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.