Das finnische Schulsystem umfasst bis zum Sekundarschulabschluss, der die Hochschulzugangsqualifikation vermittelt, zwölf Schuljahre. Es gliedert sich in

 

• die neunjährige Grundschule (peruskoulu)
• das dreijährige Gymnasium (lukio).

The Finnish higher education system comprises 20 universities (yliopisto / universitet) and 29 polytechnics (ammattikorkeakoulu, AMK/yrkeshögskola, YH). Ten of the universities are multi-faculty universities and ten are specialised institutions. All universities engage in both education and research and have the right to award doctorates.

The polytechnics are multi-field institutions of professional higher education with a practical orientation. The aim of studies is to provide the necessary knowledge and skills needed in expert functions and to meet workplace requirements and development needs.

There is national decree which defines the objectives, extent and overall structure of polytechnic degrees. The Ministry of Education confirms the degree programmes of the polytechnics, and within the framework of these regulations, the polytechnics decide on the contents and structure of their degrees in more detail. They also decide on their annual curricula and forms of instruction.

 

1. The polytechnic degree is a Bachelor-level degree, the extent of which is 140 - 180 credits depending on the study field (one credit corresponds approximately 40 hours of student work to attain the required objectives). The degrees take 3,5 to 4,5 years of full-time study to complete. In all fields the curriculum comprises basic and professional studies, optional studies, a practical training period and a diploma project.
   

2. There are field-specific national decrees on university degrees which define the objectives, extent and overall structure of degrees. Universities decide on the detailed contents and structure of the degrees they award. They also decide on their curricula and forms of instruction.
   
   The extent of the lower academic degree (usually called kandidaatti / kandidat) is 120 credits at a minimum, and it takes three years of full-time study to complete the degree. The degree consists of basic and intermediate studies in the major subject, including a thesis; studies in one or more minor subjects and language studies.
   
   The higher academic degree (usually called maisteri/magister, in the field of technology the degree is called diplomi-insinööri/diplom ingenjör) usually consists of a total of 160 to 180 credits, or a kandidaatti / kandidat's syllabus plus 40 - 60 credits. It takes five years of full-time studies to complete the maisteri/magister degree or a further two years following the kandidaatti/kandidat degree. For the degree students complete an advanced study module and prepare a thesis.
   

3. In medicine and in veterinary medicine, the degrees take six years of full-time study to complete. The degree in these fields and in dentistry is called lisensiaatti/licentiat.
   

4. Students can apply for doctoral studies after the completion of maisteri/magister. In most fields a pre-doctoral degree lisensiaatti/licentiat may be taken before the Doctor's degree. In general, it takes approximately two years of full-time studies after maisteri/magister. The full-time studies for Doctor's degree take approximately four years after the maisteri/magister.