Upper secondary education takes 2 to 4 years to complete. It gives eligibility for polytechnic and university studies. At the end of their education, upper secondary school students usually take the national matriculation examination. In upper secondary schools, students may select courses from other educational institutions, like vocational schools, or even complete a degree there. Students in vocational institutions have the same right.
There are 52 different vocational upper secondary qualifications to choose from. The education normally takes 2 to 3 years. The education provides good basic skills to work in the profession and a more specialised competence in a chosen sector. After completing vocational upper secondary qualifications, students can either to go to work or continue their studies. Vocational skills demonstrations at work and on-the-job learning are included in all vocational upper secondary qualifications. Vocational education can also consist of vocational apprenticeship training and competence-based qualification.
Providers of upper secondary and vocational education need an authorisation to provide education, granted by the Ministry of Education. The majority of upper secondary and vocational education is provided by local authorities, and vocational education in particular is often provided by joint municipal authorities formed by several municipalities. The responsibility for financing is shared by central and local governments.