Education in Finland is divided into three main stages - comprehensive school (primary grades 1-6 and secondary grades 7-9), vocational school or upper secondary school, and high-level studies. Comprehensive school is free and provides preschool, elementary, and secondary education. Students then choose either vocational school which focuses on a trade over 3 years or upper secondary school which takes 2.5-4 years and prepares students for university or polytechnic. High-level studies include university programs or polytechnic programs, which are accessed after vocational or upper secondary qualifications and lead to highly skilled jobs. Throughout the education system, students receive free school meals and healthcare.

1. Education in Finland

2. COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL
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Before primary school
children go to preschool education.
After that children go
to elementary school
(classes 1-6).
Then children go to
secondary school
(classes 7-9).

3. AFTER COMPREHENSIVE
SCHOOL…
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
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There are different kinds of
classes to choose, for
example a barber, a builder,
a car mechanic, a chef, an
electrician…
Vocational school takes 3
years.
After that you have a trade
and you are ready to work.
If you want to continue
studying after vocational
school, you can go to
polytechnic.
UPPER SECONDARY
SCHOOL
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You have to pass the
required and elective
courses, at least 75.
In the last year you have
matriculation
examination. Then you
graduate.
Upper secondary school
takes 2,5-4 years.
After that you are ready to
go to an university or a
polytechnic.

4. Loimaa upper secondary school

5. Loimaa vocational school

6. HIGH-LEVEL STUDIES
University
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You can go to university
after upper secondary
school.
In university you can
study almost whatever
you want.
After that you are highly
educated and you will get
a good job.
Polytechnic
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You can go to polytechnic
after vocational school or
upper secondary school.
In polytechnic you can
study many things about
different jobs.
After that you will get a
little bit better job.

7. GENERAL THINGS ABOUT
SCHOOL IN FINLAND
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We get a school meal every day and it is
free.
We have a free health care in school and
also a psychologist.
In comprehensive school we have free
education, books, pencils and other stuff.
After primary school we have to buy books
and everything else by ourselves, but the
education and food is still free.