Basic education is compulsory for children between seven and 16 years of age. Basic education is
integrated within a single structure comprising primary and lower secondary level education. It lasts nine
years and can be preceded by pre-primary education.
Compulsory education starts in the year that a child turns seven. Age is the only admission requirement,
because every child permanently resident in Finland is subject to compulsory education. Children have
the right to start basic education one year earlier, if their readiness to attend school has been proved in
psychological tests (and medical tests if necessary). Based on these tests, the education provider can
also grant permission to start school one year later. (European Commission et al., 2013b)