Administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture

The administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture comprises 11 agencies and two limited liability companies in addition to the Ministry itself. Furthermore, there are various corporations, foundations and expert bodies within the Ministry’s administrative branch.

Issues related to education and science policy are dealt with by the National Board of Education, the Matriculation Examination Board, the Student Financial Aid Appeal Board, the Research Council of Finland, the National Archives of Finland, the Finnish Education Evaluation Centre, the Institute for the Languages of Finland, and the National Repository Library.

Issues related to cultural policy are dealt with by the National Board of Antiquities, the Governing Body of Suomenlinna, the National Audiovisual Institute, the national library for accessible literature and publishing Celia, and the Arts Promotion Centre Finland.

Regional administration and local decision-making

Within regional state administration, issues related to education, culture, sports and youth services as well as EU structural funds and regional development are dealt with by the Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI) and the Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY).

Local authorities and joint municipal authorities are responsible for education and cultural services. Universities, which are either corporations under public law or foundations under private law, operate in different parts of the country. Museums, theatres and orchestras produce cultural services both locally and regionally.

Furthermore, there is an abundance of different civil society activities going on especially in the fields of culture, sports and youth work. The Ministry of Education and Culture supports these activities.

Government agencies and public bodies within the administrative branch of the Ministry of Education and Culture:

National Archives of FinlandLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
National Audiovisual Institute Link to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Institute for the Languages of FinlandLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Finnish Heritage AgencyLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Finnish National Agency for EducationLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab Link to an external websiteand under it Finnish Education Evaluation CentreLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab and Matriculation Examination BoardLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab and The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and EmploymentLink to an external website
Student Financial Aid Appeal Board Link to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Research Council of FinlandLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Governing Body of SuomenlinnaLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Central Arts Council, national arts councils, and regional arts councils Link to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
National Repository LibraryLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Accessibility Library CeliaLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab

Limited liability companies

CSC-IT Center for ScienceLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab
Equine CollegeLink to an external websiteOpens in a new tab

Other Actors

Regional State Administrative Agencies and Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment in education-related duties
Universities of applied sciences
Universities and their teacher training schools
National institutions for culture and arts
Organisations and foundations
Various councils, advisory boards, committees and boards

Contact information

Iiris Patosalmi, Ministerial Adviser 
Ministry of Education and Culture, Kansliapäällikön esikunta Telephone:0295330250   Email Address: