Ylikoulua

Ylikoulua is a Finnish term that literally translates to "higher school" or "university." It refers to tertiary education institutions in Finland, encompassing universities and universities of applied sciences (polytechnics). These institutions offer a wide range of academic and professional degrees.

Universities in Finland, known as "yliopisto," are primarily research-based and award academic degrees such as Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees. They focus on fundamental research and offer a broad spectrum of disciplines. Universities of applied sciences, or "ammattikorkeakoulu" (often abbreviated as AMK), are more professionally oriented. They provide polytechnic education and award Bachelor's and Master's degrees with a strong emphasis on practical skills and direct application in the workforce.

Admission to ylikoulua is typically competitive and based on matriculation examination results, entrance exams, or previous academic performance. Finnish ylikoulua is largely publicly funded, making tuition fees for Finnish and EU/EEA citizens free at most institutions. International students may incur tuition fees depending on the institution and program. The system aims to provide accessible, high-quality education to foster innovation and societal development.