English Study Programme study guide

The academic year is divided into five periods. Each period lasts 7-8 weeks and ends with a seven-day final week. Each schedule code from 1 to 7 has its own final day.

Students choose courses for each period according to their own study plan. The length of the courses is usually two credits. For each schedule code from 1 to 8, students can choose a two-credit course or, in some exceptional cases, two one-credit courses.

The scope of high school studies is at least 150 credits. There is no maximum limit. Of the credits, 94-102 credits (depending on whether you choose long or short mathematics) are compulsory studies. In addition, at least 20 credits of national elective studies must be completed. The remaining credits can be accumulated from either national or school-specific elective studies.

Students must complete the entire upper secondary school curriculum and participate in the matriculation examination in at least two and at most four years. A fifth year of study can be granted upon application only for particularly compelling reasons. Studies can be interrupted for up to one academic year without losing the high school place (e.g., exchange studies) upon a justified application.

A student graduating in three years typically completes about 60 credits per academic year (30 two-credit courses). At a minimum, the student must plan their studies so that they complete 30 credits (15 two-credit courses) during the academic year. The student’s study load in each period must be at least six credits.

Students usually create their study plan for the entire academic year at once, choosing the necessary and desired courses from the Wilma course selection. Any changes are agreed upon with the study counselor or the student’s own group advisor. The Wilma course selection is opened for the student’s own choices always before the final week.

One two-credit course consists of an average of 23 lessons, each 75 minutes long. Typically, 19 of these 75-minute lessons fit into the regular weekly schedule, leaving about four 75-minute sessions, or six hours of work, for the final week.

The course is completed by attending lessons and the final day’s work, as well as completing the assignments given during the course.

Students are required by upper secondary school law to attend lessons. If a student has a significant number of absences, the course must be retaken. Only a medical certificate or other special reason can grant the right to complete the course without retaking it.

Students must ensure that all absences are immediately accounted for. For underage students, the guardian accounts for the absences, while adult students provide their own explanations. Absences are recorded and resolved in Wilma.

If illness or another reason prevents a student from attending school for several days, the student must inform their group advisor by the third day at the latest. If the absence concerns participation in an exam or a scheduled presentation, the student must notify the teacher via Wilma message or email by the morning of the day in question.

If the number of unexplained absences exceeds 10 lessons or 3 lessons for a specific course, the student’s group advisor will immediately contact the guardian of the underage student or the student who has reached the age of 18.

Known absences in advance must be requested beforehand. The application is made in Wilma under “Applications and Decisions” by the guardian of the underage student or the adult student themselves. The group advisor grants a leave of absence for 1-5 days upon application. The principal grants longer absences upon a justified application.

It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on homework and other tasks during their absence. The student may participate in a retake exam if they notify in advance of a possible impediment on the exam day or partial exam presentation, the student must notify the teacher via Wilma message or email by the morning of the day in question.

If the number of unexplained absences exceeds 10 lessons or 3 lessons for a specific course, the student’s group advisor will immediately contact the guardian of the underage student or the student who has reached the age of 18.

Known absences in advance must be requested beforehand. The application is made in Wilma under “Applications and Decisions” by the guardian of the underage student or the adult student themselves. The group advisor grants a leave of absence for 1-5 days upon application. The principal grants longer absences upon a justified application.

It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on homework and other tasks during their absence. The student may participate in a retake exam if they notify in advance of a possible impediment on the exam day or partial exam day. Absence from school events and theme days is only allowed with the permission of the group advisor or headmaster.

In the upper secondary schools of the City of Tampere, studies can also be completed online. In the academic year 2022–2023, the online platform offers courses and modules in almost every subject across five different online periods. Students can choose up to two online courses or modules per online period, and registration is done only through the study counselor.

The online course selection is available in Wilma, where other course selections are also found. The main working platforms for online studies are Moodle and Teams, but publishers’ own online platforms may also be used. At the start of the course, the teacher will contact students through Wilma, and studies should begin immediately.

If you cannot find the required course on the online platform and cannot attend classroom teaching, independent study of the course may be possible. First, discuss independent completion with the teacher. An application for independent study is made in Wilma under “Applications and Decisions.” For students under 18, the application is made using the guardian’s credentials in Wilma. The teacher supports the application and provides instructions and tasks related to the course completion. The schedule is agreed upon together. The teacher forwards the independent study application to the principal, who grants permission. Generally, only one independent course can be taken at a time.

The objectives of an independently studied course are the same as those of a normally completed course.

In Tampere, there are diverse opportunities to study outside your own upper secondary school and include the completed studies in the upper secondary school curriculum. You can study in other upper secondary schools, vocational education, universities of applied sciences, and universities. Teaching is offered both in-person and remotely.

Upper secondary school studies can recognize previously acquired high school-level skills and also credit other completed studies and skills, such as music school studies, a driver’s license, a first aid course, and much more. Bring your certificates or other clear documentation of your skills and competencies to the school secretary in the office. We will request further details if necessary.