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The coronavirus situation has complicated the organisation of National Certificate of Language Proficiency (YKI) tests. The YKI system is doing its best to ensure that a maximum number of candidates in need of the YKI certificate can sit the test as soon as possible. This certificate may be needed when applying for Finnish citizenship, a study place or a job, for example. In addition to YKI tests, language proficiency in Finnish and Swedish can be demonstrated in the Civil service language proficiency certificate system.

Student exchanges in Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) continue during the autumn semester 2020. However, as a result of the COVID-19 situation, the number of both incoming and outgoing exchange students in Finland are much lower than in a normal situation. According to the HEIs’ estimates, the number of outgoing students from Finland will be only one quarter of what it was last autumn. The total number of incoming exchange students is also clearly lower than before, but some HEIs have even seen an increase in the number of incoming students.

The Finnish National Agency for Education's decision on the recognition of a qualification completed abroad can now be applied for electronically by using the online application form on the Studyinfo webservice. The new application form was introduced on 7 September 2020.

As Finland switched to distance education in March 2020, Finnish National Agency for Education launched a study to find out how schools and institutions in primary and secondary education cope with being forced into distance education by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study collates and summarises a number of Finnish studies and reports with the aim of facilitating further reforms and development of education in the future. Both international comparisons and national studies indicate that the transition to and delivery of distance education in Finnish schools and educational institutions were successful considering the circumstances. This is attributed to the high professional skills of teachers and society's investments in education and digitalisation.

Autumn term in Finland started this week, as education providers at local level have set the starting day for basic education to fall between 11.8.–18.8.2020. Schools start in contact teaching, but are ready to switch to distance learning if the epidemiological situation requires. The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) has provided instructions and support materials on aspects that should be considered when arranging schoolwork in the autumn of 2020.

During the spring semester 2020 the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) collected statistical information on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on international student mobility within higher education to/from Finland.

The most contested fields of study were arts and culture, with only 9 % of applicants being accepted, as well as agriculture and forestry, with an acceptance rate of 12 %. With 29 % of applicants...

Schools, educational institutions, early childhood education and care and organisations participating in international projects should take active measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Finnish National Agency for Education does not provide instructions for matters related to health care as this is the responsibility of the health authorities. Always contact the health authorities by phone if you suspect an infection.

The Government has decided to gradually lift the restrictions on education on the basis of an assessment by the health authorities. Early Childhood Education and Basic Education schools will resume contact teaching on 14 May. Upper secondary education, vocational education and higher education institutions can also do so, but the Government recommends that they continue to provide distance education until the end of the term.