Finland

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Finland in a nutshell

(mainly sourced from: Wikipedia)

Source: original picture on https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/fi.html

Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. The capital city of Finland is Helsinki. The population of Finland is about 5.4 million people, the majority concentrated in the southern region. It is the eighth largest country in Europe in terms of area and the third most sparsely populated country in the Europe. Finland is a parliamentary republic with a central government based in Helsinki and local governments in 336 municipalities.

Finland has been a member of the European Union since 1995, independent since 1917 and autonomous since 1809. Finland has two official languages: Finnish and Swedish. Finnish is spoken by 92 % and Swedish by 6 % of the population. The Sami language is an official language in northern Lapland and it is the mother tongue of about 1,700 people.

Education in Finland

(mainly sourced from: Ministry of Education and the National Board of Education)

Source: origial jpg on: Finnish Education System

Finnish education and science policy stresses quality, efficiency, equity and internationalism. It is geared to promote the competitiveness of Finnish welfare society. Sustainable economic development will continue to provide the best basis for assuring the nation's cultural, social and economic welfare. The overall lines of Finnish education and science policy are in line with the EU Lisbon strategy.

In Finland, the basic right to education and culture is recorded in the Constitution. Public authorities must secure equal opportunities for every resident in Finland to get education also after compulsory schooling and to develop themselves, irrespective of their financial standing. Legislation provides for compulsory schooling and the right to free pre-primary and basic education. Most other qualifying education is also free for the students, including postgraduate education in universities.

Parliament passes legislation concerning education and research and determines the basic lines of education and science policy. The Government and the Ministry of Education and Culture, as part of it, are responsible for preparing and implementing education and science policy. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for education financed from the state budget. The Government adopts a development plan for education and research every four years.

The Finnish education system is composed of nine-year basic education (comprehensive school), preceded by one year of voluntary pre-primary education; upper secondary education, comprising vocational and general education; and higher education, provided by universities and polytechnics. Adult education is available at all levels.

Schools in Finland

(mainly sourced from: Ministry of Education, the National Board of Education and Statistic Finland)

Children permanently living in Finland have a statutory right and obligation to complete the comprehensive school syllabus. Nearly all children (99.7%) do this. The principle underlying pre-primary, basic and upper secondary education is to guarantee basic educational security for all, irrespective of their place of residence, language and economic standing.

All children have the right to participate in voluntary pre-primary education during the year preceding compulsory schooling. Nearly all 6-year-olds do so. A Finnish child usually starts schooling at the age of seven. The nine-year basic schooling is free for all pupils. Local authorities arrange voluntary morning and afternoon activities for first- and second-year pupils and for special-needs pupils.

General upper secondary education commonly takes three years to complete and gives eligibility for polytechnic and university studies. At the end of the upper secondary school students usually take the national matriculation examination.

Basic education in a nutshell

• a nine-year comprehensive curriculum for the whole age group
• teaching is provided by schools near the home
• no degree; a final certificate will be given for completing the syllabus
• teaching, text books and teaching materials, school transport and school meals are free
• basic education includes a one-year long voluntary pre-primary education in a school or day-care centre
• local authorities can also provide voluntary morning and afternoon activities for pupils in basic education
• provides the necessary prerequisites for all upper secondary education

See also National Core Curriculum for Basic Education

Pre-Primary education

Pre-primary education is available free of charge for children one year before they start actual compulsory schooling. Its aim is to develop children's learning skills as part of early childhood education and care. Local authorities have statutory duty to arrange pre-primary education, but for children participation is voluntary and decided by parents. About 96% of the six-year-olds go to pre-primary school.

The Ministry of Education recommends that a pre-primary teaching group only include 13 children, but if there is another trained adult in addition to the teacher it may have up to 20 children. Pre-primary instructors have either a kindergarten teacher qualification or a class teacher qualification.

Basic education

Basic education is free general education provided for the whole age group. After completing the basic education syllabus young people have finished their compulsory schooling. It does not lead to any qualification but gives eligibility for all upper secondary education and training.

Basic education in brief:

• Basic education is free nine-year education provided in comprehensive schools.
• The local/school curriculum is based on a national core curriculum.
• Education is provided in neighborhood schools or other suitable places which make school travel as short and safe as possible.
• Schools cooperate with pupils' homes.
• A pupil is entitled to special-needs education, if necessary.
• It is possible to continue basic education on a voluntary basis (for a tenth year).
• A school-leaving certificate is issued on the completion of the syllabus, but it does not give any actual qualification.
• The certificate gives access to all upper secondary education and training.
• Teachers are highly educated.
• Nearly all children complete their compulsory schooling.

Compulsory schooling starts in the year when children turn seven and ends after the basic education syllabus has been completed or after ten years.

The post-compulsory level

The post-compulsory level is divided into general education and initial and further vocational education and training. After basic education, 95.5% of school-leavers continue in additional voluntary basic education (2.5%), in upper secondary schools (54.5%) or in initial vocational education and training (38.5%).

General upper secondary education

General upper secondary education usually takes three years and gives eligibility for higher education. About 55% of school-leavers opt for the general upper secondary school. The upper secondary school is based on courses with no specified year-classes and ends in a matriculation examination. It does not qualify for any occupation. After the upper secondary school, students continue in universities, polytechnics or vocational institutions.

The admission requirement for general upper secondary education is a school-leaving certificate from basic education. Students apply to general and vocational education in a joint application system. If the number of applicants exceeds the intake, the selection is based on students' school reports. The drop-out rate is low.

See statistics: Students in upper secondary general education by region in 2010

Vocational education

The aim of vocational education and training (VET) is to improve the skills of the work force, to respond to skills needs in the world of work and to support lifelong learning. VET comprises initial vocational training and further and continuing training.

The largest fields of vocational education in Finland are Technology and Transport (c. 36%), Business and Administration (19%) and Health and Social Services (17%). The other fields are Tourism, Catering and Home Economics (13%), Culture (7%), Natural Resources (6%) and Leisure and Physical Education (2%).

VET is intended both for young people and for adults already active in working life. They can study for vocational qualifications and further and specialist qualifications, or study in further and continuing education without aiming at a qualification.

Initial VET

• The vocational qualification has been designed to respond to labor market needs.
• The qualification is 120 credits, which takes three years of full-time study, unless prior learning can be counted towards the qualification.
• The qualification is based on working life occupations and the competencies required.
• The qualification includes at least 20 credits of on-the-job learning.
• The training is built on the basic education syllabus.
• Prior learning acquired in training, working life or other learning environments can be counted towards the qualification.
• Matriculated students can also study in initial VET. Their prior studies are equivalent to some 30 credits, which are counted towards the vocational qualification.
• A vocational qualification gives general eligibility for polytechnic and university studies.

See statistics: Students in curriculum-based basic vocational education numbered 133,800 in 2010

Further and higher education

(mainly sourced from: Ministry of Education and Statistics Finland)

The Finnish higher education system consists of two complementary sectors: polytechnics and universities. The mission of universities is to conduct scientific research and provide instruction and postgraduate education based on it. Polytechnics train professionals in response to labor market needs and conduct R&D which supports instruction and promotes regional development in particular.

The higher education system is being developed as an internationally competitive entity capable of responding flexibly to national and regional needs.

Universities in Finland

The mission of Finnish universities is to conduct scientific research and provide undergraduate and postgraduate education based on it. Universities must promote free research and scientific and artistic education, provide higher education based on research, and educate students to serve their country and humanity. In carrying out this mission, universities must interact with the surrounding society and strengthen the impact of research findings and artistic activities on society.

Under the new Universities Act, which was passed by Parliament in June 2009, Finnish universities are independent corporations under public law or foundations under private law (Foundations Act). The universities operate in their new form from 1 January 2010 onwards. Their operations are built on the freedom of education and research and university autonomy.

Universities confer Bachelor's and Master's degrees, and postgraduate licentiate and doctoral degrees. Universities work in cooperation with the suspending society and promote the social impact of research findings.

There are 16 universities in Finland and the military field which is provided by the National Defence College operating within the Ministry of Defence sector.

At universities students can study for lower (Bachelor's) and higher (Master's) degrees and scientific or artistic postgraduate degrees, which are the licentiate and the doctorate. It is also possible to study specialist postgraduate degrees in the medical fields.

In the two-cycle degree system students first complete the Bachelor's degree, after which they may go for the higher, Master's degree. As a rule, students are admitted to study for the higher degree. Studies are quantified as credits (ECTS). One year of full-time study corresponds to 60 credits. The extent of the Bachelor's level degree is 180 credits and takes three years. The Master's degree is 120 credits, which means two years of full-time study on top of the lower degree.

The system of personal study plans will facilitate the planning of studies and the monitoring of progress in studies and support student guidance and counseling.

University postgraduate education aims at a doctoral degree. In addition to the required studies, doctoral students prepare a dissertation, which they defend in public. The requirement for postgraduate studies is a Master's or corresponding degree.

Universities select their students independently and entrance examinations are an important part of the selection process. An admitted student may only accept one student place in degree education in a given academic year. Universities also offer fee-charging continuing education and Open University instruction, which do not lead to qualifications but can be included in a undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

See statistics: University students numbered 169,400 in 2010

Polytechnics in Finland

The system of polytechnics is still fairly new in Finland. The first polytechnics started to operate on a trial basis in 1991−1992 and the first were made permanent in 1996. By 2000 all polytechnics were working on a permanent basis. Polytechnics are multi-field regional institutions focusing on contacts with working life and on regional development. There are 25 polytechnics in the Ministry of Education and Culture sector: four are run by local authorities, seven by municipal education consortia and 14 by private organizations. In addition there is the Åland University of Applied Sciences in the self-governing Province of Åland and a Police College subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior.

Polytechnics offer

• education for polytechnic degrees
• education for polytechnic master's degrees
• professional specialization and other adult education
• open polytechnic education
• vocational teacher training

Degree studies give a higher education qualification and practical professional skills. They comprise core and professional studies, elective studies and a final project. All degree studies include practical on-the-job learning. There are no tuition fees in degree education, and the students can apply for financial aid.

Polytechnic education is provided in the following fields:

• Humanities and Education
• Culture
• Social sciences, business and administration
• Natural resources and the environment
• Technology, communication and transport
• Natural sciences
• Social services, health and sport
• Tourism, catering and domestic services

The extent of polytechnic degree studies is generally 210−240 study points (ECTS), which means 3.5 - 4 years of full-time study. This education is arranged as degree programs. The entry requirement is a certificate from an upper secondary school or the matriculation certificate, a vocational qualification or corresponding foreign studies. The requirement for Master's studies in polytechnics is a Bachelors' level polytechnic degree and at least three years of work experience. The polytechnic Master's, which is 60-90 study points and takes 1.5-2 years, is equivalent to a university Master's in the labor market.

Each student has a personal study plan, which facilitates student guidance and the monitoring of progress in studies. Polytechnics also arrange adult education and open education geared to maintain and upgrade competencies. The teaching arrangements in adult education are flexible and enable mature students to work alongside their studies. Some 20% of polytechnic students are mature students.

See statistics: A total of 21,900 polytechnic degrees were attained in 2010

Administration and finance

(mainly sourced from: Ministry of Education and Statistics Finland)

In Finland everyone has the right to free basic education, including necessary equipment and text books, school transportation, where needed, and adequate free meals.

Post-compulsory education is also free. This means that there are no tuition fees in general and vocational upper secondary education, in polytechnics or in universities. At these levels of education, students pay for their text books, travel and meals.

In general and vocational upper secondary education, school meals are free, and students can get subsidy for school travel. In continuing vocational education and in liberal adult education, it is possible to charge modest fees. Those studying in post-compulsory education and training can apply for financial aid. There are special support schemes for mature students

See statictics

• Current expenditure on regular education system by type of expenditure 1995–2009 and
• Current expenditure on regular education system increased in 2009

See pictures in pdf-format

• Administration of basic and upper secondary education
• Administration of the higher education system and research

Schools

The network of comprehensive schools covers the whole country. The majority of pupils attend medium-sized schools of 300-499 pupils. The smallest schools have fewer than ten pupils and the largest over 900 pupils. Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide education for children of compulsory school age living in their areas. The language of instruction is mostly Finnish or Swedish, but also the Sami, Roma or sign language may be used. Swedish-speaking pupils come to under 6% and Sami-language pupils under 0.1% of all pupils.

Upper secondary

General upper secondary education is provided by local authorities, municipal consortia or organizations authorized by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The central government co-finances education with statutory government grants based on student numbers and unit costs per student. The majority of the 435 upper secondary schools in Finland are run by local authorities.

Vocational Education

The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the strategic and normative steering of VET and leads national development. The national objectives of VET, the structure of the qualifications and the core subjects included in them are determined by the government. The details of the qualification and the extent of training are determined by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The authorizations to provide VET are granted by the Ministry.

The National Board of Education designs the core curricula and sets the requirements of competence-based qualifications, which describe the aims and key content of the qualifications.

Vocational education and training providers are responsible for organizing training in their areas, for matching provision with local labor market needs, and for devising curricula based on the core curricula and requirements. They also decide independently what kind of institutions or units they run.

A VET provider may be a local authority, a municipal training consortium, a foundation or other registered association, or a state company. There are around 210 VET providers in Finland. The aim is to develop them to meet according to skills needs. To this end, smaller units will be combined to form local, regional or otherwise strong entities.

References

• Education and Reserch 2007-2012, Development Plan
• Key competences for lifelong learning in Finland; Education 2010 – interim report
• The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment

Relevant websites

• European Commission
• The Government Program
• Finnish Ministry of Education (MINEDU)
• The Finnish National Board of Education
• This is Finland
• Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences
• Finnish Virtual University
• Statistics Finland
• Ubiquitous Information Society Advisory Board
• European Schooling Finland
• The Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council (FINHEEC)
• KOTA statistical data on universities and fields of education
• The Eurostudent Report
• http://www.opiskelupaikka.fi/In-English
• PISA