The education system in Åland
![Utbildningssystemet på Åland](/sites/default/files/styles/content_size_800/public/images/Utbildningssystemet%20p%C3%A5%20%C3%85land19444.jpeg?itok=4iPOdRBw)
In addition, you will find direct links to all schools in Åland providing post-comprehensive education. You can also find information on Swedish language courses for persons with a mother tongue other than Swedish.
Swedish is the language of instruction at all schools in Åland.
Adult education is provided at the upper secondary and higher education level.
Pre-school education
In Åland pre-primary education is part of day care for 6-year-olds. You can get information on pre-primary education from the municipality where you live in Åland.
Basic education
Education is compulsory for all children in Åland. Compulsory education means that the child is obliged to complete the basic education syllabus. Compulsory education can be completed in a municipal comprehensive school or through home schooling. Compulsory education begins in the year the child turns seven. Comprehensive education is free of charge, meaning that teaching materials, pupil welfare, meals, teaching, and in some cases school transport are provided at no cost. Basic education is provided in all municipalities in Åland. The schools generally consist of grades 1-6 or grades 1-9. Under the law, the school year has at least 188 working days and starts approximately in mid-August and ends in the first week of June each year.
Home schooling
You do not need a permit to do your compulsory education at home. Before each school year, the guardian must submit a written notification to his or her home municipality that compulsory education will be in the form of home education, as well as a plan for how the education will be organized. The guardian is then also responsible for organizing the child’s studies and for the child’s progress. However, the municipality is required to monitor the progress of a child However, the municipality is obliged to monitor the progress of a child who does not attend school. The child's progress is assessed at the end of each term.
You can read more about home schooling on the website of the Government of Åland
Higher education
The Åland University of Applied Sciences is a higher education institution providing education leading to a vocational degree.
Upper secondary schools
Åland Upper Secondary School provides general upper secondary education or basic vocational post-comprehensive education. Anyone who has successfully completed basic education in a Nordic country is entitled to apply for upper secondary education in Åland via the Åland combined student admissions system.
Other education
The Åland Institute of Music provides education in music and dance. Studies at the Institute of Music provide the basic skills in music for further studies at a conservatory or music academy.
The Open University offers courses at university and higher education level. The courses are open to all and there are no formal requirements of previous education or work experience.
The Citizens’ Institute (Medis) is an education centre offering a wide range of educational services.
Bel Canto organises courses in the summer and autumn. Applications are made via their website.
Bild- och Formskolan is a non-profit parents’ association which, with financial assistance from the Government of Åland, provides creative activities mostly for children of pre-school age, comprehensive school pupils and young people.
Åland Apprenticeship Centre runs apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are practical education at the workplace alternating with theoretical studies.
Swedish for immigrants
In order e.g. to prepare for further studies in a Swedish-language school, the Citizens’ Institute (Medis) offers language courses for persons with a mother tongue other than Swedish.
Nordic agreement on admission to higher education
The Nordic agreement on admission to higher education guarantees all Nordic residents the opportunity to apply for public higher education in another Nordic country on the same or equivalent conditions as the country’s own inhabitants. Under the agreement, equivalent education completed in another Nordic country is credited in the Finnish higher education degree. Completed courses are evaluated by the receiving educational institution. It is recommended that you find out in advance what documents higher education institutions in Finland need to credit studies.
More information
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