Admission standards

University admission in Finland

Official minimum entry requirements and the school system, from the country's UNESCO classification and national sources.

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2020. Universities may set higher requirements.

General upper secondary programmes3 years, from age 16
Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)
Awards: Matriculation examination
General upper secondary programmes for adults (leading to the matriculation examination)3 years, from age 18
Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)
Awards: Matriculation examination

Lower university programmes (Bachelor's degree programmes)3 years, from age 19
Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 344, 354, 454)
Awards: Lower university degree (Bachelor's degree)
University of applied sciences Bachelor's degree programmes (daytime programmes)3 years, from age 19
Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 344, 354, 454)
Awards: University of applied sciences Bachelor's degree
University of applied sciences Bachelor's degree programmes (multiform programmes)3 years, from age 19
Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary (ISCED 344, 354, 454)
Awards: University of applied sciences Bachelor's degree