Every teacher in Finland holds a Master’s degree as a minimum requirement. Teacher training is organised in a unique way at eight universities throughout Finland. The universities are autonomous, but they have something in common: every student teacher participates in a teaching practice at a university teacher training school. The teacher training schools, which belong to the universities’ faculties of education, play a central role in the training of prospective teachers. University-based teacher training programmes in Finland are very popular. In 2016, over 6600 applicants competed for the 660 available slots in primary school preparation programmes. There are 8000 teacher trainees studying in the Finnish teacher training schools, and every year around 3000 student teachers complete their teaching practice at these institutions.
Not only are student teachers expected to become familiar with the knowledge base of education and human development; they are also required to write a research-based dissertation as the final requirement for their Master’s degree. Finland’s teacher training programmes reflect the high status of teachers and the professional reputation of the teaching profession.
