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General upper secondary education

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  • Helsinki
  • Public service

Students at general upper secondary schools study a wide variety of subjects including their first language and foreign languages, mathematics and sciences, arts and social sciences, religion or ethics, health education, physical education, and crafts and art.

General upper secondary studies are divided into compulsory, specialized and applied courses. Students choose their courses themselves a ...

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To whom and on what terms

Application to general upper secondary education is made with the comprehensive education final certificate or a corresponding certificate. The general upper secondary schools that specialize in one or more subjects also consider the applicants' grades in those subjects in addition to the grade point average. Schools can also apply entrance or applicability tests.

Background information

General upper secondary education provides you with the necessary skills for studying at a university or university of applied sciences. At the end of your general upper secondary education, you will complete a matriculation examination that will make you eligible for a place of study at a higher education institution.

You can apply for a study place at the educational institution of your choice. The provider of the education decides whom it will admit to its institution.

The target completion time for a general upper secondary school syllabus is three years. Every syllabus and the studies included in them are measured in credits. The general upper secondary school syllabus for young students consists of 150 credits. The studies included in the syllabus for young students have been designed with full-time study in mind. A separate syllabus is also available to adults who wish to participate in general upper secondary education.

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City of Helsinki

Responsible for the service

City of Helsinki, Education Division
Text edited by: City of Helsinki, Education Division
Updated: 27/3/2024