The cornerstone of unity

41 FREE EDUCATION 
Finnish education has a good reputation around the world. 
Its characteristic features are: 
•
free education 
•
every child and youth has a right and duty to study and learn 
•
it is based on a national curriculum 
•
regional educational administration 
•
strong trust in teachers’ abilities 
•
possibilities for flexible study paths 
•
high levels of academic achievement across the country 
The system’s cornerstone is the fact that education is routinely provided for all children and youths who reside in 
Finland, irrespective of their nationality, gender or social, economic or cultural background. Administration of the 
education system has been devolved to regional level, but every school adheres to the national curriculum. This 
guarantees quality education across the whole country in every town and village, irrespective of any special local 
features. There are no national tests upon completing the basic education, and schools are not publicly graded. 
Teachers rely on national guidelines when they evaluate the pupils at the end of their basic education. The 
application and evaluation processes are transparent, equal and independent of where the applicant was 
educated because the grounds for the evaluations are clear and explicit across the whole country. 
The Finnish education system does
n’t have any educational dead-ends or institutionalised paths. Any student 
can apply for any level of further education irrespective of where they completed their basic aducation and be 
accepted as a student if they pass. Education is free. Competition for study places is decided on merit, not 
relationships or money or earlier choices. 
The Finnish comprehensive school system provides a very good education, and 15-year-old students who 
have completed their studies consistently score remarkably high results in international comparisons across the 
board, in mother-tongue studies, mathematics and the sciences. After the basic schooling finishes, further 
education is available and recommended to everyone. Around 92% (in 2009) of students progress to high school 
and polythechnics, which prepares them to enter higher education at home and abroad. Those who do not 
continue with school are provided with free educational alternatives. 
Vocational education in Finland is a high-quality and free way to learn a trade. It offers college-based training 
as well as external placements and gives the students the skill they need to make the transition to working life 

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when they complete their studies. Vocational education is just as popular as high school, and many of those who 
complete the second phase find a job right away, while others continue to the higher level or transfer to 
university. 
High school education is chosen by around half of those who have finished their basic studies, and at its 
completion pupils take part in national tests. High school education is free. Studies can take 2
–4 years, 
depending on the pace the student goes at. The student’s education is comprised of subjects dictated by the 
national curriculum and supplemented by courses that can be freely chosen. 
After the second phase of education has been completed in high school or vocational education, the student 
can apply to progress to university or polythechnic, where a test must be passed to gain entry. Education is free 
and when it is successfully completed the student is awarded a university or polytechnic degree. A successful 
applicant has the right to strive to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree without having to take any more 
tests. The studies and graduation are free, which is an important factor in attracting foreign students to study in 
Finland. The fact that education can be both free and of a high standard is a cause for wonder in many 
international discussions. 
The basic concept is that all students who are equally talented and hardworking should receive the same kind 
of support and be offered the possibility to continue their studies free of charge. Youths can get professional 
supervision to plan their future studies an learn about the different options. The student grant system provides 
financial support and the fact that even higher educationis free is a sign of equality and justice with regards to 
education. 
Sonja Kosunen 
– former parliamentary
assistant to the Minister of education