Compare IB Curriculum International Schools in Finland

Instructs in English, Finnish, Swedish

Ages 16 - 18 years

Pupils 200

Type Co-educational

Turku International School delivers IB Diploma Programme for secondary students in Turku, Finland. The school is a public institution under the City of Turku, with the Diploma Programme taught at Turun Normaalikoulu and pre-DP year bridging to DP in English to prepare students for university study worldwide. The DP follows six subject groups, with three subjects at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, plus core elements Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. Language offerings include English A and B, Finnish B, French B, German B, and Spanish B. The IB campus is housed in the Turun Normaalikoulu building at Annikanpolku 9, and a library with about 10,000 items provides access to university databases. Free daily lunch is provided. CAS is a core element, featuring real-world projects and service, such as involvement with the Together association. About 95% of DP graduates proceed to universities worldwide.

Location

The Turku International Upper Secondary is located at Annikanpolku 9, 20610 Turku, Finland, in the Turun Normaalikoulu building. The school is the Turku International Upper Secondary (IB World School) delivering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Stages

Upper secondary (IB Diploma Programme). There are two streams in our DP upper secondary: national and international.

Type

Public school; follows the IB Diploma Programme.

Additional learning support

Special education is provided (DP staff includes a Special education teacher).

Country affiliation

Finland

School day structure

TIUS follows a Finnish school calendar with an Autumn term and a Spring term; autumn and winter holidays are scheduled within the 2025–2026 school year.

Application fees
- There is no application fee for applying to Turku International School (grades 1–9). Applications are submitted using the school's separate online application process.

Tuition fees (by year group and term)
- Grades 1–9 (all year groups): No tuition charge. Tuition per term: EUR 0. Tuition per academic year: EUR 0. Basic education at Turku International School is provided as municipal (city) basic education and carries no tuition fee for pupils.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Morning and afternoon activity charges (when a pupil participates) are billed monthly. If a child starts or leaves mid-month, the full monthly fee is charged. The August charge is half the normal monthly fee. For other paid services provided by the City of Turku, invoices are issued according to municipal invoicing procedures and standard municipal invoice payment terms apply (city's payment term: 30 days net unless otherwise agreed).

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable. Turku International School is a municipal day school providing basic education for pupils in grades 1–9; there is no boarding provision and therefore no boarding fees.

Other costs and optional fees
- Morning activities (07:30–10:00): EUR 50 / month. August charged at 50% of this rate.
- Afternoon activities (until 15:00): EUR 110 / month. August charged at 50% of this rate.
- Afternoon activities (until 17:00): EUR 130 / month. August charged at 50% of this rate.
- School meals: Pupils receive a free warm meal every school day; there is no charge for the daily school lunch provided as part of basic education. Optional snacks or cafeteria items sold separately may incur a personal cost.
- Extracurricular clubs, hobby activities, study trips, or optional courses organised outside the mandatory school day may carry separate charges; those optional activity fees vary by activity and are invoiced separately when applicable. Morning/afternoon activity charges and hobby arrangements are managed under the City of Turku's basic-education services.
- Uniforms: No school uniform requirement is specified in the school rules or public student information for Turku International School. If a voluntary uniform or branded clothing option exists for a particular event or parent association activity, any purchase is optional and charged to the family.

Refund and absence rules (where applicable)
- Morning/afternoon activities: If a child is absent from morning/afternoon activities due to illness for more than 10 days during a calendar month, half of the monthly fee is charged for that month. If the absence due to illness lasts the entire calendar month, no fee is charged for that month. If a child is absent for an entire calendar month for reasons other than illness, half of the monthly fee is charged. Refunds or fee reductions require submission of the appropriate change form or discretionary discount/exemption application as set out by the city. Monthly billing is not pro‑rata if attendance begins or ends mid-month (full month charged). The August monthly fee is charged at half the normal rate.
- Other paid services: Refunds or cancellations for optional paid services, trips or club activities follow the terms and conditions of the organiser or the City of Turku service organising the activity; invoiced municipal services follow the city's invoicing and credit/refund procedures. Standard municipal invoicing guidance and contacts apply.

Fee payment options
- Recommended and available municipal payment methods include e-invoice (e-lasku) via online banking, electronic invoice delivery services (OmaPosti or Kivra), paper invoices by post, and paying in person at the city's payment desk (Monitori at Kauppatori) if needed. For suppliers and other invoicing, the City of Turku uses electronic invoicing standards and provides invoicing details for payments and technical invoice delivery. Municipal invoices are typically subject to the city's standard payment terms (30 days net unless otherwise agreed). Specific payment instructions and invoice references are included on each City of Turku invoice.

If a fee is charged specifically by an external provider (for example, a private hobby organiser, an external trip operator, or purchases of voluntary school clothing), payment methods and refund terms follow that provider's stated terms.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Turku International Upper Secondary School operates a study welfare team that supports students' physical, mental and social welfare and promotes safety across the school community. The team includes a guidance counsellor, a school psychologist, a special needs teacher and a school nurse. Guidance is provided in lessons and in personal and group meetings, and the guidance counsellor advises on general studies, career choices and further education. The welfare team works with teachers and guardians to support students' wellbeing and personal development.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

A Special needs teacher organizes dyslexia tests to identify reading and writing difficulties. The teacher writes documents needed for special arrangements in examinations. The Special needs teacher also provides targeted support for students with learning difficulties within the welfare team framework.

Mental Wellbeing

The welfare team focuses on students' mental welfare, study motivation and coping with stress, with the school psychologist providing related support. Guidance is offered in lessons and in personal or group meetings, in collaboration with other teachers and guardians. The team's work is part of promoting overall student welfare and wellbeing within the school community.

Safeguarding

The welfare team is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting safety and welfare in the school community. The guidance counsellor supports students on general studies, career choices and education, contributing to wellbeing. The school social worker helps with study problems, relationships, addressing bullying, and guiding guardians; discussions are confidential. The school nurse provides health care and supports health, welfare and safety, including health inspections and monitoring student well-being. The school rules prohibit bullying and harassment and require respectful treatment of others.

View Full Profile

Espoo International School

Instructs in English

Pupils 600

Type Co-educational

Espoo International School is a uniform, international English-language comprehensive school in Espoo that serves both international and Finnish families. It has around 600 pupils in grades 1-9. Education follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum and the Espoo municipal framework, augmented by the Espoo International School curriculum (2016). The school is IB-authorized and offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 7-9 over three years, aligning international standards with local expectations. The main language of instruction is English, while Finnish and English are studied by all students; from grade 6, B1 Swedish is introduced, and elective A2 languages Spanish or French begin in grade 4, with B2 languages German, Spanish, and Russian from grade 8. The Opinmäki campus provides a cohesive environment for international and Finnish learners. The school emphasizes language development and prepares students for English-medium education, with a bespoke curriculum that blends the Espoo framework with IB principles to foster global-minded learners.

Location

Espoo International School is located at Opinmäki campus in Espoo. It operates as a joint comprehensive school with English as the main language of instruction. The school's postal address is Lillhemtintie 1, 02250 Espoo, Finland. It serves pupils in grades 1-9 and follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum and Espoo International School curriculum.

Stages

Basic Education (grades 1-9). Middle Years Programme (MYP) offered for grades 7-9.

Type

Joint comprehensive school; English-language education; International Baccalaureate (IB) authorized with the MYP for grades 7-9.

Additional learning support

Special education support is available; dedicated Special Education Teachers.

School day structure

School year 2025-2026: Autumn term begins on 7 August 2025 and ends 20 December 2025; Christmas holiday 22 December 2025 – 6 January 2026; Spring term begins on 7 January 2026 and ends on 30 May 2026; Winter holiday 16–20 February 2026. Afternoon activities are organized for pupils in grades 1-2 and for pupils requiring special support after the school day.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Pupil welfare supports the learning and wellbeing of children in the daily life of the school. It promotes collaboration between home and school. Individual pupil welfare services refer to the school social officer, psychologist and school health care services available in all schools in Espoo. Communal pupil welfare is preventive, multi-professional and supports the whole community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special Education Teachers are on staff. Afternoon activities are organized for pupils requiring special support after the school day.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The main language of instruction is English. All students must study Finnish and English language (English is A1-language, starts from the 1st grade). From grade 6 pupils start studying B1-language, Swedish. In addition to mandatory Finnish, English and Swedish studies, elective/voluntary studies in Spanish or French (A2-language, starts in the 4th grade) and in German, Spanish and Russian language (B2-language: starts in the 8th grade).

Mental Wellbeing

Pupil welfare supports the learning and wellbeing of children in the daily life of the school, and promotes collaboration between home and school. Individual pupil welfare services refer to the school social officer, psychologist and school health care services available in all schools in Espoo. Communal pupil welfare is preventive, multi-professional and supports the whole community.

Safeguarding

Anti-bullying support plan exists at Espoo International School. The school provides safeguarding and wellbeing support through staff such as the School Welfare Officer, School Nurse and School Psychologist.

View Full Profile

International School of Helsinki

Instructs in English

Ages 4 - 18 years

Fees €12,067 - 16,121

Pupils 500

Type Co-educational

International School of Helsinki (ISH) offers the IB continuum for students aged 4 to 18, with English as the language of instruction and a broad language program that includes Spanish, French and Finnish as Foreign Languages, plus Finnish Mother Tongue and English as an Additional Language support where needed. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from early years through Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers Grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) spans Grades 11-12. ISH became Finland's first fully IB-accredited school in 2005, and it has maintained IB, CIS, and NEASC accreditation through subsequent re-authorisations. Beyond academics, the school offers an extensive after-school activities and athletics program (ASA) for K-12, as well as cultural, language and social clubs. The Parents' Teacher Organization supports the community, and volunteers help events. ISH emphasizes an international community, cross-cultural workshops, and services to help families settle in. A welcoming, thriving environment.

Location

Selkämerenkatu 11, 00180 Helsinki, Finland

Stages

Ages 4 to 19; Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP)

Pupil Nationality Mix

40+ nationalities represented

Additional learning support

ISH provides student support including services for students with additional educational needs, English-language learners, and social-emotional/behavioral needs

Country affiliation

Finland

Boarding Arrangements

The school is not a boarding school and does not have any accommodation facilities.

Uniform Requirement

The school does not have a uniform.

Food Options

The school has a hot lunch program.

Governance and Ownership

The school operates under the Finnish Ministry of Education and is established as a non-profit association, 'The Parents' Association of the International School of Helsinki'. The Parents' Association elects the ISH Board of Governors, which consists of 7-9 members, primarily ISH parents; day-to-day administration is delegated to the Head of School and the leadership team.

Application fee
- Application fee: EUR 350 per student. Payment of the application fee is accepted by credit card only.

One-time and registration fees
- First-time registration (entry) fee: EUR 3,150 (payable once upon entry for new students).
- Refundable security deposit: EUR 1,000 per family (held against unpaid fees; refundable subject to the school's notice and settlement conditions).
- Non-refundable deposit to hold place: EUR 500 per student (invoiced each spring and applied to following year's tuition).
- Annual capital fee: EUR 1,100 per student (charged in addition to tuition).

Tuition fees by year group (annual totals)
- Early Years (Discovery / Explorers): EUR 12,067 per year.
- Grades 1–5 (Lower School): EUR 13,341 per year.
- Grades 6–8 (Middle Years): EUR 14,143 per year.
- Grades 9–10: EUR 14,933 per year.
- Grades 11–12 (Diploma Programme years): EUR 16,121 per year.

Tuition fee breakdown (components used in annual totals)
- Basic tuition fee (component of the annual total): EUR 8,914 per student.
- Supplementary tuition fee (varies by grade level and represents the difference between state cap and school's costs):
- Early Years supplementary: EUR 2,053.
- Grades 1–5 supplementary: EUR 3,327.
- Grades 6–8 supplementary: EUR 4,129.
- Grades 9–10 supplementary: EUR 4,919.
- Grades 11–12 supplementary: EUR 6,107.

Non-residency fee (where applicable)
- Non-resident students only: Grades 1–9 non-residency fee EUR 2,910; Grades 10–12 non-residency fee EUR 2,666. These are charged when a student does not have the municipality-of-residence documentation required for resident grant levels.

Per-term / trimester payment amounts (trimester payment option — example figures from published payment schedule)
- The school year is divided into three trimesters (Aug–Oct; Nov–Feb; Mar–May). When using the trimester payment option, basic and supplementary tuition (and non-residency fee where applicable) are charged 30% (trimester 1), 40% (trimester 2) and 30% (trimester 3). A one-time administration fee of EUR 180 per student is charged for the trimester payment option (included in the last invoice). Example trimester invoices (2020/21 figures) were:
- Early Years total EUR 12,247 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 4,390.10; EUR 4,386.80; EUR 3,470.10.
- Grades 1–5 total EUR 13,521 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 4,772.30; EUR 4,896.40; EUR 3,852.30.
- Grades 6–8 total EUR 14,323 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,012.90; EUR 5,217.20; EUR 4,092.90.
- Grades 9–10 total EUR 15,113 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,249.90; EUR 5,533.20; EUR 4,329.90.
- Grades 11–12 total EUR 16,301 — trimester instalments approximately EUR 5,606.30; EUR 6,008.40; EUR 4,686.30.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Single-payment option: basic and supplementary tuition fees are payable in full by 30 June prior to the start of the academic year.
- Trimester-payment option: due dates shown in the published schedule (example year) were 30 June (Trimester 1), 15 November (Trimester 2) and 28 February (Trimester 3); the trimester split is 30% / 40% / 30% for basic and supplementary tuition. A one-time EUR 180 fee applies for the trimester payment option.
- Late payments: overdue payments are subject to interest charges (example policy showed 7% per annum) and continued non-payment may result in loss of the student's place after reminders and procedures.
- Withdrawal notice: a minimum notice period applies (30 days advance notice required in the published schedule); final fee calculation depends on the date of formal withdrawal.

Refund information
- Refunds are granted only for basic and supplementary tuition payments for full trimesters not attended. Any trimester that a student has started to attend must be paid in full. Students departing after 28 February receive no refund for that academic year. Application, registration, annual capital and non-residency fees are non-refundable.

Boarding / accommodation
- The school operates as a day school; boarding is not offered and no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and optional fees
- IB examination and registration fees are invoiced separately (IBO charges).
- Materials / class activity fees and optional service fees (examples from published schedules) may include a materials fee and activity-specific charges; optional student support or therapy services and after-school care are charged separately and on a needs/participation basis. Exact optional-service fees vary by year and service.
- The school may invoice additional one-off or annual charges (for example membership or capital levies); these are set or confirmed by the school's governance and may vary year to year.

Fee payment practicalities
- The application fee is charged by credit card only. Invoicing and payment arrangements for tuition and other fees are handled by the school's Business Office; parents receive invoices with due dates and payment instructions. Specific accepted payment methods for tuition invoices (for example bank transfer or in-person card payment) are provided on those invoices and via the Business Office.

Notes on adjustments and indexing
- The school applies indexing and may adjust monthly and programme fees annually; additional conditions (for example municipal subsidy eligibility for early years or residency documentation deadlines) can change the level of fees charged for a student. Families are required to notify the Business Office about subsidy applications so the school can process the necessary administrative forms.

Curriculum

ISH offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP) as part of the IB World School framework. The language of instruction is English; Spanish, French and Finnish as a Foreign Language, plus Finnish Mother Tongue, are offered, with English as an Additonal Language (EAL) support for identified students. The PYP uses an integrated, cross-curricular approach and runs from early years through Grade 5; the MYP is a 5-year programme for Grades 6–10; the DP is a 2-year programme for Grades 11–12. ISH became Finland's first fully IB-accredited school in 2005.

Student Teacher Ratio

1:5

Higher Education Progression

The High School Diploma (HSDP) and the IB Diploma (DP) are recognized by leading universities.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

ISH centers wellbeing at the heart of its education, organizing around four catalysts: Wellbeing, Autonomy, Belonging, and Connection. Wellbeing focuses on community, social and emotional development, and balance. Autonomy develops decision‑making, challenge, and agency with high expectations and self‑actualization. Belonging ensures all kinds of people feel valued through collaboration and appreciation of diversity. Connection broadens experiences, deepens empathy, and encourages responsibility and purposeful actions. The school serves learners from 4 to 19 across the IB continuum with an individualized approach and a community made up of more than 40 nationalities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

ISH provides inclusive, individualized support for students with additional educational needs, including access and enrichment, and support for students acquiring English and those with social‑emotional and/or behavioral needs. The school emphasises an inclusive admission policy and is proactive about ensuring appropriate support; in some cases, additional admissions information may be requested to place students for success.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Early Years to Grade 8: the school accepts students with no prior English experience and provides targeted language support to help students integrate and succeed academically and socially. High School (Grades 9–12) applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency, which is evaluated during the admissions process; additional English assessments may be required.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing support is provided by a Wellbeing Lead, School Counselors, a City Counselor, and an Individualised Learning Lead as part of the safeguarding framework. The Counseling Team handles student counseling and related supports; pastoral care and career/personal counseling are provided as part of ISH services.

Safeguarding

ISH has a Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. The safeguarding team includes the Wellbeing Lead, Head of School, Individualised Learning Lead, School Counselors, City Counselor, and School Psychologist, and meets monthly to review policy, log concerns, train staff, and consider cases. The Counseling Team handles reports of concern and works with external agencies as needed. ISH provides a Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers and requires safeguarding training; there is a confidential whistleblowing channel for reporting malpractice or abuse.

Admissions

1. Submit the online application via OpenApply with the required documents. All uploaded documents must be in English or translations with originals. Documents required vary by level but typically include the application form, enrolment and payment agreement, copy of passport, and school reports for the past two years. For Lower School there is a New Applicant Online Parent Survey and teacher reference forms; for Upper School there is an introductory letter from the applicant and teacher reference forms; Learning Support students must attach an IEP and recent assessments; an application fee of 350€ per student is charged. 2. After the admissions office has received a complete application, the applicant will be considered for admission. Submitting faulty or insufficient information can reverse the admissions decision. 3. An interview will be conducted when: the applicant is applying for Upper School (grades 9-12); the applicant has learning support needs; submitted documents need to be clarified; class placement needs to be defined. 4. English Language Expectations: High School applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to succeed in high school. English language skills are evaluated throughout the admissions process, including a complete application and a student interview, and in some cases, an additional English assessment may be required. 5. Residency Requirements: Students must reside with at least one parent or a designated guardian while enrolled. The school requires verification of guardian arrangements to ensure student welfare and compliance with safeguarding policies. 6.

View Full Profile

Mattlidens Gymnasium

Instructs in Swedish, English

Pupils 760

Type Co-educational

Mattlidens gymnasium is a municipal upper secondary school in Espoo, Finland, offering a Swedish-language track alongside an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It is the largest Swedish-language upper secondary school in Finland and the only Swedish-language IB DP school in the capital region, providing a diverse bilingual pathway for students. The IB DP forms a two-year course (DP1/DP2) with a preparatory year (preDP) in grade 10, six subject groups, and a Diploma core of CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding and multilingualism, with Swedish, English, and Finnish at multiple levels and options in Spanish, French, and German. In autumn 2026 a new sports line for young athletes will balance flexible studies with professional sport. The campus shares facilities with a lower-grade campus and is connected by modern transport. About 150 students study the English IB programme. Strong pastoral support and a collaborative school culture.

Stages

Upper secondary

Type

Municipal upper secondary school

Additional learning support

Special education and study guidance are provided. The school offers a team including a special education teacher, four study counselors, a guidance counselor, a health nurse and a school psychologist.

Country affiliation

Finland

School day structure

School year 2025-2026 starts 7 August 2025. Year 1 starts at 9:30; Years 2–4 assemble at 11:30. Instruction begins according to the Wilma timetable on 8 August. Periods and project weeks: Period 1 7 Aug–26 Sep; Project week 22–26 Sep. Period 2 29 Sep–21 Nov; Project week 17–21 Nov. Period 3 24 Nov–30 Jan; Project week 26–30 Jan. Period 4 2 Feb–27 Mar; Project week 23–27 Mar. Period 5 30 Mar–30 May; Project week 22–28 May. Holidays: Autumn break 13–17 Oct; Autumn graduation and independence day celebration 5 Dec; Christmas break 22 Dec–6 Jan; Penkis 5 Feb; Gammeldans 6 Feb; Sportlov 16–20 Feb; Påsklov 3–6 Apr; Första maj (ledig dag) 1 May; Kristi himmelsfärdsdag (ledig dag) 14 May; Ledig dag (i stället för Stafettkarnevalen) 15 May; Skollördag (Stafettkarnevalen & MG Amazing Race) 23 May; Mattdagen 29 May; Våravslutning & studentdimission 30 May.

Application fees
- There is no separate application fee for the joint application route used for admission to Mattlidens Gymnasium (preDP and general admission via the national joint application system). Applications for upper secondary places are made through the national joint application (Opintopolku/Studyinfo) in the spring; direct applications to the IB Diploma Programme when places are available are submitted to the school without an additional application charge.

Tuition fees by year group (per term and per academic year)
- Pre-DP (preparatory year before the IB Diploma): EUR 0 per term; EUR 0 per academic year.
- DP1 (first year of the IB Diploma): EUR 0 per term; EUR 0 per academic year.
- DP2 (second year of the IB Diploma): EUR 0 per term; EUR 0 per academic year.
- Mattlidens Gymnasium does not charge tuition for students accepted to the preDP from August 2020 onwards (students coming directly from Finnish comprehensive school are eligible for free education). There are therefore no school tuition invoices issued to these pupils.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- For standard tuition: no tuition invoices are issued and no regular tuition payments are required for enrolled students as described above.
- For externally assessed IB examinations: the International Baccalaureate Organisation charges assessment fees per examination session. The IB assessment charge structure used by schools is a candidate registration fee and a per-subject assessed fee. Current IB student assessment charges published by the IB are: USD 160 candidate registration fee (per examination session) and USD 110 candidate subject fee (per assessed subject). Schools normally invoice families for these assessment fees in advance of the IB registration deadlines and late registration incurs additional late fees under IB rules.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- Mattlidens Gymnasium does not provide boarding facilities. There are no boarding fees because the school has no boarding. Students are responsible for their own living arrangements.

Other costs or fees
- IB assessment fees (charged by the IB per candidate and per subject) are the principal externally determined charge that families may be asked to pay; see the IB assessment fee amounts above.
- School-provided daily lunch is organised for Espoo schools and is provided free of charge as part of Espoo's school meal services for pupils and upper secondary students; families typically do not pay for the standard daily school meal.
- Parents may be asked to pay for optional or voluntary items and activities such as international study trips, optional excursions, course-specific materials, instrument hire, voluntary extracurricular courses, personal supplies, or non-compulsory study materials. Amounts and invoicing for these items vary by activity and are billed separately when applicable.

Refund information
- There are no tuition fees to refund for the standard preDP/IB tuition described above.
- Refunds or cancellation rules for IB assessment fees, optional trips or other charged items follow the specific charging body's policies (for example, IB deadlines, late fees and any refund rules apply to IB assessment fees; schools or vendors set refund terms for trips and optional services). The IB assessment guidance notes that late registration and amendments to subject registrations may incur additional fees.

Fee payment options
- When the school issues an invoice for assessment fees or optional activities, the invoice will include payment instructions and the acceptable payment methods for that charge. Common municipal and school billing arrangements in Finland are settled via official invoices and payment channels (for example bank transfer or e-invoice), and schools generally provide clear payment details on each invoice. For IB assessment fees, payment instructions and deadlines are communicated to candidates by the school at the time of registration and invoicing.

Curriculum

Mattlidens gymnasium is the largest Swedish-language upper secondary school in Finland and offers an English-language IB Diploma Programme; the IB Diploma Programme began in 1990 and the school has had a double intake since 2001. The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course (DP1/DP2, grades 11–12) preceded by a preparatory year (preDP, grade 10). There are six subject groups in the DP; students choose one subject from each group with three subjects at higher level and three at standard level; subjects include Studies in language and literature, Language acquisition, Individuals and societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts. The Diploma core includes CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The Diploma Programme is internationally recognized and qualifies candidates for admission to universities worldwide.

Higher Education Progression

The IB Diploma Programme is internationally recognized and qualifies candidates for admission to universities worldwide.

Admissions

1. Common application window in spring 2026. The common application to vocational and upper secondary education is offered. Mattlidens gymnasium provides 175 places on the Swedish-language gymnasial line, 25 places on the newly established Swedish-language sports line, and 50 places on the English-language IB line. The spring 2026 application runs February 17–March 17, 2026 through StudyInfo. The application form and further information are available via StudyInfo. 2. Application to Mattlidens gymnasium. After the application period, applicants submit their preliminary year selections for the first year. Selections are made electronically, either in Wilma (for students in Esbo's basic education) or in Google Forms (for students from outside Esbo). The link to the form and instructions are provided by the end of March 2026. It is encouraged that applicants aiming for first or second priority submit preliminary selections to facilitate timetable planning. 3. Admission results. The results of the joint admission are published on June 11, 2026, and all applicants receive their admission results by email from StudyInfo. The names of admitted students are no longer published on the school site or on social media; admitted students receive a personal admission decision by email. 4. Accepting the place and waitlist. You must officially accept your study place electronically in StudyInfo. To ensure a smooth process, please accept the study place by the day after the admission results; but you must accept no later than June 25, 2026; otherwise the place expires. You can be admitted from the waiting list until August 14, 2026. If a place becomes available, the next candidate on the waiting list is contacted by phone. 5. After acceptance. After you have electronically accepted, Wilma codes and other important information about the start of the school year will be sent to you by email in mid‑June. 6. Contacts. If you have questions about receiving the study place, contact the school secretary or the principal. +358 46 8771814).

Waitlist

Waiting list: You can be admitted from the waiting list until August 14, 2026. If a vacancy arises, the next candidate on the waiting list is contacted by phone.

View Full Profile

Tampereen Lyseon Lukio

Instructs in English

Type Co-educational

Tampereen Lyseo Lukio, known as Rellu, is a public upper secondary school in Tampere, Finland, by Pyynikintori square. It offers three study programmes: a high school programme, a Social Sciences Studies programme and an International Baccalaureate programme taught in English culminating in the IB diploma. The curriculum blends the Finnish national framework with the IB Diploma Programme, and features a broad range of subjects. Languages include English, German, French and Spanish as A-languages; Swedish as B1, with French and German as B2 and Spanish, French, German and Russian as B3. Rellu maintains partner schools in France, Germany and Spain and is part of the IB network. It supports learning across Tampere City schools and online courses, and involves University of Tampere courses. Through IB and Social Sciences study, students complete CAS projects, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays, guided by caring teachers and a focus on well-being and future study opportunities.

Location

Located at F.E. Sillanpään katu 7, 33230 Tampere, by Pyynikintori square.

Stages

Three study programmes: General high school programme; Social Sciences Studies (formerly European Studies) programme; and International Baccalaureate (IB) programme taught in English and culminating in the IB exam.

Type

Public municipal upper secondary school.

Country affiliation

Finland

Application fees

- No application fee is charged for regular admissions to Tampereen Lyseon Lukio; applications to the IB and general programmes are submitted through the national joint application system (Studyinfo/Opintopolku) during the published application periods.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- General statement for municipal students (all year groups): Tampereen Lyseon Lukio is a municipal day upper secondary school and does not charge tuition to students who are residents of Finland (including EU/EEA citizens) for the 2025/26 academic year; there is no per-term or per-year tuition for these students.

- 2026/27 position (third‑country/non‑EU students): From 1 August 2026, national rules allow upper secondary providers to charge tuition for students who are citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA; where tuition applies it will be set and billed by the education provider or municipality. For the 2026/27 academic year, any tuition that Tampereen Lyseon Lukio would charge to third‑country (non‑EU/EEA) students will be established and published by the education provider; regular resident/EU/EEA students continue without tuition charges.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- For regular municipal students there is no tuition billing schedule because standard instruction is provided without tuition charges.

- Where fees are levied (for example, fees introduced for third‑country students from 1 August 2026 or for specific optional paid courses or services), the school or municipality will issue invoices and set payment deadlines; participation can be conditioned on timely payment when a fee applies. Providers commonly require payment by the deadline stated on the invoice or registration notice.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Boarding is not applicable to Tampereen Lyseon Lukio: it operates as a day upper secondary school located in central Tampere and does not provide a boarding/dormitory service. No boarding fees are charged.

Other costs or fees (uniforms, materials, trips, optional courses)

- Uniforms: There is no school uniform requirement for Finnish upper secondary schools in general; Tampereen Lyseon Lukio does not require a uniform.

- Course materials and learning resources: Students are ordinarily expected to supply personal study materials and may be asked to purchase or rent certain textbooks, workbooks or materials for specific courses; costs for required materials vary by course and subject.

- Optional paid courses and extra activities: Participation in optional fee-based activities (for example, certain external university-level courses, some adult-education style offerings, or some extra-curricular trips and international study tours) can incur charges. Field trips, international exchange travel, insurance for off-site activities and voluntary study trips are commonly charged to participating students. Where a course or trip has a fee, the school will provide the billing and payment instructions.

- IB programme examination and assessment costs: Students in the IB Diploma stream may incur IB-related examination and assessment fees (IBO and/or school administration charges). IB fees are charged per candidate/subject and may include registration and per‑subject examination fees; the school administers collection of those fees and sets payment deadlines for candidates. Expect IB exam-related charges when sitting the Diploma Programme assessments.

Refund information (if applicable to the school)

- For standard municipal instruction (no tuition) there is no tuition refund process because no tuition is charged.

- For any fees that the school or municipality charges (for example, third‑country tuition where applicable, optional course fees, IB exam fees, or trip fees), refund, withdrawal and cancellation terms are defined by the billing authority (the school or the municipality) or by the external provider (IBO, travel operator, course organiser). Refundability depends on the specific fee type, timing of cancellation, and the provider's published refund policy; non‑payment may prevent participation in fee‑based activities.

Fee payment options

- When the school or municipality issues fees or invoices, standard payment collection methods used in Finnish municipal education contexts include invoicing and bank transfer. For IB examination and related fees, it is common for schools to collect payments by bank transfer (IBAN) to the school's designated account and to state a clear payment deadline on the invoice or payment notice. Specific accepted payment methods and account details are provided with any invoice or examination registration notice.

Summary statement

- Tampereen Lyseon Lukio functions as a municipal, day upper secondary school and does not charge application or tuition fees for regular resident (including EU/EEA) students for the 2025/26 academic year; boarding is not provided. From 1 August 2026, national legislation enables charging tuition to non‑EU/EEA (third‑country) upper‑secondary students, and any such fees for the 2026/27 academic year will be set and billed by the education provider/municipality. IB candidates should expect IB‑related examination fees charged per candidate/subject.

Admissions

1. Applications for upper high school places are made through a joint application procedure. The joint application to upper secondary education is a national procedure Tampereen lyseon lukio uses to select new students for all three programmes. Apply online in Studyinfo (Opintopolku) during the application period (Spring 2026: 17.2. – 17.3.2026). The starting places are full and there are no exchanges of study places between the city's upper secondary schools. If moving with a family to the municipality, vacancies in the second and third years can be enquired about from the central Guidance Counselor Sonja Kaverinen. 2. The IB programme admissions: The IB programme is intended for Finnish comprehensive school graduates, children of Finnish families moving back to Finland from abroad, and foreign students who move to Finland with their families because of their parents' work; we do not enroll foreign students who move to Tampere without their parents. Tampereen lyseon lukio is not a high school for adults and the yearly intake into the IB programme is approximately 50 students. Most applicants to the preparatory year apply via the national online application system run by the National Board of Education; 1–5 study places are reserved for late applicants. Applying from Finland: application from students in Finnish schools is warmly welcomed; no prior experience in international education is required; if you wish to apply to the IB programme at Tampereen lyseon lukio, complete the online joint application form through Studyinfo/Opintopolku during the application period; students applying from Finnish comprehensive schools are chosen based on their grade point average of the theoretical subjects from the previous school, with English and Mathematics grades weighted twice; the minimum GPA is 8.2; applicants who have Tampereen lyseon lukio IB section as their first choice on the General applications form will be notified about the admission result. Applying from other countries or other school systems: applicants from outside Finland should submit a written explanation outlining their reasons for applying and providing a brief description of their educational background and interests in upper secondary school studies; the application form is available for download on the school website; applicants must also register through Studyinfo.fi using the non-domestic quota; all applicants who do not have a final report from a Finnish comprehensive school are required to take entrance examinations in Mathematics and English; the exams take place at Tampereen lyseon lukio (F.E. Sillanpään katu 7) on April 16 at 10:00; the student selection is based on the applicants' previous academic performance and entrance exams in English and Mathematics; special attention is paid to the applicants' previous grades in English, Mathematics, and the mother tongue/first language; these students must have a valid reason for needing an English-language study place in Tampere. Note that we do not enroll foreign students who plan to move to Tampere without their parents. 3. Applying directly to the 2-year Diploma Programme: Students who have already completed one full year of upper secondary education may apply to join the IB programme directly, bypassing the Pre-DP year; these applications should be made directly to the school, rather than through Studyinfo.fi; applicants should submit a written explanation of their reasons for applying, along with their IB application form and the most recent report card; if applicable, explanations about grading should be included; the application form can be downloaded from the school website; all applicants who do not have a final report from a Finnish comprehensive school are required to take entrance examinations in Mathematics and English; the exams will take place at Tampereen lyseon lukio (F.E. Sillanpään katu 7) on April 16 at 10:00; applicants can be admitted directly to the 2-year Diploma Programme if there are available places; note that we do not enroll foreign students who plan to move to Tampere without their parents. 4. Study costs: The students pay for all material they need (books, laptop), unless entitled to upper secondary education free of charge; the right to upper secondary education free of charge applies to students who are required to attend compulsory education by Finnish law, typically those who finish comprehensive education in Finland; the right to free upper secondary education lasts until the end of the calendar year in which the student turns 20; the extension of compulsory education does not apply to those born in 2003 or earlier; more information about the extension of compulsory education via OKM. 5. Language requirements: IB Diploma always requires two languages; Finnish and English can be native languages; Finnish as a foreign language; French and Spanish as foreign languages; some groups formed only if group size is big enough; some teaching in Finnish; Self-taught language option with a supervisor; questions can be directed to IB Coordinator Tuija Laurila at tuija.laurila(at)tampere.fi.

View Full Profile

Compare IB Curriculum International Schools in Finland

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

School day structure

Boarding Arrangements

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

School day structure

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Location

Stages

Pupil Nationality Mix

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Boarding Arrangements

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Student Teacher Ratio

Higher Education Progression

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

School day structure

Curriculum

Higher Education Progression

Admissions

Waitlist

Location

Stages

Type

Country affiliation

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Higher Education Progression

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Mental Wellbeing

Admissions

Filters

Currency

Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

Other Approaches

Language of instruction