Identification and recognition of prior learning:
National Registry and Data Transfer Service for Study Rights and Completed Studies (Koski service) in liberal adult education and basic education in the arts

To promote the identification and recognition of prior learning, study attainment data on liberal adult education and basic education in the arts may be entered in the National Registry and Data Transfer Service for Study Rights and Completed Studies (Koski service) maintained by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The change contributes to the reform of continuous learning.

Basic education in the arts

Information on basic education in the arts can from now on be entered in the Koski service maintained by the Finnish National Agency for Education. The legislative amendment entered into force on 1 January 2023.

The core parts of the syllabus in basic education in the arts, i.e. the common core studies in the general syllabus, theme studies in the general syllabus, core studies in the extended syllabus and advanced studies in the extended syllabus, can be entered in the Koski service, provided that 

  • the education provider has decided to offer students participating in studies at the institution the option of saving their study attainment records in the Koski service 
  • the scope of the studies is based on credits and have been described and assessed on the basis of competence 
  • the student has given consent for saving such data

Liberal adult education

The legislation on liberal adult education and on the National Registry and Data Transfer Service for Study Rights and Completed Studies has been amended so that, in future, the competence acquired in adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities, centres of learning, and training centres for sports and physical education can also be saved in the National Registry and Data Transfer Service for Study Rights and Completed Studies (Koski service). The legislative amendments entered into force on 1 August 2021.

As a result, the National Registry and Data Transfer Service for Study Rights and Completed Studies (Koski service) can contain liberal adult education study attainments provided that 

  • the provider of the educational institution has decided to offer students participating in studies at the institution the option of saving their study attainment records in the Koski service 
  • the scope of the studies is based on credits and have been described and assessed on the basis of competence 
  • the student has given consent for saving such data 
  • the competence acquired in the studies is a pass, which means that, at its minimum, the student’s competence corresponds to the level specified in the competence-based description of the studies.

 Information and guidance

To support the reform, this page contains material and guidance both for basic education in the arts, for providers of liberal adult education and for providers of educational institutions. Students can view their study attainment data through the MyStudyInfo service maintained by the Finnish National Agency for Education. However, basic education in the arts is not yet included in the provision of education in the MyStudyInfo service. 

The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for guidelines related to the reform involving the interpretation of legislation and central government transfers to local government. The Finnish National Agency for Education is responsible for the practical execution and technical implementation of the reform (Koski service, eCurriculum service and MyStudyInfo service) and provides guidance to educational institutions in this respect.

Legislative amendments and information on the processing of the matter

(in Finnish or in Swedish)

Act Amending the Act on National Registers of Education Records, Qualifications and Degrees (478/2021)

Act Amending the Act on National Registers of Education Records, Qualifications and Degrees (944/2022)

Act on Liberal Adult Education

Act on Basic Education in Arts

Information on the processing of the matter: Government progress (Government proposal 19/2021) to Parliament for acts amending the Act on National Registers of Education Records, Qualifications and Degrees and the Act on Liberal Adult Education

Information on the processing of the matter: Government progress (Government proposal 160/2022) to Parliament for acts amending the Act on National Registers of Education Records, Qualifications and Degrees and the Act on Basic Education in Arts

Contacts

Petra Heikkinen, Specialist 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Varhaiskasvatuksen, perusopetuksen ja vapaan sivistystyön osasto ( VAPOS ) Telephone:0295330068   Email Address:

Hanna Koskimies, kulttuuriasiainneuvos 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Taiteen ja kulttuuriperinnön vastuualue (TAKU) Telephone:0295330048   Email Address:

Hanna Kiiskinen, Senior Ministerial Adviser 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kulttuuri- ja taidepolitiikan osasto (KUPO), Strategic Steering Division Telephone:0295330086   Email Address: