Applicant

Pyynikin lukio Upper Secondary School is a high-quality general upper secondary school that provides a strong foundation for success in the matriculation examination and in further studies. The historic school building of Pyynikintie 2 has recently been fully renovated, taking into account the wishes of the students.

In addition to the general upper secondary programme, Pyynikin lukio Upper Secondary School also has a special educational programme in music and musical theatre. The school also offers a Bilingual Study Programme (BSP) as well as a new, fully English-language programme (ESP, English Study Programme).

Pyynikin lukio offers a wide selection of study units and a warm atmosphere. Concerts, musicals, and other events add extra color to everyday school life. Pyynikin lukio is an Erasmus+ accredited school, which means that many trips and student exchanges of varying lengths are organized. Each year, students either go hiking in Åland or skiing, for example in Åre, Sweden.

You can apply to us through the annual joint application process via Opintopolku (Studyinfo). When applying to the upper secondary schools of the City of Tampere, subject choices are not requested at the application stage. Applicants applying through discretionary admission must attach the required documents directly to Opintopolku. The documents do not need to be sent separately to the school by email.

Discretionary Applicants

You may apply to upper secondary school through discretionary admission if you do not have a Finnish-language comprehensive school leaving certificate or a comprehensive school certificate issued in Finland. Applicants in discretionary admission will be invited separately to a Finnish language proficiency assessment and an interview.

Applicants who have applied to upper secondary schools in the City of Tampere through the discretionary route will be invited to an interview and a Finnish language test on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, or Wednesday, April 29, 2026. If your native language is not Finnish, you will receive an invitation and detailed instructions for the Finnish language test. The test cannot be taken remotely; you must attend in person at the time and place specified in the invitation.

If an applicant has completed foreign education that qualifies them in their home country for studies equivalent to upper secondary education, the education provider must assess the applicant’s proficiency in the language of instruction and other prerequisites required to succeed in upper secondary studies. An applicant cannot be admitted if they do not have sufficient ability to use and understand the language of instruction of the study program both orally and in writing.

Additional Information
Tuija Leppäharju, Development Manager for Upper Secondary Education
[email protected]

Transfers between the city’s upper secondary schools are not allowed. Young people moving to the area with their families may inquire about possible openings for second- and third-year students centrally from guidance counsellor Sonja Kaverinen at [email protected]. 

Meet & Greet events at Pyynikin lukio Upper Secondary School

In the winter of 2025–2026, we will host seven meet & greet morning events at our current location, Haapakuja 5, as well as one open day at our new school building at Pyynikintie 2, to which the school will move in February 2026.

For the introductory morning events held at Haapakuja 5, registration is done through your comprehensive school study counsellor. The open day at Pyynikintie 2 welcomes both interested applicants and their family members.

Meet & greet morning events at Haapakuja 5

Tuesday 2.12.2025, 9:45–11: General programme
Wednesday 10.12.2025, 9:45–11: General programme
Friday 12.12.2025, 9:45–11: General programme+ Bilingual Study Programme (BSP)
Tuesday 13.1.2026, 9:00–12: Music and Musical Theatre Programme
Thursday 15.1.2026, 9:45–11 Bilingual Study Programme (BSP) and English Study Programme (ESP) 
Tuesday 20.1.2026, 9:45–11: General programme + Bilingual Study Programme (BSP)
Wednesday 21.1.2026, 9:45–11: General programme

Open House at Pyynikintie 2 on Sat 17.1.2026

Presentation sessions in the Multipurpose Room (1st floor)

09:15–09:45 General Programme
09:45–10:15 Finnish and English Bilingual Study Programme (BSP)
10:15–10:45 English Study Programme (ESP)
10:45–11:30 Music and Musical Theatre Programme
13:30–14:00 General Programme
14:00–14:30 Finnish and English Bilingual Study Programme (BSP)
14:30–15:00 English Study Programme (ESP)

Building Tours

Tours start every hour on the hour from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, guided by student tutors. Departure from the main lobby (1st floor).

Open Classrooms

Classrooms will have open doors throughout the day. You can just take a peek or stay and observe a lesson. Lesson schedule:

08:15–09:30 First lesson (code 1)
09:45–11:00 Second lesson (code 2)
11:10–13:00 Third lesson (code 3)
13:25–14:40 Fourth lesson (code 5)

Names of the study units and classroom locations for each lesson can be found in the main lobby and on corridor walls. 

Introduction video

5 DIFFERENT TYPES OF FRIENDS YOU'LL MAKE IN PYYNIKIN LUKIO!