After comprehensive education, applications may be made to upper secondary schools and vocational institutes. Upper secondary education lasts two to four years and the schools are non-graded (not divided into forms).
The purpose of general upper secondary education is to give students an all-round education. The final examination in the general upper secondary education institutes is the national matriculation examination. In Oulu, about 60 % of pupils start in a general upper secondary education institute after their basic education.
Upper secondary schools in Oulu
The City of Oulu Department of Education runs ten general upper secondary schools for young people and one general upper secondary school - Oulun aikuislukio - primarily for adults. Classes of the adult institute are usually in the evenings.
Oulu University Teacher Training School Oulun normaalikoulun lukio, privately-owned Svenska Privatskolan i Uleåborg (for Swedish-speaking students) and Oulun steinerkoulu also locate in Oulu.
In Oulu, you can complete general upper secondary education also in English in the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme of the Oulun Lyseo Upper Secondary School.
The contact details of all Oulu general upper secondary education institutes.
Video: General Upper Secondary Schools in Oulu
Applications
Online applications to all general upper secondary education institutes in Finland are submitted at Studyinfo.fi every February–March.
Extension of compulsory education
The compulsory education will be extended in 2021 so that from now on, all ninth-graders have to apply to upper secondary education. The aim of the reform is to secure all young people with the education and skills that they need in their lives in the future.
Compulsory education ends when the student turns 18 or when student graduates from upper secondary level before the age of 18.
The extension of compulsory education is also a promise of free upper secondary education. Free upper secondary education ends when the student turns 20, or when a student graduates from upper secondary level.
Learn more about the extension of compulsory education:
Ministry of Education and Culture: Extension of compulsory education
Ministry of Education and Culture: FAQ about the extension of compulsory education
Ministry of Education and Culture: Brochure To All 9th grade students and their parents or guardians
