Finnish higher education system
24.5.2018
Finnish higher education system
Finnish higher education system comprises universities and universities of applied sciences.
The Finnish education system consists of:
- early childhood education and care
- pre-primary education
- compulsory nine-year basic education (comprehensive school)
- upper secondary education, which is either general upper secondary education or vocational education and training
- higher education provided by universities and universities of applied sciences
- adult education which is available at all levels
Source: Ministry of Education and Culture
Finnish higher education system
Finnish higher education system comprises universities and universities of applied sciences.
The mission of universities is to conduct scientific research and provide education based on it. Universities of applied sciences (UAS) provide more practical education that aims to respond to the needs of the labour market.
Universities, offering higher scientific and artistic education, award Bachelor's and Master's degrees as well as postgraduate degrees, i.e. licentiate and doctoral degrees. Universities of applied sciences award UAS Bachelor's degrees and UAS Master's degrees.
The target completion time for a Bachelor’s degree at a university is three years and for a Master’s degree two years on top of that. The completion of a UAS degree takes usually between 3.5 and 4.5 years. The requirement for Master's studies at a university of applied sciences is a UAS Bachelors' degree or another suitable degree and at least three years of work experience after the completion of the previous degree.
Information provided on this page about Finnish education system is from The Ministry of Education and Culture: http://minedu.fi/en/education-system
Further information:
Study in Finland: http://www.studyinfinland.fi
Study and work info by This is Finland: https://finland.fi/facts-stats-and-info/study-and-work-info

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