Matriculation examination in English

Updated

In future, the matriculation examination may also be taken in English under strictly limited conditions. The examination is intended for students whose language skills are insufficient to complete general upper secondary education and the matriculation examination in Finnish or Swedish.

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English-language matriculation tests will be implemented as translation tests, meaning they will have the same content as the Finnish- and Swedish-language tests. The English-language examination requires completion of the Finnish or Swedish as a second language and literature test, depending on the language of instruction at the candidate's general upper secondary school.
 
The English-language examination can be taken at a general upper secondary school that has received authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Culture to provide education in English.
 
Tests for the English-language matriculation examination can be taken from autumn 2028 onwards. General upper secondary schools will admit students to English-language study tracks starting in autumn 2026.

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Questions and answers

Who is eligible to participate in the matriculation examination in English?

Participation in English-language general upper secondary education and the matriculation examination is strictly regulated by law. A candidate taking the English-language matriculation examination must be enrolled in a general upper secondary education programme that is specifically designed to lead to the English-language matriculation examination.
 
The examination may also be taken by a person who has previously completed the general upper secondary syllabus in English, for example abroad. It is also open to a person who has studied or is studying a vocational qualification in English and does not have sufficient proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. Furthermore, a person who has completed the preparatory studies required for the IB Diploma, but not the diploma itself, and who lacks sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills, may take the examination. The criteria for Finnish and Swedish language proficiency are defined in legislation.
 
Before sitting the tests, the candidate must have completed studies in the same way as for the Finnish- and Swedish-language matriculation examinations.
 
The examination can only be taken in a general upper secondary school that has an official authorisation to provide English-language education.

How does the English-language matriculation examination differ from the Finnish- or Swedish-language examination?

The English-language matriculation tests are administered as translation tests, meaning their content is the same as that of the Finnish- and Swedish-language tests. The structure of the examination is identical to that of the Finnish- and Swedish-language matriculation examinations. The mother tongue and literature test is taken as Finnish as a second language and literature if the school also provides Finnish-language general upper secondary education, and as Swedish as a second language and literature if the school also provides Swedish-language general upper secondary education.

How does the language of instruction in a general upper secondary school affect the completion of the English-language matriculation examination?

The language of instruction in a general upper secondary school is Finnish or Swedish, and it affects the completion of the English-language matriculation examination. If a candidate completes the English-language matriculation examination in a school where the language of instruction, in addition to English, is Finnish, they will take the Finnish as a second language and literature test as their mother tongue and literature test, as well as the second national language test in Swedish. In addition, the candidate will be issued, alongside the English-language matriculation certificate, a matriculation certificate in Finnish.
 
The same principles apply to Swedish-language schools, with language choices determined according to the Swedish language of instruction.

Who can supplement their matriculation examination with tests in English?

A person who has successfully completed the matriculation examination in English may supplement their examination with tests in English. A person who has completed the matriculation examination in another language may also supplement their examination with tests in English. However, the education provider is not obliged to offer this opportunity to a candidate who has completed the examination in another language.