Guidance and inspiration: support for 9th graders’ education choices in Helsinki
After comprehensive school, every 9th grader proceeds to upper secondary education in either general upper secondary school, vocational education and training or preparatory education for an upper secondary qualification (TUVA training). Students who are still unsure about their future and find it difficult to decide can turn to their school’s study and careers adviser for guidance.
- My advice to young people leaving comprehensive school is this: give the selection process time. Discuss your options, dream, visit and compare. Trust yourself. You can do it!, encourages Study and Careers Adviser Johanna Viitala from Meilahti Lower Secondary School.
She also points out that the selection process is not something that you have to go through alone.
- It is important for all the adults at school and those close to the pupil to show an interest in the young person's further education choices. Even a single well-timed question, perspective or gentle show of support can provide a ninth grader with important insights on their way to reaching a decision.
The joint application period is 17 February–17 March 2026. Applications to upper secondary education are submitted via the opintopolku.fi website.
General upper secondary schools offer a wide range of studies
The City of Helsinki has 15 general upper secondary schools, three of which are Swedish-language schools. Each of the City’s general upper secondary schools has a special educational task or a special emphasis. These special educational tasks can include music, sports or natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, for example. The general upper secondary schools’ special emphases include subjects such as internationality and cultural knowledge, music, technology, and many others.
- The thing I was most nervous about was whether I would be able to make friends in general upper secondary school. I didn’t know anyone there beforehand, but I did end up making some new friends!, rejoices Mila Palo from Konepaja Upper Secondary School.
Kelly Chau was also most concerned about making friends in general upper secondary school. She was also worried about the pace of the studies.
- Before starting general upper secondary school, I was nervous about lacking friends and the pace of the studies. However, on the very first day I made some friends with whom I am now really close, even though I have only been at the school for about 3 months. At first, I found the pace of the studies too fast, but I got used to it and now it's much easier, she says.
Palo and Chau both agree that going to general upper secondary school is worth it, especially if you are not yet sure what you want to do when you grow up.
- If you're not sure what field you want to work in in the future, it's worth going to general upper secondary school because it gives you more time to think about it and also the chance to experience new things about studying, Chau says.
- The atmosphere in our general upper secondary school is very good, the teachers and staff are always happy to help, Palo adds.
Work-oriented studies at Helsinki Vocational College
Helsinki Vocational College, or Stadin AO, is the largest vocational school in Finland. It offers nearly 30 initial vocational qualifications that you can apply for in the joint application procedure. Studying at Helsinki Vocational College is personalised and flexible.
- I chose to come here because I prefer to do things myself rather than sit and listen, says Jonatan Nurminen, a first-year Vocational Qualification in Construction student at Helsinki Vocational College.
Studies at Helsinki Vocational College are working life oriented. Students gain a great deal of real work experience during their studies, and vocational qualifications can also be completed through apprenticeship training.
- The studies have been really fun! The best thing is when you get to work with your hands in the workshop, Nurminen smiles.
Meltsu Kurt, who is studying for a Vocational Qualification in Media and Visual Expression and specialising in publication production, nods:
- The studies are sometimes hard and at other times easy, but always fun! The best thing about Stadin AO is the good atmosphere, the friendly teachers and the fact that I have made friends here. It's up to you how quickly you learn, he says.
Helsinki Vocational College also offers entrepreneurship studies and opportunities to participate in competitions and international activities. In addition to an initial vocational qualification, you can also complete individual general upper secondary school study units or the matriculation examination, depending on your career goals.
Swedish-language vocational education and training in Helsinki is provided by the Yrkesinstitutet Prakticum vocational college.
Ristiinopiskelu lisää valinnanmahdollisuuksia
Lukioiden ja Stadin AO:n opiskelijat voivat suorittaa opintoja myös muun kuin oman oppilaitoksensa valikoimasta. Lukiolaisille on tarjolla Stadin AO:n opintoja sekä Helsingin työväenopiston ja Helsingfors arbiksen kursseja. Stadin AO:n opiskelijat voivat valita kiinnostavia lukio-opintoja.
Helsingissä toimii myös useita yksityisiä tai säätiön ylläpitämiä ammatillisia oppilaitoksia ja lukioita sekä valtion ja erikoiskoulujen lukioita.
TUVAssa tutustutaan toisen asteen opintoihin
Tutkintokoulutukseen valmentavassa eli TUVA-koulutuksessa opiskelija voi tutustua joko ammatillisiin tai lukio-opintoihin. Koulutuksessa on mahdollista myös vahvistaa toisen asteen opiskelussa tarvittavia taitoja tai korottaa peruskoulun päättötodistuksen arvosanoja.
Opinnot kestävät enintään vuoden, mutta opiskelija voi omien suoritustensa perusteella hakeutua toisen asteen koulutukseen jo aiemmin.
Lisäksi Helsingissä on mahdollista opiskella peruskoulun jälkeen työhön ja itsenäiseen elämään valmentavassa eli TELMA-koulutuksessa. TELMA on tarkoitettu erityistä tukea tarvitsevalle nuorelle, jolla ei sairauden tai vamman vuoksi ole mahdollisuutta siirtyä tutkintotavoitteiseen koulutukseen. TELMA-Koulutusta järjestävät yksityiset oppilaitokset.
Lisätietoa aiheesta:
Stadin AO(Link leads to external service)
Prakticum(Link leads to external service)
Yhteishaku-sivulta löydät artikkeleita toisen asteen koulutuksesta.
Lue lisää ristiinopiskelusta.
