Adult Education
Training for adults is available at all levels of education, whether you want to complete a degree, enhance your professional skills, or study for personal enjoyment. Most adult students study alongside their jobs, and training is offered during the day, in the evenings, and on weekends. The forms of study include traditional classroom instruction as well as flexible online and distance learning options.
Distance studies for adult high school consist of independent study guided by a teacher, utilizing networks and other information and communication technology tools. Community-based learning methods are also used in distance education. Adults are offered, among other things:
– Vocational basic degrees, vocational qualifications, and specialist vocational qualifications (including apprenticeship training)
– Bachelor’s degrees from universities of applied sciences
– University education
– Basic education (primary education, literacy instruction, and final stage studies)
– Upper secondary education
If you have not completed your basic education and need a certificate of completion to continue to upper secondary school or vocational training, you can participate in adult basic education. This training is also aimed at adults who are immigrants and wish to improve their reading and writing skills, mathematics knowledge, and understanding of Finnish society.
Adults can start basic education from the autumn semester of the year in which they turn 17. The training typically lasts 1-2 years, but its duration is determined individually based on the student’s progress and prior knowledge.
Through the studies, you can complete the entire curriculum of basic education, individual subjects, raise your grades, or complete introductory studies. Applications are made directly to the educational institution offering the training, which sets its own application deadlines and selection criteria. For more information, you can visit Opintopolku and the websites of the institutions.
Once you receive your certificate of completion for basic education, you can apply for vocational training or upper secondary school.
Adult upper secondary education provides an opportunity to strengthen general education and deepen knowledge about people, cultures, nature, and society. The training supports critical and independent thinking, as well as an understanding of the complex phenomena and interdependencies of life. Adult upper secondary education may include:
– Completing the upper secondary school curriculum
– Completing individual subjects or study modules
– Completing the matriculation examination or parts of it
– Other general education or thematic studies
The education is organized flexibly to meet the needs of adults. Read more and apply here.
As an immigrant, you can participate in various educational programs in Finland depending on your prior education. Key options include:
– Integration training
– Adult basic education
– Preparatory education for qualifications (TUVA)
– Upper secondary education
– Vocational education (basic degree, vocational degree, special vocational degree)
– Higher education
For studies, you usually need a residence permit, the requirements for which are:
– You have received a study place in Finland.
– Your studies last more than 90 days.
– Your studies lead to a degree or profession.
EU citizens must register their right to reside but do not need a residence permit. Asylum seekers can apply for education and, once studies begin, can apply for a residence permit based on studies, which requires the withdrawal of their asylum application.
The Employment and Economic Development Office (TE services) offers support for integration and employment, including guidance, integration plans, and integration training. In integration training, you will learn Finnish or Swedish and get acquainted with Finnish society and working life.