Upper secondary school and vocational education in Åland

Anyone who has a comprehensive school leaving certificate is entitled to apply for upper secondary education in Åland. Upper secondary education in Åland is free of charge, is in Swedish and usually lasts three years, but can be extended to four years if necessary and in special cases. A pass in the matriculation examination gives general eligibility for higher education and university studies. Completion of upper secondary education without a school leaving certificate qualifies you to apply to a vocational high school or higher education institution.

More information on studying in Åland can be found on the Info Norden pages Studying in Åland and Grading scales in Åland. 

Upper secondary education is based on the basic education curriculum, and Åland Upper Secondary School is the authority that provides education in two schools. Åland Lyceum provides general upper secondary education and Åland Vocational High School basic vocational education. There is also teaching in smaller groups within vocational special education. Åland Vocational College also offers education and further training for adults. 

According to a bill proposed for autumn 2026, Åland Folk High School will also come under Åland Upper Secondary School.

Åland Vocational College organises courses, further training and education for those who have turned 18 years of age and are entering or already in working life. Some courses are further education or advanced courses that require a general upper secondary qualification as a prerequisite.

You can find information on adult education courses on the Åland Upper Secondary School website.

Åland Upper Secondary School offers the opportunity to study through apprenticeship agreements. It is workplace-based practical education that includes theoretical studies. Åland Vocational College and an employer agree together on what you will learn and what education you will complete. The programme is organised both as basic education and as supplementary education for young people and adults at upper secondary level. The requirements for studying under an apprenticeship agreement are as follows: 

• You are 15 years old
• You have a comprehensive school leaving certificate or equivalent
• You work at least 25 hours a week on average
• You are paid in accordance with the collective agreement
• You have an employer who gives you the opportunity to study under an apprenticeship agreement
• You have a workplace and perform tasks that correspond to the content of the qualification you wish to obtain

Read more about apprenticeship education on the Åland Upper Secondary School website.

Anyone who has a comprehensive school leaving certificate is entitled to apply for upper secondary education in Åland. The Nordic countries have an agreement that guarantees young people in the Nordic region access to upper secondary education in all Nordic countries on the same terms as the country's own citizens. You can read about the agreement on Nordic educational cooperation at upper secondary level on the Info Norden page on Nordic educational agreements and programmes. If you do not have a comprehensive school leaving certificate or have a leaving certificate from another country, you can apply for a place through an assessment procedure. 

All applicants to Åland Lyceum, Åland Vocational College and Åland Folk High School whose comprehensive school leaving certificate is from a comprehensive school in Åland or Finland must submit their application online. The exception is those who apply for a study place through the assessment procedure. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the admissions secretary at Åland Upper Secondary School and ask them to send you an application form or apply in person at the school. 

Read more about admission requirements, current dates, admission based on assessment, and find links to the online application on the Åland Upper Secondary School website under Applications and admission.

Åland Lyceum and Åland Vocational College are Erasmus+ schools. This means that it is possible for students to spend part of their study period abroad, for example by completing part of their internship or taking classes at another school abroad. As well as exchanges, the schools may also have international projects carried out together with students from other countries. 

Talk to your current school about what exchanges are possible and read more on the Åland Upper Secondary School website on international activities.

Validation means that Åland Upper Secondary School determines and assesses skills and qualifications at upper secondary level. Validation involves comparing knowledge and experience with the current curriculum requirements and established assessment criteria. Validation can lead to a qualification or partial qualification. The purpose of validation is, among other things, to obtain formal proof of your competence, the opportunity to begin studies at the right level, and to shorten the duration of further studies. Read more about validation on the Åland Upper Secondary School website.

On the Info Norden website you can find information on higher education in the other Nordic countries and what authorities to contact if you have questions.