Finland
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
Key features of the education system
Equity in education
A key feature of the national education culture is to ensure equal opportunities for all. Individual support measures are in place to guarantee that every pupil and student can reach their full potential. Differences between schools are small and the quality of teaching is high all around the country. The education system does not have any dead-ends which would affect an individual’s learning career.
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
Aikuislukio
General upper secondary schools for adults provide education for students over the age of 18. Studies are offered flexibly to meet the needs of adult students; classes are mainly held in the evenings, and distance and online courses are available. It is possible to complete the entire general upper secondary curriculum, take individual courses, and improve or supplement grades.
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
General legislation
Act on Public Officials in Central Government 750/1994 / Valtion virkamieslaki 750/1994. The Act provides for state civil service. The aim is to ensure that state duties are performed effectively, appropriately and in a manner that meets legal requirements, and to ensure that civil servants have a fair position in relation to their employers.
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
2026
Finland Develops New Model for Lifelong Learning
Rapid advances in digitalisation and artificial intelligence are changing the skills needed in working life. According to Finland's innovation fund Sitra, skills become outdated faster than before, increasing the importance of lifelong learning.
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
2026
One study place rule enters into force
The one study place rule enters into force in higher education institutions at the beginning of August 2026. This means that a student’s study rights at the same or a lower degree level will be terminated if the student accepts a new study place leading to a degree. As a general rule, a student may have only one valid study place at a time.
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
2026
Learning Support Reform Strengthens Students’ Right to Receive Support in Vocational Education and Training
The reform of learning support in vocational education and training (VET) came into effect on 1 August 2026. The reform strengthens students' right to receive support for learning throughout their studies.
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
2026
Competence guarantee
The Government Programme includes a Skills and competence guarantee in basic education. This refers to defining a minimum level of competence and ensuring that pupils attain it as they progress from one grade to the next in comprehensive school.
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
2026
Working group to strengthen learning and support in ECEC
The Ministry of Education and Culture has appointed a working group to strengthen learning and support in early childhood education and care (ECEC). The group will prepare proposals for revising ECEC legislation and the national core curriculum to ensure continuity in learning and support from ECEC to pre-primary and basic education.
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
Structure of the chapter
This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of national reforms and policy developments since 2023. The web pages that follow group reforms in the following broad thematic areas:
• Early childhood education and care
• General school education
• Vocational education and training
• Higher education
• Adult education and training.
Inside each thematic area, reforms are organised chronologically. The most recent reforms are described first.
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
Finland has many cooperation agreements, programmes and Memorandums of Understanding (MoU). These agreements are bilateral treaties and cover the following fields of competence: