The vice-rectors of universities in Finland have have mapped out changes to national entrance examinations that will see future testing digitised, changed in content and significantly reduced in number.

Exams in several fields of study in the common selection process will launch electronic exams as early as next spring.

Entrance examinations in medical fields, biomedicine, biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as psychology and speech therapy, will be conducted in digital form, on a trial basis, for the first time.

The tests were held digitally last spring in the fields of education, biology and environmental sciences, pharmacy, geography, forestry, and computer science.

Fewer exams

The number of examinations is also to be reduced as the current system is overly cumbersome for both applicants and universities. Since numerous entrance examinations test the same knowledge and skills, combining examinations will lighten the admission process.

Also, the role of entrance examinations as part of student admissions has changed, as approximately half of new students are certificate-based admissions. The criteria for certificate-based admissions are being reviewed, but the current criteria will remain valid at least up until spring 2025.