Ammatilliset oppilaitokset ja lukiot

"The one who is afraid to ask is ashamed to learn."
(Danish saying)

Secondary education comprises upper secondary schools and vocational training colleges. Applications for secondary education are welcome in the spring and again in the autumn. People who do not possess a school-leaving certificate from the Finnish comprehensive school must use the ’Joustava valinta’ form.

More Information

The application period for many educational institutions is often long before the beginning of the next term. You should also reserve time for acquiring a language proficiency certificate. There may be a separate application period for foreign students. You should find out well in advance about how to apply to study!

Who provides counselling?

Schools have study counsellors who provide information about studying in your own school. They also give information on other educational institutions and how to apply to study in them.

You can use the pages of Opintoluotsi  to look for information on places that provide counselling on education in different life situations. You can also contact educational institutions directly for information.

Upper Secondary School

Education in the Upper Secondary School (lukio) usually takes three years. A school-leaving certificate from comprehensive school is required to get into an upper secondary school. At the end of the upper secondary school the students take a Matriculation Examination (ylioppilastutkinto). People who have taken the matriculation examination have better opportunities to become accepted into institutes of higher education.

National Board of Education – Guide to Post-comprehensive Education : Information on upper secondary schools under ’Lukiokoulutus’.

Adults can also obtain a qualification in an institution of secondary adult education.

Upper Secondary Level Vocational Training

Upper Secondary Level Vocational Training usually takes approximately three years. Preparatory Education for Initial Vocational Training, which facilitates entry into vocational training, is available for immigrants.

Before vocational education, it is possible to study an extra year of basic education on the “tenth grade”.

Information on Vocational Institutes for Different Fields (Opintoluotsi)

Information on Different Professions (Ministry of Employment and the Economy)

After vocational education, you can also continue studying at polytechnics or institutes of higher education. A vocational degree does not automatically guarantee a right for further studies, but you must apply for one. Passing an entrance examination is often required. Consult the study counsellor of your school for more information.