Teacher education in Finland Finland’s high level of education and competence is based on high-quality teacher education. The profession of a teacher is regulated, and the qualifications required from teachers are defined in legislation.
The statutes in question list the studies,
kindergarten teachers, whose qualification
of independent problem-solving and
qualifications and work experience estab-
requirements include a bachelor’s degree.
have the capacity to utilise the most
lished as qualification requirements for
In Finland, teacher education is a popu-
recent research in the fields of education
different teaching posts. In Finland,
lar field of study, and higher education
and the subjects taught. Using these skills,
the majority of teachers (some 88%) fulfil
institutions are in a position to select the
the teacher is able to independently de-
the requirements set for their position.
most well-suited and the most motivated
velop both him or herself as a teacher and
The Finnish National Board of Education
applicants for their programmes.
his or her work community in cooperation
issues decisions concerning the recogni-
Higher education institutions decide
tion of foreign teaching qualifications in
on student admissions and admission
Finland.
criteria independently. Entrance tests of
Predominantly female profession
with the rest of the staff of the educational institution. Teacher education offered at
universities are used to assess aspects
universities provides the student with
such as academic studying skills and
capabilities for acting independently as a teacher, instruc-
aptitude for the
tor and educator.
Approximately 63,500 teachers work in
profession. In the
basic education and the upper secondary
admissions process
level (general upper secondary school and
for professional
vocational education and training) and
teacher education,
in liberal adult education. The majority
the areas assessed
of teachers are women. Out of teachers
include competence
working in basic education, more than
and expertise in
70% are women; the corresponding figure
the specific field of
for vocational education and training is
teaching, to be dem-
slightly more than a half. The majority of
onstrated through
teachers are employed by municipalities.
work experience and qualifications.
Higher education institutions
In Finland, higher education insti-
of teaching taking into account develop-
tutions decide independently on the
ments in the world of work and different
contents of teacher education. The link
professions.
decide on student admissions and the contents of the education
Higher education institutions decide independently on the contents of teacher education.
The objective of professional teacher education is to provide the student with the skills and knowledge to guide the learning of different students and
between teaching and research is em-
the capabilities to develop his or her field
All teacher education also involves
themselves
phasised in the education. The objective
pedagogical studies and guided teaching
In Finland, teachers are required to have
is to produce teachers with a research-
practice, which is implemented in the
a master’s degree with the exception of
orientation in their work who are capable
universities’ own schools for teaching
Ministry of Education and Culture | Teacher education in Finland | 1/2014