Home > Statistics > Students and qualifications > 2006 > Almost 1.3 million students aim at a qualification or degree

Published: 19 January 2007

Almost 1.3 million students aim at a qualification or degree

Correction to release made on 19 Jan. 2007. Figures for 2000 and 2001 on qualifications in upper secondary general school education corrected on 25 Jan. 2008.

In 2005, the total number of students in education leading to a qualification or degree was 1,260,000, almost half of whom attended comprehensive school education, almost one-third vocational or upper secondary general education and one-quarter polytechnic or university education. The total number of students in education leading to a qualification or degree has been growing throughout the 2000s, but the direction of the development has varied in different sectors of education. In comprehensive and upper secondary general school education the number of students has fallen as age cohorts have grown smaller. By contrast, the number of students attending vocational education has been going up continuously as vocational education intended for adults has increased. In university education and especially in polytechnic education the rate of growth in the number of students has slowed down. Preliminary data for autumn 2006 also indicate that the development in the different educational sectors is likely continue in the same direction as described above. These data derive from education statistics compiled by Statistics Finland.

The total number of qualifications and degrees attained in 2005 was 197,000, which is good one per cent more than in the year before. The average age for passing matriculation examination was 19, and the median age for attaining a vocational qualification was 21. On the average, polytechnic degrees were obtained at the age of 26, and higher university degrees at the age of 27.

Students in education leading to a qualification or degree and attained qualifications and degrees 2000-2006

Students/qualifications Sector of education	Year						20 Sept. 2006 (preliminary data)
	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005
Students
Comprehensive school education	593,451	595,727	597,356	597,414	593,148	586,381	578,900
Upper secondary general education	130,032	128,642	124,644	121,816	120,531	118,111	118,000
Vocational education1)	159,884	160,115	166,809	174,813	l   230,823	243,398	l   195,5003)
Polytechnic education	114,020	118,013	126,767	129,875	131,919	132,783	132,600
University education 2)	157,796	162,939	164,312	169,846	173,974	176,061	176,600
Total	1,155,183	1,165,436	1,179, 888	1,193,764	l   1,250, 395	1,256,734	l  1, 201,6004)
Attained qualifications or degrees
Comprehensive school education	65,937	63,747	61,450	60,831	63,828	63,755
Upper secondary general education	35,9355)	35,5685)	36,524	35,512	35,022	34,408
Vocational education	55,477	52,545	52,041	54,079	56,678	58,197
Polytechnic education	14,178	18,045	20,462	20,588	20,821	21,397
University education	16,845	16,822	17,708	18,197	18,293	19,176
Total	188,3725)	186,7275)	188,185	189,207	194,642	196,933
1) The coverage of data on students in vocational education changed in 2004. Data on education preparing for a complete-based qualification and those on apprenticeship training concern whole calendar year while in the past they described the situation on the cut-off date of 20 September. Data on vocational education institutions' curriculum-based education leading to vocational qualifications concern the situation on 20 September for all years. Preliminary data also relate to the cut-off date. 2) For 2000-2001 the data describe the situation on 31 December and from 2002 onwards the situation on 20 September. 3) For 2005, the respective preliminary figure for number of students in vocational education is 190,700. 4) For 2005, the respective preliminary figure for number of students in education leading to a qualification or degree is 1,205,600. 5) Figures corrected on 25 Jan. 2008. Previously (on 19 Jan. 2007) published figures in upper secondary general school education were 35,886 for 2000 and 35,508 for 2001; total for 2000: 188,323 and total for 2001: 186,667. l Data on either side of the line are not fully comparable.

These statistics apply harmonised concepts and classifications to draw an overall picture of education leading to a qualification or degree. Although the statistics contain data on all sectors of education, the main emphasis is on post-comprehensive education. Related data on each educational sector are also published on Statistics Finland's website.

Source: Education Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ms Riikka Rautanen +358 9 1734 2375, Ms Irma Suovirta +358 9 1734 3280,koulutus.tilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Ms Riitta Harala

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Last updated 25.1.2008