Career Colleges and Vocational Schools in Finland

In Finland, vocational education and training (VET) is part of upper secondary education: after nine years of basic education, young people choose either general upper secondary school or vocational upper secondary education. VET is also designed for adults already in working life who want to retrain or upskill. It is provided by vocational institutions that hold a permit from the Ministry of Education and Culture, and it is developed together with employers.

For international students, Finnish VET is a practical, work-based route into a trade or profession, but it is mainly taught in Finnish or Swedish. According to the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), VET is primarily intended for people who have access to the Finnish labour market. SpainExchange currently lists one school in this category in Finland: Helsinki Summer School, an academic summer programme organised by universities in the Helsinki area rather than a VET provider.

Qualifications and how studies work

Finland has three types of vocational qualification, all competence-based:

• vocational qualification (initial, EQF level 4)
• further vocational qualification (EQF level 4)
• specialist vocational qualification (EQF level 5)

There are 160 vocational qualifications in total, and every one of them gives eligibility for higher education at universities of applied sciences and universities. Students can complete a full qualification or individual units. Studies take place mainly at the institution, with on-the-job learning included, or as apprenticeship training at a workplace. Students show what they have learned by demonstrating their skills in real work tasks.

Language of instruction

VET is mostly offered in Finnish and Swedish, the official languages of the qualifications, and only some qualifications are available in English. Initial teaching may be given in another language where qualified teachers are available, but the competence demonstrations and the qualification certificate are always completed in Finnish or Swedish. Learning one of the two languages is therefore a practical requirement for most programmes.

Admission

Anyone can apply for vocational education: no specific residence status or citizenship is required, and the education provider decides on admission after assessing whether the applicant can complete the studies. There are two routes:

• the joint application in February and March, mainly for young people finishing basic education
• continuous admission, which allows applications throughout the year, for a full qualification or for units

About 40% of students finishing basic education in Finland apply to vocational education and training. Students from outside the EU who study in Finland for more than 90 days need a residence permit for studies, which can be granted when the studies lead to a degree or a vocational qualification. Students in vocational education usually receive a temporary (B) permit and must have sufficient funds for the whole period of the permit. Apprentices need a work-based residence permit instead.

Costs

From August 2026, students from third countries (outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland) who come to Finland to study must pay tuition fees in vocational education and training. The Ministry of Education and Culture sets the rule that the fees must at least correspond to the average cost of the training, and each provider sets its own fee, so the amount can differ even for the same qualification. Exchange students who study in Finland for up to one year do not pay tuition fees. Students from the EU and EEA are not covered by these fees.

How to choose a programme

• Language: Finnish, Swedish or one of the few English-taught qualifications
• Qualification level: vocational, further or specialist qualification
• Study mode: school-based training or apprenticeship at a workplace
• Admission route: joint application in spring or continuous admission
• Costs: the tuition fee charged by the provider for non-EU students, and living costs
• Next steps: every qualification gives access to higher education, if you plan to continue at a university of applied sciences

Frequently asked questions

Can I study vocational education in Finland in English?

Only some vocational qualifications are offered in English. Most VET is in Finnish or Swedish, and the competence demonstrations and certificates are always completed in Finnish or Swedish.

Do international students pay tuition fees for vocational training in Finland?

Yes, students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who come to Finland to study and start on or after August 2026 pay tuition fees set by each provider. Exchange students staying up to one year do not.

Does a Finnish vocational qualification give access to university?

Yes. All 160 Finnish vocational qualifications give eligibility for studies at universities of applied sciences and universities.

How do I apply for vocational training in Finland?

Through the joint application in February and March or through continuous admission during the year. The education provider decides on admission.