Polytechnic Education

The Finnish higher education system consists of two complementary sectors: polytechnics and universities. The mission of universities is to conduct scientific research and provide instruction and postgraduate education based on it. Polytechnic education is professionally oriented higher education. Polytechnics train professionals in response to labour market needs and conduct R&D which supports instruction and promotes regional development.

The system of polytechnics is still fairly new. The first polytechnics started to operate on a trial basis in 1991−1992 and the first were made permanent in 1996. By 2000 all polytechnics were working on a permanent basis.

Polytechnics are multi-field regional institutions focusing on contacts with working life and on regional development. Polytechnic education is provided in the following fields:

• Humanities and Education
• Culture
• Social sciences, business and administration
• Natural resources and the environment
• Technology, communication and transport
• Natural sciences
• Social services, health and sport
• Tourism, catering and domestic services

The extent of polytechnic degree studies is generally 210−240 study points (ECTS), which means 3.5 - 4 years of full-time study. This education is arranged as degree programmes. The entry requirement is a certificate from an upper secondary school or the matriculation certificate, a vocational qualification or corresponding foreign studies.

Each student has a personal study plan, which facilitates student guidance and the monitoring of progress in studies.

The requirement for Master's studies in polytechnics is a Bachelors' level polytechnic degree and at least three years of work experience. The polytechnic Master's, which is 60-90 study points and takes 1.5-2 years, is equivalent to a university Master's in the labour market.

The general requirement for admission to polytechnics is general or vocational upper secondary education and training. In other words, applicants eligible for polytechnic studies include those who have completed the matriculation examination, general upper secondary school or an upper secondary vocational qualification, or those with a corresponding international or foreign qualification.

Students apply to polytechnics through the joint national application system electronically. The polytechnics determine the principles of student admission independently. Student admission is based on previous study record and work experience and, in many cases, entrance examinations are also arranged.

The requirement for Master's programmes in polytechnics is a Polytechnic degree or other Bachelors' level degree and at least three years of work experience.

According to the Statistics Finland, the total number of young and mature polytechnic students was 133 300 in the autumn 2007. The figure is 700 higher than the year before. New entrants reached 36 600 (up by one per cent). A total of 21 000 polytechnic degrees were obtained in 2007.

The number of foreign students in polytechnics degree studies was 5 400, which was 17 per cent higher than the previous year.

The system of higher degrees was put in place after a trial period in 2005 and the number of polytechnic Master's programmes is expected to grow in the coming years. 3 400 students studied for a polytechnic Master's degrees in 2007, which is over 50 per cent more than the previous year. 360 higher degrees were awarded in 2007; 64 per cent to females.