Information for applicants

Welcome to apply to Oulu International School!

Please follow these simple guidelines:

1.     On Wednesday 21.1.2026 at 5 p.m., the applicant and their parents are welcome to the info evening to learn about our school. 

2.     Fill out the application form in https://ouka.inschool.fi/browsecourses by 5.2.2026! Late applications will not be accepted.

3.     Come to the entrance test on

Thursday 19.2.2026 (applicants to gr 1) starting at 12:30 o'clock and ending at latest at 14:30 o'clock or

Friday 20.2.2026 from 9:00 to 12:00 o'clock for gr 7-9 applicants and from 13:30 to 15:30 o'clock for gr 2-6 applicants.

The applicants will not be sent a separate invitation to the entrance test. There is no need to practice for the entrance test. 

Wait in front of the main door for guidance. Make sure the applicant eats a good breakfast/lunch before the test. The applicant can bring a small snack with them if they like. 

If the applicant is absent from the language test due to illness, with a doctor's certificate the applicant can join a language test organized on the 13th of March at 13:30-15:30.

Please note that the students' enrollment decision is valid for primary school students until grade 6. After that, students wishing to continue can re-apply to grades 7-9 or they can opt to go to their nearby school. This guideline is enforced and applicable since 2021.

The language proficiency test includes:

Gr 1: listening comprehension, oral & pre-reading tasks 

Gr 2: listening comprehension, oral, reading and & spelling tasks 

Gr 3-9: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing skills & oral skills. 

Students are admitted according to a minimum required grade-level specific test score in the English test, and depending on the availability of vacancies in the class. As of spring 2021, Finnish children living in Finland need to pass the Finnish test in order to be accepted to OIS. 

4.    The results of grades 1-6 entrance test are published on Tuesday 17.3. The results of grades 7-9 entrance test are published on Wednesday 1.4.The info will be sent to guardians through Wilma or by paper mail, depending on what they chose when signing up to the entrance test.

Guardians ACCEPT or DECLINE the study place WITHIN A WEEK (Gr 1-6 Tue 24.3. or Gr 7-9 Tue 7.4. by 15 o'clock) after the publication of the results. To accept or decline the study place send an email to admissions.ois@eduouka.fi. If the school has not received the email by the above deadline, the school place is considered declined. 

5.     Entrance tests are held twice a year only*, in February (19..-20.2.2026) and on the 7th of August 2026, with no exceptions. If you have registered for the language test in August and you are not able to come, please inform the school in advance. If you do not inform the school, and have no health reasons or other (justified) reasons, your next language test opportunity is in February. 

*For applicants with no Finnish skills who move to Oulu region (Oulu, Ii, Liminka, Kempele, Tyrnävä, Muhos, Lumijoki, Hailuoto) during the academic, the testing is ongoing. 

6.    The Academic year 2026-2027 starts 12.8. at 9 o'clock.

For more information send email to admissions.ois@eduouka.fi 

If applying to grade 1, fill out the form for afternoon care by 15.2.2026, if needed.