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12.5.2026 | A joint vision for higher education and research, titled Bildung as a Vision for Finland, is due to be completed in June. The vision represents Finland’s pledge for the future of higher education and research and is based on the current strengths and policies of the higher education system. The vision will be finalised during the spring under the leadership of the vision's steering group and the support of the parliamentary monitoring group.

9.9.2025 | In Finland, the share of young adults with a tertiary degree (39%) remains lower than the OECD average (48%). The figures are from the OECD’s Education at a Glance publication, which compares education systems in different countries.

General upper secondary education General upper secondary education and the matriculation examination taken at the end of it make it possible to apply for studies in higher education institutions. The unit of the scope of studies is a credit. The ...

Education for immigrants Immigrants usually participate in the same early childhood education and care, education and training as the rest of the population. In addition to these, integration training and support for learning as well as preparator...

Promotion of physical activity The Ministry of Education and Culture endeavours to create conditions for a physically active lifestyle for the whole population. The aim is to enable the Finnish population to be physically active to a degree that s...

Tuition fees in upper secondary education Students from third countries will, in future, be required to pay tuition fees in both general upper secondary education and vocational education and training. These fees apply to those who start their stu...

Sports institutes Finland has nine national and three regional sports training centres, i.e. sports institutes (colleges of physical education). The Ministry of Education and Culture provides support to the operation of these institutes. Sports in...

Sports organisations Sport and physical activity organisations in Finland have over 1.1 million members. The Ministry of Education and Culture allocates government grants to national organisations that promote sport and physical activity while mun...

Sport and fitness science The Ministry of Education and Culture annually allocates appropriations and discretionary government grants for sport-related research and communications. Discretionary government grants for sport and fitness science rese...

Comprehensive school Comprehensive schools provide general basic education from year 1 to year 9. Some folk high schools, upper secondary schools for adults and other educational institutions also offer general basic education. Under the Basic Edu...

Vocational education and training in Finland Vocational education and training (VET) is designed both for young people without upper secondary qualifications and for adults already in work life. VET provides students with strong vocational compete...

Administration and finance The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for the strategic and normative steering of VET and leads national development. The Government Programme and other strategies provide the overall policy framework for ...

Policies and development Vocational education and training will be advanced as outlined in the Government Programme. This page contains key policies for vocational education and training, ways to enhance it and information on ongoing projects. Res...

Accessibility and diversity of culture The Ministry of Education and Culture aims to provide linguistic and cultural minorities, persons with disabilities and other special groups with opportunities to participate in culture and express their crea...

Education policy report The Education Policy Report paves the way for equitable and high-quality education in the 2040s in Finland, where skills requirements are growing and age cohorts are shrinking. The report outlines the target state for educa...

Continuous learning Continuous learning responds to the need to develop and renew competence at different stages of people’s lives and careers. The changing demands of work will significantly increase the need for upskilling and continuous learnin...

Strengthening the basic skills and language of instruction of pupils with a migrant background The aim is to ensure that pupils who have recently moved to Finland have the capabilities to pursue further studies. The action plan will look for solut...

Education is one of the cornerstones of the Finnish welfare society. We pride ourselves on an educational system that offers equal opportunities for education for all.

Key legislation on general education This page lists the key acts and decrees on general education. If an English translation of an act or decree is available, the link takes you directly to the English version of the statute in the Finlex databas...

Qualifications and studies in vocational education and training The qualifications structure in vocational education and training (VET) has three levels. There are three types of qualifications: vocational upper secondary qualification, further vo...