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Education in Finland: school stages, the matriculation examination, university entry and driving licensing

A guide to the Finnish school system, the matriculation examination, upper secondary school, university entry, and driver theory licensing.

Written from public sources, last updated October 2026

In short

Education in Finland is publicly funded and organised by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education, while municipalities run most schools. Teaching, school meals and basic materials are free for pupils in basic education. After basic education, young people choose between general upper secondary school (lukio) and vocational education. The final examination of general upper secondary school is the matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto), which is the same national examination for all students, set and graded by a central board. Students who pass it are called ylioppilas and receive the white student cap.

School stages

  1. Early childhood education and pre-primary education: Children can attend day care from an early age. Pre-primary education is for the year before school and is compulsory.
  2. Basic education (peruskoulu): Nine years, usually from age 7 to 16, in one comprehensive school system without separate academic tracks. Pupils study Finnish or Swedish, mathematics, a foreign language, natural sciences, history, social studies, arts, crafts and physical education.
  3. Upper secondary education: General upper secondary school (lukio) or vocational upper secondary education. Since 2021 compulsory education continues until the student turns 18 or completes an upper secondary qualification.
  4. Higher education: Universities (yliopisto) offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and universities of applied sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu) offer professionally oriented degrees.

General upper secondary school

The lukio normally takes about three years. Students plan their own studies within a course system, and they take compulsory courses together with optional ones. The studies prepare students for the matriculation examination, which they usually take in the second and third year. The school gives its own certificate, and the matriculation examination certificate is issued separately by the Matriculation Examination Board.

The matriculation examination

The ylioppilastutkinto is held twice a year, in spring and in autumn, and it is taken on computers. The Matriculation Examination Board (Ylioppilastutkintolautakunta) prepares the tests, and teachers and trained examiners grade the answers.

The student takes at least four tests. The test in the mother tongue (Finnish, Swedish or Sámi) is compulsory. The student then chooses three more from these: the second national language, a foreign language, mathematics and a general studies test that covers the humanities and the sciences. Mathematics and the languages can be taken at different levels, such as an advanced or a basic level in mathematics, so students choose according to their plans for further study. A student can spread the tests over several exam periods, within the limits set by the rules.

Each test is graded on a seven-step scale: laudatur (L), eximia cum laude approbatur (E), magna cum laude approbatur (M), cum laude approbatur (C), lubenter approbatur (B), approbatur (A) and improbatur (I), where improbatur is a fail. The certificate lists the grade for each test. Tests in the mother tongue include a text skills part, with essays and analysis of texts, and mathematics tests include problems on algebra, functions, calculus, geometry, probability and statistics. In the history part of the general studies test, students discuss events, sources and causes.

Driver examination and road safety in Finland

Driver examination in Finland is regulated by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) and administered through Ajovarma testing centers. The Category B driver qualification requires passing a standardized digital theory examination (B-teoriakoe) and a practical driving test under the Finnish Road Traffic Act (Tieliikennelaki 729/2018). The theory test evaluates essential understanding of priority-to-the-right rules, speed limits (50 km/h in settlements, 80 km/h on rural roads, 100/120 km/h on motorways), roundabouts, road signs and markings, mandatory winter tyre regulations, wildlife hazards (such as moose and reindeer), black ice recognition, and emergency procedures.

Admission to higher education

Admission to higher education is organised through a national joint application on the Studyinfo service. Universities and universities of applied sciences select students in several ways: some use the grades of the matriculation examination, some use entrance examinations, and many use a combination of the two. The weight that the tests carry differs between fields, so applicants should check the requirements of each programme. Holders of a vocational upper secondary qualification are also eligible for higher education.

Students from other countries apply separately through the same service, and they need to document their previous education and their language skills. Many master's programmes in Finland are taught in English, and the language requirements are listed with each programme.

Languages in school

Finland has two national languages, Finnish and Swedish, and schools teach in either of them, and in some places also in Sámi. Pupils learn the other national language and at least one foreign language, and English is the most common foreign language. The matriculation examination can therefore be taken in Finnish or in Swedish, and the tests are offered in both languages.

Practising on GetMyMockTest

These are practice questions we wrote for study. They are not the official exams, and we do not claim they match an exam's current format. Free practice for Finland:

  • Matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto-finland): mathematics, advanced mathematics (pitkä matematiikka), Finnish language and literature, and history of Finland, with timed mock tests and flashcards.
  • Driving theory examination (traficom-driving-finland): Category B theory test preparation covering Finnish Road Traffic Act (Tieliikennelaki) rules, intersection priority, road signs, markings, winter driving, wildlife hazard awareness, and emergency safety.
  • Finnish general knowledge (gk-fi): history and politics, geography and nature, and science, arts and culture.

Practise for your pathway

Practise for the ylioppilastutkinto (matriculation examination), the IB Diploma and English tests with free timed mock tests, flashcards and an explanation for every answer. Pick your pathway below.

Questions people ask

What is the matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto)?
It is the national final examination of general upper secondary school in Finland. It is prepared and graded by the Matriculation Examination Board and gives eligibility to apply to higher education, together with the upper secondary school certificate.
Which tests are compulsory in the matriculation examination?
The test in the mother tongue is compulsory. The student then chooses at least three further tests from the second national language, a foreign language, mathematics and the general studies test.
How is the Finnish driving theory examination structured?
The Category B driving theory test is administered by Ajovarma on behalf of Traficom under the Finnish Road Traffic Act. Candidates must demonstrate knowledge of right-of-way, speed regulations, traffic signs, winter tyre rules, and emergency hazard response.
How are the matriculation tests graded?
Each test is graded on a seven-step scale from laudatur, the highest grade, down to improbatur, which is a fail. The steps are L, E, M, C, B, A and I.
How long is basic education in Finland?
Basic education lasts nine years, usually from age 7 to 16. Compulsory education now continues until the age of 18 or until an upper secondary qualification is completed.
How do I apply to a Finnish university?
Applications are made through the national Studyinfo service. Programmes select students on the basis of matriculation examination results, entrance examinations, or both, and the rules differ from programme to programme.
Can I study in English in Finland?
Yes, many master's programmes and some bachelor's programmes are taught in English. Each programme lists its own language requirements and application rules.

Sources

Rules and dates in education systems change. Check the official website of the exam or school before you decide.