Finnish National Framework for Qualifications and Other Competence Modules

The framework describes the competence required for qualifications, syllabuses and other extensive competence modules in terms of knowledge, skills and competencies in a uniform and comparable manner and defines their relationships.

The framework makes the Finnish qualifications system clearer and national and international qualifications more transparent and easier to compare. It makes it easier to recognise qualifications, encourages national and international mobility, and paves the way for actors in education to cooperate and promote educational services.

The framework is based on the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the establishment of the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning (2008/C 111/01). The Council recommendation on the European Qualifications Framework was amended in May 2017 (2017/C 189/03). The purpose of the framework is to make it easier to compare qualifications and degrees in different countries.

The Finnish National Qualifications Framework and Other Competence Modules describes the qualifications and syllabuses laid down in the legislation governing the branch of government of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the qualifications and other extensive competence modules in the legislation governing other branches of government. 

The Finnish National Agency for Education is responsible for providing information and advice to the authorities related to the National Qualifications Framework as well as for international cooperation. The Agency also provides information on the National Qualifications Frameworks of other countries.

Expanding the Framework

In Finland, provisions on the framework are laid down in the Act on the Framework for Qualifications and Other Competence Modules (93/2017) and in the Government Decree on the Framework for Qualifications and Other Competence Modules (120/2017). The Finnish National Framework for Qualifications and Other Competence Modules will be updated and supplemented by amending the Annex to the Government Decree. The Ministry of Education and Culture is in charge of the changes.

Branches of government and stakeholders can submit proposals for new competence modules for the national framework to the National Agency for Education. The Finnish National Agency for Education puts together all proposals that have arrived by the end of March, issues statements on them and submits them to the Ministry of Education and Culture by the end of June. The Ministry processes all submitted proposals at least every 24 months. It also evaluates the proposals and, if necessary, consults other branches of government and stakeholders. A draft amending the Annex to the Decree is sent out for comments before the Decree is issued.

The proposals to the Finnish National Agency for Education are made using an electronic form available on the Agency’s website. The Agency's website also provides detailed information on the criteria applicable to the competence modules to be included in the framework.

• Finnish National Agency for Education: Qualifications Frameworks

A joint working group on the identification of competence (1 July 2021 to 31 January 2025) of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment examined the need to expand the framework for qualifications and other competence modules. The study showed that at present there appears to be little need for the expansion of the framework beyond the existing criteria. 

• Working group on the identification of competence - Final report (in Finnish)