English-language upper secondary education will begin at Oulu Lyseo Upper Secondary School in autumn, following the Finnish upper secondary school curriculum. At the end of the program, students will take the matriculation examination in English. The first students will be selected for the program in the joint application process in spring 2026.

For Whom

The English-language upper secondary school diploma is aimed at young people whose Finnish or Swedish language skills are not sufficient to complete upper secondary studies in national languages

An applicant is considered to have insufficient language skills if they have completed basic education studies in Finland for no more than three years or have lived in Finland for no more than three years before applying for upper secondary education

In addition, applicants for English-language upper secondary education who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country are required to have a residence permit for reasons other than studies

Studies

The English-language upper secondary school diploma follows the Finnish upper secondary school curriculum, but the language of instruction and work is English

The studies include the same compulsory subjects as in the Finnish-language curriculum, and in addition, elective courses, for example in foreign languages

Students are offered learning support, guidance, and student welfare services in the same way as in Finnish-language education

Matriculation Examination

The matriculation examination is in English, and the first possible examination session is in autumn 2028

The English-language matriculation exams are conducted as translation exams, meaning their content is the same as the Finnish and Swedish exams

The compulsory mother tongue and literature exam is taken as the Finnish as a second language and literature exam (unless the candidate's language skills allow them to take the mother tongue and literature exam as Finnish as a mother tongue).

Summary

The English-language upper secondary school diploma at Oulun Lyseo Upper Secondary School offers an international learning environment and the opportunity to complete the Finnish matriculation examination in English

The education is especially suitable for those whose Finnish or Swedish language skills are not yet sufficient for Finnish-language upper secondary school, but who have a good command of English

The studies provide qualifications for further studies both in Finland and internationally.