Finland

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN FINLAND

 

Finnish education policy follows an abiding objective of providing high-quality education and training with equal opportunities to all citizens. In Finland education is considered as competitive and well-being of the society. Finland is among the top countries in PISA rankings and has been recognized as the only country in which girls are the top performers in science.

 

The stages of education in Finland are as follows: -
 

1) Early Childhood Education and care (0-5 years):

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a combination of education teaching and care in a systematic and target-oriented way. The wholesome purpose of ECEC is to promote a child’s development, well-being, and health along with improvement in learning opportunities for children. The local municipal corporation is responsible for providing ECEC to the children and a client fee is charged for the services based on the family’s income and the duration the child spends in ECEC.

 

2) Pre-primary education (6 years) – 1 Year duration:

Pre-primary education is an important bridge between early childhood education and basic education. Pre-primary education has been made compulsory for all children since 2015 and it is also free of cost. The parent or the person-in-charge of the child must ensure that the child participates and completes his/her pre-primary education.

 

3) Basic Education (7-16 years) Comprehensive Schools – 9 Years duration:

The 9-year basic education starts as soon as the child turns seven years old. Basic education is free of cost in comprehensive schools and there are also free school meals provided. Comprehensive schools are controlled by local municipalities and other education institutes. Very few numbers of comprehensive school students go to private/state school. 

 

4) General Education – Matriculation Examination or Vocational Qualifications – 3 years duration:

After comprehensive school education, students opt for either general or vocational education. General education does not ensure any future occupation in a particular field. After completion of their general upper secondary school, students have to take a national school-leaving examination called Matriculation Examination. Passing this exam will make students eligible for further studies at universities of applied sciences and vocational institutions.

Vocational qualifications consist of upper secondary qualifications and special qualifications and help students develop their skills required in the field.

 

 

Finnish higher education consisting of :
 

1) Bachelor degree and polytechnic bachelors degree – 3-4 years duration

2) Masters degree and polytechnic masters degree – 1-2 years duration

3) Doctorate and Licentiate degrees
 

Universities of applied sciences provide education that gives a practical approach demanded in the labor market. Some universities provide artistic, scientific, and technical education by offering Bachelor’s, Masters, and postgraduate courses such as licentiate and doctorate degrees. Universities of applied sciences also offer UAS bachelor and master degree courses. These courses usually require 3.5 to 4.5 years to complete. The master’s degree course requires at least two years of work experience after completion of a previous degree at a university of applied sciences.

 

The education system in Finland is more relaxed, more caring, and less stressful. Adult education involves education leading to a qualification, specialization, training, preparation, degree course studies, apprenticeship, and updating and enhancing professional skills. Adult education is mainly provided through educational institutions, workplaces, and private companies, etc, and the cost is either paid by the student/employee/worker or the company/institution providing the training. 

 

 

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