The health and functional capacity requirements defined here apply to those selected for education in the social and healthcare sector.

Studies in the social and healthcare sector involve working with client groups who require special protection, which places emphasis on ethical requirements and patient or client safety. Students must be healthy and have the functional capacity to perform practical tasks and placements related to their studies. Studying and practising in the profession require adequate physical, psychological and social functional capacity.  

The requirements for admission are assessed when studies include requirements related to the safety of minors or patient or client safety (Universities of Applied Sciences Act, Section 33).

The following may, for example, prevent selection of an applicant as a student:

• severe eczema and/or allergy, e.g. to medications and cleaning agents
• serious sensory impairment that hinders functional capacity
• psychological illness or a serious mental health disorder
• substance/drug addiction or misuse of medications within the last two years
• limitations in social functioning that make it difficult to work with people
• chronic illness or physical disability that limits participation in studies.

A limitation related to health or functional capacity is not an obstacle to admission if its effects can be removed by reasonable measures, for example special arrangements. The severity of the condition and its treatment are taken into account when assessing an applicant’s suitability for the degree programme in question.

Based on the applicant’s declaration during the application stage, the university of applied sciences may require more detailed health information to assess the applicant’s ability to complete studies and the need for reasonable support measures.

For the applicant’s information

Students participating in placements at social and healthcare units must have immunity provided by vaccination or past infection against measles and varicella (chickenpox), and those caring for infants must have vaccine-conferred protection against pertussis. Annual influenza vaccinations are also required (Communicable Diseases Act 1227/2016, Section 48). The required vaccinations are free of charge for students in the social and healthcare sector. 

The social and healthcare sector is not suitable for a person who has been convicted of any of the following crimes: offences against a child, sexual offences, violent crimes, crimes against liberty, or drug offences.

A criminal record extract must be presented for tasks or placements that involve working with minors.

Conditional admission

If you answered ‘yes’ to one or both of the questions on the application form and you are accepted to the programme, your study place is conditional. The university of applied sciences will process and assess the health and functional capacity information required for admission. You may be accepted to the programme if the health-related obstacle can be removed by reasonable measures.

You will receive an email requesting that you submit a health declaration form and a statement from a healthcare professional, and, if necessary, documentation of any revoked right to study.

You must submit the requested documents with attachments to the university of applied sciences to which you have been conditionally accepted. If the information you provide is insufficient, the case handler may contact you and request further clarification. The documents will be kept confidential.

The university of applied sciences to which you are conditionally accepted will make the decision regarding health and functional capacity.

The study place is conditional until the university of applied sciences has processed and assessed the health information required for the admission assessment.

The university of applied sciences may cancel an applicant’s study place,

• if certificates are not submitted within the deadline specified by the university of applied sciences
• if the applicant has provided false information about themselves
• if it is evident that the student does not, in terms of health or functional capacity, meet the requirements for admission (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014)
• if the student has concealed a previous revocation of the right to study (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014).