Family Matters - relocating to Tampere with family
Hidden Gems activities for spouses
We at Tampere University wish to aid the spouses of our researchers to find their place in the Finnish society and working life. Hidden Gems activities are designed to empower international spouses whose partners have been hired to work in Tampere region.
Education in Finland
Daycare and early education
All children are entitled to receive early childhood education before they reach school age in Finland. The goal is to support children’s development and well-being. They learn, for example, social and manual skills and gain different types of information. A lot of playtime and outdoor activities are included, too. Daycare is funded by tax and therefore highly affordable. The fee depends on your family income.
Parents can choose the day care form that best suits their child:
- Municipal day care or family care: all children under school age are entitled to receive municipal day care
- Taking care of the child at home
- Private day care, or
- Play club activities
Preschool and basic education
Preschool education is organized by the municipal authority and is intended for all children under school age one year before basic education. Preschool education usually starts during the year when the child turns six. Preschool education is mandatory.
Basic education in Tampere is provided mainly in city-maintained comprehensive schools. Compulsory education consists of basic education, i.e. completing grades 1-9.
In addition to Finnish, basic education in Tampere is also available in French, German, English and Swedish.
Upper secondary education and vocational training
In upper secondary schools, the same subjects are studied as in comprehensive school, but the studies are more demanding and independent. At the end, students usually take the matriculation examination. Upper secondary school takes 2–4 years, depending on the student. After finishing, students are eligible to apply to universities, universities of applied sciences or upper secondary school based vocational education.
Read more on upper secondary schools in Tampere
Vocational education is more practice-oriented than upper secondary school education. Completing a vocational qualification takes about three years. After this, students can continue their studies to complete a further vocational qualification or a specialised vocational degree. On-the-job learning is an essential part of the qualification.
Higher education
After finishing upper secondary studies, you can progress to higher education. In Finland, higher education is provided by universities and universities of applied sciences.
Studying in an institute of higher education may be free or subject to a charge, depending on whether you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen or not.
Universities of applied sciences
The education provided by universities of applied sciences is more practice-oriented than that offered by universities. Tuition also includes on-the-job learning. Completing a Bachelor’s degree in a university of applied sciences takes 3.5–4.5 years.
Studyinfo - Finnish Universities of applied sciencesTampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK)
Universities
Education offered by universities is based on scientific research. Completing a Bachelor’s degree in a university takes about three years and Master’s degree about two more years.