English Study Programme applicants
The English Study Programme - ESP
In August 2026, Pyynikki Upper Secondary School will launch a new, fully English-medium study programme. The programme follows the Finnish national curriculum, but all instruction is provided in English. The matriculation examinations are also taken in English. However, all students must study Finnish or Swedish as a second language and take the Finnish or Swedish as a Second Language and Literature exam in the matriculation examination.
The English Study Programme is intended for young people whose language skills are not sufficient for studying upper secondary education in the national languages Finnish or Swedish. A person is considered to have insufficient language skills to complete the upper secondary education syllabus in Finnish or Swedish only if they have completed basic education studies, as referred to in the Basic Education Act, for a maximum of three years.
National entrance examination
Studying in the ESP requires good English language skills, which are assessed in an entrance examination. The entrance examination also assesses the academic abilities required in upper secondary school. The entrance examination is taken in Finland and cannot be taken remotely. With one entrance examination, you can apply to all upper secondary schools offering the English programme. The national entrance examination is taken at the upper secondary school that the applicant has placed as their first preference.
Education providers require applicants to give permission for their personal data and entrance examination results to be shared among all upper secondary schools offering the English programme, if the applicant wishes to apply to more than one such school. The applicant can give this consent when taking the entrance examination. If permission to share information is not granted, the applicant can only apply to one school offering the programme, and in that case the entrance examination must be taken at that school.
The national entrance examination for the English Study Programme will be held on Tuesday 21 April 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00.
Applying to the programme
Applications for the English Study Programme are submitted through the Opintopolku (Studyinfo) portal. Selection is based on performance in the entrance examination, which means previous academic performance does not affect the admission decision. Applicants accepted to the English Study Programme who are not citizens of a European Union member state or a state belonging to the European Economic Area are required to have been granted a residence permit on grounds other than studies. Foreign applicants are required to submit an official document of their previous qualifications along with an official English translation of the certificate.
For more information about the program, please contact the principal, vice-principal, or guidance counselors of Pyynikin lukio.
TUVA, IB, BSP or ESP?
The table below illustrates the differences between the preparatory TUVA programme and the international programmes in upper secondary schools. You can view the full table by clicking on the image.
