NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Opistoaste/institutnivå
Post-secondary level (also called ‘college/institute level’) of the vocational education. Vocational higher education; most of
the education will be gradually upgraded to AMK institutions. The qualifications are called Opistotutkinto/examen på
institutnivå.
Tiede- ja taidekorkeakoulut/vetenskaps- och konsthögskolor
Institutions in the university sector; literally ‘scientific and art universities’.
Tohtori/doktor
Doctor’s degree, the highest degree awarded by the universities. The studies for tohtori/doktor include a doctoral thesis, or
tohtorinväitöskirja/doktorsavhandling, which is published and must be defended in a public debate. It is possible to take the
degree in four years.
Tutkielma/avhandling
The thesis required for university degrees, e.g. kandidaatintutkielma/ kandidatavhandling for the new lower kandidaatti, and
maisterintutkielma/magisteravhandling (also called pro gradu) for the higher maisteri.
Ylempi korkeakoulututkinto/högre högskoleexamen
The second university degree, the higher academic degree (Master’s level). Requires five years (minimum) of full-time study,
or two years after a lower degree.
Yliopisto/universitet
University; the university sector comprises multifaculty universities, specialised institutions and art academies, i.e. tiede- ja
taidekorkeakoulut.
Ylioppilastutkinto/studentexamen
Matriculation examination taken during the second half of the three-year general upper secondary school (lukio). Students
who pass this national examination are eligible for university education. The certificate given is called
ylioppilastutkintotodistus/studentexamensbetyg.