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EuroEducation.net The European Education Directory |
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| Finland |
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Structure of Educational System Pre-higher Education System Higher Education System Administrative structure of higher education Admissions to Higher Education and Recognition |
INSTITUTION TYPES & CREDENTIALS Types of higher education
institutions: Yliopisto/Universitet
(University) Teknillinen
korkeakoulu/Tekniska Högskolan (University of Technology) Kauppakorkeakoulu/Handelshögskola
(School of Economics and Business Administration) Taidekorkeakoulu/Konsthögskola
(Art Academy) Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu/Försvarshögskola
(National Defence College) Ammattikorkeakoulu
(AMK)/Yrkeshögskola (YH) (Polytechnic) School leaving and higher education
credentials: Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen Ammattikorkeakoulututkinto
(AMK)/Yrkeshögskoleexamen (YH) Farmaseutti/Farmaceut Kandidaatti/Kandidat Oikeusnotaari/Rättsnotarie Eläinlääketieteen
lisensiaatti/Veterinärmedicine licentiat Hammaslääketieteen
lisensiatti/Odontologie licentiat Lääketieteen
lisensiaatti/Medicine licentiat Arkkitehti/Arkitekt Diplomi-insinööri/Diplomingenjör Maisema-arkkitehti/Landskapsarkitekt Maisteri/Magister Proviisori/Provisor Upseeri/Officer Yleisesikuntaupseeri/Generalstabsofficer Erikoiseläinlääkäri/Specialveterinär Erikoishammaslääkäri/Specialtandläkare Erikoislääkäri/Specialläkare Lisensiaatti/Licentiat 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 (basic 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: Lukio/gymnasiet Length
of program in years: 3 Age
level from: 16 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: ylioppilastutkinto/studentexamen
(Matriculation Examination) Vocational Secondary Type of
school providing this education: ammatillinen oppilaitos/yrkesläroanstalt,
ammatillinen aikuiskoulutuskeskus/ vuxenutbildningscenter (adults),
oppisopimuskoulutus/läroavtalsutbildning Length
of program in years: 3 Age
level from: 16 to: 19 Certificate/diploma
awarded: ammatillinen perustutkinto/yrkesinriktad grundexamen (Initial
Vocational); ammattitutkinto/yrkesexamen (Further Vocational Qualification);
erikoisammattitutkinto/specialyrkesexamen (Specialist Vocational Qualification) School
education: After completing 9 years of
basic education, students can choose
between general upper secondary school 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). Vocational education is provided in multi-field and
specialized vocational institutes, as well as in 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 in
competence-based examinations and are mainly
intended for employed adults. Higher
education: Higher education is provided in
two types of institutions: polytechnics (AMK/YH) and universities. Polytechncis
are more practically-oriented, training professionals for expert posts, while
universities carry out research and provide education based on it. There are 20
universities in Finland: 10 multidisciplinary universities, three universities
of technology, three schools of economics and business administration and four
art academies. All universities are State-owned. Lower academic degrees (usually
called kandidaatti) require 120 credits and can usually be completed in three
years; higher academic degrees (usually called maisteri) require 160-180
credits, meaning five years of full-time study. Universities also confer
postgraduate degrees (lisensiatti/licenciat) and doctorates (tohtori/doktor).
In the 1990s, the university degree system was revised to develop a two-stage
system in nearly all fields. In the old system, lower university degrees were
awarded in only a few fields of study, but in the present system they are
awarded in most fields of study. Universities select their students
independently. Competition for places is fierce and a numerus clausus applies
in all fields. The polytechnic system was introduced in the 1990s to create a
non-university sector in higher education. It is founded on a nationwide
network of 29 regional polytechnics. Polytechnic degrees require 140-180
credits and usually take 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete. The Ministry of
Education confirms the polytechnic degree programmes but the polytechnics make
decisions concerning the curriculum. Main
laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: Act on Polytechnic Studies
(255/1995) (Laki ammattikorkeakoulouluopinnoista)
Year: 1995 Decree: Decree 464/1998 (Asetus
korkeakoulututkintojen järjestemästä) Year: 1998 Decree: Decree on
Polytechnic Studies (256/1995) (Asetus ammattikorkeakouluopinnoista) Year: 1995 Concerns: Polytechnics Decree: Decrees pertaining
to degrees, separate decrees for different fields of study. Concerns: university sector Decree: Universities Act (645/1997)
(Yliopistolaki) Year: 1998 Decree: Universities Decree
(115/1998) (Yliopistoasetus) Year: 1998 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: Since the
introduction of the non-university higher education sector in the 1990s, all
higher vocational education has been gradually transferred to polytechnics
(AMK). The degree conferred requires 140-180 credits (one credit corresponds to
approximately 40 hours of study), depending on the field of study, and takes
three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half years to obtain. Studies consist of basic
and professional studies, optional studies, and practical studies to develop
professional skills, as well as a research project. Degrees can be taken in the
following fields: Natural Resources, Technology and Communications, Business
and Administration, Tourism, Catering and Institutional Management, Health Care
and Social Services, Culture and the Humanities and Education. University level studies: University
level first stage: Bachelor's Degrees: The lower academic degree (kandidaatti/kandidat)
requires a minimum of 120 credits and takes at least three years to complete.
The degree consists of basic and intermediate studies in the main subject, a
Bachelor's thesis, studies in one or more minor subjects and language studies. University
level second stage: Master's Degrees: The higher academic degree requires a minimum
total of 160 credits, or a lower academic degree followed by 40-60 credits and
a successful presentation of a Master's thesis. The higher academic degree
usually takes at least five years of full-time study to complete or two years'
further study beyond a lower degree. Since the reform of the degree system in
the 1990s, higher academic degrees are usually called maisteri/magister. Other
Master-level degrees are diplomi-insinööri/diplomingenjör in Engineering;
arkkitehti/arkitekt and maisema-arkkitehti/landskapsarkitekt in Architecture;
upseeri/officer and yleisesikuntaupseeri/generalstabsofficer in Defence; and
proviisori/provisor in Pharmacy. In Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary
Medicine, the degree is called lisensiaatti/licentiat, which in other fields is
a pre-doctoral research degree. The higher degree in Law is called
kandidaati/kandidat. University
level third stage: Doctoral studies: Students can apply
for doctoral programmes after completing
a higher academic degree. In most fields, an optional pre-doctoral
degree (lisensiaati/licenciat) may be taken. A lisensiaatti/licenciat degree
usually takes approximately two years of full-time study beyond a higher
academic degree. Studies for the Doctor's degree (tohtori/doktor) take four
years of full-time study beyond a higher academic degree or two years of
full-time study beyond a lisensiaatti/licenciat degree and consist of
theoretical studies, as well as a doctoral dissertation. In Medicine, Dentistry
and Veterinary Medicine there are three professional postgraduate degrees:
erkoislääkäri/specialläkare, erikoishammaslääkäri/specialtandläkare and
erikoiseläinlääkäri/specialveterinaär. Including practical training, it takes 3
to 8 years' further study beyond a higher academic degree to complete these
degrees. Teacher education: Training
of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Training of teachers in pre-school education and
basic education (perusopetus) and General Upper Secondary School
(lukio/gymnasiet) is offered in university faculties of education or other
equivalent units called teacher education units. Since 1998, pre-school teacher
education has been organized by faculties of education at universities.
Students in pre-basic school teacher education complete the lower academic
degree of kasvatustieteen kandidaatti/pedadogie kandidat. 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") of basic education. Students
in class teacher education (grades 1-6 in basic education) take a higher
academic degree, with the main subject in education. Class teacher education
consists of basic, subject and advanced studies in education, subsidiary
subject studies and teaching practice. Completing an extensive course (at least 35 credits) in a subsidiary subject
will qualify the candidate to teach this subject as a subject teacher in basic
education (grades 1-9). Training
of secondary school teachers The qualification of a subject teacher is a higher
academic degree requiring a minimum of 160 credits. The main subject is the subject the students intend to teach.
Students study within the general framework for subject teacher education in
the faculty of their main subject which is responsible for organizing the
subject teaching. The department of teacher education is responsible for
organizing the pedagogical studies. Subject teacher education includes 35
credits of pedagogical studies. Those holding a higher academic degree with a
relevant main subject can complete 35 credits of separate pedagogical studies for teachers in a teacher education unit. Subject teacher
education provides wide-ranging qualifications for basic education and general
upper secondary education, as well as qualifications to teach general subjects
in vocational institutes and liberal adult education institutions.Depending on
the institution and subject, vocational subject teachers must have 1) an
appropriate higher university degree; 2) an appropriate polytechnic (AMK/YH)
degree or 3) the highest qualification in their own field, at least three
years' work experience in the field and at least 35 credits in pedagogical
studies completed in a teacher training unit of a university or polytechnic. Training
of higher education teachers Only teacher
educators have to take compulsory pedagogical studies. Universities offer
voluntary pedagogical courses for their teachers. Non-traditional studies: Distance
higher education Open university instruction is organized by the
centres for continuing education of universities, according to university
syllabuses. There are no formal educational pre-requirements. Open universities
do not award degrees but, after completing about 60 credits, students may apply
for a place at the respective universities. Lifelong
higher education The centres for continuing education of
universities provide professional courses for university and polytechnic degree
holders. The length of the courses varies; after longer programmes certain
Diplomas or Certificates, e.g. Proficiency Diplomas, BBAs, MBAs etc., can be
awarded. Other
forms of non-formal higher education Higher education
institutions enrol non-graduating extra
students to study a course or part of a syllabus. The institutions have their
own regulations for these extra students. Information on applications is provided
by the institutions. NATIONAL BODIES Administration
& co-ordination: Responsible
authorities: Ministry of
Education (Opetusministeriö) Head: Maija Rask, Minister Administrative officer: Markku Linna,
Secretary-General PO Box
29 Tel: +358(9) 160-041 Fax: +358(9) 135-9335 EMail: kirjaamo@minedu.fi WWW: http://www.minedu.fi Department for
Education and Science Policy, Ministry of Education (Koulutus-ja
tiedepolitiikan osasto, Opetusministeriö) Head: Arvo Jäppinen, Director-General PO Box
29 Tel: +358(9) 160-041 Fax: +358(9) 135-9335 EMail: arvo.jappinen@minedu.fi WWW: http://www.minedu.fi Role of governing
body: Supervision,
overall development and planning of education and research in university
sector. Finnish Council of
University Rectors (Suomen yliopistojen rehtorien neuvosto) Head: Prof. Paavo Uronen, Chairman Administrative officer: Dr. Tapio
Markkanen, Secretary-General PO Box 3 Tel: +358(9) 1912-2335 Fax: +358(9) 1912-2194 EMail: rectors-council@helsinki.fi WWW: http://www.rectors-council.helsinki.fi/ Role of governing
body: Cooperation
between institutions; makes recommendations and declarations Finnish Higher
Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC) (Korkeakoulujen arviointineuvosto) PO Box 20 Tel: +358(9) 7748-8411 Fax: +358(9) 7748-8414 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 The Rectors'
Conference of Finnish Polytechnics (Ammattikorkeakoulujen Rehtorineuvosto
(ARENE)) Head: Tapio Varmola, President Administrative officer: Kaj Malm,
Secretary-General Rikhardinkatu
4 B 22 Tel: +358(9) 612-9920 Fax: +358(9) 612-9230 WWW: http://www.arene.fi Centre for
International Mobility (CIMO) (Kansinvâlisen henkilövaihdon keskus Head: Ulla Ekberg, Director PO Box
343 (Hakaniemenkatu 2) Tel: +358(9) 7747-7064 Fax: +358(9) 7747-7910 EMail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi WWW: http://www.cimo.fi National Board of
Education (Opetushallitus) PO Box 380
(Hakaniemenkatu 2) Tel: +358(9) 774-775 Fax: +358(9) 7747-7201 EMail: opetushallitus@oph.fi WWW: http://www.oph.fi/english Role of governing
body: Advisory
board for Ministry of Education ADMISSIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission
to non university higher education studies Name of
secondary school credential required: Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen Alternatives
to credentials: Recognized equivalent
credentials, e.g. International Baccalaureate.; completed upper secondary
school or a three-year vocational qualification Entrance
exams required: Various types of entrance
examinations Other
admission requirements: . Admission
to university-level studies Name of
secondary school credential required: Ylioppilastutkinto/Studentexamen Alternatives
to credentials: Other equivalent credentials, e.g. International Baccalaureate; completed
upper secondary school or a three-year vocational qualification. After having
completed a certain part (approx. 60 credits) of open university studies,
students can apply for a study place at the respective university, in the
respective degree programme. Entrance
exams required: Various types of entrance examinations Foreign
students admission Definition
of foreign student: The term foreign student usually applies to all the
students, regardless of nationality or native language, who have completed
their secondary education in any country other than Finland. Other definitions
are also used by universities: definition may depend on nationality or native
language of the student. Admission
requirements: Students must have completed secondary education. Enrolment or
eligibility to enrol in an institution of higher education of corresponding
level in the country of origin. Universities select their students
independently. Entrance examinations may apply. Entry
regulations: Students who are not from Nordic countries or the European Union must
have a visa and a valid residence permit before arrival in Finland if their
studies take more than three months. Language
requirements: In most cases, students must have good working knowledge of Finnish or
Swedish. In some cases, they must show proof of their good knowledge of
English. 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): Universities,
polytechnics and their programmes are assessed by the Finnish Higher Education
Evaluation Council (http://www.finheec.fi) Studies
pursued in foreign countries (bodies dealing with recognition of foreign
credentials): ENIC/NARIC, National
Academic Recognition Information Centre, National Board of Education
(Opetushallitus) Head: Jukka Sarjala, Director-General Administrative officer: Carita
Blomqvist, Contact person, Counsellor of Education PO Box
380 (Hakaniemenkatu 2) Tel: +358(9) 774-775 Fax: +358(9) 7747-7201 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: Universities: academic
recognition of credentials in order to enter the university. National Board of
Medico-legal Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry: authorization to
practise Medical professions. Special
provisions for recognition: For the
exercise of a profession: Recognition is required for certain public posts. As a
member of the European Union, Finland implements the directives on recognition
of qualifications. Multilateral
agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies Name of
agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Study Attainments in the Nordic
Countries Year of signature: 1976 Name of
agreement: European Agreement on Continued Payment of Scholarships to Students
Studying Abroad Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: European Convention on the Academic Recognition of University
Qualifications Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: European Convention on the Equivalence of Diplomas Leading to Admission
to Universities Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: European Convention on the Equivalence of Periods of University Study Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: European Convention on the General Equivalence of Periods of University
Study Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: Protocol to the European Convention on the Equivalence of the Diplomas
Leading to Admission to Universities Year of signature: 1991 Name of
agreement: Unesco Regional Convention for the Europe Region on the Recognition of
Academic Studies, Diplomas and Degrees Year of signature: 1982 Name of
agreement: Unesco: Recommendation on the Recognition of Studies and Qualifications
in Higher Education Year of
signature: 1993 References
to further information on foreign student admissions and recognition of studies Title: Higher education in
Finland: an introduction Publisher:
CIMO Year of publication: 1999 Title: Recognition of
Qualifications taken outside Finland Publisher:
National
Board of Education (www.oph.fi/english) Year of publication: 2002 Title: Study in Finland.
International Programmes in Finnish Higher Education Publisher:
CIMO Year of
publication: 2001 STUDENT LIFE Main
student services at national level Employment Offices,
Ministry of Labour PO Box 34 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 Tel: +358(9)405-051 Category
of services provided: Social and welfare services Services
available to foreign Students: Yes Finnish Student
Housing - Suomen opiskelija-asunott Oy Kalevankatu 4 A 16 Fax: +358(9) 6803-3451 EMail: info@soa.fi Category
of services provided: Social and welfare services Services
available to foreign Students: Yes National
student associations and unions The National Union
of Finnish Students (SYL) Kalevankatu 3 A 46 Tel: +358(9) 9680-3110 EMail: syl@syl.helsinki.fi WWW: http://www.syl.helsinki.fi Union of Finnish
Polytechnic Students (SAMOK) Mäkelänkatu 56, 3rd
floor Tel: +358(9) 8560-7600 Fax: +358(9) 8560-7699 EMail: kvasiat@samok.fi WWW: http://www.samok.fi Health/social
provisions Social
security for home students: Yes Social
security for foreign students: Yes Foreign
student social security provisions: National Sickness Insurance Scheme covers foreign
students who stay in Finland more than 12 consecutive months, for EU &
Nordic countries and, if there is a reciprocal agreement, even shorter periods. 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: 670 (Euro) Home
students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro) Foreign
students tuition fees: Minimum: 0 (Euro) Bodies
providing information on student financial aid: Centre for
International Mobility (CIMO) PO Box 343
(Hakaniemenkatu 2) Tel: +358(9) 7747-7064 Fax: +358(9) 7747-7910 EMail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi WWW: http://www.cimo.fi Deals
with: Grants Category
of students: Advanced level students and researchers. The Social Insurance
Institution (KELA) Centre for Student Financial Aid PO Box 228 Tel: 358(20) 434-6770 WWW: http://www.kela.fi/english Deals
with: Grants
and Loans Category
of students: Foreigners who have lived in Finland for at least two years or for some
other reasons than studies and whose residence in Finland is considered
permanent. In some cases, others may also qualify. Contact your university
first. Publications
on student services and financial aid: Title: Grants and Study Aid
for Foreigners living in Finland Publisher: The National Union of Finnish
Students Title: Higher Education in
Finland. An Introduction Publisher:
CIMO Year of publication: 1999 Title: Scholarships for
foreign post-graduates and young researchers Publisher:
CIMO Year of publication: 1999 Title: Study Abroad
2000-2001 Publisher:
UNESCO/IBE Year of
publication: 1999 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) Tel: +358(9) 7747-7064 Fax: +358(9) 7747-7910 EMail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi WWW: http://www.cimo.fi Ministry of
Education PO Box 293 Tel: +358(9) 160-041 Fax: +358(9) 135-9335 EMail: kirjaamo@minedu.fi WWW: http://www.minedu.fi Participation
of country in multilateral or bilateral higher education programmes Name of
exchange programme: ISEP Name of
exchange programme: NORDPLUS Name of
exchange programme: Other EU programmes of higher education Name of
exchange programme: SOCRATES, LEONARDO GRADING SYSTEM Usual
grading system in secondary school Full
Description: Upper secondary school: 4-10; 0 (fail) - 7 (improbatur - laudatur) for
Matriculation Examination. Vocational education: 1-5. Highest
on scale: 10 (upper sec. school) / 5 (vocational educ.) Pass/fail
level: 5 (upper sec. school) / 1 (vocational educ.) Lowest
on scale: 4 (upper sec. school) / 1 (vocational educ.) Main
grading system used by higher education institutions Full
Description: There is no uniform system. Most systems are as follows: 1(lowest)-3 or
satisfactory, good, excellent; 1(lowest)-5; pass/fail Highest
on scale: 3/excellent (FI erinomaiset,SV utmärkta); 5 Pass/fail
level: 1/satisfactory
(tyydyttävät,nöjaktiga); 1 Lowest
on scale: 1/satisfactory; 0 Other
main grading systems For theses, most
usually: approbatur (lowest), lubenter appr., non sine laude appr., cum laude
appr., magna c.l.appr., eximia c. l. appr. and laudatur (highest). Scale 1-5
(highest) also in use. NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for
academic year: 2001-2002 Source: National Board of Education, Helsinki, 2002 Copyright © International Associations of Universities |
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