Applications Now Open for General Upper Secondary Education in English
Applications for the general upper secondary education in English is now open. Prospective students can apply through Finland’s national joint application system between 17 February and 17 March 2026.
Who Can Apply?
General upper secondary education in English is intended for applicants whose Finnish or Swedish language skills are insufficient for studying in those languages due to the duration of their prior education in Finland. An applicant is considered to have insufficient language skills if they have completed no more than three years of basic education in Finland as defined in the Basic Education Act.
Applicants who are not citizens of an EU Member State or an EEA country must hold a residence permit based on grounds other than studies under the Aliens Act. In particularly weighty cases, an applicant who does not fully meet these requirements may also be admitted.
Admission Criteria
The education provider defines the selection criteria and any entrance or aptitude tests used in admissions. Uniform criteria must be applied to all applicants.
How Selection Is Made
Applications are submitted via the national joint application system.
Admission to the programme requires good English language skills, which are assessed in the entrance examination. The exam also evaluates the academic skills needed for general upper secondary studies. International applicants must present an official document of their previous qualification and an official English translation of the certificate. However, performance in the entrance examination is the only selection criterion — previous academic achievement does not affect admission.
Entrance Examination
The entrance examination measures applicants’ ability to understand and produce English-language text, as well as their academic skills. The exam is conducted in Finland only and cannot be taken remotely. One exam result can be used to apply to all upper secondary schools offering English-language education.
The national entrance examination will be held on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, from 10:00 to 12:00. In Jyväskylä, the exam will take place at Jyväskylän Lyseo Upper Secondary School. No alternative date will be arranged.
How to apply
Applications are open now until 17 Mar 2026 at 3:00 pm (Finnish time) via the national joint application system. More information on our website.