Higher Education
in Finland

Finland is one of the most progressive and advanced countries in Europe. Against a backdrop of incredible scenery, the ‘country of lakes’ has recently attracted attention in the area of higher education. We spoke to Ms. Maija Rask, Finnish Minister of Education and Science.

The Finnish Education System is highly advanced, by international standards. What was done to make it this way?

I am very proud of the finish education system and its performance. Our national strategy is based on a high level of education and R&D (research and development). We have made a special effort to boost the development of the necessary infrastructure and expertise, so that we can meet the expectations of the emerging knowledge-based economy.

In the 1990s we implemented major reforms in our education system and carried out a special investment programme in R&D. Today, we spend nearly seven per cent on the education system. These are very high figures by international standards, and the government is committed to continuing this policy.

Our higher education system is fairly large: we have 20 universities and 29 polytechnics, and 65 per cent of the age group start studies at higher education institutions. These figures illustrate our commitment to raising the level of education of the whole population.

In Finland, polytechnics are newcomers to the higher education scene. The system was created some ten years ago with a view to raising the level of vocational education and training and to accommodating the needs of the increasingly heterogeneous student population. The polytechnics were formed from post-secondary vocational institutions, which were upgraded to higher education level after a pilot phase and a rigorous external evaluation. Today I would say that the polytechnics form an integral part of our high-quality higher education system.

Have numbers of students coming to study in Finland increased over the years?

The first action plan to boost internationalisation in Finnish university education was devised at the end of the 1980s. At that time we were able to allocate extra funding to building up the administrative infrastructure needed to take care of both outgoing and incoming students. We also earmarked funds for the development of English-language programmes at universities and polytechnics. Today, I am very pleased to say that all our higher education institutions offer programmes in English for the benefit of international students.

Why do you think students consider Finland as a study destination?

I think the most important reason is the good quality of our education and R&D and the fields of expertise Finland is known for, eg. ICT, pulp and paper, design, architecture and music, to name but a few.

Also the good provision of English-language programmes in our higher education institutions is attractive to international students, as well as the low cost of studies in here.

What does the Ministry of Education do, or any other body, to accredit the universities and polytechnics in Finland and to keep standards high?

Universities and polytechnics are obliged by law to systematically evaluate their quality and performance. The polytechnics underwent a kind of accreditation process when they sought a permanent operating licence from the government.

The Finnish higher education evaluation council is an independent advisory body to the ministry of education, and it promotes and supports evaluations and quality work in high education institutions. The ministry rewards the institutions for high-quality performance.

Would you say that Finnish universities are strong in the IT area? Why do you think that this is so important, and does it give you a strong edge over other countries?

Our universities and polytechnics are definitely very strong in the ICT fields. As I said earlier, the development of this area has been one of the cornerstones in our education and science and technology policies. Our ICT firms played a major role in helping the Finnish economy flourish after the difficult years of recession in the early 1990s, and I firmly believe that this technology-driven economic growth will continue. Therefore it is very important that out education system keeps up with – or rather ahead of – the rapid developments in the field.

I think most of our international students are aware of the Finnish expertise in the ICT fields, and for many students that was what attracted them to Finland in the first place.

In short, what else does Finland have to offer the international student?

In a nutshell: high quality, good education and research facilities, a smoothly-running student housing system, English-language programmes, a beautiful country, friendly people and an extraordinarily beautiful language. It is also a cost-effective country.