Home > Statistics > Progress of studies > 2006 > Matriculation examination attained by nearly 90 per cent and vocational qualification or tertiary degree attained by over 70 per cent of students who start studies

Published: 8 May 2008

Matriculation examination attained by nearly 90 per cent and vocational qualification or tertiary degree attained by over 70 per cent of students who start studies

According to Statistics Finland, nearly 90 per cent of the students who started upper secondary general school in 2000 had attained a matriculation examination by the end of 2006. During the same period, 72 per cent of the students in vocational education attained a vocational qualification. By the end of 2006, polytechnic degrees were attained by 71 per cent of the students who entered polytechnic education eleven-and-a-half years ago. During the same period, roughly 75 per cent of the new students at universities attained a lower or higher university degree.

In a short-term examination the pass rate in different sectors shows more variation. In three-and-a-half years the pass rate of a matriculation examination was close to 80 per cent and that of an initial vocational qualification was 61 per cent. In four-and-a-half years polytechnic education aimed at young people was passed by 40 per cent of the new students. New students' pass rate of a university degree in five-and-a-half years was 32 per cent.

In vocational education the highest pass rates after three-and-a-half years from the start of studies were in the fields of the humanities and education, where a qualification had been attained by 69 per cent of students. The lowest pass rate, at 47 per cent, was in the field of natural sciences. Among the students who started polytechnic studies in 2002, the highest pass rate after four-and-a-half years was in the field of welfare, health and sports, where it stood at 66 per cent. The lowest pass rate, at 20 per cent, was in the field of technology and transport. Of the students who started their studies in 2001, relatively the highest numbers of higher university degrees were attained by the end of 2006 by students in the fields of social sciences, economics and administration, while relatively the lowest number of degrees were attained by students of technology and transport.

In all sectors of education men's pass rate is lower than that of women. In upper secondary general and initial vocational education men's pass rate is only a few percentage points lower than that of women, whereas the difference is much bigger in university level degrees. Eleven-and-a-half years after starting studies 64 per cent of men had attained a polytechnic qualification, while the corresponding percentage for women was 78 per cent. A higher or lower university degree was attained in eleven-and-a-half years by 67 per cent of men and 82 per cent of women.

Pass rate by educational sector in different reference periods by the end of 2006

Source: Education Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Ms Anna Loukkola +358 9 1734 3678, koulutus.tilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mr Jari Tarkoma

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Last updated 8.5.2008