Upper Secondary Education

Upper secondary education is completed after basic education and includes general upper secondary education (lukio) and vocational education.
General upper secondary education provides a broad general education and culminates in the national matriculation examination. Graduates may apply for further studies at universities, universities of applied sciences or vocational education programmes. General upper secondary education usually takes three years to complete and consists of 150 credits.

Vocational qualifications include initial vocational qualifications, further vocational qualifications and specialist vocational qualifications. Initial vocational qualifications provide the basic skills required in the field. Further and specialist vocational qualifications enable the development of skills at different stages of a career. The scope of vocational qualifications is expressed in competence points: initial qualifications are mainly 180 competence points, further qualifications 150 competence points, and specialist vocational qualifications 180 competence points.

For each student starting vocational education, a personal competence development plan is drawn up, defining the content, schedule and methods of study. Vocational education can be provided, for example, through apprenticeship or training agreements at workplaces. Previously acquired skills are recognised and, where possible, incorporated into the studies. Graduates of vocational qualifications are eligible to apply for further studies at universities of applied sciences or universities.

In Finland, compulsory education applies to children permanently residing in the country. It ends when a person turns 18 or when they complete the matriculation examination or a vocational qualification referred to in the Act on Vocational Education and Training. Education is free of charge for those subject to compulsory education.

Upper secondary school (Lukio)

The scope of general upper secondary education for young people is at least 150 credits. General upper secondary education usually takes three years to complete and culminates in the matriculation examination. Those who complete the matriculation examination may apply to universities, universities of applied sciences, as well as all upper secondary institutions. With a general upper secondary school leaving certificate alone, it is also possible to apply to universities of applied sciences.
In Seinäjoki, general upper secondary education is provided by the Nurmo, Seinäjoki and Ylistaro upper secondary schools.

Adult general upper secondary education is offered by Seinäjoki Upper Secondary School and is intended for students aged 18 and over. The scope of studies is 88 credits.
At an adult upper secondary school, students can complete the general upper secondary curriculum and the matriculation examination, study individual subjects, or supplement their previous studies. Basic education for adults is also provided as part of the adult upper secondary programme.

Basic Education for Adults

Basic education for adults is intended for:

• persons over 17 years of age who have moved to Finland during the final stage of basic education and who have not completed the basic education syllabus or whose skills remain insufficient;
• adults who need a basic education certificate and study skills in order to continue their studies at the upper secondary level;
• students who have not completed basic education by the end of the spring term of the calendar year in which they turn 17.

The adult line of Seinäjoki Upper Secondary School offers adult basic education. A student can later transfer flexibly according to their personal study path to TUVA training, a folk high school or apply directly to vocational education or upper secondary education.

Sedu

At Sedu, you can complete an initial vocational qualification in over 40 different fields. In addition, you can complete further and specialist vocational qualifications, as well as individual qualification units. Sedu also provides TUVA training.

Luovi

Luovi Vocational College is a special vocational institution. We provide education for students who require special support in their studies. We operate in over 30 locations across Finland. Explore our study options and find your own pathway to employment and a good life.

Apprenticeship training

You can take part in apprenticeship training. Apprenticeship means that you learn new skills at a workplace. Through an apprenticeship, you can gain a new qualification.

For an apprenticeship, you sign an employment contract with an employer.

Apprenticeship training includes working at a workplace and studying at an educational institution. The employer pays you a salary for the duration of the apprenticeship.