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There are 22 institutions of higher education in Finland, with a combined student population of 126,000. Ten of these institutions are traditional multidisciplinary universities (Yliopisto) and twelve are specialised institutions (Korkeakoulu). The latter comprise three schools of economics and business administration, three universities of technology and architecture, a college of veterinary medicine, a university of industrial arts, an academy of fine arts, one music academy, one theatre academy and the National Defence College. All 22 institutions of higher education are publicly financed state bodies enjoying autonomy in respect of their internal affairs. The Ministry of Education is responsible for the general development of the higher education system.
Each institution is governed by an Act of Parliament. The aims and scope of basic degrees and the structure of advanced degrees are defined by decree. The close connection between research and teaching is a characteristic feature of the Finnish university system. All institutions of higher education provide both basic and advanced studies up to doctorate level, and are expected to engage in research. The institutions also offer continuing training, vocational courses and open university courses.
Admission
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A student who passes the Finnish matriculation examination is eligible for higher education. Since 1991, college and higher vocational level diplomas awarded by vocational institutions also provide the same eligibility. The universities decide upon their own entrance requirements. The selection criteria and application deadlines vary between the institutions, the fields of study, and even between the disciplines in the same field of study. Admission is based on an entrance examination or on school certificates, usually on both. Entrance examinations are compulsory in nearly all fields of study.
The number of students admitted to the universities is determined by the institutions themselves on the basis of a framework fixed by the Government. The annual number of newly-enrolled students has been 16,000-17,000 in recent years.
Fees/Student finance
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Students at Finnish universities do not have to pay for tuition or for taking a degree. Students can apply for financial assistance from public funds. The granting of assistance is coordinated by the Social Insurance Institution (KELA).
Three forms of financial assistance are available to university students: grants, housing allowances and loans. There are also a variety of scholarships available, but these are limited. Study grants and housing allowances (which are paid to students to compensate living costs) do not have to be repaid. Student loans are granted by banks and guaranteed by the State. Over a period of time, the proportion of grants and accommodation allowances relative to repayable loans has increased.
Financial assistance is guaranteed for one academic year at a time. Students can receive assistance for a maximum of 70 months, 55 of these for studies toward a higher degree and the remainder for further studies. In the academic year 1992/93, 70,000 university students - 58% of those enrolled - were granted financial assistance for education.
Academic year
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The academic year usually begins in September and ends in May. It is divided into two semesters. Most universities are active throughout the year and offer different summer courses and extra examinations.
Courses/Qualifications
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The basic degree corresponds to a Master's degree. Studies are divided into twenty fields and over 160 study programmes. The basic degree consists of three stages: general studies, subject studies and advanced studies. The advanced studies involve independent research and a final paper (thesis). It takes 5-6 years to complete the basic degree.
In some fields, it has been possible to sit a lower examination, corresponding to a Bachelor's degree. Studies for these examinations take from three to three-and-a-half years to complete. From the beginning of 1994, the lower university degree was extended to almost all fields of study.
The amount of time taken to complete postgraduate degrees varies greatly, even though planning work is based on the assumption that a licentiate degree would take two to three years and a doctorate about four years after completion of the basic degree.
About 9,000 Master's degrees and over 1,000 licentiate degrees/doctorates are completed annually.
Assessment
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Students are subject to continuous assessment. Student assessment varies between universities and faculties. In most cases, the student's progress is assessed on the basis of written examinations taken at the end of lecture series or courses or larger study units. The examination can be based on lectures the student has attended or books read. In addition, oral examinations can be required. Grades are entered into the university computer register. As part of the advanced studies, students must write a thesis. In universities of art, the thesis can take the form of a work of art, such as a concert, a performance or an artistic study.
Separate credits are usually examined by teachers of the course in question, but the final responsibility for assessment remains with the professor of the subject. The final examinations and thesis are usually assessed by two or more impartial examiners appointed by the faculty.
Open university education
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Open university education offers people the possibility to participate in university education regardless of the level of education they have completed. As its name implies, this is a system of study with no formal admission requirements. Students follow studies, included in the degree programmes of universities, as well as other, separately organised studies.