Pre-school education
Pre-school education is intended for six-year-olds starting their compulsory education the following year. [ISCED 0]
Basic education
Basic education means the general education provided for each age group in its entirety. It is intended for children from seven to sixteen years of age, and its completion in comprehensive school takes nine years. [ISCED 1 and 2]
Upper secondary education
General upper secondary education
The general upper secondary school offers a three-year general education curriculum, at the end of which the pupil takes the national matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto/studentexamen). The matriculation examination gives general eligibility for higher education. [ISCED 3]
Vocational upper secondary education and training
Upper secondary vocational qualifications can be completed in the form of institutional education and training, apprenticeship training or competence-based qualifications. Since 1 August 2001, the scope of all vocational qualifications (ammatillinen perustutkinto / yrkesinriktad grundexamen) has been 120 credits / three years. A three-year vocational qualification gives general eligibility for higher education. [ISCED 3]
For further information see Vocational Education and Training System.
Vocational adult education and training
The qualifications in vocational adult education and training are mainly taken in the form of competence-based qualifications. There are three levels of competence-based qualifications: vocational qualifications (ammatillinenperustutkinto / yrkesinriktad grundexamen) [ISCED 3], further vocational qualifications (ammattitutkinto/yrkesexamen) [ISCED 3] and specialist vocational qualifications (erikoisammattitutkinto/specialyrkesexamen) [ISCED 4]. The vocational qualifications completed in the form of competence-based qualifications correspond to those taken in the form of institutional education and training. Further and specialist vocational qualifications can only be taken in the form of competence-based qualifications.
For further information see Vocational Education and Training System.
Higher education
Polytechnic education
Polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu, AMK / yrkeshögskola, YH) are multi-field institutions of professional higher education with a practical orientation. The first-cycle polytechnic degree is a Bachelor-level degree, which takes 3.5 to 4.5 years of full-time study to complete.The second-cycle polytechnic degree consists of 60 or 90 credits (1 or 1.5 years of full-time study). The level is a Master’s degree. [ISCED 5A]
University education
Universities (yliopisto/universitet) award first-cycle (Bachelor) and second-cycle (Master) academic degrees and scientific postgraduate degrees (Licenciate, Doctor). A first-cycle degree can usually be completed in three years and a second-cycle degree in five years. [ISCED 5A, scientific postgraduate degrees ISCED 6]
For further information: Higher Education in Finland.
More information:
Ministry of Education
Eurybase database
The FInnish National Board of Education: the Finnish Education System