The Finnish education system is an egalitarian Nordic system and charges no tuition fees for full-time students. Attendance is compulsory between the ages of 7 and 16, and free meals are served to pupils at primary and secondary levels. The first nine years of education (primary and secondary school) are compulsory, and the pupils go to their local school. The education after primary school is divided into a vocational and an academic system. The latter can then be followed by university studies. Finland has a wide range of international schools in Helsinki and in some other major towns.