Level of education

The category in which education leading to a qualification or degree is divided on the basis of the requirement level.

Note 1: selection to education on a particular level of education often requires completion of a lower level of education.
Note 2: the level of education is measured on the basis of both the overall duration or target time of the education and the requirement level.
Note 3: levels of education: early childhood education (duration varies), primary education (6 years), lower secondary education (3 years, in total 9 years from the beginning of primary education), upper secondary education (3 years, in total 12 years from the beginning of primary education), post-secondary non-tertiary education (1-2 years, in total 13-14 years from the beginning of primary education), lowest level tertiary education (2-3 years, in total 14-15 years from the beginning of primary education), Bachelor's or equivalent level (3-4 years, in total 15-16 years from the beginning of primary education), Master's or equivalent level (5-6 years, in total 17-18 years from the beginning of primary education) and doctoral or equivalent level (2-4 years, in total 19-22 years from the beginning of primary education).
Note 4: the level of education indicator cannot be calculated directly on the basis of the duration presented in this concept.

The data on education are based on Statistics Finland's Register of Completed Education and Degrees.

Six categories are used for the level of education in vital statistics: basic level, upper secondary level, lowest level tertiary, lower-degree level tertiary, higher-degree level tertiary and doctorate or equivalent level. Educational level is measured by the duration of education.

Those with basic level qualifications have had at most nine years of education, with leaving certificates from primary schools, middle schools and comprehensive schools.

Those having completed the upper secondary level of education have spent 11 to 12 years in education. These qualifications include matriculation examination, vocational qualifications attained in 1-3 years and further vocational qualifications.

Lowest level tertiary education lasts 2 to 3 years after upper secondary education. Examples of these qualifications include qualification of technician engineer, diploma in business and administration and diploma in nursing, which are not polytechnic degrees. Those having completed lower-degree level tertiary education have had 3 to 4 years of education after upper secondary education.

Lower-degree level tertiary education comprises polytechnic degrees and lower university degrees.

Higher-degree level tertiary education comprises education with a duration of 5 to 6 years after upper secondary education. This type of education leads to higher university degrees (master's degree) and specialist's degrees in medicine.

Completion of doctorate or equivalent level tertiary education requires independent research work or doctorate theses fit for publication. The degrees are scientific licentiate and doctorate degrees.