Qualifications in Finnish

[Olga]

Does anybody knows the difference between tradenomi and merkonomi? And are there any other qualifications, specific for Finland?

[Hank W.]

Merkonomi is a "Vocational Qualification in Business and Administration", "opistotaso". You get to be one if you study 3-4 years when you are 16 and out of school, or then there is YO-merkonomi that has gone through "Lukio" (has taken the matriculation examination) and then studies some 2 years. Basically in olden days was what you got if you weren't inclined to go study 5-10 years in university for a master's.

Tradenomi comes out of a business polytechnic and has a "bachelor of business administration" degree. The requirements are usually you already have 'merkonomi' papers or the 'lukio' and matriculated and then takes some 3,5 years to get.

I should know, I have both

[Hank W.]

And are there any other qualifications, specific for Finland?

Yes, especially older ones. The list is too long, which field?

artesaani, agrologi, agronomi, diplomi-insinööri,artenomi, ekonomi,iktyonomi,hso-sihteeri ...

[Olga]

Hank, I am so grateful!

Well, if you studied business, perhaps you know better this area. Is there something equivalent to Master in Finnish?

To tell the truth, I thought that merkonomi deals with marketing (markkinointi), and ekonomi - works in the planning department.

[Hank W.]

Yes, the 'Master' is 'ekonomi'. Actually its a title you can use. They graduate from http://www.hkkk.fi/english/default.asp or other 'kauppakorkeakoulu' and are called 'kauppatieteiden maisteri'.