Finnish upper secondary schools now offer the opportunity to study and complete the matriculation examination in English
A significant change has taken place in Finnish upper secondary schools, opening up new opportunities for students. Following a legislative amendment that came into effect last year, it is now possible to complete upper secondary studies in English. This means that students can now choose English-language courses and participate in the matriculation examinations in English.
The goal of the reform is to meet the needs of an increasingly international world and to improve the accessibility of education. Offering instruction in English makes Finnish upper secondary education a more attractive option for young people whose native language is not Finnish or Swedish. At the same time, it supports students' language skills and prepares them better for international further studies and the working world.
In practice, the change means that upper secondary schools can organize instruction in English more extensively than before. Although Finnish and Swedish remain the main languages of instruction, the English-language option provides students with flexibility in planning their own studies. The Matriculation Examination Board has prepared for the change to ensure that the English-language exams are equivalent in level to the Finnish and Swedish ones.
The reform is part of a broader discussion on the development of the Finnish education system. Education experts believe that English-language studies will help Finland attract talent and strengthen the export potential of its education. The change is a significant step toward an even more open and multilingual Finnish upper secondary education system.