Päättötodistus

Päättötodistus is an official document issued by Finnish schools to certify that a student has completed a particular level or program of study. It functions as proof of completion rather than as a degree or diploma.

The term is most commonly associated with the end of basic education (peruskoulu), where the peruskoulun päättötodistus is issued when a student finishes the ninth grade. It is also used for other educational pathways, such as upper secondary education (lukio) and vocational training, where a corresponding completion certificate is provided.

Contents of a päättötodistus typically include the student’s name and date of birth, the name of the school or program, the date of completion, and information about the completed studies. The certificate may display final grades or a summary of completed credits, or it may provide only a statement of completion, depending on the level and institution. It is signed by an authorized school official.

Issuing and use: The certificate is issued by the educational institution, often automatically when a program ends or on request. It serves as official proof of completed studies and is commonly used when applying to further education, apprenticeships, or employment. For university admissions, it may be used in conjunction with other documents such as matriculation results, depending on the country and institution.

International use: When an official document is required abroad, translations or legalization (such as an apostille) may be necessary, depending on the destination and its institutions.