Student Counselling

The Joint Application

The joint application system is a national procedure used by Finnish educational institutions when selecting new students to upper secondary (including IB lukio) or vocational studies (ammatiopisto). By completing one online form, grade 9 students can choose to apply to upto five different institutions.

All students who complete a three-year course either in upper secondary or vocational education, are eligible to apply to the University of Applied Sciences (ammattikorkeakoulu). Students who have completed the upper secondary studies are eligible to apply to universities (yliopistot). For students who have completed vocational studies, universities apply variable admission procedures, depending on the course.

The joint application system is run by the Board of Education (opetushallitus).

Joint Application in 2012

Applications to upper secondary (including IB lukio) or vocational studies (ammattiopisto); the easiest way to apply is online at www.haenyt.fi.

The application period is 27.2.12 - 16.3.12

The online application form has to submitted by 16:15 on the deadline day. If using a paper copy, the application must be submitted to the Opetushallituksen Ohjaus- ja neuvontapalvelut (PL 380, 00531 Helsinki) by the same deadline. Late applications will not be handled.

Possible entrance, aptitude and language tests will be organised between 23.4.12 - 25.5.12. The upper secondary schools (including IB) and vocational schools announce the results of the joint application on 14.6.12 at the earliest.

Students who have been admitted must notify the school of acceptance of the study place by 28.6.12. If the student does not notify the school, then the place will be offered to someone else.

Selection Criteria

The entrance points are calculated differently, depending on whether the student applies to upper secondary or vocational education.

Selection of students for upper secondary school is based on the following:

• grade point average for the theoretical subjects (reaaliaineet) in the basic education certificate;
• possible points from entrance and aptitude tests (specialised upper sec. schools);
• possible points for hobbies and other relevant activities.

Selection of students for vocational upper secondary training is based on the following:

• general academic success and success in relevant subjects;
• work experience;
• entrance test or aptitude test;
• gender (in male or female dominated fields, points are given for the minority gender).