Guide to general upper secondary school studies

1. What is general upper secondary school and the general upper secondary education system

In the Finnish education system, students continue to upper secondary education after elementary and lower secondary education. Compulsory education currently lasts until age 18, meaning that all students must apply to further education after lower secondary education: either upper secondary education or preparatory education for programs leading to an upper secondary qualification (TUVA education). Upper secondary education includes upper secondary school and vocational school. Students apply to these after the end of lower secondary education through the national joint application. In some upper secondary schools, it is possible for students to pursue a specific program, such as sports or music studies.  

Upper secondary education provides general education, where the subjects taught in elementary and lower secondary education are studied further. Upper secondary education does not prepare students for any specific occupation, rather, students are taught more common-knowledge information and skills. After upper secondary education, it is possible to apply to further studies at a university of applied sciences, university or vocational education. Upper secondary education studies are theoretical, but also include practical and art subjects, as in lower secondary education (e.g. physical education, music, art). The recommended duration for upper secondary education is 3 years, but the studies can also be extended to 4 years. At the end of upper secondary school, students take the matriculation exams and graduate after completing their matriculation. If the student does not take part in the matriculation exams, they can receive a general upper secondary education certificate. You can apply to a university of applied sciences with a general upper secondary education certificate, but not for a university. 

2. General upper secondary school studies

The study units of upper secondary school are divided into compulsory and elective study units. The number of compulsory study units depends on whether the student chooses the basic or advanced syllabus for mathematics: in upper secondary school, students who choose the basic mathematics syllabus must complete 94 compulsory study credits and those who choose the advanced syllabus must complete 102 compulsory study credits. Students must complete at least 20 study credits of national elective studies. However, students must complete a total of at least 150 study credits during upper secondary school, which may include school-specific study units in addition to the national compulsory and elective studies. 

The upper secondary school year consists of five periods, meaning that students’ class schedules change five times per school year. One period can include 8–9 study units, but the student can influence the number of study units themselves. Study units are available at different times at different upper secondary schools, and study units are usually placed in the class schedule with the help of the student counselor or homeroom teacher.  

At least for the time being, foreign-language students cannot continue to study their native language in upper secondary school in the same way as in elementary and lower secondary school. Some upper secondary schools may offer the advanced syllabus for different languages (e.g. Russian advanced syllabus), in which case native Russian speakers can complete the study units in accordance with the advanced language curriculum. Different upper secondary schools may also offer the basic syllabus for some languages, which start from the basics (e.g. B3 Chinese). However, there is currently no continuation available for the elementary and lower secondary school system where students have the right to lessons with a teacher of their own native language as part of teaching. If you wish to support a student in learning their native language, it is a good idea to look for teaching outside of the upper secondary school or raise the issue for discussion at a PTA meeting, for example.  

It is possible to complete an upper secondary education diploma for some specific subjects. The diploma can be completed for physical education, music or arts, for example. With an upper secondary education diploma, a student can prove their skills and interest in the subject in question. The scope of an upper secondary education diploma is 2 study credits, and it is assessed with a numerical grade. A separate certificate for an upper secondary education diploma is granted alongside the general upper secondary education certificate.

Assessment of studies

Course assessment

Study units are assessed after their completion on a numerical scale of 4–10 or as passed. The assessment method depends on whether the module in question is compulsory, elective, national or school-specific.  In addition to numerical grades and pass marks, the assessment at the end of a study unit may also include other marks, which are given in the case of interrupted or incomplete modules, for example. Failed grades can usually be changed once in a retake exam, or the entire module can be completed again. One grade is given for a study unit consisting of modules of the same subject. For study units consisting of several subjects, grades are given by subject. 

The completion and assessment criteria of each study unit are jointly agreed at the start of the module, and the assessment criteria are recorded in the curriculum. The grade for a module can be influenced by, among other things, assignments completed during the module, exams, assessment discussions and other appropriate demonstrations of skill for the module. 

A student who has competed the entire upper secondary education syllabus will receive a general upper secondary education certificate. In order to graduate, students must, in addition to completing the upper secondary education syllabus, pass the matriculation examination.

Matriculation exams

The national matriculation exams are taken at the end of a student's upper secondary school education. Passing the matriculation examination gives students access qualification for higher-level studies at higher education institutions. Matriculation exams are organized at the same time everywhere in Finland, in the spring and fall.  

Each student must take at least five (5) exams in the matriculation exams. Of these five exams, the mother tongue and literature exam is compulsory for all examinees. In addition, students choose four exams from at least three different groups: foreign language, second domestic language, mathematics, humanities and natural sciences. At least one of these must be an advanced syllabus exam.  

The upper secondary school’s own teachers carry out the preliminary assessment of the exams. However, the final grade is given by the Matriculation Examination Board’s censor. The assessment scale is as follows (from highest to lowest):

laudatur (L) 

eximia cum laude approbatur (E) 

magna cum laude approbatur (M) 

cum laude approbatur (C) 

lubenter approbatur (B) 

approbatur (A) 

improbatur (I) 

An examinee may, however, graduate with the help of compensation, even if they did not receive a passing grade in some required subject. Compensation takes into account the grades for the other exams in the matriculation examination.  

Obligations of the student

During the school day:

• Come to classes on time. Repeated tardiness disrupts teaching. The teacher is not obligated to let a repeatedly tardy student into the class. 

• Bring all the necessary supplies to class. Make sure that the laptop is charged and that you have the charger with you. 

• Take care of the laptop and other study supplies. If you break your laptop, you are liable for damages. 

• The Act on General Upper Secondary Education obliges students to act in accordance with the teacher’s instructions during class. Listen to the teacher and participate actively in classes. This way, you will also complete your assignments on time. 

• Accept the support offered for developing study skills! Participate in the school’s homework workshops, ask the special needs teacher, S2 teacher or other faculty for help. 

• Create a personal study plan (henkilökohtainen opintosuunnitelma, HOPS) and update it regularly throughout upper secondary school. You will receive guidance for creating, following and updating the study plan from your teachers.

At home:

• Check your Wilma messages, preferably daily. Teachers will provide information related to studying primarily through Wilma.  

• Respond to the Wilma messages you receive. At the same time, you hone the polite messaging practices used in adult and working life. 

• Do your homework and any evaluated assignments in good time. 

• If you feel that the time given to complete the assignments is not enough, tell the teacher and ask for support in your studies or extra time to finish the assignment. 

• You can be granted the right to extra time in your final exams and matriculation exams if you are still learning Finnish. Ask your homeroom teacher or S2 teacher about this.

If you need to be absent: 

• The reason for each absence must be reported, preferably in advance. 

• If you plan to take a day off from school, you must apply for a vacation in advance. Applications for vacations are submitted to the homeroom teacher or principal, depending on the length of the vacation. 

• A vacation application must be submitted even for a single full day of absence.  

• If you suddenly become ill, you guardian must send a message to your homeroom teacher through Wilma or call them, for example. 

• Find out what was done in class during your absence. Ask your classmates or the subject teacher. You must complete the same assignments later yourself. Assignments cannot be left undone.  

• If you have too many days of absence, you may not pass the study unit. The number of permitted days of absence varies by school and is also partially case-specific. 

• Please note that, in accordance with the Act on General Upper Secondary Education, if an upper secondary school student does not go to school and cannot be reached within a month, they will be considered to have quit the school.

Responsibilities and roles of the guardian

Communication between school and the home

• Wilma is the primary communication channel between Vantaa's upper secondary schools and homes. 

• Please make sure that you receive the guardian’s Wilma username and password for the school your child is attending. The Wilma username and password from a previous school will not work in another school. Ask the school secretary for help! 

• Read your Wilma messages, preferably daily. Teachers will provide information related to studying primarily through Wilma.  

• Do not hesitate to send a message to the teachers or homeroom teacher if you wish to discuss your child’s school attendance or matters that impact it.  

• Read any bulletins posted in Wilma. 

• Smooth cooperation between home and the school will help your child succeed in their upper secondary education! Although the main responsibility for studying lies with the student, the support of the family is important! 

• Take part in PTA meetings. There, you can meet teachers and other students’ parents. The aim is for someone to participate from every family. PTA meetings also provide important information about current matters. When you have met the teachers, it is easier to contact them later, if need be. 

How to support your child in their studies:

• Take an interest in your adolescent child's school attendance. 

• Arrange a space for studying and doing homework which is as peaceful as possible. 

• Keep track of the class entries teachers post on Wilma. Discuss these with your child at home. 

• Many teachers also post the homework for a class in Wilma. You can help your child check Wilma for their homework assignments.

If your child is absent from school:

• The reason for each absence must be reported, preferably in advance. When a student is under 18 years old, their guardian is responsible for this. 

• The guardian must provide a reason through Wilma for absences marked in the system without delay. 

• If your child suddenly becomes ill, then you, as the guardian, must send a message to the homeroom teacher through Wilma or call them, for example. 

• If you are planning for the student to take a day off from school, you must apply for a vacation in advance. Applications for vacations are submitted to the homeroom teacher or principal, depending on the length of the vacation. 

• A vacation application must be submitted even for a single full day of absence.  

• The student must complete all assignments given during their absence later. Assignments cannot be left undone.  

• It is not recommended to take vacations during the exam week of the period.  

Upper secondary school life and events

All upper secondary schools organize many school-specific events. These will always be announced through the school’s communication channels.  

It is a good idea to be bold, active and take part in organizing events, for example by joining the board of the student association or applying to become a tutor, whose job is to guide new students. The school may also have other groups that organize events. 

Upper secondary schools also share some student life traditions. 

For example, the benchpressing fest takes place at the end of upper secondary education in February, where third-year students, that is, the graduating seniors, leave the school for their study vacation before the matriculation exams. The graduating seniors drive around in trucks and throw candy. The school will likely hold a celebration organized by the graduating seniors. 

During the second year of school, there is a formal seniors’ prom, as this is when the second-year students become the oldest students in the school. The prom includes the senior dance, for which the second-year students practice together in advance. 

Graduation celebrations are organized twice a year, in the fall semester before Independence Day and in the spring on the last day of school. After the school’s graduation celebration, families usually host their own graduation parties to celebrate.

3. Learning and study support

Learning support

Learning support in upper secondary school consists of various forms of support, which are offered to upper secondary school students both on a general and individual level. The forms of support available to everyone, if necessary, include homework cafés, subject teachers’ support during classes, extending the study plan, individual counseling by the student counselor and/or special needs teacher and school-specific support courses. Individual support is planned based on the student’s personal needs, in cooperation between the student, subject teacher and special needs teacher. The need for support may be related to, for example, a learning disability, illness, life situation or lack of language proficiency. 

Individual forms of support include, among others, extra time for exams and written work, remedial instruction, guidance by the special needs teacher for study strategies, alternative forms of assessment and other solutions that support the student's learning and demonstration of skills. Learning support and special-needs education in upper secondary school differ from learning support given in elementary and lower secondary school, and the forms of individual support may change. For example, upper secondary schools do not have the same kinds of small groups as elementary and lower secondary schools. In upper secondary school, the planned support is recorded on a separate learning support form, which is visible in the Wilma system to the subject teachers teaching the student. 

During period 1, the special needs teacher carries out a reading and writing skill screening for all starting groups, with the aim of identifying any dyslexia students may have. Based on the results of the screening, the special needs teacher invites students to individual meetings, where their skills are investigated further. If the student is found to have dyslexia, the special needs teacher can write a statement for the student for the matriculation examination special arrangements application.  

The student, special needs teacher, subject teacher and other possible professionals at the education institution assess the support the student receives and the need for support regularly during the student's studies. If it is found that the aforementioned forms of learning support are not sufficient for completing the upper secondary education syllabus, an appealable decision on special-needs education can be made for the student.  Before the decision is made, the student and guardian, as well as other professionals, if needed, will be heard. Special-needs education is long-term instruction and support for study skills and strategies provided by a special needs teacher.

Study support

The student can receive study support from different people in the school: 

Student counselors support students in planning their upper secondary studies and the future. In addition to upper secondary studies, students can discuss, for example, further study opportunities or questions relating to working life with the student counselor. 

The special needs teacher offers support related to learning. Students can discuss challenges in learning, possible learning disabilities and strategies that make studying easier with the special needs teacher. The special needs teacher is responsible for special-needs education. In addition, they are also responsible for opening the support form in Wilma and assessments for the Matriculation Examination Board.

Subject teachers: In upper secondary school, subjects are taught by subject teachers, who are trained as teachers of the specific subject in question. Students can ask subject teachers for help and support in the content and study of the subject in question. For example, in challenges relating to studying mathematics, you can ask the mathematics teacher for help. 

Homeroom teacher: The student belongs to their own homeroom (starting year of studies and a letter, e.g. 21A). The homeroom has its own homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher supports and guides their class at the start of upper secondary school and in their studies throughout upper secondary school. The homeroom teacher monitors the progress and absences of the homeroom, meets the group regularly in both homeroom sessions and individual meetings, informs students of important matters and keeps in touch with guardians. Students can and should ask the homeroom teacher for help at a low threshold if there is anything on their minds. 

The school secretary provides help in many practical matters relating to upper secondary studies, such as school travel and registering for the matriculation exams. 

The principal, vice principal and deputy principal: The principal is the school’s director, responsible for all school activities. Vice principals and deputy principals support the principal in managing the upper secondary school. 

In addition to these, your upper secondary school may also have other personnel, such as a youth worker, language coordinator or a wellbeing coach. It is a good idea to make use of their help. 

Creating a personal study plan (HOPS) will help you plan your studies, matriculation exams and life after upper secondary school. Homeroom teachers and student counselors will help you in creating, following and updating your plan. However, it is important for you to actively make and implement your plan. 

Student welfare

The task of student welfare is to take care of the wellbeing of the upper secondary school community. Student welfare supports the students’ ability to study and helps ensure that the study environment is healthy and safe. Student welfare services are free of charge for students.   

Students have access to health care, psychologist’s and student welfare advisor’s services. Student welfare is carried out in cooperation with the student. All cooperation and activities are confidential and free of charge for the student and their family. 

The student can contact student welfare employees either by Wilma message or phone. The guardian, student counselor or teacher can also direct a student to contact student welfare employees. All employees of upper secondary schools carry out student welfare work.  

4. After general upper secondary school

During upper secondary school, you will receive guidance from the student counselor, with whom you can discuss your future plans after upper secondary school. Upper secondary school does not prepare students for any specific occupation, meaning that students often go on to study at a higher education institution or another upper secondary education institution. After upper secondary school, many students apply to an academic degree program either at a university of applied sciences or a university. Applications for these take place through the joint application for higher education institutions, which is organized every spring and fall. The application process often includes an entrance exam. 

It is also possible to complete an upper secondary education qualification at a vocational school, for example. In addition to this, there are also many shorter additional training options, open higher education studies and adult education college study programs.

University of Applied Sciences 

A university of applied sciences degree is a working life-oriented academic degree, which gives qualifications to work as a specialist in a specific field. University of applied sciences studies usually take about 3.5–4.5 years, depending on the field. The degree title is abbreviated as AMK (“ammattikorkeakoulututkinto”, lit. university of applied sciences degree, a bachelor’s degree), e.g. nurse AMK. University of applied sciences studies include basic studies, vocational studies, elective studies, practical training and a final examination work. 

After completing a university of applied sciences degree, it is also possible to complete a postgraduate polytechnic degree (YAMK, “ylempi ammattikorkeakoulutukinto”). You can apply for postgraduate polytechnic studies after working for at least 2 years in the relevant field after completing a university of applied sciences degree. A postgraduate polytechnic degree offers the same qualifications for work as a higher university degree.

University

University studies emphasize scientific or artistic research and develop students’ scientific thinking and academic skills. Students coming from upper secondary education (upper secondary school, vocational school) first complete an approximately 3-year bachelor’s degree, which is a lower university degree. Usually, students who are accepted into the lower degree program also receive the right to complete the higher degree program, that is, a master’s degree, in which case students continue their studies directly after completing their bachelor’s degree. The master’s degree program takes about 2 years. It is also possible to apply directly to a university’s master's degree program if you have completed a lower academic degree at a university of applied sciences, for example. There may be exceptions in some fields regarding whether the right to study includes both the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. 

A university degree includes studies in the relevant major and minor subjects, as well as a thesis (bachelor’s thesis, master’s thesis). The studies consist of units such as basic studies, intermediate studies and advanced studies. In addition, the degree includes methodology studies, such as research methodology studies and academic language studies. The studies may also include expert internships. 

After completing a master’s degree, it is still possible to continue on to complete a licentiate degree or a doctorate. Applications for these degree programs take place through a separate application process directly through the university.

Other studies 

After upper secondary school, it is also possible to apply to a vocational school to complete a vocational upper secondary education qualification. In addition, adult education colleges offer various study programs subject to a charge, for example. 

You can also complete open academic degree studies through an open university, open university of applied sciences or a summer university. These can then be recognized later if you apply for a degree program in the same field at a higher education institution. Many carry out open studies during their gap year if they were not accepted into the degree program they applied for. 

Some go on to complete their military or non-military service directly after upper secondary school. This does not prevent you from applying to a higher education institution immediately after upper secondary school, as you can apply to postpone the start of your studies on the grounds of your military or non-military service.  

Some may wish to otherwise take a gap year after upper secondary school. They may use the gap year to work or go abroad for volunteer work or as an au pair.