who specialize in providing care for elderly patients. Geriatric nurses work in nursing homes, hospitals, and home care settings, focusing on the unique needs of aging individuals, including chronic disease management, mobility assistance, and end-of-life care.

Mental Health Nurse: For graduates interested in psychiatric and mental health care, a career as a mental health nurse is a great option. These nurses provide care for patients with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. They may work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or community mental health clinics.

Pediatric Nurse: Graduates who wish to specialize in caring for children can work as pediatric nurses. These nurses are trained to care for infants, children, and adolescents, addressing a range of health issues from routine checkups to more complex medical conditions. Pediatric nurses can work in hospitals, pediatric offices, or home health care.

Nurse Administrator/Manager: Graduates with strong leadership skills can pursue careers as nurse administrators or nurse managers. These professionals are responsible for overseeing nursing teams, managing budgets, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, and developing policies to improve patient care services. Nurse administrators can work in hospitals, healthcare systems, or government organizations.

Travel Nurse: Travel nursing offers flexibility and adventure, as it involves working as a temporary nurse in different locations around the world. Travel nurses are in high demand, especially in underserved areas or during medical crises such as natural disasters or pandemics. This role offers competitive pay, travel benefits, and the opportunity to gain diverse clinical experiences.

Nurse Researcher: Graduates with a passion for healthcare research can become nurse researchers, working to improve nursing practices and patient outcomes through evidence-based studies. Nurse researchers may work in academic institutions, healthcare organizations, or pharmaceutical companies, contributing to the development of new treatments and healthcare policies.

Home Healthcare Nurse: With an increasing demand for in-home healthcare services, graduates can become home healthcare nurses. These nurses provide care to patients in their homes, assisting with recovery after surgeries, managing chronic illnesses, and offering palliative care to terminally ill patients. This role offers flexibility and the opportunity to build strong, personal relationships with patients and families.

International Nurse: Graduates of TAMK’s nursing program can also seek employment internationally, particularly in countries that recognize the Finnish nursing qualification. Working as an international nurse can provide opportunities to experience different healthcare systems and cultures, while offering valuable professional experience. Many countries, especially within the European Union and other global healthcare providers, have high demand for skilled nurses.

Nursing Informatics Specialist: With the increasing role of technology in healthcare, nursing informatics is a growing field. Graduates with an interest in IT and healthcare systems can work as informatics specialists, implementing and managing electronic health records (EHR) systems, developing software tools for healthcare providers, and ensuring that patient data is securely and effectively managed.

Occupational Health Nurse: Occupational health nurses focus on promoting and maintaining the health and safety of employees in various workplaces. They assess workplace risks, implement health programs, conduct screenings, and advise organizations on occupational health policies. These nurses work in diverse industries such as manufacturing, education, and corporate settings.