Eurydice

Adult education covers all levels of education in Finland. Therefore, the requirements and practices of a certain level of education also apply to adult education.

European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development

Early childhood and school education

Learner mobility

In principle, similar tools and methods for internationalisation of the continuing education and training for adults are used as in general and vocational education and training. For example:

Student mobility

There are several mobility programmes available for students. The national administration of the programmes is in the Finnish National Agency for Education EDUFI.

Erasmus+ 

Pupil and student mobility

The pandemic that broke out in spring 2020 has changed the forms of international activities in educational institutions, perhaps even permanently. Although internationalisation at home and virtual internationalisation are increasingly common, the most common form of international work in the schools is still teacher and pupil mobility. Mostly that means different types of visits of varying lengths to learn about schoolwork abroad.

In Finland, international mobility of students and teachers is an essential part of internationalisation of education. The national core curriculum sets internationalization and cultural understanding as one of the key objectives in basic education. Therefore, educational programmes through all levels of education have elements supporting internationalisation. Moreover, students are provided with a variety of possibilities to study or work on a traineeship abroad and to gain knowledge of other languages, cultures and societies.

Information, guidance and counselling services are offered by several operators. Besides public services, also the third sector and private operators offer guidance services. 

The provision of public guidance services falls under the administrative branches of the Ministry of Education and Culture (last accessed 14/1/2026) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (last accessed 14/1/2026). 

Definition of the target group(s)

No specific groups or categories are defined by law as support is offered according to individual needs. The support measures available for young people studying at different education levels are also available for adults. For information on these measures, please see other subchapters in chapter 11. 

Academic guidance

Higher education institutions provide general student advice services to all students. The organisation of the services varies somewhat between the institutions. 

Regarding academic advice, higher education institutions have study affairs secretaries or counsellors in charge of the planning, co-ordination and development of guidance and counselling, editing of study guides and training of student tutors in a given field or programme.