Spring 2026 joint application period for upper secondary education has ended

During the spring 2026 joint application period, a large number of young people applied to Espoo’s general upper secondary schools and vocational education and training programmes, as well as for TUVA education (preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification). It is the responsibility of the municipality of residence to ensure that all young people completing their comprehensive education have a further study place lined up.

“The Finnish education system is excellent because it has no dead ends. Whatever path students choose after comprehensive education, their opportunities for further studies remain open. Higher education can be accessed through both general upper secondary education and vocational education,” says Jussi Paavola, Director of Upper Secondary Education. “What matters most is that young people applying for further studies choose a path that genuinely interests and suits them. Personal enthusiasm and motivation are the best predictors of success in further studies,” Paavola explains.

The number of students in Espoo’s general upper secondary schools has grown for several years. Compared to last year, there were 262 additional places available in Espoo’s Finnish-speaking general upper secondary schools, with the total number of available places for the school year 2026–2027 being 2,413. Finnish-speaking general upper secondary schools had places available for 66.3% of pupils completing their comprehensive education. In the next joint application round in spring 2027, the number of available places in Espoo’s general upper secondary schools will increase further, as the new Kiviruukin lukio begins operations in August.

This spring, the City of Espoo’s Finnish-speaking general upper secondary schools had a total of 2,707 primary applicants. Last year, there were 2,599 applicants, so this spring there was an increase of 108 applicants. The number of primary applicants in relation to available places was 1.12 (1.21 in 2025).

Compared to last year, the number of applicants grew the most at Matinkylän lukio (primary applicants +30.1%, general programme +39.2%), Tapiolan lukio (primary applicants +19.8%) and Kuninkaantien lukio (primary applicants +17.1%). In addition to general upper secondary education, applicants were interested in specialised schools, programmes and weighted curriculums. The number of primary applicants to Otaniemen lukio’s theatre and media programme increased by 26.2%.

Swedish-language general upper secondary education and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

In addition to the ten Finnish-speaking general upper secondary schools, the City of Espoo has a Swedish-speaking general upper secondary school, Mattlidens gymnasium, with 175 available places in the general programme. Mattlidens gymnasium will launch a sports programme in autumn 2026, with 25 places for new students. There were 35 primary applicants to the new sports programme. Mattlidens gymnasium had places available to 63% of pupils who completed their comprehensive education in Swedish in Espoo.

Espoo has two schools where students can complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB). Etelä-Tapiolan lukio’s IB programme had 50 available places and 83 primary applicants. Mattlidens gymnasium’s IB programme had 50 available places and 54 primary applicants.

The number of applicants to different schools varies from year to year. In 2025, the lowest average grade for admission was 7.75. To be admitted to Espoo’s general upper secondary schools, applicants must have an average grade of at least 7.00 in theoretical subjects. The final average grades for admission vary from year to year depending on the number of applicants and will be revealed as the results are published on 11 June 2026.

A total of 4,523 people applied to Omnia

In this spring’s joint application round, there were 1,690 primary applicants to Omnia’s initial vocational qualification programmes and for TUVA education. The total number of applicants was 4,523. The total number of applications to Omnia’s various programmes was 9,216. Compared to last year, about 700 more applications were submitted, and the number of applicants increased by 223.  

Omnia increased the number of available places for autumn 2026 by more than 200 to ensure that every young person of compulsory education age can find an upper secondary study place that matches their interests.

Omnia’s initial vocational qualification programmes that received the most applications were business, electrical engineering and automation, and information and communications technology. In relation to available places, the most popular programmes among applicants were media and visual expression (competence area of visual expression), electrical engineering and automation, and food production.

The initial vocational qualification programmes with the largest increase in the number of applicants compared to 2025 were electrical engineering and automation (+141 applicants), restaurant and catering services (+72 applicants) and the motor vehicles sector (+69 applicants).

Omnia will start a new programme leading to an initial vocational qualification in education and guidance in August 2026. Holders of the qualification can work as children’s instructors (lastenohjaaja). The programme received 213 applications.

At Omnia, students can also complete a dual qualification, which means completing an initial vocational qualification in parallel with the matriculation examination. Students for the dual qualification programme are selected at the start of the school year 2026–27 from among applicants admitted to Omnia’s initial vocational qualification programmes based on the points they received in the joint application procedure.

A total of 179 applicants expressed an interest in completing an initial vocational qualification as an athlete at the Omnia Sports Educational Institution.

A total of 1,547 pupils applied for TUVA education (preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification). There were 124 primary applicants. TUVA education is provided at Omnia’s campuses in Tapiola, Espoon keskus and Kirkkonummi. 

People can apply to vocational education programmes all year round, and approximately half of vocational students are admitted to Omnia through continuous admission.

The results of the joint application procedure will be published on 11 June 2026.

According to the national schedule, the results of the joint application procedure and other spring application processes will be published at the earliest on 11 June 2026.

Under Information about the joint application system, you can find information about how to accept a study place and what to do if you do not get a study place.

Did you know that compulsory education continues until the age of 18 or until the young person has completed their upper secondary education? Read more about compulsory education.

More information

• Studyinfo(external link, opens in a new window)
• Information about the joint application system
• Apply to Omnia through the joint application system(external link, opens in a new window)
• Apply to general upper secondary school through the joint application system