The preparatory year
The school feels that it is necessary to ensure that the preparatory year students are ready for IB proper and therefore there is less room for selection in this programme than in the national programme. Study units that are compulsory for IB-students are mostly taught in English. However, there is still room for the student’s own interests and it is advisable to make the most of this opportunity.
The chart below lists the obligatory study units for preparatory year students. They are marked with a “K" in the set of study units offered to students (kurssitarjotin). Students should make sure that they plan their studies in such a way that they will be able to take all these study units. The students cannot continue their studies in the IB Programme Proper if they have unfinished study units (T) in obligatory subjects for the preparatory year.
Otherwise students may choose the study units they want. The required minimum is 60 study units. If the student has applied for exemption from Swedish language, the required minimum is 56.
| SUBJECT | MINIMUM | |
|---|---|---|
| Finnish OR | ÄI1, ÄI4, ÄI8 | 6 |
| Finnish as second language OR | S21, S22, S23, S24 | 6 |
| Finnish as foreign language | in this case talk to opo | |
| English | ENA1, ENA2, ENA3, TO12 | 8 |
| Swedish | RUB1, RUB2 | 4 |
| Mathematics | MAY1K, MAA2K, MAA3K, MAA4K, MAA8K | 10 |
| Physics | FY1, FY2 | 2 |
| Chemistry | KE1, KE2 | 2 |
| Biology | BI1 | 2 |
| Lab course | TO5 | 2 |
| Geography | GE1 | 2 |
| Psychology | PS1 | 2 |
| History | HI2 | 2 |
| Economics | YH13 | 2 |
| Social studies | YH14 | 2 |
| World religion | UE7 | 2 |
| Philosophy | FI5 | 2 |
| Physical Education | LI1 | 2 |
| Art | KU1 | 2 |
| Music | MU1 | 2 |
| GC (OPO) | OP1 | 1 |
| Introduction to CAS | YH15 | 1 |
If students are not able to study the Finnish A or B study units (Äidinkieli, Suomi toisena kielenä) offered at Tampereen lyseo, they are encouraged to choose courses from the providers outside of school. The studies may be evening studies or online studies. Based on the hours studied, the student will be credited study units (1-6 units) for the Finnish studies completed outside of school.
Courses can be found at Finnishcourses.
Online studies can be done for example through WordDive.
If the student wishes to take as an IB subject:
- IB Physics they have to take in addition to FY1 also course FY4
- IB Chemistry they have to take course KE9. KE9 is also recommended (but not mandatory) to students wishing to study HL Biology.
- IB History they have to take also course HI3
- IB Visual Arts they are recommended to take at least one extra art course from the set of courses, depending on which course fits their schedule. This, however, is not mandatory, so students may choose Visual Arts also if they have studied only one course during the pre-year.
To support students' math studies, we provide MAA15K lessons during periods 1 and 2. These sessions aim to review and supplement the content covered in MAY1K and MAA2K, tailored to the preferences of the students, with a focus on improving their problem-solving skills.
In cases where students wish to continue studying Swedish during their IB years, they should at least take course RUB3 during the preparatory year. The school will try to offer an opportunity to take courses in Swedish during IB1 so that students can complete the five obligatory courses needed for the matriculation exam. The school would like to remind that Finnish higher education institutions still require Swedish skills from their Finnish students.
All students who want to choose a B language as an IB subject will have to study that language during the pre year. During the preparatory year and in most IB proper courses, B languages are studied in groups which include the national side students as well. Therefore, the teaching language is partly Finnish. French B and Spanish B students use a Finnish textbook in those courses. In separate IB courses for French B and Spanish B no Finnish is used and the study material is an IB textbook.
Guidance counselling course will be spread over three years of studies in Tampereen lyseon lukio.