Welcome to Helsinki, the world’s most impactful place to learn!

The Finnish education system is renowned for producing great results, with little disparity between schools. In Helsinki, all pupils have the chance to get high-quality basic education in their local school. For pupils interested in arts, sciences and sports, for instance, Helsinki has schools that offer special emphasis on a number of subjects in several locations around the city. If you are interested in studying in different languages, Helsinki offers a wide range of options, which we introduce in detail later in this guide. If you have just arrived to Finland with no prior Finnish or Swedish skills, we will help you learn the new language in our preparatory education classes.

No matter where you choose to study, we strive to serve your individual needs and help you find your strengths. Our aim is to provide you with all the knowledge and skills that you need in your future studies, working life and the rapidly changing world.

We hope that this guide gives you and your family lots of useful information about basic education options in Helsinki. We encourage all parents and guardians to actively communicate and cooperate with our schools, as we find it the key to a smooth learning path. We are here for you every step of the way, and we hope you and your family enjoy your time in Helsinki.

Best wishes,

Outi Salo
Head of Basic Education
Education Division
City of Helsinki