University Education
The Finnish matriculation examination provides general eligibility for university education. The same
eligibility is also provided by the International Baccalaureate (IB), European Baccalaureate (EB) and
Reifeprüfung examinations. In addition, those with a Finnish polytechnic degree, post-secondary level
vocational qualification or at least a three-year vocational qualification also have general eligibility for
university education. Universities may also admit applicants, who are otherwise considered by the
university to have the necessary knowledge and skills to complete the studies. Most new students
have completed the matriculation examination.
People who received their schooling in another country may be admitted if their qualification gives
eligibility for corresponding university studies in that country. Finland has ratified the Convention on the
Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education of the European Council and UNESCOCEPES
(so called Lisbon Convention) and signed the Nordic Convention on Admission to Universities.
By virtue of the Universities Act (645/1997), an applicant may only accept one study place leading to a
higher education degree in each academic year. A study place leading to a higher education degree
means a study place in a programme leading to a lower or higher academic degree at universities or a
study place on a programme leading to a polytechnic degree.
Universities select their students independently and they decide on the field-specific student intake
according to the agreed target number of degrees. The numbers are determined in performance
negotiations between the Ministry of Education and the universities. There is restricted entry, "numerus
clausus’, to all fields of study. As there are many more applicants than there are places available,
universities use different kinds of student admission criteria.
Student admission may be based on:
the grades attained in the matriculation certificate (and in the general upper secondary school
(Finnish: lukio, Swedish: gymnasium) leaving certificate) together with the results of an entrance
test, which is the most common procedure;
the results of an entrance test only; or
the grades attained in the matriculation certificate and in the upper secondary school leaving
certificate only.
In addition, some fields may place additional emphasis on work experience, studies, practical training,
etc. Entrance tests are designed by the university, faculty or department in question to assess the
applicants’ motivation, suitability and aptitude in the field concerned. The tests are often based on
required reading. There may also be interviews or material-based examinations, and students may be
required to demonstrate their skills (for example, at art academies), etc. Students without the certificate
of matriculation are usually selected on the basis of the entrance test.
Universities co-operate in organising the student admission to varying degrees. The field of
engineering and architecture applies a joint selection system, i.e. a joint entrance examination, to three
universities of technology and two faculties of technology in multidisciplinary universities. Each of these
universities uses the same selection criteria and the same application form. There is also cooperation
between universities in, among others, biology, languages, class teacher and kindergarten teacher
education, medicine and economics.
Once people have been admitted to university, they must confirm their acceptance of the place and
register with the university within a certain period of time. If this is not done, their right to study there
may be cancelled. The standard duration for the completion of degrees has been defined in the
decrees governing the degrees.
The undergraduate section (Cadet School) of the National Defence College may admit applicants who:
have taken their matriculation examination or received corresponding education abroad, as
separately laid down in legislation, or have completed a post-secondary level qualification;
have acceptably completed reserve officer training, received the corresponding military training
approved by the Defence Staff or completed the warrant officer’s degree;
are suitable officers in terms of their mental and physical condition and health as well as their
lifestyle;
● are no more than 24 years of age (applicants aged over 24 years are only allowed in exceptional
cases);
have passed the aptitude tests and other examinations as defined by the Defence Staff to an
acceptable standard.
The present legislation allows for flexible pathways leading to university education. Thus a student is
eligible for university studies if the university acknowledges that he/she has sufficient knowledge and
competences irrespective of his/her previous education. The legislation also allows for flexibility in
recognising and validating prior learning. Students can, on the decision of the university, be accredited
for studies at a higher or other education institution in Finland or abroad. This also applies to learning
acquired outside the formal education system.
The initiative for the recognition of prior learning must come form the student and he/she also has the
responsibility of providing evidence to support the request. Individual study plans are used
increasingly. The accreditation of prior learning in conjunction with these is based on the discussions
between teacher and student. According to a survey learning acquired outside formal education is not
recognised and accredited very much. Most commonly practical training is compensated by work
experience.
Virtual studies can be taken at all universities. Universities cooperate and offer joint studies. This has
been supported by the Finnish Virtual University, which is a partnership of all 21 Finnish universities. It
supports and develops collaboration among universities in the utilisation of information and
communication technologies in teaching and studying. As a Consortium it develops information
network -based training and educational services for the shared use of its member universities.
Professionally Oriented Higher Education
The general requirement for admission to polytechnics is general or vocational upper secondary
education and training. In other words, applicants eligible for polytechnic studies include those who
have completed the matriculation examination, general upper secondary school (Finnish: lukio,
Swedish: gymnasium) or an upper secondary vocational qualification, or those with a corresponding
international or foreign qualification.
Students apply to polytechnics through the joint national application system. The polytechnics
determine the principles of student admission independently. Student admission is based on previous
study record and work experience and, in many cases, entrance examinations are also arranged.
Starting from the student admission for the academic year 1999–2000, applicants may only accept one
study place leading to a higher education degree in each academic year. A study place leading to a
higher education degree means a place in a programme leading to a lower or higher academic degree
(Bachelor’s (Finnish: kandidaatin tutkinto, Swedish: kandidatexamen) or Master’s degree (Finnish:
maisterin tutkinto, Swedish: magisterexamen) at a university or to a polytechnic degree.
According to the legislation polytechnics can accept students who they consider having sufficient
knowledge and skills for polytechnic studies. The eligibility must be assessed before the selection
procedure.
The requirement for Master's programmes in polytechnics is a Polytechnic degree or other Bachelors'
level degree and at least three years of work experience.
All polytechnics offer virtual studies. On-line coursework is part of nearly all studies. Also the number of
credits earned on totally on-line courses is increasing. Similarly to the Finnish Virtual University the polytechnics offer online courses and services jointly through the Finnish Online University
of Applied Sciences.
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