Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Gerontology

The programme aims to educate professionals who:

• Understand the multifaceted aspects of ageing and the ageing process.

• Can assess and promote the well-being, health, rehabilitation, and social participation of older individuals.

• Are capable of working in multidisciplinary teams within the health care and social services sectors.

• Can develop and coordinate services and projects aimed at supporting the elderly population.

The programme combines on-campus contact teaching, remote learning, and work-based learning through internships in collaboration with professional partners.

Remote studies include independent learning via online platforms, reading academic literature, and completing various learning assignments both individually and in groups. Collaborative work is also carried out using digital communication tools.

Students are expected to take an active and responsible role in their own learning process and to commit fully to their studies. The programme is full-time and requires an average weekly workload of approximately 40 hours.

The number of on-campus contact days varies depending on the content of each semester. Typically, contact teaching takes place every other week in 2–3 day sessions on campus.

From the first semester onward, students receive academic guidance in accordance with their Personal Study Plan (PSP), ensuring structured and goal-oriented progress throughout the degree programme.

Upon graduation, professionals can pursue various roles within the health care and social services sectors, including:

• Expert positions in outpatient and inpatient care settings.

• Roles in dependent care and elderly care projects.

• Positions within organizations and businesses focused on elderly services.

• Customer care roles, providing individual or group support.

• Advisory positions, guiding clients on suitable services.

• Leadership roles in planning and coordinating elderly care projects.

Our Edunation Pathway to Finland 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 

• Proof of English language: IELTS Academic 5.5, TOEFL iBT 59-69, PTE Academic 45.4, Duolingo 95-100

• Copy of passport ID page 

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

Students are pre-screened on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Graduates of the Applied Gerontology program can work in various expert roles in elderly care, rehabilitation, and service development. While the program prepares students for professional roles in the social and health care sectors, it does not directly lead to a nursing license.

However, proficiency in the Finnish language is essential for working with clients in Finland. Students are encouraged to attain at least level B1 (intermediate) Finnish, demonstrated by achieving Skill Level 3 in the National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI).

Some roles may require additional certification or proof of language competence, depending on the employer and the nature of the position.

Vaccinations 

Vaccinations are checked by the Student Health Service at the start of your studies. If you are missing some of the required vaccinations, they can also be administered in Finland. 

Criminal record 

Criminal record is needed when you work with underage patients (under 18 years old). First traineeship with underage patients will be organized during the second year, so you don’t need to present the record before that.

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.

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

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