Joint application process begins: compulsory education of young people completing basic education continues until age of 18

You can apply for further studies in the joint application process for upper secondary education starting on Tuesday 21 February 2023. The joint application period ends on 21 March 2023. Other application options are also available. 

Compulsory education continues after basic education until the young person turns 18 or completes an upper secondary qualification (vocational qualification or matriculation examination before this). As a result of the legislative amendment, upper secondary level studies became mainly free of charge for pupils subject to compulsory education. The right to free upper secondary education lasts until the end of the calendar year in which the student turns 20.

How can compulsory education be completed?

The obligation to apply for studies applies to all young people under the age of 18 who are completing basic education. Young people can complete compulsory education in the following ways:

• completing the general upper secondary school syllabus (upper secondary school or lukio)
• vocational upper secondary qualification or further vocational qualification (vocational institute)
• completion of the matriculation examination is also considered completion of compulsory education.

Compulsory education can also be completed

• in TUVA training (preparatory training for degree education)
• in TELMA training (preparatory training for work and independent living)
• education provided at folk high schools for those obliged by compulsory education
• in basic education for adults
• integration training organised at folk high school for immigrants

What does obligation to apply mean for pupil and guardian?

The obligation to apply means that in spring 2023, young people must apply for either upper secondary education, transition phase education or other compulsory education before the end of grade 9. All pupils completing basic education in the spring will apply for upper secondary education in the joint application process between 21 February and 21 March or in some other way.

The obligation to apply continues if the young person does not receive or accept a study place. The obligation to apply also continues if they do not start their studies or if the studies that have already started are interrupted.

The guardian must ensure that the young person applies for studies after comprehensive school and completes their compulsory education until the age of 18.

School supports and guides students in applying for further studies

The school is responsible for guiding, supporting and supervising the completion of the young person's compulsory education and applying for studies after basic education.

In Tampere, guidance counsellors provide guidance in matters related to application and monitor that pupils apply for education and start their studies. The guidance counsellors at schools specify the application practices of their schools and inform the pupils and their guardians of them in more detail.

What if young person does not receive study place in joint application process?

If the young person of compulsory school age does not receive a study place in the joint application process, the guidance counsellors of basic education will guide them in the summer when the results of the joint application process are completed.  The results of the joint application process will be published at the earliest on 15 June 2023. Student counsellors in basic education work at the time of publishing the results of the joint application process. 

A young person who does not have a study place can apply for a study place in the continuous application process for vocational education after the joint application process. The young person can also apply for other open training programmes. 

In August, the guidance counsellors of basic education will ensure that the young person has started their studies.  The guidance counsellors in basic education guide those young people who have not started their studies or received a study place. 

Each young person completing comprehensive school is assigned a study place in transition phase education if the person of compulsory school age does not otherwise receive a study place.
When a student starts in upper secondary education, the new educational institution guides and supports the student in completing compulsory education.