Compulsory education of a child who lives permanently in Finland begins in the year they turn seven. Compulsory education ends when the student reaches the age of 18 or if they complete an upper secondary qualification (matriculation examination or vocational qualification) or an equivalent foreign education before that.
The period of compulsory education may be extended due to a disability or illness. Adults may complete the basic education syllabus for example at a general upper secondary school for adults, a folk high school or an adult education centre.