tutkintoa

Tutkinto is the Finnish term for a formal degree or qualification earned after completing an education or training program. The noun has several related senses, including an academic degree conferred by a university or a university of applied sciences, and a professional qualification issued by a regulatory body. The form tutkintoa is the partitive singular of tutkinto and is used when the degree is the object of a sentence, for example, hän suorittaa tutkintoa (“he is pursuing a degree”).

In the Finnish education system, higher education institutions award degrees at different levels. Universities typically grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and may confer doctoral degrees after research and a dissertation. Universities of applied sciences (AMK) provide corresponding bachelor and master degrees with a stronger emphasis on applied competencies. Degree titles and requirements are coordinated with the European Higher Education Area through the Bologna Process, aiming for compatibility across member countries.

Professional qualifications also involve tutkinto-like credentials. Some professions require a specific degree for practice or licensure, such as teaching, nursing, or law. In such cases, national authorities assess and recognize degrees, including foreign qualifications, to ensure standards.

Documents: A degree certificate (tutkintotodistus) is typically issued upon graduation and lists the degree title, field of study, awarding institution, and graduation date. In international contexts, degree certificates may be translated and evaluated to establish equivalence with domestic qualifications.

Overview: Tutkinto denotes a recognized credential signaling completed study or training. Its use and interpretation vary by level—academic degrees, professional qualifications, and the associated documentation form the core of the concept in Finnish education and employment contexts.