Compare IB Curriculum International Schools in Finland

SYK is an independent, coeducational day school in Helsinki, founded in 1886 and the oldest coeducational school in Finland. It offers the Finnish national curriculum for grades 3–9 and, in upper secondary, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) taught in English, complemented by a DP Core. The Lukio upper secondary is language‑focused, with a broad language program and official certificates such as DELF (French) and Deutsches Sprachdiplom (German). Language options include A languages (French, German, Russian, English); B1 Swedish; B2 and B3 options (French/German/Russian); and rotating languages such as Arabic, Japanese and Korean. The IB section was created in 1990. The school collaborates with Aalto University, Open University, Helsinki Summer University and the University of Helsinki; it coordinates the national LUKKI language development project and supports LUMA science education. The campus includes a swimming hall and a separate music school. International study trips extend to France, Germany, Latvia and Uzbekistan. SYK emphasizes opportunities for language, science and arts across a long‑standing, inclusive tradition.

Ressu Comprehensive School is a municipal public school in Helsinki serving grades 1–9 (ages about 7–15). It sits in Kamppi, with some lower‑secondary activities at Ruoholahdenkatu 23. The school blends the Finnish Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate framework: PYP for grades 1–6 and MYP for grades 7–9, taught primarily in Finnish, with about 80% of the weighted curriculum delivered in English. Language study starts with English A1 in Grade 1, A2 from Grade 3, B1 Swedish from Grade 6, and B2 languages from Grade 8. An English‑language weighted‑curriculum option exists, with English‑language acquisition classes taught fully in English. The school has around 750 pupils and offers facilities including a lower gym and spaces used for hockey, dance, and art clubs. After‑school clubs are organized by the Ressu PTA and partners, and learning projects culminate in the PYP exhibition in Grade 6. The school promotes international-mindedness and inclusion within Helsinki's municipal system.

Joensuun Lyseon lukio is a public upper secondary school in Joensuu, Finland, administered by the City of Joensuu. It offers the Finnish Curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), including a Preparatory Year. The school has 162 places, with 135 in the general programme and 27 in the IB line. Admission to the IB line is by application via Opintopolku, using a weighted lower secondary GPA (minimum 8.0) plus English and Mathematics (each weighted 2.0). The facilities at Science Park place Lyseo in an environment that supports closer cooperation with higher education institutions and industry. The school provides flexible spaces, modern furnishings, an acoustically pleasant environment, up-to-date teaching technology, and spaces for goal-oriented study and student wellbeing. Since 2000, Lyseo has delivered international upper secondary education through IB, with first IB graduates in 2003 and around 400 diplomas earned from students from about 20 countries in recent decades.

Ressun lukio operates from two campus buildings in central Helsinki, offering two upper secondary programmes. The Finnish-language programme follows the Finnish national curriculum, and the English-language option delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school serves about 900 students with around 60 teachers, and most students are aged 15 to 19. The City of Helsinki runs the school and tuition is free; study materials, meals and health services are provided. Facilities include two campuses with modern classrooms, a well‑stocked library, and on‑site gym facilities. An Erasmus programme and international cooperation with guardians, universities, and partner organisations extend learning beyond Finland. The programmes lead to widely recognised university entry qualifications. A vibrant student association, an active parents' association, and the Ressun lukio IB Student Council foster leadership, events and community involvement, while strong transport links make daily access easy for students. The school emphasises inclusive student support and a global outlook.

Located at Kajaaninkatu 3 in Oulu, Oulun Lyseon lukio offers two English‑language upper secondary pathways: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and a Finnish general upper secondary track taught in English. The IB DP begins with a preparatory Pre‑DP year and is taught in English. Students choose six subjects from groups covering language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and arts, and complete the Theory of Knowledge, the Creativity, Activity and Service course, and the Extended Essay. Finland recognises the IB diploma as equivalent to the national matriculation examination and the diploma supports university study worldwide. From autumn 2026, Lyseo will launch an English‑language Finnish general upper secondary track with the matriculation examination in English planned for autumn 2028. The school has a long history and a main building on Kajaaninkatu, offering opportunities in languages, arts and social learning through its IB programme and forthcoming tracks.

Located at Valkoisenlähteentie 53, 01370 Vantaa, Finland, Tikkurilan Lukio offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as an IB World School since 2001. The two-year DP is taught in English, with French and Spanish options, and serves students typically aged 16 to 19. The school supports internationalization through Erasmus+ projects and a range of study trips and exchanges, including visits to Caen (France) and Alicante (Spain), with partner institutions such as Lycée Albert Calmette in Nice and IES 12 de Octubre in Alicante. The campus includes modern facilities with study spaces and specialized spaces for music, sport, communications, and entrepreneurship, plus an IB Diploma line taught in English. A 587.5 m2 sports hall is available, capable of hosting basketball, handball, volleyball, badminton and floorball, with after-hours access for supervised use. An active student council coordinates events and decisions; a large photo gallery documents twenty years of school life; Liikuntaleirikoulu (sport-focused trips) enhances athletic and cultural experiences.

Turun normaalikoulu, Turku, Finland, offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) alongside the Finnish Curriculum. The campus is at Annikanpolku 9, 20610 Turku. A one-year Pre-DP precedes the two-year DP, with English as the language of instruction in Pre-DP. The DP comprises six subject groups plus the core: Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE). Subjects are chosen from Groups 1–5; Group 6 Arts is not offered. Three subjects are taken at Higher Level and three at Standard Level, with some flexibility in HL. The Diploma is graded on a 45-point scale, requiring a minimum of 24 points and completion of DP core requirements. In Finland, the Diploma is considered equivalent to the matriculation examination, and most graduates gain admission to universities in Finland and abroad. DP language offerings include English A, English B, Finnish B, and ab initio options such as French, German, and Spanish.

Imatran yhteislukio is a co-educational upper secondary school in Imatra, Finland, located at Mansikkalan koulukeskus, Koulukatu 2. The school offers a Finnish four-year upper secondary program and an English-taught IB Diploma Programme (DP) line. The IB DP begins with a Pre-DP preparatory year that aligns Finnish first-year courses, followed by two DP years in six subjects, preparing students for university study worldwide. The faculty collaborates with Etelä-Karjalan IB-lukio in cooperation with Lappeenrannan lyseon lukio and broadens higher education opportunities through the University of Eastern Finland Open University online courses. A double degree is available with Saimaan ammattiopisto, pairing upper secondary and vocational studies culminating in the matriculation examination, with an adult track also offered. Distinctive features include the Culture Academy arts program collaborating with TanssiStudio Jami and Virta-opisto, and access to Imatra Music School. The South Karelia Sports Academy provides regular athletic training, and ninth-grade admissions open in spring annually.

Jyväskylän Lyseon Lukio is a Finnish upper secondary school located at Sepänkatu 3, Jyväskylä. The school offers the Finnish national curriculum alongside an English-language IB Diploma Programme (DP) line and an Information Technology (IT) line. Students can choose among three study tracks: a general line with a natural sciences emphasis or an entrepreneurship emphasis, an English-language IB line, and the IT line. The IB option provides a globally recognized curriculum taught in English, while the general line follows national studies with flexible subject choices. The school also houses theatre studies, visual arts studies, and music studies, supporting arts engagement both inside and outside class. Jyväskylän Lyseon Lukio maintains strong international links through Erasmus+ KA1 activities, partner schools, and annual international events. It participates in UNESCO ASPnet projects, with students acting as ambassadors. A group called Let's Get Global fosters leadership and global awareness alongside regular international exchanges and collaborations worldwide.

Kuopion Lyseon lukio combines Finland's upper secondary curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, serving students aged 16 to 18. Located at Puijonkatu 18 on Kuopio's Market Square edge, the school operates within the municipal education framework and maintains a modern yet traditional campus. The Finnish LOPS2021 program and the IB line offer a broad course mix across mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, languages, and arts, with a particular emphasis on arts and crafts. The language program is broad, and facilities include a Lyseo language studio, a language classroom, and dedicated writing rooms, supported by a well-equipped library. International activity includes partnerships with schools in France and Germany and Gotland, and participation in the European Youth Parliament. The school runs the IB program since 1994 and provides guidance through Opinto-ohjaajat and an IB coordinator. Extra-curriculars include clubs such as the Sigma mathematics club and activities like student council and EYP involvement.

Lahden lukio Gaudia is an upper secondary school in Lahti, Finland, located at the Paavola campus on Terijoenkatu 7. It serves students aged 16 to 18 and offers two main paths: the Finnish national curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, plus specialised tracks in Visual Arts and Design and Music, alongside a General line. The program emphasises internationality, language proficiency, and exchange opportunities, with an English-language IB option further broadening global perspectives. The school accommodates about 1,350 students and provides modern facilities including a school library, an arts wing with the ArtHouse, recording studio, band rooms, and theatre spaces. The Paavola campus supports university-level study integration and collaborations with universities and workplaces. Students participate in a culture programme with partners like City Museum, Sinfonia Lahti, City Theatre, and others, with Erasmus+ accreditation enabling mobility. The campus includes a large sports hall and student lounges to support wellbeing and activities.

Lyseonpuiston lukio is a public upper secondary school in central Rovaniemi, Finland, offering the Finnish national curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) with a preparatory year. The IB is taught mainly in English and follows the six-subject structure: one subject from each group, with three to four at Higher Level; a Theory of Knowledge course, an Extended Essay, and CAS form core components. The Diploma is recognised by universities worldwide. The school is the northernmost IB in Finland and has held IB World School status since 2004. The campus also hosts Urheilulukio (Sports High School) on-site and shares facilities with Ounasvaaran lukio, providing strong sport opportunities. As a UNESCO School, Lyseonpuiston lukio emphasizes international understanding, intercultural engagement, and LUMA development activities through the LUMA Center Finland network. The school runs a broad languages program, with IB options in Spanish, Hindi, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, German, Finnish and Ukrainian.

Vasa övningsskola is a university school affiliated with Åbo Akademi University in Vaasa, Finland. It provides cohesive basic education for grades 1–9 across two Vaasa addresses: Kyrkoesplanaden 11–13 and Skolhusgatan 31. The school operates together with a gymnasium, offering an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in addition to the Finnish Curriculum. In grades 1–9, CLIL is used, with subject instruction in English in some areas. An English track runs through the lower and upper grades, supporting multilingual development and a strong mother tongue. The gymnasium provides Swedish-language visual arts and music, as well as an English IB Diploma Programme. The Makerspace equips students with laser cutting, 3D printers, vinyl cutter, sewing machines, and audio/video tools to support creative projects. There is a robust focus on language development, research collaboration with the Department of Education at Åbo Akademi University, and UNESCO ASPnet membership emphasizing sustainable education. Around 950 students and 120 staff.

Espoo International School is a uniform, international English-language comprehensive school in Espoo that serves both international and Finnish families. It has around 600 pupils in grades 1-9. Education follows the Finnish National Core Curriculum and the Espoo municipal framework, augmented by the Espoo International School curriculum (2016). The school is IB-authorized and offers the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for grades 7-9 over three years, aligning international standards with local expectations. The main language of instruction is English, while Finnish and English are studied by all students; from grade 6, B1 Swedish is introduced, and elective A2 languages Spanish or French begin in grade 4, with B2 languages German, Spanish, and Russian from grade 8. The Opinmäki campus provides a cohesive environment for international and Finnish learners. The school emphasizes language development and prepares students for English-medium education, with a bespoke curriculum that blends the Espoo framework with IB principles to foster global-minded learners.

International School of Helsinki (ISH) offers the IB continuum for students aged 4 to 18, with English as the language of instruction and a broad language program that includes Spanish, French and Finnish as Foreign Languages, plus Finnish Mother Tongue and English as an Additional Language support where needed. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) runs from early years through Grade 5, the Middle Years Programme (MYP) covers Grades 6-10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) spans Grades 11-12. ISH became Finland's first fully IB-accredited school in 2005, and it has maintained IB, CIS, and NEASC accreditation through subsequent re-authorisations. Beyond academics, the school offers an extensive after-school activities and athletics program (ASA) for K-12, as well as cultural, language and social clubs. The Parents' Teacher Organization supports the community, and volunteers help events. ISH emphasizes an international community, cross-cultural workshops, and services to help families settle in. A welcoming, thriving environment.

Mattlidens gymnasium is a municipal upper secondary school in Espoo, Finland, offering a Swedish-language track alongside an English-language International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. It is the largest Swedish-language upper secondary school in Finland and the only Swedish-language IB DP school in the capital region, providing a diverse bilingual pathway for students. The IB DP forms a two-year course (DP1/DP2) with a preparatory year (preDP) in grade 10, six subject groups, and a Diploma core of CAS, Extended Essay, and Theory of Knowledge. The school emphasizes intercultural understanding and multilingualism, with Swedish, English, and Finnish at multiple levels and options in Spanish, French, and German. In autumn 2026 a new sports line for young athletes will balance flexible studies with professional sport. The campus shares facilities with a lower-grade campus and is connected by modern transport. About 150 students study the English IB programme. Strong pastoral support and a collaborative school culture.

Tampereen Lyseo Lukio, known as Rellu, is a public upper secondary school in Tampere, Finland, by Pyynikintori square. It offers three study programmes: a high school programme, a Social Sciences Studies programme and an International Baccalaureate programme taught in English culminating in the IB diploma. The curriculum blends the Finnish national framework with the IB Diploma Programme, and features a broad range of subjects. Languages include English, German, French and Spanish as A-languages; Swedish as B1, with French and German as B2 and Spanish, French, German and Russian as B3. Rellu maintains partner schools in France, Germany and Spain and is part of the IB network. It supports learning across Tampere City schools and online courses, and involves University of Tampere courses. Through IB and Social Sciences study, students complete CAS projects, Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essays, guided by caring teachers and a focus on well-being and future study opportunities.