The thematic analysis of FINEEC’s third audit cycle (2018–2024) now available in English – Quality management at Finnish HEIs withstand European comparison
The Finnish Education Evaluation Centre (FINEEC) has published Quality and Impact - the summary of the key findings from the third audit cycle (2018–2024) for Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs). The publication was first published in Finnish in March 2025. This thematic analysis highlights the strengths and improvement areas of 36 audited HEIs, particularly from the perspectives of education, strategic development and societal engagement.
The main conclusion of the third audit cycle is that Finnish HEIs have well-functioning quality systems that meet the European standards for quality assurance in higher education. The quality systems have been developed systematically over a long period, and the principle of continuous improvement has become an established part of institutional operations and development processes. The quality systems of the audited institutions are effective and strategy-driven. None of the audits in the third cycle led to a re-audit.
The results confirm that Finnish higher education institutions maintain strong quality management. As in the previous audit cycle, most evaluation areas were assessed at the level good, notes Mirella Harri, Counsellor of Evaluation at FINEEC.
The audits conveyed a positive picture of the HEIs’ quality work and efforts to improve their activities. The quality cultures of Finnish HEIs are participatory and open.
Monitoring of societal impact requires clearer objectives and indicators
The audits showed that Finnish HEIs have strengthened their role as societal and regional drivers of renewal. Their societal engagement has become increasingly goal-oriented, and their contribution to the development of regional business and work life has grown more significant.
Although institutions collect extensive feedback and monitoring data on their activities, this information could be utilised more effectively. To support evidence-based management, HEIs need clearer objectives and more purposeful data collection. In particular, the monitoring of societal impact requires well-defined goals and indicators that promote the development and communication of the HEIs’ societal impact.
HEIs should further advance competence-based education and feedback on learning
Educational provision in Finnish HEIs is managed systematically. Institutions regularly monitor and evaluate the timeliness and work-life relevance of their educational provision. Degree programmes have defined learning outcomes, and student-centred approaches have become more established. The provision of continuous learning has been expanded and further developed to better respond to the needs of diverse target groups.
HEIs should continue to strengthen competence-based education. In particular, competence-based curriculum design still requires further development. Assessment methods should also be diversified so that students receive more feedback on their learning, says Sirpa Moitus, Counsellor of Evaluation at FINEEC.
In addition, internationalisation, and especially the integration of international students and staff into the higher education community, needs to be improved.
The publication Quality and Impact provides an overview of the strengths and improvement areas in the quality management and operations of Finnish HEIs. The thematic analysis is based on the audit reports of 36 institutions. Approx. 5,000 representatives of higher education leadership and boards, staff, students and stakeholders participated in the audits.
Each audit covered the core functions of HEIs: education, research, development and innovation activities, artistic activities and societal engagement. FINEEC’s audit framework is based on the Standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European higher education area (ESG).
Publication
Authors
Mirella Harri, Mira Huusko, Kati Isoaho, Sirpa Moitus, Kirsi Mustonen & Hilla Vuori
Additional information
Mirella Harri
