If you apply for a post or position in Finland for which the statutory eligibility requirement is a higher education degree of a certain level, you will need a decision on recognition of a higher education degree as comparable in terms of level to a degree completed in Finland. Such posts and positions exist particularly in the public sector such as the state and municipalities. The decision is made by the Finnish National Agency for Education.
Books in a pile
Photo: Mikko Lehtimäki

A higher education degree completed abroad can be recognised as comparable in terms of level to a

  • Bachelor's degree completed at a university or a university of applied sciences,
  • Master's degree completed at a university or a university of applied sciences,
  • postgraduate Licentiate degree or Doctoral degree completed in Finland.

The degree obtained abroad needs to be completed in full and it must be part of the official system of higher education degrees that is in place in the country in question. The level of the degree is assessed on the grounds of its extent, requirements and orientation.

In the following, you will find information about the criteria for recognising the level of a degree completed abroad as comparable to a degree completed in Finland.

Bachelor's degree completed at a university or a university of applied sciences

A degree can be recognised as comparable to a bachelor’s degree completed at a university or a bachelor’s degree completed at a university of applied sciences if it is a first cycle degree in the system of higher education degrees in place in the country where it was completed (e.g Bachelor, licence, Ijaza).

Master's degree completed at a university or a university of applied sciences

A degree can be recognised as comparable to a master’s degree completed at a university or a master’s degree completed at a university of applied sciences if it is a second cycle degree in the system of higher education degrees in place in the country where it was completed (e.g. Master)  and is either preceded by a first cycle degree or awarded upon completion of a programme comprising also first-cycle higher education.

Scientific postgraduate degrees

A degree can be recognised as comparable to a Licentiate or Doctoral degree if it is a scientific postgraduate degree, third cycle degree, in the system of higher education degrees in place in the country where it was completed and is preceded by a first or second cycle degree.

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The decisions are based on the Act on Eligibility for Public Posts Provided by Higher Education Studies Completed Abroad (1385/2015).

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