Following the extension of compulsory education (2021), a student’s compulsory education will continue until the student turns 18. The compulsory education may end earlier if the student completes general upper secondary school or a vocational qualification. The aim is to ensure that all young people finish upper secondary education after finishing comprehensive school.
Students of compulsory school age complete their first upper secondary qualification free of charge. At the latest, the free education can continue until the end of the year in which the student turns 20.
If a young person of compulsory education age fails to receive a place in upper secondary education, or drops out of studies, the person is obliged to continue the application process.
A joint application is held for upper secondary education each spring
Ninth-graders apply for upper secondary education or preparatory education for upper secondary qualification (TUVA) through the joint application system. The applications are submitted on the studyinfo website (Link leads to external service).
The guidance counsellors and teachers at the students’ schools will guide them through the application process.
Young people not currently enrolled in a school or educational institution can receive instructions and assistance from Ohjaamo to select their study place.
Spring 2023 joint application for education after comprehensive school has closed.
More information about compulsory education
If you want to learn more about compulsory education, such as what free education includes, read more on the website of the Ministry of Education and Culture: Questions and answers related to compulsory education (Link leads to external service).