Upper secondary education - yhteiskuntaorientaatio.fi
General upper secondary school provides broad general education and prepares for higher education studies
After comprehensive school, studies are continued in upper secondary education, i.e., general or vocational upper secondary education. General upper secondary education offers general knowledge and prepares for future studies at a university or a university of applied sciences. The purpose of general upper secondary education is, among other things, to provide students with the knowledge, skills and competences necessary for their work and recreation. The education prepares students for lifelong learning and continuous self-development.
With a general upper secondary education certificate and a certificate of matriculation, you are eligible to apply to higher education in Finland and abroad. It is also possible to apply to education leading to an International Baccalaureate (IB). IB gives the same eligibility for further studies as a Finnish matriculation examination.
The school year usually follows the same schedule as the comprehensive school. Studies are divided into modules and study periods and students plan their own schedule. Most studies are mandatory. In addition, students choose studies according to their own interests.
General upper secondary education usually lasts three years, but it can also be completed slower or faster. Studies cannot usually take more than four years.
Education in upper secondary schools is usually free of charge for students at compulsory education age, i.e., under 18 years of age. Individual courses may be subject to a fee. Meals in the school cafeteria are free of charge for the students.
In general upper secondary school, many subjects, such as native language, foreign languages, second national language (Finnish or Swedish), mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, religion or ethics and social sciences, as well as physical education, music and visual arts.
More information on general upper secondary education: General upper secondary school (infofinland.fi)
More information on applying: Applying for general upper secondary school (infofinland.fi)
Students’ learning is assessed with numerical grades
In general upper secondary education, students receive a numerical grade for the study units and modules they complete. The grade describes how well the student has progressed during the study unit and met its objectives. The highest grade is 10 and the lowest is 4 (fail). Students have the right to improve their grades by retaking exams or assignments. Once students have completed the entire syllabus, they receive a general upper secondary education certificate.
The matriculation examination is completed during upper secondary school studies
During general upper secondary education, students complete the matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto). The matriculation examination is the same throughout Finland. It includes tests in native language and literature, second national language, foreign languages, mathematics, and humanities and natural sciences. Humanities and natural sciences include, for example, history, physics, biology, psychology, religion or ethics, philosophy, geography and health education. In certain cases, native language and literature test can be taken in Finnish or Swedish as a second language.
The matriculation examination is held twice a year, every spring and autumn. When a student completes the matriculation examination, they must pass at least five tests altogether.
The matriculation examination grades are in Latin, and usually the abbreviations are used in practice. The accepted grades, starting from the best, are L, E, M, C, B, A. Failed test is marked with an I. After completing the entire syllabus, the students receive the general upper secondary education certificate in addition to the matriculation examination certificate.
A vocational upper secondary qualification will give you skills for various tasks within an industry
In vocational education and training (VET) you get to study theory and practical skills for various tasks within an industry. In addition, the vocational upper secondary qualification (ammatillinen perustutkinto) offers skills for entrepreneurship as well as knowledge and skill required for further study. There are 42 different upper secondary VET qualifications, and you may study such trades as hairdressing, practical nursing, driving, car repair, electrical work or ICT support. The most popular areas of education are technology, health and wellbeing.
Studying at a vocational school is free of charge for young people. Students of compulsory education age, i.e., under 18 years of age, receive free textbooks from the educational institution as well as other materials necessary in their trade, and free hot meals. Adult education may be subject to a fee.
You can apply for VET via joint application or continuous application on the Studyinfo.fi website. The joint application is organized annually in February and March and is primarily intended for young people who complete upper secondary education or preparatory education. In continuous application, you can apply for vocational education and training throughout the year.
The vocational institute may organize an aptitude test for applicants in some fields. An entrance examination may include, for example, a written test, an interview, advance assignments, practical assignments or psychological tests.
If a student has not completed comprehensive school in Finland, they must usually prove that they have adequate Finnish or Swedish language competence to study in a vocational institute.
More information on applying for vocational education and training: Applying for vocational education and training (infofinland.fi)
There are different ways to complete vocational education and training
Vocational education and training can be completed in many ways, and there are study opportunities for both young people and adults. There are vocational special needs education institutes and vocational special education in mainstream institutes for students who regularly need support due to learning difficulties, disability or illness.
Vocational qualifications include initial, further and specialist vocational qualifications. They can be obtained by studying in a vocational institute or at workplace through apprenticeship or training agreement. Those who have completed a vocational upper secondary qualification (initial qualification) can apply for further studies at a university of applied sciences or a university or take a vocational or specialist vocational qualification.
In all vocational qualifications, competence is also acquired at workplaces in practical work. Competence is demonstrated in the workplace and demonstration is assessed against the qualification requirements.
More information on vocational education: Vocational education and training (infofinland.fi)
A student with a training agreement learns in the workplace
The training agreement (koulutussopimus) is an arrangement in which the student acquires competence in the workplace doing practical work. Students are not employed at work and do not receive salary. A training agreement can be used to complete one or more units of qualification or a smaller part, but not the whole qualification.
In an apprenticeship, the entire qualification can be completed at a workplace
Apprenticeship (oppisopimus) means that the student learns through work and studying alongside work. Apprenticeship is a fixed-term employment contract with an employer which also requires an agreement between the employer and the educational institution that organises the training. Students need to find a suitable job themselves. During the workdays, the student receives a normal salary. The studies typically include 1 to 4 days of studying at the educational institution.
In apprenticeship you can complete a whole vocational qualification, one or more vocational units, or parts of units. Apprenticeship usually lasts from 1 to 3 years. The duration depends on the student’s previous skills. At the workplace, the student is appointed a workplace instructor, who guides and evaluates the student’s progress and acts as a contact person for the educational institution.
The vocational upper secondary qualification includes vocational and common units
The vocational upper secondary qualification is an initial vocational qualification, intended for persons without previous training in the field. During studies, students acquire the knowledge and skills needed in the field and the competence to work independently. Upper secondary qualification selection includes such fields as business and administration; technology industry and services; social, health and welfare services; information and communication technologies; arts and hospitality. Students usually complete a vocational upper secondary qualification in three years.
Vocational education and training is based on the qualifications requirements, which are drawn up by the Finnish National Agency for Education (OPH). For the most part, students concentrate on knowledge, skills and competences required for the work in each field. On-the-job learning is an important part of the studying, so studies are partly carried out in workplaces.
The upper secondary qualification also includes general education, i.e., common units (YTO). Some units are mandatory and some optional. These units include native language and other languages, information and communication technology, mathematics, physics and chemistry. They also include, for example, physical education and working life skills. Common units are useful when applying for further studies.
When the studies begin, the institute prepares a personal competence development plan (HOKS) with each student. It is a student’s individual study and career plan. Also, agreements concerning guidance and support are recorded in HOKS.
The student actively participates in the planning and receives guidance and counselling during their studies. Guidance and counselling are particularly important for students with learning difficulties or life management issues. Guidance and counselling help the student to complete the studies, support the student and enhances the development of professional skills.
Competence is demonstrated and assessed in the workplace
In vocational upper secondary qualifications, the student’s competence is usually assessed in the workplace during on-the-job learning periods. The student demonstrates in practice that they are able to perform certain tasks. This way they demonstrate how well they have achieved the skills or competences defined in the qualification requirements.
One unit can include one or more demonstrations (näyttö), and the student can get a certificate of a partial completion of a qualification. Vocational units are assessed on a scale of 1 to 5, of which 5 is the best. Common units are assessed on pass / fail scale.
General and vocational upper secondary education can be completed at the same time
General and vocational upper secondary education, matriculation examination and vocational qualification can be completed within the same studies. This is called a double degree or parallel studies. General upper secondary education is taken in general upper secondary school for adults (aikuislukio). The students study there for two days a week. Vocational upper secondary education takes three days a week. A double degree is usually completed in 3.5 years.
Preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification (TUVA) prepares you for upper secondary education
During TUVA (preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification), it is possible to improve your study skills or competence on the language of instruction. In TUVA, you can raise your comprehensive school grades if needed for entering further studies. In addition, students can complete some general or vocational upper secondary units.
TUVA lasts up to one year. During TUVA you will get to know different secondary education options. It is possible to transfer from TUVA directly to vocational or general upper secondary education. TUVA is open for learners under 18 and adults. You can apply for a student allowance from Kela. TUVA is free of charge and is applied for via a joint application or continuous application.
More information about the TUVA training: