Background information
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE IN FINLAND
Finnish education and science policy emphasizes quality, efficiency, equality and the international nature of science
and promotes the competitiveness of the Finnish welfare society. Sustainable economic development will continue
to be the best way to ensure the nation’s cultural, social and economic welfare in the years to come. The basic
principles of Finnish education and science policy are in line with the European Union’s Lisbon strategy.
According to international surveys, Finland is one of the most competitive countries in the world. This success can
be attributed to an efficient and open public sector and an egalitarian, high-quality education and research system.
According to the OECD PISA survey, young Finns’ knowledge and skills rank among the best in the OECD countries in
mathematics, science and reading literacy. The proportion of poorly performing pupils is small compared with other
OECD countries, and regional and inter-school differences are comparatively small.
In adult education and training, the number of participants has grown by 200,000 people over the past ten years to
the extent that the participation rate is now 54% of the working-age population. However, participation is less
evenly distributed among different population groups than in other Nordic countries.
Science policy seeks to raise the standard of research and improve the effectiveness and international visibility of
Finnish scientific research. The aim is to maintain the level of Finnish R&D funding on a par with the world top
countries. Input is focused on enhancing the quality of scientific research and strengthening researcher training and
research infrastructures. Recent development targets include the professionalisation of research careers,
commercialisation of research findings, and co-operation between higher education institutions and business and
industry. Cutting-edge research requires both national and international networking and close co-operation at all
levels. A research career has attraction in Finland, and there has been no shortage of gifted doctoral students. More
and more publications by Finnish researchers are appearing in international publication series and cited frequently
in research. The number of mathematics, engineering and science students in Finland is high in international terms.
“Internationalisation is a precondition for the success and renewal of the Finnish economy. International cooperation
and interaction is especially important in education and research. This is something that we are ready to
invest in. Finland welcomes international students, researchers and teachers!”
(Ministry of Education, 2006)
THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
The Finnish education system has three levels: basic education, comprising primary and lower secondary
levels; upper secondary education and training; and higher education. Pre-primary education is available
to children in the year preceding compulsory schooling. Basic education is uniform nine-year general education
given in comprehensive schools. The upper secondary level comprises vocational education and
training and general education. Higher education is provided at polytechnics and universities.