I want to work or study
Education and professional development will open up new opportunities for you. Acquiring the required knowledge and skills will make it easier for you to find a good job and build a stable future.
Give feedback on this website (external link, opens in a new window)A person’s study path begins already in childhood. Espoo residents attend school and study,for example,
- in pre-primary education,
- in basic education,
- in preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification
- in basic education for adults,
- in upper secondary education,
- at a higher education institution.
Upper secondary education means high school or vocational education and training. A higher education institution means a university or a university of applied sciences. Higher education institutions located in Espoo include Aalto University(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window) and Laurea University of Applied Sciences(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window).
Education is free of charge until the end of the year in which you turn 20.
Textbooks and other study tools are free in pre-primary education, basic education and upper secondary education. During these educational stages, a free meal if provided during the school day.
Studying for a profession
In this section you will find more information about vocational training and working during your studies.
Vocational education and training (VET) prepares you directly for a profession. After the training, you can go to work immediately. These study programmes are practice-oriented. Most of the studying is done at the workplace. For example, you can study to become a chef, electrician, home builder, practical nurse, dental nurse or a car mechanic
In Espoo, you can apply for vocational training at Omnia when you have sufficient Finnish skills. The level of language proficiency required for vocational education and training is A2–B1. A2 means elementary or developing basic language skills and B1 means functional or fluent basic language skills. The level of language proficiency required depends on the training programme. If necessary, you will receive support for Finnish during the training programme.
Espoo residents can also apply to study at educational institutions in other cities.
You can apply for many training programmes through rolling admissions throughout the year.
Apprenticeship training
You can also learn a profession through apprenticeship training. An apprenticeship will allow you to complete any vocational qualification or part of one.
Apprenticeship is a good option when you have a job that matches the qualification for which you are studying, because your studies will almost entirely be completed in the workplace. Only a small part of the studies takes place in a vocational school. Wages are paid for the working days of apprenticeship training.
Omnia organises apprenticeship training in Espoo.
Vocational training in English and Swedish
Omnia also offers some English-language degree programmes. Espoo residents can attend vocational education and training in Swedish at the Yrkesinstitutet Practicum in Helsinki.
How you can finance your studies in Finland depends on your situation.
- Learn more about financing your studies on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window)
- Read the quick guide to financial aid for students on Kela’s website.(external link, opens in a new window)(external link, opens in a new window)
If you receive student financial aid
You can work during your studies. The salary you receive for your work may reduce the amount of your student financial aid.
Student financial aid ensures that you can manage financially during your studies. You can receive it for full-tme studies after completing basic education.
If you receive unemployment benefits
If you receive unemployment benefits during your studies, your income may reduce the amount of unemployment benefits. Your earned income may reduce the amount of aid even if you work little or infrequently.
Report your working hours and working days to Kela. Kela receives pay information from the Incomes Register and uses it in the processing of applications.
Other study opportunities
This section provides more information on other adult learning and the recognition of qualifications.
Upper secondary school is general education, after which you can continue your studies at a university or a university of applied sciences. Espoo has 11 upper secondary schools, ten of which are taught in Finnish and one in Swedish.
In upper secondary school, you will need sufficient Finnish or Swedish skills to keep up with your studies.
Espoo has two upper secondary schools – Etelä-Tapiolan lukio and Matlidens gymnasium – where you can complete an international matriculation examination (IB) in English.
Young people in Espoo can also apply to upper secondary schools in other cities.
You can also study in upper secondary school as an adult. In this case, upper secondary school for adults is the correct place to study. In upper secondary school for adults, you can complete upper secondary school studies in their entirety and complete the matriculation examination, or you can study individual subjects. Upper secondary school for adults is intended people over the age of 18.
In Espoo, upper secondary school for adults is run by Omnia.
If you have completed a degree abroad, you may need to apply for a decision on the recognition of your degree. A decision on recognition means that you will be able to work in your profession or continue your studies in Finland. Professions where a decision on the recognition of a degree is required include teachers, nurses, doctors, dentists, physiotherapists and psychologists.
- Learn more about the recognition of foreign qualifications in Finland on the InfoFinland.fi website in several languages.(external link, opens in a new window)
- For tips for foreign graduates, please visit the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education.(external link, opens in a new window)
The Finnish National Agency for Education has created a guide to help you find out:
- Whether you need a decision on the recognition of a degree completed abroad?
- where and how you apply for a decision and
- where to find out more.
The service guide will guide you step by step. It is available in Finnish, Swedish or English.
Preparatory education for degree programmes (TUVA) provides you with study skills that give you access to general upper secondary education or vocational education and training, along with the means to complete these studies.
In TUVA, you can:
- strengthen your basic skills (for example, Finnish, mathematics and digital skills)
- improve basic education grades
- familiarise yourself with different options for further studies
- already complete upper secondary school courses or parts of basic vocational qualifications.
You can study in a TUVA programme for a maximum of one year.
You can apply to TUVA training if you have completed basic education in Finland or another country, but you do not yet have an upper secondary qualification and your Finnish language skills are sufficient (approximately level A2). There is a rolling application process for TUVA training. If you are given a study place in upper secondary school or vocational education and training, you will be able to transfer early.
In Espoo, TUVA training is organised by Omnia and Live Vocational College.
You can also study in TUVA programmes in other cities.
In basic education for adults, you can complete the entire comprehensive school or parts of it.
In Espoo, basic education for adults is organised by Omnia. You can also study in other cities.
Apply for basic education for adults if
- you have not completed basic education (or similar studies) in Finland or another country
- you are 14-15 years old and have completed basic education in another country.
- you do not have sufficient skills (e.g. proficiency in Finnish) for upper secondary school, vocational education and training or preparatory education for a degree.
In basic education, you can also study literacy in Finnish. These studies may last up to five years. If you complete the final stage, you will receive a basic education certificate that allows you to apply for upper secondary school or vocational education and training. If you are an unemployed adult jobseeker and want to study in basic education for adults, you can receive unemployment benefit for comprehensive school studies for a maximum of two years. Ask your assigned Employment Service employee.
The training is free of charge and takes place during the day. You will also get a free porridge in the morning and lunch.
You can apply for basic education for adults 3–5 times a year.
The City of Espoo provides advice on applying to school for children under 18. Email oppivelvollisuus.asuinkunta@espoo.fi.
Contact information
Discover these services.
Omnia’s career counselling in Finnish and English
+358 9 23198360info@omnia.fiFor those who have questions about education or need help with planning a career path. Career counselling can also guide you in choosing a suitable language course.
You can also participate with your own interpreter.
The service is free of charge.
Omnia's career counselling.(external link, opens in a new window)