Address
Eurydice Finland
Ennakointi ja analyysi / Foresight and analysis
Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI)
P.O. Box 380 (Hakaniemenranta 6)
FI-00531 Helsinki
Tel: +358 295 33 11 17
E-Mail: KV-tiimi@oph.fi
Website
Introduction
Finland’s adult education system is delivered through two main pathways. Formal adult education is offered by vocational institutions and higher education providers, which deliver qualification-oriented programmes and shorter competence modules. These qualification programmes are mostly free for adults due to state funding, while non‑degree continuing education in higher education may involve fees.
Non-formal learning is provided mainly by liberal adult education institutions—adult education centres, folk high schools, summer universities and study centres—which offer open, non‑degree courses. These are fee-based but state‑subsidised, with study vouchers available for groups such as immigrants, unemployed adults and older learners.
Together, formal and non-formal education form a complementary system that meets both labour market needs and individual learning goals.
Educational institutions and other education providers
Educational institutions and other corresponding education providers involved in adult education and training may be divided into the following groups
General and interest-oriented:
- General upper secondary schools for adults, (Finnish: aikuislukio, Swedish: vuxengymnasium)
- Folk high schools, (Finnish: kansanopisto, Swedish: folkhögskola)
- Adult education centres, (Finnish: kansalaisopisto, Swedish: medborgarinstitut)
- Study centres, (Finnish: opintokeskus, Swedish: studiecentral )
- Sports institutes (Finnish: liikunnan koulutuskeskus, Swedish: idrottsutbildningscenter)
- Institutions providing basic art education, like music institutions (Finnish: musiikkioppilaitos, Swedish: musikläroanstalt)
- Summer universities, (Finnish: kesäyliopisto, Swedish: sommaruniversitet)
Vocational:
- Institutions providing vocational education and training
- Vocational adult education centres, (Finnish: ammatillinen aikuiskoulutuskeskus, Swedish: yrkesutbildningscentrum)
- Continuing education centres of universities
- Universities of Applied Sciences
- Home economics counselling organisations
- Organisations for crafts and design
Others:
- Commercial organisations
General upper secondary schools for adults
Adult basic skills education in Finland is provided mainly by adult upper secondary schools, which offer basic education and general upper secondary studies, grade improvement, and the opportunity to complete the matriculation examination. These schools operate either independently or alongside schools for young people and exist in about 40 municipalities. Their mission is to offer flexible study pathways for working‑age adults, and some specialise in particular target groups or fields. They may also offer additional fee‑based education.
Basic skills training for adults—such as literacy, numeracy, digital skills, and Finnish/Swedish language courses—is also provided by liberal adult education institutions, which have received targeted state funding in recent years.
Folk high schools, and in some cases summer universities, summer upper secondary schools and other providers, may also offer basic and upper secondary education for adults. Recognition of studies and grades from these institutions is at the discretion of each education provider.
Folk high schools
Folk high schools are an important part of Finland’s liberal adult education system, offering key learning environments where both adults and young people can develop their skills, strengthen basic competencies and plan future study paths. They provide a wide range of programmes, including year‑long study lines, open university courses, vocational education, basic education, preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification (TUVA) and studies for specific target groups. Studies are typically full‑time and based on community learning, small‑group work and transitional programmes such as the Folk high school year for youth of compulsory education age (Opistovuosi).
Folk high schools also play a significant role in immigrant education. They offer language and basic skills training, integration education and open courses. New national basic skills badges (KAPOS) and digital continuous learning services support the recognition of immigrant learners’ skills and their progression to further studies. Their work promotes accessibility, equality and lifelong learning, as highlighted in recent evaluations and development guidelines.
Many folk high schools operate as boarding schools, providing a communal and safe learning environment. They serve diverse learners, including adults changing careers, students preparing for higher education, young people considering a gap year, and those needing additional support. Courses are also offered to children and youth. Their backgrounds vary, including general, Christian, organisation‑based and special education folk high schools.
Adult education centres
Adult education centres are the largest type of adult education institution in Finland, and they play a significant role within liberal adult education. In 2024, liberal adult education institutions served around 1.776 million learners, with a substantial share attending courses offered by adult education centres. These centres operate in nearly all municipalities and emphasise locally accessible, easily reachable education—often delivered in municipal facilities such as schools, libraries, cultural venues and community centres. Their contribution to accessibility and equality has become increasingly important, as reflected in evaluations for 2025–2026.
Adult education centres provide a wide range of courses for all age groups, including arts, crafts, music, languages, literature, home economics, physical education, ICT and civic subjects. They also offer open university studies, short courses, basic skills training and tailored programmes for municipalities, wellbeing services counties and employers. Development in 2026 is guided by the new national digital continuous learning platform, which centralises information on training and guidance and strengthens the centres’ role in supporting the skills of the working‑age population.
Study centres
Study centres are an important part of Finland’s liberal adult education system and are maintained by civil society organisations such as associations, trade unions, political parties and other third‑sector actors. They focus especially on volunteers and active members of these organisations, and their role in promoting democracy, participation and active citizenship has strengthened in evaluations for 2025–2026.
Training is offered flexibly through courses, seminars, lectures and study circles that support peer learning and community building. Activities often take place in the evenings and on weekends in organisations’ own facilities. Study centres provide a wide range of education that promotes democracy, equality, civic engagement and basic skills. By 2026, their operations have become significantly more digital, with much of the teaching delivered online, improving accessibility and enabling rapid responses to emerging learning and competence needs across the country. This development aligns with broader European trends supporting continuous learning and civic participation through flexible learning opportunities.
Sports institutes
In 2026, sports training centres remain an important part of Finland’s liberal adult education system, operating at both national and regional levels. Their mission is to promote physical activity, wellbeing and health across the population, with a strong focus on low‑threshold exercise opportunities—an aspect highlighted in evaluations for 2025–2026.
Their course offering consists mainly of short 3–5‑day sports courses, activity camps for children and young people, and family courses. They also provide semester‑long basic sports programmes that build exercise and coaching skills, encourage active lifestyles and prepare learners for further studies in the sports sector. In addition, the centres offer continuing training for sports clubs and organisations, coaching education and vocational basic and further qualifications. Companies can also participate in workplace wellbeing and active‑lifestyle training provided by the centres.
Music institutions
In Finland, basic education in the arts is provided in music institutions as well as in other art education institutions. Music is the largest field within basic arts education, and a significant share of pupils study music. Music institutions include music institutes that offer both the general and extended syllabi in music, as well as conservatoires, which also provide upper secondary vocational education and training in music.
Music institutions may also offer basic dance education, and conservatoires can provide upper secondary vocational qualifications in dance. In 2024, there were 97 music institutions in Finland, 42 of which were privately run. Vocational upper secondary education and training in music and dance is also offered by several other vocational institutions across the country, increasing regional availability and enabling students to pursue professional pathways in music or dance.
Summer universities
Summer universities provide wide-ranging, year‑round education across Finland, operating through 31 permanent centres and over 100 local sites. They play a key role in offering regional open university courses and continuing education. Their short courses serve learners of all ages and educational backgrounds, though highly educated adults use them most actively. The course offering spans multiple fields, including culture, arts, languages, education, environmental studies, health sciences and social sciences.
Summer universities have become increasingly digital, with much of the teaching delivered online, improving accessibility and enabling quick responses to changing skill needs. They collaborate closely with higher education institutions and other providers, offering continuing education, public lectures, regional seminars, cultural events and programmes for older adults (University of the Third Age). Their societal importance has grown, as they support lifelong learning, regional access to education and ongoing skills development across the population.
Institutions providing vocational education and training
Accredited education providers in Finland may offer upper secondary and further vocational education and training for both young people and adults. Vocational institutions commonly maintain dedicated adult education units or programmes, and the qualifications available to adults are largely the same as those offered to young learners under the unified, competence‑based vocational education system introduced in 2018.
In addition, the theoretical instruction required in apprenticeship training is typically organised by vocational institutions or vocational adult education centres. These institutions work closely with employers to combine workplace learning with structured theoretical studies, ensuring that apprentices can complete qualification units or full vocational qualifications in line with national competence requirements.
Specialised vocational institutions
Specialised vocational institutions in Finland are providers that have been formally designated as such by the Government. They are primarily owned by businesses or industry‑specific organisations and operate in sectors where specialised, company‑ or industry‑focused training is needed. Around 37 institutions receive state subsidies for their operations.
These institutions mainly offer further vocational training and competence development tailored to the needs of their owner companies or industry partners. Much of the training is designed to upskill employees, support technological or organisational changes, and ensure that companies have access to highly specialised, work‑based competence. In addition to further vocational qualifications, specialised institutions may also provide short targeted courses, professional development programmes, and training linked to specific industry‑wide certifications.
Continuing education centres of universities
Continuing education centres were first established in Finnish universities in the 1970s, and today every university maintains its own centre dedicated to continuous learning. These centres are largely financed through commercial and fee‑based services, and many operate regional units or partner networks outside their main campus locations. They provide vocational continuing education for individuals who already hold a higher education degree and coordinate Open University studies in cooperation with university faculties and various adult education providers. In addition to these centres, some universities also maintain separate Open University units.
Universities of applied sciences
Degree programmes at universities of applied sciences (UAS) can be completed as adult education, and the duration of studies may be shorter for adults, as their prior studies and work experience can be recognised as part of the degree. The unified competence‑based model allows adults to progress flexibly by completing full degrees or individual competence modules.
In addition to degree-oriented education, UAS institutions offer professional specialisation studies (30–60 ECTS credits), which are extensive continuing‑education programmes designed for individuals who already hold a higher education degree, a post-secondary vocational qualification or otherwise have sufficient professional competence. These programmes supplement the Finnish degree system, and certificates are awarded by the university of applied sciences once the studies have been completed successfully.
Counselling organisations
In Finland, national counselling organisations in the fields of crafts, design and home economics continue to provide guidance, advisory services and training for a wide range of learners. These organisations complement the formal adult education system by offering courses and support related to practical skills, creative industries, everyday life management and sustainable lifestyles. Their activities rely on both professional staff and extensive volunteer networks, and they operate not only at the national level but also through regional and local offices.
Crafts and design organisations promote Finnish handicraft and design culture, support creative skills and entrepreneurship, and offer courses and workshops for adults, young people and children. Home economics counselling organisations focus on strengthening everyday skills, household management and sustainable consumption habits, and they provide training for adults, young people and families.
In addition to these, Finland has other sector‑specific counselling organisations—such as those in agriculture and forestry—that receive public funding and provide advisory and training services to meet the needs of their respective fields.
Commercial education and training
There are about 1000 private commercial training organisations in Finland. They are relatively small specialised businesses based on the expertise of a few employees, such as driving schools, language schools and companies providing training in information and communication technology. Private businesses also organise barber, hairdresser and beautician training as well as masseur training, for example. In addition, there are private art, music and dance institutions.
Private commercial organisations do not fall within the public system of funding. They are also not permitted to use the titles of qualifications reserved by the formal education system. Students in the organisations, however, may take part in tests where they can demonstrate their vocational skills and receive the right to use the protected qualification title. The activities of the commercial organisations are controlled by consumer protection authorities.
Geographical distribution of adult education institutions
The geographical accessibility of adult education in Finland is good, as education and training opportunities are widely available across the country. Adult education is offered through a broad network of institutions, including vocational education providers, higher education institutions, liberal adult education centres, folk high schools, study centres and various private or sector‑specific training organisations. Together, these form a comprehensive nationwide system that enables adults to participate in education regardless of their place of residence.
Although distances can be long in Eastern and Northern Finland, accessibility is supported through several policy measures. Students may receive travel-related financial support when attending education, and many institutions offer accommodation options, including boarding arrangements. Folk high schools, in particular, continue to operate as residential learning environments that serve both young people and adults. These measures help ensure that adult learners across Finland have equitable access to education and training, even in sparsely populated regions.