Helsinki Normal Lyceum tops list of Finland’s most selective high schools

The Finnish National Agency for Education has released this year’s high school admission thresholds, with Helsinki Normal Lyceum requiring the highest grade point average of 9.58 for its general academic programme.

Ressu Upper Secondary School in Helsinki followed closely, demanding a minimum average of 9.54. Sibelius Upper Secondary School (9.42), the University of Tampere Normal School (9.33), and the University of Jyväskylä Normal School (9.25) rounded out the top five.

Other schools with the strictest entry requirements included Otaniemi Upper Secondary School, Tapiola Upper Secondary School, Mäkelänrinne Upper Secondary School, and Kulosaari Joint Upper Secondary School, all setting their cutoff at 9.17. Töölö Joint Upper Secondary School required a 9.08 average.

The comparison includes only general academic programmes. The lowest admission threshold was 5.33, at Eura Upper Secondary School and the Kuusankoski campus of Kouvola Joint Upper Secondary School.

Nearly 63,900 students applied through the joint application system this spring, with 62,900 securing a place. Of those, 25,300 were admitted to vocational education and 32,700 to high school programmes.

Students under 18 who did not receive a placement are entitled to guidance. School counsellors assist graduates in exploring alternatives, including continuous application options for vocational qualifications, remaining high school spots, or preparatory programmes for work or further study.

Applicants must accept their joint application offers by 25 June.