Bachelor of Social Services

Students will be able to work with patients from all backgrounds and age groups independently and in multidisciplinary teams. Students will learn how to promote welfare, inclusion, and social pluralism.

Teaching within the degree program in Social Services is strongly tied to professional life through tight collaboration with organizations and actors operating in the Metropolitan area.  Teaching methods are varied and range from exploratory and project-based learning to dialogical and collaborative learning. The studies include classroom and distance teaching as well as independent learning and group work. During the studies, there is also a chance to participate in various projects that development work in the social field together with a team of experts.

The degree program in Social Services is structured around the following competence areas:

1. Ethical competence in social services
   2. Competence in customer work
   3. Competence in service systems in the social field
   4. Critical and participatory societal competences
   5. Research-based development and innovation competences
   6. Work community, leadership, and entrepreneurial competencies

Upon the start of your studies, you will set up your Personal Study Plan (PSP) for your studies and language learning to plan how your studies will unfold over the years: by the end of the studies, international students are expected to reach a working level in Finnish (B1). This learning process is boosted by the Finnish language courses provided during the Pathway program.

Work placements will take place in Finland in Finnish-speaking environments, which both encourage and requires the use of Finnish – it is of the utmost importance for students to work on acquiring Finnish skills to gain valuable work experience.

During your studies within the Bachelor of Social Services, you have the possibility to follow an additional module to obtain the qualification work to as a Bachelor of Social Services in the field of Early Childhood Education (Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi).

Upon graduation, you would be qualified to work with various client groups in promoting well-being and preventing exclusion. The work can consist of supervision, counseling, coordination of services, advocacy, and managerial work.

The work is carried out in cooperation with individuals, communities, and organizations, both in the public and the private sector as well as in non-governmental organizations. Bachelor of Social Services can also work as entrepreneurs and independent service providers. Their field of work could be linked with:

• early childhood education
• child protection
• work with families
• work with immigrants
• youth work
• elderly care
• disabilities
• substance abuse
• mental health

Our Edunation Pathway to Finland program offers guaranteed access to Metropolia bachelor programs and you can get accepted within 2 days.

The admission requirements are:

• High school diploma / Higher Secondary Education
• Transcript of records
• Proof of English language: from IELTS 5.5 or equivalent
• Copy of passport ID page

You can find more information about the English language requirement on our page.

Some vaccinations may be required, but depending on the work placements, you may be required to take additional vaccinations (this can be done at your own cost in Finland).

A copy of the criminal record is needed when you work with underage patients (under 18 years old). Usually, the criminal record is required during the second semester of your studies at Metropolia, and you could apply for it by the end of the first semester. Notice, the record cannot be older than 6 months so we recommend that you won’t order the criminal record report before you arrive in Finland.

Our Edunation Pathway Diploma program offers guaranteed access to Metropolia’s bachelor programs and you can get accepted within 2 days. The admission requirements are:

• High school diploma / Higher Secondary Education
• Transcript of records (if possible)
• Proof of English language: from IELTS 5.5, or equivalent
• Copy of passport ID page

You can find more information about the English language requirement on our page.

The students are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

The admission requirements for the program can be found on the university page.

Further information about the tuition fee and available scholarships for the program can be found on the university page.