Finnish Polytechnics

Polytechnic studies are a practically oriented alternative to university education and give the students excellent professional skills – theoretical knowledge combined with career skills.

Polytechnic institutes aim to raise the level of vocational training and flexibly respond to the training needs of students and the fast developing working world.

The Finnish non-university sector of higher education (i.e. polytechnic institutes) started to take shape with an experimental project launched in 1991. In ten years the Finnish polytechnics have created a strong and professionally oriented network of higher education institutions and today they provide higher-level education for about 100 000 students.

International education is one of the main activities of the polytechnics. The number of foreign degree students at Finnish polytechnics is approximately 3 000. With the growth of academic exchange, international networks in research and development will also grow. Internationalisation serves an instrument for both professional and for regional development.

Arene: Finnish Polytechnics; Theory and practice in balance