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BA of Social Services

Do you want to tackle social exclusion and make a difference in the world? The programme equips you for tasks in the social services field in Finland and in international contexts.

Lähikuva naisesta, joka katsoo sivuun.

Course Information

Degree title
Bachelor of Social Services, sosionomi (AMK)
Field of Study
Social services
Duration
3,5 years
Extent
210 credit points (ECTS)
Tuition fee
EUR 10,500/academic year for students from outside the EU/EEA. No tuition fees for EU/EEA students.
Study language
English

Rolling admission (SAT & online interview)

Admission
30.10.2026 –
Start Term
August 2027
Location
Helsinki
Admission quota
10. As long as the application is open there are still available study places. No Finnish language skills required.
Study mode
Blended learning
Application link
Apply at Studyinfo

Joint application spring 2027 (International UAS Exam online or Diak's own entrance exam at Helsinki campus)

Admission
7.1.2027—21.1.2027
Start Term
August 2027
Location
Helsinki
Admission quota
40 altogether: 20 through the International UAS Exam and 20 through Diak’s own entrance exam in Helsinki, Finland. No Finnish language skills required.
Application link
Apply at Studyinfo

Are you passionate about social justice, human rights, and making a difference in people’s lives? Build a meaningful career in social services!

The Bachelor of Social Services degree programme at Diak equips you with the knowledge, practical skills, and ethical foundation needed to work with diverse individuals, families, and communities. The degree programme trains students for a variety of tasks in social service field in Finland and in international contexts.

Truly International Learning Environment

Multicultural study group that studies in English offers an opportunity to interact and learn in a real international learning environment. Students learn social services and social policy issues from Finnish, European, and global perspectives.

Focus on Community Empowerment and Equality

The specific focus of the programme is on community development work, with emphasis on people’s participation and empowerment, and on identification and fight against different forms of discrimination in societies.

High Employment and Future Career Prospects

Diak graduates are well employed in Finland. The degree programme aims to train professionals who are competent to work for socially sustainable communities both in Finland and abroad.

What competencies does the graduate have? 

The Degree Programme in Social Services provides students with the expertise to work in a variety of professional social services environments and wider society, promoting social inclusion, holistic well-being, functional ability and safety of individuals, families, and communities. They gain the skills required to plan and carry out social activities and analysis, implement participatory research, and analyse local and global conditions in relation to wider economic and social changes. The students learn about social work and social policy issues from the Finnish, European and Global perspectives.

What kind of career opportunities does the graduate have?

Bachelors of Social Services are qualified to work with various client groups in promoting wellbeing and preventing exclusion: for instance in early childhood education and care, adult social work, work with older people, youth work, child and family work, child protection, mental health and substance use and disability work. The work can consist of supervision, counselling, coordination of services and managerial work e.g. in communities or in a residential setting. Completed studies in the degree programme prepare the student for working with public, private and non-profit organizations.

Diak graduates have the highest employment rate in Finland!

Over 90% find employment within a year of graduation.

A man needed help with a visa application letter. It was a negative decision. He was disappointed. I continued talking with him.
We shared some of our background with each other. It was a very human moment. His spirits lifted. I felt maybe I had done some good here.

– Johnny, Social Services student at Diak

Rolling Admission

Apply with the SAT test through Diak’s Rolling Admission route to secure your study place early for studies starting in August 2027.

Application begins 30 October 2026.

Joint Application

Apply in the Joint Application and take Diak’s own entrance exam on 10 March 2027 at our Helsinki campus or the International UAS Exam online on 23 March 2027.

Application open 7 January – 21 January 2027

See what it's like to study Social Services at Diak!

Koodisisällön kuvaus:
Videosisällön kuvaus :<p>[Video begins. Shows students in Diak’s learning environments, group work settings, and practical learning situations.]</p> <p>Student 1: "The studies have changed me in a way that I feel like I've become a bit more compassionate with people. The way I would describe it in the most simple terms is helping people out in times of trouble or helping out people in general. </p> <p>Student 2: "The social services studies not only gives you a job but it also gives you a sense of purpose."</p> <p>Student 1: "The way the high quality shows up is through very well educated lecturers, also through our blended learning strategy, giving us flexibility for example whenever we would want to work alongside our studies."</p> <p>Student 2: "During my studies I had three different placements. My second placement I did at Monaliiku ry, and that is where I found it to be a suitable place to work. So after I did my second placement, that's how I got my job. </p> <p>Student 1: "The studies have changed me in a way that I feel like I've become a bit more compassionate with people. I would say the best thing about this is that it gives you a new perspective on the world. You tend to look deeper into societal problems and try, instead of just solving them, to see what you could do to make things better or adapt services. There is not one set path that you have to take after your degree, as it gives you the possibility to go into multiple different sectors."</p> <p>Student 2: "Be curious and be patient because studies can sometimes be demanding, but it will allow you to grow professionally and personally. It can be a profession that gives you a sense of purpose, so I would say go for it."</p> <p>[Video ends.]</p>
Upotus ohitettu
Nuoret nojaavat kaiteeseen ulkona. Kamera tarkentuu nuoreen joka katsoo etualalla olevaa toista nuorta nauraen.

Ready for your next step?

Diak is one of the leading educators in social services and healthcare in Finland. Come study at Finland’s most recommended university of applied sciences!

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