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Finnish educational system

In Finland education has been seen as an important instrument of social ascent and personal development. The objective of education policy has been to guide the change of the educational system to respond to the needs of a changing society. In 2005, 85 % of the Finns aged 25-34 years had completed upper secondary or tertiary degree. The continuously improving level of education of the population has contributed to the rise in the productivity of labour and, consequently, rapid economic and social development.

The educational level of Finland's population has risen steadily during the nine decades of independence. In the early years of independence, the challenge was to guarantee primary school education to all children. The Compulsory School Attendance Act was enacted in 1921, which resulted in rapid growth of literacy in the age groups that were subject to primary schooling.

Structure of the Finnish educational system

A law on the basis of the education system was enacted in 1968, and the comprehensive school was established. The 9-grade comprehensive school was realized gradually over the 1970s. Currently statutory school age covers the age groups 7 to 16, and a person cannot be freed from it.

Following basic education, young people can apply for an upper secondary education (“lukio” in Finnish) or vocational education or training. In 2005, 53 percent of young people in Finland continued their education in upper secondary schools and 39 percent in vocational schools.

The Finnish higher education system consists of two parallel sectors: polytechnics and universities. Each has its own role to play.

Polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulut) are more working-life oriented than universities and operate on the basis of the higher expertise requirements set by working life.

Universities are characterised by scientific research and an academic education, providing experts for all areas of society. Universities also play an important role in terms of adult education.

Culminations of Finnish educational system

Finnish 15-year-olds who have reached the end of their comprehensive education have excelled in the international PISA (Programme for International Students Assessment) study of learning results by being the best in the OECD countries in reading as well as in mathematics and natural sciences.

These days the Finnish comprehensive school is regarded abroad as an exemplary system, which produces good learning results at reasonable cost and whose learning results are also more equal than those in the OECD countries in general.

Aalto University represents a new, innovative form of higher education. It fullfils the universities' most important role as an academic research and education provider in close cooperation with industrial life and is networked both nationally and internationally to create new, insightful learning and competencies.