Finnish universities resist degree title reform in education ministry plan

Finnish higher education institutions have reacted cautiously to the Ministry of Education and Culture’s reform proposal, which aims to raise the share of adults with a higher education degree from under 40% to 60% by the 2040s, Yle reports.

The plan also includes restructuring vocational university (AMK) degrees to follow a bachelor’s and master’s framework, a move that has divided opinion.

Universities oppose the change, fearing it would blur the distinction between academic and vocational higher education. The Universities Finland (Unifi) association stated that the system should develop based on the distinct roles of universities and universities of applied sciences, strengthening cooperation between them rather than standardising degree titles.

Turku University Rector Marjo Kaartinen warned that adopting university-style degree titles in AMKs would effectively turn them into universities, creating a two-tier university model Finland cannot afford.

Helsinki University Rector Sari Lindblom said AMK degree titles could be updated if current names fail to reflect the content or multidisciplinary nature of the education—but not by adopting bachelor’s and master’s titles.

Vocational universities, however, support the reform. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences Rector Susanna Niinistö-Sivuranta argued that standardising titles would improve comparability and clarify that AMK degrees are equivalent to university degrees, despite their different foundations.

Tampere University of Applied Sciences Rector Mika Hannula noted that internationally, Finnish AMK degrees are already seen as bachelor’s and master’s equivalents, making the current domestic distinction unusual.

The 60% target is seen as ambitious. Kaartinen said achieving it would require increasing international student intake and study places, stressing that education must be treated as an investment, not a cost. Hannula added that encouraging vocational graduates to pursue higher education could help meet the goal.

Hannele Keränen, Vice Rector of Oulu University of Applied Sciences, highlighted the lack of short-cycle higher education (level 5) in Finland’s system, suggesting this gap could be addressed to raise overall education levels.