Bilingual Study Programme BSP

Bilingual Study Program BSP

The bilingual Finnish-English upper secondary school program is designed for students finishing comprehensive school who want to study in a Finnish-speaking upper secondary school but do not have sufficient Finnish language skills to start their studies entirely in Finnish. The goal of the Bilingual Study Program is to support and promote students' Finnish language skills so that they can complete upper secondary education and the matriculation examination in Finnish.

The primary language of instruction is Finnish, but English is used variably depending on the subject matter and the support needed by each individual student. English is used as a secondary, supportive language; therefore, students are expected to have fluent English skills to participate in the instruction.

Students' Finnish language skills are developed not only through intensive preparatory Finnish as a second language courses but also through language-aware approaches throughout their studies. Students are encouraged to use Finnish in various situations both inside and outside of school. Towards the end of their studies, students are expected to be able to use Finnish independently in all study-related and personal goals.

The goal is to improve students' Finnish language skills so that they can participate in the Finnish matriculation examination and gain the right to apply for higher education.

All applicants are required to have a basic understanding of Finnish, as they are expected to develop their language skills to eventually meet the requirements of the matriculation examination. Applicants should carefully consider the demands of the Bilingual Study program and the Finnish language proficiency requirements set for passing the matriculation examination.

Students with more advanced Finnish language skills should apply to the fully Finnish-taught upper secondary education. Applicants who do not have sufficient English language skills are encouraged to explore other Finnish preparatory programs (e.g., TUVA).

The bilingual Finnish-English program has 25 places available in the spring 2025 joint application.

For more information about the program, please contact the principal, vice-principal, or guidance counselors of Hatanpään lukio.

Hatanpään lukio will be renamed Pyynikin lukio on August 1, 2025. During the 2025-2026 school year, the school will move from its current location in Hatanpää, Tampere, to a new location near the city center at Pyynikintie 2.