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Published: 18 June 2009

A record number of university degrees were completed in 2008

According to Statistics Finland, a total of 38,200 university degrees were completed in Finland in 2008. The number of degrees was 71 per cent higher than in the year before. The rise in the number of degrees is explained by the university degree revision. The transition period of the degree revision ended in summer 2008, apart from in the fields of technology and medicine, where it ends in 2010. The number of completed degrees rose both at the lower and the higher degree level. The number of lower level tertiary degrees was 13,900 and that of higher level tertiary degrees 21,800. Completed degrees at the doctorate level numbered 1,500. Their number was unchanged from the previous year. Women completed 64 per cent of all university degrees.

Examined by field of education, the largest numbers of degrees were attained in humanities and natural sciences. Women completed 81 per cent of the degrees in humanities and 51 per cent of those in natural sciences.

Foreign students completed 1,070 degrees, of which 16 per cent were at the doctorate level. Foreign students attained the largest numbers of degrees in science and technology, and in natural sciences. Women completed 41 per cent of all degrees attained by foreign students.

Completed university degrees by region 2008

Region	Total	Men	Women
Uusimaa	13,624	5,297	8,327
Varsinais-Suomi	4,711	1,476	3,235
Satakunta	453	167	286
Kanta-Häme	146	32	114
Pirkanmaa	4,205	1,614	2,591
Päijät-Häme	53	9	44
Kymenlaakso	105	15	90
South Karelia	880	520	360
Etelä-Savo	532	88	444
Pohjois-Savo	1,364	374	990
North Karelia	2,386	848	1,538
Central Finland	3,595	1,044	2,551
Ostrobothnia	1,706	580	1,126
North Ostrobothnia	3,126	1,274	1,852
Kainuu	219	43	176
Lapland	1,106	255	851
Total	38,211	13,636	24,575

Source: Education Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Vesa Hämäläinen +358 9 1734 2594, koulutustilastot@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mr Jari Tarkoma

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Last updated 18.6.2009