Education in Kuopio
Preschooling
Preschooling (esiopetus, in Finnish) is arranged for all six-year-olds before school begins. The teaching is free.
Daycare Services
Centre for Social and Health Services
Minna Canthin katu 24
3rd floor
70100 Kuopio
tel. (017) 186 111
Comprehensive (basic) Education for Immigrants
Teaching for immigrants is arranged at Männistö School (7 to 12 years) and in Linnanpelto School and Hatsala Classical School (13 to 16 years). Teaching in the mother/native language of the child continues throughout the time at comprehensive school.
There is a class taught in English in Rajala School and a class taught in German in Pohjantie School. In Jynkänlahti School, a class is taught in Russian.
Immigrant pupils with sufficient Finnish language skills study in other comprehensive schools.
More info on comprehensive schools (peruskoulut).
High schools
In Kuopio, there are six high schools (upper secondary schools, lukio). Kuopion Lyseo school has an English-language International Baccalaureate programme (pre-university school diploma). In other high schools studying is carried out in Finnish.
Vocational schooling
Kuopio has several vocational schools, e.g. Savo Consortium for Education (Savon ammatti- ja aikuisopisto).
Acculturation education is provided for immigrants in Kuopio. The teaching initiates studies in the Finnish language and acquaints adult learners with society and working life.
Higher education
In Savonia University for Applied Sciences (Savonia-ammattikorkeakoulu) you can study different professions. In University of Kuopio (Kuopion yliopisto), you can study for example biotechnology, biosciences and medicine.
Adult education
In Kuopio, adult education is offered for example by Savo Consortium for Education (Savon ammatti- ja aikuisopisto), Community College of Kuopio (Kuopion kansalaisopisto), Kuopio Adult High School (Kuopion aikuislukio, in Finnish) and the Summer University of Kuopio (Kuopion kesäyliopisto).
How to finance your studies?
If you are a student at e.g. a vocational school or university, you are entitled to financial aid for students (opintotuki).