INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS

Types of higher education institutions:

Yliopisto/Universitet (University)

Ammattikorkeakoulu (AMK)/ Yrkeshögskola (YH) (Polytechnics)

School leaving and higher education credentials:

Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/ Betyg över yrkesinriktad grundexamen

Lukion päättötodistus/Avgangsbetyg fran gymnasiet

Ylioppilastutkintotidistus/Studentexamenbetyg

Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto (AMK)/ Yrkeshögskoleexamen (YH)

Farmaseutti/Farmaceut

Kandidaatti/Kandidat

Oikeusnotaari/Rättsnotarie

Eläinlääketieteen lisensiaatti/Veterinärmedicine licentiat

Hammaslääketieteen lisensiatti/Odontologie licentiat

Lääketieteen lisensiaatti/Medicine licentiat

Ylempi ammattikorkeakoulututinto (ylempi AMK)/ Högre yrkeshögskoleexamen (högre YH)

Arkkitehti/Arkitekt

Diplomi-insinööri/Diplomingenjör

Lisensiaatti/Licentiat

Maisteri/Magister

Proviisori/Provisor

Tohtori/Doktor

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Pre-higher education:

Duration of compulsory education:

Age of entry: 7

Age of exit: 16

Structure of school system:

Basic

Type of school providing this education: Peruskoulu/grundskola (comprehensive school)

Length of program in years: 9

Age level from: 7 to: 16

Certificate/diploma awarded: Peruskoulun päästötodistus/Avgångsbetyg från grundskola (School Leaving Certificate)

General Secondary

Type of school providing this education: General upper secondary education: Lukio/gymnasiet

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Lukion päättötodistus/Avgangsbetyg fran gymnasiet (General Upper Secondary School Certificate); Ylioppilastutkintotodistus/Studentexamensbetyg (Certificate of Matriculation)

Vocational Secondary

Type of school providing this education: Vocational upper secondary education: ammatilllinen koulutus/yrkesutbilding.

Length of program in years: 3

Age level from: 16 to: 19

Certificate/diploma awarded: Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/Betyg över yrkesinriktad grundexamen (Vocational Qualification Certificate)

School education:

After completing 9-year basic education, students can choose between general upper secondary education and vocational upper secondary  education: 1) general upper secondary school (lukio/gymnasiet) provides general education leading to the national Matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto/studentexamen), which gives eligibility to all forms of higher education; 2) vocational upper secondary education (ammatillinen koulutus/yrkesutbildning) may be organized in vocational education institutions or in the form of apprenticeship training. An (initial) Vocational Qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto/yrkesinriktad grundexamen) takes three years to complete and gives eligibility to all forms of higher education. In vocational further education and training it is also possible to obtain Further Vocational Qualifications (ammattitutkinto/yrkesexamen) and Specialist Vocational Qualifications (erikoisammattitutkinto/specialyrkesexamen) which can only be taken as competence-based examinations and are mainly  intended for employed adults.

Higher education:

The higher education system of Finland is binary. It comprises Universities and Polytechnics. The Finnish higher education system comprises 20 universities (yliopisto/universitet) and 29 polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu, AMK/yrkeshögskola, YH). Ten of the universities are multi-faculty universities and ten are specialized institutions. All universities engage in both education and research and have the right to award doctorates. The polytechnics are multi-field institutions of professional higher education. They are specialized in applied research and development. Universities award first cycle university degrees (usually called kandidaatti/kandidat), second cycle university degrees ( usually called maisteri/magister) and third cycle scientific post-graduate degrees (lisensiaatti/licentiat and tohtori/doktor). Polytechnics award first cycle polytechnic degrees (ammattikorkeakoulututkinto (AMK)/yrkehögskoleexamen (YH)) and second cycle polytechnic degrees (ylempi ammattikorkeakoulututkinto (ylempi AMK)/högre yrkeshögskoleexamen (högre YH)).

Main laws/decrees governing higher education:

Decree: Government Decree on Polytechnics Degrees - 352 Year: 2003

Concerns: Objectives, length and overall structure of degrees. The detailed contents, structure, curricula and the form of instruction are left to polytecnics.

Decree: Government Decree on University Degrees - 794 Year: 2004

Concerns: Objectives, length and overall structure of degrees. The detailed contents, structure, curricula and the form of instruction are left to universities.

Decree: Polytechnics Act - 351 (Ammattkorkeakoululaki) Year: 2003

Decree: Universities Act  - 645 (Yliopistolaki) Year: 1997

Academic year:

Classes from: Sep to: May

Long vacation from: 1 Jun to: 31 Aug

Languages of instruction: Finnish, Swedish

Stages of studies:

Non-university level post-secondary studies (technical/vocational type):

Non-university level: Polytechnics: ammattikorkeakoulututkinto/yrkeshögskoleexamen (first cycle) and ylempi ammattikorkeakoulututkinto/högre yrkeshögskoleexamen (second cycle):

FIRST CYCLE: The first cycle polytechnic degree consists of 180, 210 or 240 credits (3 to 4 years of full-time study) depending on the field. The degree titles indicate the field of study, e.g. Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Health Care. Studies leading to the degree provide the student with (1) broad overall knowledge and skills with relevant theoritical background for working as expert in the field; (2) knowledge and skills needed to follow and advance developments in the field; (3) knowledge and skills needed for continuous learning; (4) adequate language and communication skills; and (5) knowledge and skills required in the field internationallly. The first cycle polytechnic degree comprises basic and professional studies, elective studies, a practical training period and a Bachelor's thesis or a final project. SECOND CYCLE: The second cycle polytechnic degree consist of 60 or 90 credits (1 or 1.5 years of full-time study). The degree titles indicate the field of study, e.g. Master of Culture and Arts or Master of Business Administration. Eligibility is given by a relevant first cycle degree with at least 3 years of relevant work or artistic experience. Studies leading to the degree provide the student with (1) broad and advanced knowledge and skills for developing the professional field as well as the theoretical skills for working in demanding expert and leadership positions in the field; (2) deep understanding of the field, its relation to work and society at large as well as the knowledge and skills needed to follow and analyse both theoretical and professional developments in the field; (3) capacity for life-long learning and continuous development of one's expertise; (4) good language and communication skills required in working life; and (5) knowledge and skills required to function and communicate in the field internationallly. The second cycle polytechnic degree comprises advanced professional studies, elective studies, and a final thesis or a final project.

University level studies:

University level first stage: Universities: kandidaatti/kandidat (first cycle):

First-cycle university degrees consist of at least 180 credits (3 years of full-time study). They are called kandidaatti/kandidat in all fields except in Law (oikeusnotaari/rättsnotarie) and Pharmacy (farmaseutti/farmaceut). Studies leading to the degree provide the student with: (1) knowledge of the fundamentals of the major and minor subjects or corresponding study entities or studies included in the degree programme and the prerequisites for following developments in the field; (2) knowledge and skills needed for scientific thinking and the use of scientific methods or knowledge and skills needed for artistic work; 3) knowledge and skills needed for studies leading to a higher university degree and for continuous learning; (4) a capacity for applying the acquired knowledge and skills to work; and (5) adequate language and communication skills. Studies may include: basic and intermediate studies; language and communication studies; interdisciplinary programmes; other studies and work practice for professionnal development. The degree includes a Bachelor's thesis (6-10 credits).

University level second stage: Universities: maisteri/magister (second cycle):

The second-cycle university degree consists of at least 120 credits (two years of full-time study). The degree is usually called maisteri/magister. Other second-cycle degrees are diplomi-insinööri/diplomingenjör (Technology); arkkitehti/arkitekt (Architecture); and proviisori/provisor (Pharmacy). The admission requirement to second cycle universitiy courses is a first cycle degree. The second cycle university degree title in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine is lisensiaatti/licentiat. In these fields, there is no first cycle degree: in Medicine, the degrees consists of 360 credits (6 years of full-time study) and in Dentistry the degree consists of 300 credits (5 years of full-time study). Studies leading to the second cycle university degree provide the student with: (1) good overall knowledge of the major subject or a corresponding entity and conversance with the fundamentals of the minor subject or good knowledge of the advanced studies included in the degree programme; (2) knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and methods or knowledge and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work; (3) knowledge and skills needed for operating independently as an expert and developer of the field; (4) knowledge and skills needed for scientific or artistic postgraduate education; and (5) good language and communication skills. Studies leading to the second cycle university degree may include: basic, intermediate and advanced studies, language and communication studies; interdisciplinary study programme; other studies; and intership improving expertise. The degree includes a Master's thesis (20-40 credits). The reformed university degree structure was adopted August 1, 2005. The reform created a two-tier degree structure with an obligatory first cycle degree in all fields except for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine. Before, students were able to pursue one-cycle Masters in five years. The degrees from the former structure are fully comparable to the new degrees and they give the same academic and professional rights.

University level third stage: Universities: lisensiaati/licenciat; tohtori/doktor (third cycle):

Students can apply for doctoral programmes after the completion of a relevant second-cycle degree. The aim of doctoral studies is to provide the student with in-depth knowledge of his/her field of research and capabilities to produce new scientific knowledge independently. A pre-doctoral degree (lisensiaati/licenciat) in two years may be taken before the Doctor's Degree programme. Studies for the Doctor's degree take approximately four years of full-time study beyond a second-cycle degree or two years of full-time study beyond a pre-doctoral degree. Students admitted to doctoral studies must complete a certain number of courses, show independent and critical thinking in their field of research and write a doctoral dissertation to be defended in public.

Teacher education:

Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers

The training of teachers for pre-school education (esiopetus/förskoleundervisning) and basic education at grades 1-6 (perusopetus/grundläggande utbildning) is offered at  universities' Faculties of Education. Students in pre-school teacher education complete the first-cycle degree (Bachelor's degree) of kasvatustieteen kandidaatti/pedadogie kandidat with a major in Early chilhood education. The majority of graduates with this degree work in day care centres as teachers and educators of children below school age or teach separate pre-school classes (grade 0) in  basic education. Students in class teacher education (grades 1-6 in basic education) take a second-cycle degree (Master's degree), with a major in Education. Class teacher education consists of basic, subject and advanced studies in education, including 60 credits of pedagogical studies for teachers; multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education; and the completion of teaching practice. Completing an extensive course (at least 60 credits) in a minor subject will qualify to teach this subject as a subject teacher in basic education (grades 1-9). Grades 7-9 of basic education are taught expressly by subject teachers.

Training of secondary school teachers

The qualification of a subject teacher is a second-cycle degree (Master's degree) requiring a minimum of 120 credits (300 credit when counting in the Bachelor's degree). Students major in the subject (1 or several) they intend to teach and complete 60 credits of pedagogical studies at universities' Faculties of Education. Those holding a second-cycle degree with sufficient studies in the subject intended to be taught (1 or several) can complete 60 credits of separate  pedagogical studies for teachers either in a Faculty of Education or a Teacher Education Unit at a Polytechnic. The secondary school teacher training qualifies for teaching in basic education (grade 1-9), general upper secondary education, as well as for teaching general subjects in vocational institutes and liberal adult education institutions.Vocational subject teachers, depending on the institution and subject,  must have 1) an appropriate second-cycle degree; 2) an appropriate polytechnic (AMK/YH) degree or 3) the highest qualification in their own field. In addition to one of the above three, they must have at least three years' work experience in the field and at least 60 credits of pedagogical studies.

Non-traditional studies:

Distance higher education

Open university and polytechnic education is organized according to university syllabi by Universities and Polytechnic Centres for Continuing Education. There are no formal education pre-requisites for entering. Although open universities and polytechnics do not award degrees, students may have their studies recognized as part of degree studies upon admission at a higher education institution..

Lifelong higher education

Centres for Continuing Education at higher education institutions provide professional courses for holders of university and polytechnic degrees.

NATIONAL BODIES

Administration & co-ordination:

Responsible authorities:

Ministry of Education (Opetusministeriö)

Head: Antti Kalliomäki, Minister

PO Box 29
00023 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 16077410

Fax: +358(9) 16077493

EMail: firstname.familyname@minedu.fi

WWW: http://www.minedu.fi

Role of governing body: Responsible for the development of  educational, science, cultural, sport and youth policies as well as international cooperation in these fields.

Finnish National Board of Education (Opetushallitus)

PO Box 380 (Hakaniemenkatu 2)
00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 774775

Fax: +358(9) 77477865

EMail: kirjaamo@oph.fi; opetushallitus@oph.fi

WWW: http://www.oph.fi/english

Role of governing body: Development, evaluation and information servives related to education; Finnish ENIC-NARIC; competent authority for the professional recognition of foreign higher education qualifications.

Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council -FINHEEC (Korkeakoulujen arviointineuvosto)

P.O. Box 133
FI-00171 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 16076913

Fax: +358(9) 16076911

EMail: finheec@minedu.fi

WWW: http://www.finheec.fi

Role of governing body: Independent expert body assisting universities, polytechnics and the Ministry of Education in matters relating to evaluation.

Centre for International Mobility - CIMO (Kansinvâlisen henkilövaihdon keskus)

Head: Ulla Ekberg, Director

PO Box 343 (Hakaniemenkatu 2)
FIN-00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 77477033

Fax: +358(9) 77477064

EMail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi

WWW: http://www.cimo.fi

Role of governing body: Services and expertise in cross-cultural communication; promotion and administration of scholarship and exchange programmes; implementation of EU education, training, culture and youth programmes at national level.

Finnish Council of University Rectors (Suomen yliopistojen rehtorien neuvosto)

Administrative officer: Tapio Markkanen, Secretary-General of Secretariat

PO Box 3
University of Helsinki
00014 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 19122335

Fax: +358(9) 19122194

EMail: rectors-council@helsinki.fi

WWW: http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/

Role of governing body: Development of the university sector of higher education; a common forum for universities.

The Rectors' Conference of Finnish Polytechnics (Ammattikorkeakoulujen Rehtorineuvosto - ARENE)

Administrative officer: Kaj Malm, Secretary-General

Rikhardinkatu 4 B 22
FIN-00130 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 6129920

Fax: +358(9) 6129230

EMail: etunimi.sukunimi@arene.fi

WWW: http://www.arene.fi

ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

Admission to non university higher education studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Ylioppilastutkintotidistus/Studentexamenbetyg

For entry to: Polytechnics

Name of secondary school credential required: Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/ Betyg över yrkesinriktad grundexamen

Alternatives to credentials:

Lukion päättödistus/Avgångsbetyg från gymnasiet; Certificate for the International Baccalaureate; European Baccalaureate, Reifeprüfung; Vocational (3 years) Qualification Certificate (Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/Betyg over yrkesinriktad grundexamen). Foreign equivalents.

Entrance exams required:

Various types of entrance examinations.

Numerus clausus/restrictions:

Restricted entry in all fields of study.

Other admission requirements:

.

Admission to university-level studies

Name of secondary school credential required: Ylioppilastutkintotidistus/Studentexamenbetyg

For entry to: Universities

Name of secondary school credential required: Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/ Betyg över yrkesinriktad grundexamen

Alternatives to credentials: Lukion päättödistus/Avgångsbetyg från gymnasiet; Certificate for the International Baccalaureate; European Baccalaureate, Reifeprüfung; Vocational (3 years) Qualification Certificate (Ammatillinen perustutkintotodistus/Betyg over yrkesinriktad grundexamen). Foreign equivalents.

Entrance exams required: Various types of entrance examinations.

Numerus clausus/restrictions: Restricted entry in all fields of study.

Foreign students admission

Definition of foreign student: The term foreign student usually applies to students, regardless of nationality or native language, who have completed their secondary education in any country other than Finland.

Admission requirements: Students must have completed secondary education. Enrolment or eligibility to enrol in a higher education institution of corresponding level in the country of origin. Higher education institutions select their students independently. Entrance examinations are applied and there is a numerus clausus in all fields of study.

Entry regulations: Depending on the nationality and the length of stay in Finland, a visa or a residence permit may be required.

Language requirements: In most cases, students must have good working knowledge of Finnish or Swedish. In international degree programmes, the teaching language can be English or some other foreign language in which case the applicants must show proof of their good knowledge of the foreign language.

Application procedures:

Apply to individual institution for entry to: Universities and Polytechnics

Recognition of studies & qualifications:

Studies pursued in home country (System of recognition/accreditation): The Finnish degrees of higher education are listed in the Decree on the structure of higher education degrees. The field-specific national decrees on university degrees define the objectives, length and overall structure of university degrees. The national decree on polytechnics defines the objectives, length and overall structure of polytechnic degrees. The Ministry of Education confirms the degree programmes of the polytechnics. Universities and polytechnics are obliged by legislation to evaluate their activities systematically. The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council is an independent expert body assisting universities, polytechnics and the Ministry of Education in matters relating to evaluation. In 2003, the five Nordic ENIC/NARIC offices (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) established a regional network named Nordic National Recognition Information Centres (NORRIC) to  initiate joint Nordic projects to learn from each other and reduce barriers to the recognition of foreign qualifications in the Nordic region (www.norric.org).

Studies pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign credentials):

ENIC/NARIC, National Academic Recognition Information Centre, Finnish National Board of Education (Opetushallitus)

PO Box 380 (Hakaniemenkatu 2)
FIN-00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 774 75

Fax: +358(9) 77477201

EMail: recognition@oph.fi

WWW: http://www.oph.fi/english/

Deals with credential recognition for entry to: Profession

Other information sources on recognition of foreign studies: The academic recognition of qualifications is the responsability of the higher education institution to which the holder of a foreign qualification is applying for admission. The institutions decide independently on matters related to student selection and the recognition of previous studies.

Special provisions for recognition:

For the exercise of a profession: The right to practise a profession in Finland is required for health-care professionals, teachers, veterinary surgeons, chartered public finance auditors, chartered acountants, advocates and seafarers. A list of competent authorities is available at: http://www.oph.fi/info/recognition

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region

Year of signature: 2004

References to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies

Title: Higher Education in Finland: an Introduction (published yearly)

Publisher: CIMO

Title: Recognition of Qualifications taken outside Finland (published yearly)

Publisher: Finnish National Board of Education (www.oph.fi/english)

Title: Study in Finland. International Programmes in Finnish Higher Education (published yearly)

Publisher: CIMO

STUDENT LIFE

Main student services at national level

Centre for International Mobility (CIMO)

PO Box 343 (Hakaniemenkatu 2)
FIN-00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358 (9) 77477033

Fax: +358 (9) 77477064

WWW: http://www.cimo.fi/english

Category of services provided: Special services/Centre for foreign students

Employment Offices, Ministry of Labour

PO Box 34
FIN-00023 Valtioneuvosto
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 18561

EMail: Kirjaamo.Tyoministerio@mol.fi

WWW: http://www.mol.fi

Category of services provided: Academic and career counselling services; Employment services

Finnish Student Health Service

Töölönkatu 37 A
FIN-00260 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 405051

WWW: http://www.yths.fi

Category of services provided: Social and welfare services

Services available to foreign Students: Yes

Finnish Student Housing - Suomen opiskelija-asunnot Oy

Kalevankatu 4 A 16
00100 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 68033451

EMail: info@soa.fi

WWW: http://www.soa.fi/eng

Category of services provided: Social and welfare services

Services available to foreign Students: Yes

National student associations and unions

National Union of Finnish Polytechnic Students (SAMOK)

Mäkelänkatu 56, 3rd floor
00510 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(20) 7569660

Fax: +358(20) 7569669

EMail: samok@samok.fi

WWW: http://www.samok.fi

National Union of Finnish Students (SYL/FSF)

Kalevankatu 3 A 46
00100 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 6803110

EMail: syl@syl.helsinki.fi

WWW: http://www.syl.helsinki.fi

Health/social provisions

Social security for home students: Yes

Special student travel fares:

By road: Yes

By rail: Yes

By air: Yes

Available to foreign students: Yes

Student expenses and financial aid

Student costs:

Average living costs: 700 (Euro)

Home students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro)

Foreign students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro)

Bodies providing information on student financial aid:

Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA)

Centre for Student Financial Aid
PO Box 450
Nordenskiöldinkatu 12
00101 Jyväskylä
Finland

Tel: +358(20) 43411

WWW: http://www.kela.fi/english

Deals with: Grants and Loans

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & EXCHANGES

Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education:

Centre for International Mobility (CIMO)

PO Box 343 (Hakaniemenkatu 2)
FIN-00531 Helsinki
Finland

Tel: +358(9) 77477033

Fax: +358(9) 77477064

EMail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi

WWW: http://www.cimo.fi

Participation of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes

Name of exchange programme: EU programmes of higher education (e.g: ISEP, NORDPLUS, etc)

NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM

Data for academic year: 2005-2006

Source: IAU from Finnish National Board of Education, 2006