English-language upper secondary education
Aviapolis upper secondary school also arranges upper secondary education in English. Upper secondary education in English is intended for those whose language skills are not sufficient for upper secondary education studies in Finnish or Swedish. Nevertheless, the students’ language skills must be sufficient for them to study in the English language. Thirty students are admitted to the English language studies every year.
Selection criteria for studying in English
Upper secondary education in English is meant for those whose language skills are not sufficient for upper secondary education studies in Finnish or Swedish.
- If a young person has studied in accordance with the Finnish basic Education Act for a maximum of three years, they can apply for upper secondary school education in the English language.
- The applicants will be given an entrance test.
- The students’ language skills must be sufficient for them to study in the English language.
- A general requirement for upper secondary education is that the young person has graduated from a comprehensive school or comparable foreign education.
- Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA are required to have a residence permit granted on grounds other than studying.
In other words, upper secondary education in English is intended for young people who have participated in basic education in accordance with the Finnish Basic Education Act for a maximum of three years. In this case, they will be better suited to complete upper secondary education in English.
If, on the other hand, a young person has studied in a comprehensive school in Finland or abroad in accordance with the Finnish Basic Education Act for more than three years, their language skills are considered sufficient for Finnish-speaking upper secondary education.
National entrance examination:
Date: April 21, 2026
Time: 10.00-12.00
Location: Varia Aviapolis, Aaerolankaari 5, 01530 VANTAA
The entrance examination for the English Study Programme assesses applicants’ ability to understand and produce written English. In addition, the examination evaluates applicants’ academic skills. The examination must be taken in Finland and cannot be completed remotely. With one entrance examination, applicants may apply to all upper secondary schools offering the English Study Programme. The national entrance examination must be taken at the institution that the applicant has listed highest among their study options. More information on Studyinfo.fi.
The syllabus of upper secondary education in English
The content of upper secondary education in English is equivalent to that of upper secondary education in Finnish and Swedish. Instruction mainly takes place in the English language, but the studies may also involve joint study periods with students attending a Finnish-speaking upper secondary school. As part of the upper secondary school and matriculation examination in English, the students must also study Finnish or Swedish. In practice, this means that the students take Finnish or Swedish as a second language studies or the Finnish/Swedish mother tongue and literature syllabus.
English-language matriculation examination
At the end of upper secondary education studies, students take part in the matriculation examination. The students can take the matriculation examination in English if they have studied upper secondary education studies or vocational studies in English. The content of the English matriculation examination corresponds to the Finnish matriculation examination:
- The students must take at least five tests in the matriculation examination
- The matriculation examination test in the Finnish language is mandatory for everyone. In practice, the students can take, for example, the Finnish as the second language test.
- In addition, the students must take at least four tests from the following three different groups:
- Mathematics
- Second domestic language
- Foreign language
- Humanities and natural sciences