Editing Finland (section)

=== Education and science ===
{{Main|Education in Finland}}
[[File:Oodi July 2019 2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Helsinki Central Library Oodi]] was chosen as the best new [[public library]] in the world in 2019.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654132/helsinki-central-library-oodi-finland/|title=World's Greatest Places: Helsinki Central Library Oodi|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=11 October 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919163457/https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654132/helsinki-central-library-oodi-finland/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Most pre-tertiary education is arranged at the municipal level. Around 3 percent of students are enrolled in private schools (mostly specialist language and international schools).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurydice.org/ressources/Eurydice/pdf/047DN/047_NL_EN.pdf |title=Summary sheets on education systems in Europe |publisher=Eurydice.org |access-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910005807/http://www.eurydice.org/ressources/Eurydice/pdf/047DN/047_NL_EN.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2008 }}</ref> Formal education is usually started at the age of 7. Primary school takes normally six years and lower secondary school three years.

The curriculum is set by the [[Ministry of Education and Culture (Finland)|Ministry of Education and Culture]] and the Education Board. Education is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 18. After lower secondary school, graduates may apply to trade schools or [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasiums]] (upper secondary schools). Trade schools offer a [[vocational education]]: approximately 40% of an age group choose this path after the lower secondary school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=FIN |title=Vocational Education in Finland |date=18 November 2013 |access-date=9 May 2014 |author=UNESCO-UNEVOC |archive-date=13 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513011254/http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/worldtvetdatabase1.php?ct=FIN |url-status=live }}</ref> Academically oriented gymnasiums have higher entrance requirements and specifically prepare for [[Abitur]] and tertiary education. Graduation from either formally qualifies for tertiary education.

[[File:Lc3 2018 (263682303) (cropped).jpeg|thumb|upright|[[Linus Torvalds]], the Finnish [[Software engineering|software engineer]] best known for creating the popular [[Open-source software|open-source]] kernel [[Linux]].]]

In tertiary education, two mostly separate and non-interoperating sectors are found: the profession-oriented polytechnics and the research-oriented universities. Education is free and living expenses are to a large extent financed by the government through [[student benefit]]s. There are 15 universities and 24 Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scholarshipsineurope.com/list-of-university-in-finland/ |title=List of University in Finland |website=scholarshipsineurope.com |access-date=4 August 2018 |date=July 2017 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826214500/https://www.scholarshipsineurope.com/list-of-university-in-finland/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.studyinfinland.fi/where_to_study/universities_of_applied_sciences |title=Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland |website=studyinfinland.fi |access-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808092603/http://studyinfinland.fi/where_to_study/universities_of_applied_sciences |archive-date=8 August 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[University of Helsinki]] is ranked 117th in the Top University Ranking of 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top University Ranking of 2025: University of Helsinki |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-helsinki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102111112/http://topuniversities.com/university/258/university-of-helsinki |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref> [[List of universities in Finland|Other reputable universities]] of Finland include [[Aalto University]] in [[Espoo]], both [[University of Turku]] and [[Åbo Akademi University]] in [[Turku]], [[University of Jyväskylä]], [[University of Oulu]], [[LUT University]] in [[Lappeenranta]] and [[Lahti]], [[University of Eastern Finland]] in [[Kuopio]] and [[Joensuu]], and [[Tampere University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.study.eu/best-universities/finland|title=The top 9 best universities in Finland: 2021 rankings|website=study.eu|access-date=23 November 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130210546/https://www.study.eu/best-universities/finland|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[World Economic Forum]] ranks Finland's tertiary education No. 2 in the world.<ref>{{cite web |author=World Economic Forum |author-link=World Economic Forum |title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2019.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920154137/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2013-14.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2018 |access-date=28 March 2025 |page=236}}</ref> Around 33% of residents have a tertiary degree, similar to Nordics and more than in most other OECD countries except Canada (44%), United States (38%) and Japan (37%).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2006/art_2006-07-06_001.html |title=Tilastokeskus.fi |publisher=Tilastokeskus.fi |access-date=6 March 2011 |archive-date=9 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509105843/https://www.tilastokeskus.fi/artikkelit/2006/art_2006-07-06_001.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, 38% of Finland's population has a university or [[college degree]], which is among the highest percentages in the world.<ref>Sauter, Michael B. (24 September 2012) [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world.html;_ylt=AlaWy8IcyeBaviKi7_.WJyhE6odG;_ylu=X3oDMTJrY2d2NGZyBG1pdANDeFMgRmluYW5jaWFsbHkgRml0IEFydGljbGUgQXJ0aWNsZSBCb2R5IFByb2QEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNjdGVoaXJqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDY2IyOTRhMGEtYmY2OS0zYTdlLThlYTUtZWFlNTU3YWI1ZTc3BHBzdGNhdANleGNsdXNpdmVzfGZpbmFuY2lhbGx5Zml0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=3?page=1 The Most Educated Countries in the World] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820025707/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-most-educated-countries-in-the-world.html;_ylt=AlaWy8IcyeBaviKi7_.WJyhE6odG;_ylu=X3oDMTJrY2d2NGZyBG1pdANDeFMgRmluYW5jaWFsbHkgRml0IEFydGljbGUgQXJ0aWNsZSBCb2R5IFByb2QEcG9zAzMEc2VjA01lZGlhQXJ0aWNsZUJvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTNjdGVoaXJqBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDY2IyOTRhMGEtYmY2OS0zYTdlLThlYTUtZWFlNTU3YWI1ZTc3BHBzdGNhdANleGNsdXNpdmVzfGZpbmFuY2lhbGx5Zml0BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQ--;_ylv=3?page=1 |date=20 August 2016 }}. Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 18 May 2016.</ref><ref>[https://newsfeed.time.com/2012/09/27/and-the-worlds-most-educated-country-is/ And the World's Most Educated Country Is...] . ''Time''. (27 September 2012). Retrieved 18 May 2016.</ref> Adult education appears in several forms, such as secondary evening schools, civic and workers' institutes, study centres, vocational course centres, and [[folk high school]]s.<ref name="LOC" />

More than 30% of tertiary graduates are in science-related fields. Forest improvement, materials research, environmental sciences, neural networks, low-temperature physics, brain research, biotechnology, genetic technology, and communications showcase fields of study where Finnish researchers have had a significant impact.<ref name="innovation">{{cite web|first=Kari |last=Sipilä |title=A country that innovates |url=http://www.finland.cn/Public/default.aspx?contentid=99637 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707031053/http://www.finland.cn/Public/default.aspx?contentid=99637 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |work=Virtual Finland |publisher=Ministry for Foreign Affairs / Department for Communication and Culture / Unit for Promotion and Publications / Embassy and Consulates General of Finland in China |url-status=dead }}</ref> Finland is highly productive in scientific research. In 2005, Finland had the fourth most scientific publications per capita of the OECD countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.research.fi/en/performance/scientific_publication.html |title=Scientific publication—Finnish science and technology Information Service |language=fi |publisher=Research.fi |date=15 November 2007 |access-date=3 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113085004/http://www.research.fi/en/performance/scientific_publication.html |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}</ref> In 2007, 1,801 patents were filed in Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.research.fi/en/performance/patents/patents_with%20numbers |title=Patents with numbers—Finnish science and technology Information Service |language=fi |publisher=Research.fi |date=8 December 2009 |access-date=4 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011194752/http://www.research.fi/en/performance/patents/patents_with%20numbers |archive-date=11 October 2009}}</ref>