Education for immigrants

Pupils who do not have sufficient Finnish language skills to study at their own local school will study their first school year in preparatory education. Preparatory education is centralized at the Kalevala Comprehensive School (age group 7 - 13) and Pyörö Comprehensive School (age group 13 - 17). The other option for those children who can study in English is bilingual programme (Finnish-English) in certain cases. Bilingual programme is organized in Rajala Comprehensive School (age group 7 - 13) and in Hatsala Classical Comprehensive School (age group 13 - 16). Language skills are tested before a decision is made.

Preparatory education

All children of basic education (age group 7–17 years) whose Finnish skills are insufficient to study in their local school are entitled to preparatory education. Preparatory education is preparing programme, which acquaints children with Finnish school system, culture and teaching methods. The aim of the preparing programme is to develop pupils' Finnish language skills and general readiness for Finnish school. Preparing programme is not class- or year-based. As pupils' proficiency in Finnish improves, they can begin to participate in Finnish lessons (integration lessons). Preparing programme comprises 900 hours (age group 6 - 10) or 1 000 hours (age group 11 - 17) that generally takes one year to complete.

Principal, Kalevala Comprehensive School
Merja Laininen
+358 44 718 4331
merja.laininen(at)kuopio.fi

Principal, Pyörö Comprehensive School
Erja Kokkonen
+358 44 718 4801
erja.kokkonen(at)kuopio.fi

Bilingual programme (Finnish-English)

The city of Kuopio will offer bilingual programme in two different schools: in Rajala Comprehensive School (age group 7 - 13) and in Hatsala Classical Comprehensive School (age group 13 - 16). In both schools the bilingual programme is for the children who can study both in Finnish and in English. The aim of these programmes is to develop a natural and straightforward relationship with the language. A student who has English as his/her mother tongue, but who has no knowledge of Finnish, may be accepted to the bilingual programme only if his/her stay in Finland is not permanent and is for a period of two years or less. There is also a entrance exam in Hatsala Classical Comprehensive school which have to perform accurately before it is possible to study in this programme.

Principal, Rajala Comprehensive School

Outi Karikoski
+358 44 718 4351
outi.karikoski(at)kuopio.fi

Principal, Hatsala Classical Comprehensive School
Jaana Kujala
+358 44 718 4501
jaana.kujalaat)kuopio.fi

Basic education for adults (age group 17 and more)

Basic education for adults is for adults who have not completed their basic education. Adult’s basic education lasts about 2 – 4 years depends on their earlier studies. The basic education provides eligibility for general upper secondary education or vocational upper secondary education and training.

There are three different states in basic educations for adults:

1. language teaching

2. beginning of basic education

3. final state of basic education

It depends on student's earlier studies, which is the best state to start for them.

In the city of Kuopio, the basic education for adults is centralized in Kuopio Community College (Kuopion kansalaisopisto, states 1 and 2), Kuopio Upper Secondary School for Adults (Kuopion Aikuislukio, state 3) and Pohjois-Savo’s College (Pohjois-Savon opisto, states 2 and 3).

The most of the study groups starts in August and some groups in January. If there are any free places in groups, there is a possibility to start studies also in some other time. Free study places can be asked straight from the school/college.

Education coordinator, Kuopion kansalaisopisto
Johanna Jussila
+358 44 718 4714
johanna.jussila(at)kuopio.fi

Principal, Kuopion aikuislukio
Ensio Vatanen
+358 44 718 4522
ensio.vatanen(at)kuopio.fi

Pohjois-Savon opisto

Contact details Contact details

Coordinator
(education for immigrants)
Karoliina Peltola
+358 44 718 8942
karoliina.peltola(at)kuopio.fi

Joint application to basic education for adults, spring 2019 Joint application to basic education for adults, spring 2019

8.4. - 30.4.2019

More information More information

Finnish education in a nutshell