Man this thread was hard to name, better suggestions are welcome.
This topic continues to elude clarity for me, so I decided to start a discussion about it. Let's see if this will help me to better understand especially the system United States is using.
For a quick start I created a chart illustrating Finnish system.
All degrees are free. You receive financial support starting from second degree, and can receive said support indefinitely if you choose to gain several professions. Financial support for third degree is more restricted so students would be motivated to graduate in time, but in reality as your studies stretch you simply switch from one form of financial aid to another.
There are no age restrictions after basic degree, you're never too old to go back and get further free education.
Second degree studies can be mixed, meaning you can get a profession in one school and also bury your head in books in another. This however leads to generally narrower education in both fields, as the duration is the same.
In third degree such compromises don't exist, you can only gain entrance to one school per year, but you can apply for another school later and try to balance both simultaneously. Additionally there are Open Academies where anyone can take courses, those cost but can advance your main studies in subjects that are not directly available in your school. *drops a huge pile of more exceptions* You love studying? Come to Finland!
TL;DR In what kind of layers is education sorted in your country? Can someone explain for the last time how American College/University system compares to Finnish structure?
@Hugsim is there differences between Finnish and Swedish systems?
