Finland Internationalises Education with English-Language Programmes
Finland has taken a significant step toward the internationalization of its education system by launching new programs in which the entire upper secondary school curriculum is taught in English. Thanks to a legal amendment introduced last year, students can now take all of their upper secondary courses in English and also sit the matriculation examination in English.
The new program has initially been launched in six cities: Helsinki, Vantaa, Tampere, Jyväskylä, Oulu, and Pori. Espoo is expected to join the initiative in 2027. The first cohort of students studying in English is scheduled to take the matriculation examination in English in 2028.
The reform is particularly intended to help the children of foreign skilled workers moving to Finland adapt more easily to the education system, while also encouraging Finnish families living abroad to return to the country. Students who have attended schools in Finland for less than three years are eligible to apply for the program.
However, the launch of the program has also brought some challenges to the forefront. Teachers have particularly highlighted the shortage of English-language teaching materials aligned with the Finnish curriculum. Overall, the new initiative is regarded as an important step toward making Finland’s education system more accessible to international students and immigrant families.