Teaching for language and cultural groups

Basic education for adults

Kaksi tyttöä luokkahuoneessa.

Basic education for adults is intended for 17-year-olds or older.

Are you at least 17 years old and have not completed your basic education? Do you need a basic education school-leaving certificate for your further studies? In basic education for adults, you have an opportunity to complete basic education, improve your Finnish language skills, and obtain full eligibility for general and vocational upper secondary studies.

Read more about basic education for adults and apply!

Basic education for adults consists of three phases: the literacy training phase, the introductory phase, and the final phase. Studies can begin from any phase depending on the student’s starting level and previous educational background. In Kuopio, basic education for adults is provided by Kuopio upper secondary school for adults, Kuopio Adult Education Centre, and Northern Savonia Folk High School.

Literacy training phase

  • Intended for over 17-year-olds that are illiterate in Finnish.
  • Study content: developing Finnish language literacy
  • Duration: about a year
  • Organiser: Kuopio Adult Education Centre
  • Further study options: Introductory phase

Introductory phase

  • Intended for over 17-year-olds that have the basic literacy in Finnish language
  • Study content: improving Finnish language and study skills for actual basic education studies
  • Duration: approx. 1–1.5 years
  • Organisers: Kuopio Adult Education Centre
  • Further study options: Final phase

Final phase

  • Intended for over 17-year-olds that are literate in Finnish language and do not have a school-leaving certificate from basic education
  • Study content: basic education studies and Finnish language studies
  • Duration: approx. 1.5–2 years
  • Organisers: Northern Savonia Folk High School
  • Further study options: TUVA education (preparatory education for programmes leading to an upper secondary qualification), general or vocational upper secondary school education

Applications

You can apply for a place in basic education for adults between 25 March and 30 April 2024 using the application form of either Kuopio Adult Education Centre or Northern Savonia Folk High School, depending on the phase of basic education for adults you wish to apply for. Outside the application period, you can apply for basic education for adults by directly contacting the educational institutions.

Application for the literacy training or the introductory phase of basic education for adults

Kuopio Adult Education Centre (in Finnish)

Application for the final phase of basic education for adults

Northern Savonia Folk High School

Basic education for adults as a path to further studies

Basic education for adults as a path to further studies

Educational institutions providing basic education for adults

Kuopio upper secondary school for adults
Koljonniemenkatu 48–50
70100 Kuopio
Principal: +358 44 718 4540
https://kuopionaikuislukio.onedu.fi/web/


Kuopio Adult Education Centre
Puistokatu 20
70110 Kuopio
Telephone service: +358 17 184 711
https://kansalaisopisto.kuopio.fi/


Contact information
Anna-Maria Maaninen
Study coordinator
Kuopio Adult Education Centre

Vocational education and training for adult immigrants (17 years and over)

Immigrants not needing basic education can complete a vocational qualification at  Savo Vocational College.  Vocation education and training applications can be submitted year round through rolling application procedure. Applicants with the required Finnish language skills who also meet other requirements of the field of education may be admitted to the education programme.