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04.08.2008, 14:05 |
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The Finnish education system is made up of the comprehensive school, general and vocational secondary education, and higher education. Children between ages 7 and 16 are required to attend the comprehensive school. Students may then go on to the upper secondary school education that lasts 3 years or to the vocational school that lasts approximately 3 years. Higher education in Finland consists of two parallel sectors: universities and polytechnics that are also called universities of applied sciences. Universities are characterised by scientific research and the highest education based thereon. Polytechnics are oriented towards working life and base their operations on the high vocational skill requirements set by it. Polytechnic-level post-graduate degree programmes are being trialled during 2002-2005. One of every two Finns has completed post comprehensive school education and 14 percent have a university degree. The literacy rate in Finland is very close to 100 percent. Adult education is organised in more than 1,000 institutions for ca. one million students annually. Adults are offered education leading to initial qualifications or certificates achieved through, for example, open university studies, and preparatory training for competence-based examinations. Other significant forms of adult education include continuing and further training to update, diversify and consolidate vocational competences, and a variety of skill-oriented, social and purely recreational studies.
More information: http://www.oph.fi/english Finland once again came out top in the OECD's latest PISA study of learning skills among 15-year-olds, with high performances in mathematics and science matching those of top-ranking Asian school systems in Hong Kong-China, Japan and Korea. Finland already led in the PISA 2000 reading assessment, and in PISA 2003 it maintained its high level of reading literacy while further improving its performance in mathematics and science. More than 250,000 students in 41 countries took part in PISA 2003m the second three-yearly survey of its kind. The main focus in PISA 2003 was on mathematics, but the survey also looked at student performance in problemsolving, science and reading and at students' approaches to learning and attitudes to school.
More information: www.oecd.org Quote from "VET in Finland" (pdf-document) pages 6-7 |
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25.10.2005, 02:00 |
 The system of music education in Finland is unique. There are more than 100 music schools, that provide goal-oriented music acitivities for children and young people. These hobby-based studies ground the base for further vocational studies. The studies in music schools include instrumental studies, music theory, solfege and ensemble playing. For these studies, a music school charges minor tuition fee.
A music school has two levels: basic level (music school) and a music institute level. The basic level is usually carried out by the age of sixteen. It provides the skills needed for vocational secondary school. After finishing the basic level, one is able to continue her/his studies at the music institute level, which also prepares for higher education (universities and polytechnics). The study time at a music institute level is approximately four years.
Vocational secondary education (Vocational Qualification in Music, 120 credits) is organised by conservatories. From a conservatory, a student graduates as a upper secondary level musician. The entry to the higher level music studies requires finished studies either at an upper secondary school and a music institute level or at a vocational secondary school. The higher education level of music is provided by five universities and ten polytechnics in Finland. From a polytechnic a student graduates as a bachelor of music and from an university as a master of music. The Sibelius Academy in Helsinki is the only music academy in Finland. It gives the highest level of education in music, providing also postgraduate studies. |
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24.10.2005, 02:00 |
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1. General information
Often professionals in music started their studies in music when they were children. It requires continuous practice and responsibility to maintain skills and capabilities. The quality and skills requirements in the field are growing and the job descriptions of its professionals are diversifying. Society and the changing operating environment set their own requirements. For this reason, those who work in the field must have a strong occupational identity and the ability to meet challenges. The work also requires skills in the planning of work assignments and development of one’s own work and competence in relation to the developing music culture. In addition, the field of music often requires capabilities to function as independent entrepreneurs or self-employed people.
Study Programmes
The Vocational Qualification in Music is divided into two study programmes. Students on the Study Programme in Music Performance may specialise as Church Musicians, Singers, Accompanists or Ensemble/Orchestra Musicians. Students on the Study Programme in Instrument Maintenance and Music Technology may specialise either as Music Technologists or Piano Tuners. The field can be studied at conservatories, or the qualification may also be completed in the form of apprenticeship training and as a competence-based qualification in accordance with the vocational qualification system for adults.
Jobs
The jobs in the field differ according to the study programme and specialisation. Jobs for church musicians are usually available through parishes. Singers and accompanists or orchestra musicians can find employment as providers of music services, for example. Piano tuners tune and maintain upright and grand pianos and harpsichords. Music technologists work in assignments related to music recording and sound reproduction as well as information technology in music. The employment situation in the field of music has been good, but not many permanent jobs are being created. However, it is estimated that cultural entrepreneurship will also increase jobs in the music field and related fields, such as media, entertainment, tourism and restaurant fields.
Further Studies
Completion of the upper secondary vocational qualification provides general eligibility for further study. Further study places include polytechnics, where students graduate as Musicians and Music Teachers (Bachelors of Cultural Studies). Students may also continue their studies at universities, where it is possible to complete a lower (Bachelor’s) or higher (Master’s) academic degree.
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24.10.2005, 02:00 |
2. Study programme in Music Performance: Musician (120 credits /3years)
CORE SUBJECTS (general studies)
Obligatory
Native language 4c Second official language 1c Foreign language 2c Mathematics 3c Physics and Chemistry 2c Social studies 1c Physical and health education 2c Arts and culture 1c Additional courses: (0-4 credits)Native language 4c Second official language 1c Foreign language 2c Mathematics 3c Physics and Chemistry 2c Social studies 1c Physical and health education 2c Arts and culture 1c Environmental studies Computer skills Ethics Cultural knowledge Psychology Entrepreneurship
VOCATIONAL STUDIES
Which include the minimum amount of 20 credits of "on-the-job-learning"
1. Vocational studies (90 credits/3 year)
Basic skills in the music field (10 credits)
- history of music 2 c
- afro-american music 1 c
- finnish folk music 1 c
- musical instruments 1 c
- computer skills 2 c
- orientation to studies 1,5 c
- ergonomics 2 c
- communication skills 0,5 c
Understanding of music (15 credits)
- solfège (level D) 2 c
- solfège (level C) 2 c
- harmonization 2 c
- computer skills in music 2 c
- theory of harmony 4 c
- theory of music 3 c
Instrumental skills (30 credits)
- solo studies, main instrument 27 c
- solo studies, subsidiary instrument 3 c
Ensemble and orchestral skills (20 credits)
- orchestral skills 8-12 c
- chamber music 3-12 c
- lied/accompaniment 8-12 c
- choral singing 4-12 c
- prima vista 1-3 c
Functioning in different working environments as musicians (5 credits)
- general knowledge of working environments 2 c
- projects 3 c
2. Optional vocational studies (10 credits)
- Development of instrumental skills 5 c
- Development of ensemble and orchestral skills 5 c
- Composition and arrangement 5 c
- general secondary school studies 5-10 c
3. Free-choice studies (10 credits)
for instance - high school studies 1-10 c
- history of music 2 c
- history of music 2 c
- counterpoint 3 c
- music analysis 3c
- finnish popular music 1 c
- articulacy 1 c
- musical instrument structure and service 0,5 c
- alexander technicque 0,5 c etc.
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13.10.2005, 12:34 |
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Information about Finland Studies at Polytechic (Central Ostrobothnia Polytechnic) More about vocational education in Finland |
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