Finnish Education System

 The structure of the Finnish education system, which is seen as one of the best education systems in the world, has been examined by many countries. There is broad international interest in the Finnish School System and Teacher Education:


PISA results

The Specific Structure of Finnish Teacher Education

The high number of candidates applying for teacher training has been effective.

Pre-school education


It covers 0-6 years old. It is provided in crèches and private nurseries according to family income level.

The education of children aged 6 who will start compulsory education the following year is carried out in kindergartens and kindergarten classes in schools.

It is a voluntary education process.

It is free.

The pre-school attendance rate of children within this age limit is 98%, which is quite high.

Basic Compulsory Education (Primary and Secondary Education 1st Period)


Primary education: 1st and 6th grade (7-12 years old) and secondary education 1st period: 7th and 9th grade (13-16 years old) covers a period of 9 years in total.

It is free. (teaching, food, stationery needs, etc.)

The academic year consists of two terms and starts at the end of August and continues until the beginning of June.

During the first 6 years, instruction is given by classroom teachers who teach almost all subjects. Courses that require special abilities (visual arts, music, sports..) can be given by branch teachers.

Volunteering may include 1 year of pre-school education and 1 year of additional education (grade 10).

Almost all Finnish children complete compulsory education.

Compulsory subjects: Mother Tongue (Finnish, Swedish or Sami), Second National language, Foreign languages, Environmental Studies, Health education, Religion or Ethics, History, Social sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Physical education, Music, Visual Arts, Crafts, Home Economics and Guidance

Qualification is provided for all types of high school education.

Secondary Education 2nd Cycle (High School)


It is divided into general and vocational education.

It covers the education of students aged 16-19 after compulsory education.

Duties in compulsory education continue and studies are carried out to qualify for higher education.

It ends with the university entrance exam.

There is no general examination that determines which of the students will attend general or vocational secondary education.

Parents have the right to apply to any general or vocational secondary education school that provides secondary education through the common national application system, taking into account the student's success in basic education and taking the opinions of teachers and school administration.

More than 90% of students in Finland continue on to secondary education after basic education.

In the second cycle of secondary education, approximately 54% of students prefer general secondary education, while 36% prefer vocational education.

Schools have a duty to provide students with specialized courses to choose from.

Vocational Education


It is a 3 year process. General qualification for higher education is provided at polytechnics and universities.

The vocational education program covers 52 different vocational qualifications.

Vocational qualifications are provided both through school-based education and through master-apprentice training, applied in companies.

Polytechnic Education


The Finnish Polytechnic system was created in 1990 to create a non-university sector in higher education.


Polytechnics are mostly based on a practical vocational training.

It is based on the education received from vocational education institutions in the high school period. It has been developed in the form of a nationwide higher education network.

polytechnics; provides training in a specialist function in sectors such as natural resources, technology, communication, business and management, tourism, catering, corporate governance, health and social services, culture and human sciences, education.

To obtain a polytechnic degree, it is necessary to study for 3.5-4 years.

Matriculation examination


The university entrance exam is held twice a year, at the same time in all high schools, in the Spring and Fall semesters.

There are 4 mandatory tests: Mother Tongue, Other National Language, Foreign Language and other Mathematics and General Sciences Test. Students can also take elective tests in the exam.

After the university entrance exam, students receive a separate certificate showing the details of the tests passed in the 2nd semester of secondary education, the degrees and grades obtained.

University, university entrance exam grade; Placements are made by taking into account the results of the entrance exam held by the institute, faculty or department and the secondary school graduation certificates.

What's Different in Finland?


In the opinion of Finnish educators, paying more attention to weak and lagging students rather than encouraging gifted children to perform even higher yields much better overall results. The main idea here is based on the principle that smarter children will help their lesser peers without hindering their own development.


Finns' deep 'love' for reading contributes to the success of the Finnish education system.

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