At general upper secondary school learning is seen as a consequence of the students’ active and goal-oriented work. During the learning process, the students interpret, analyse, and assess data, information or knowledge presented in different formats on the basis of their previous experiences and knowledge. They are encouraged to create and develop solutions by combining knowledge and skills in new ways. Constructive feedback and guidance for studies strengthen the students’ beliefs in their possibilities and inspire them to a journey of life-long learning.
The structure of general upper secondary consists of 150 credits, composed of compulsory and optional studies. The compulsory studies and the national optional studies are determined in the national core curricula in the form of subject specific task descriptions and individual study modules. The providers of education build the local curricula and the specific study units on the national core curricula. The study units enable the construction of varying study entities to fit a desired context and purpose. The scope of modules and study units is expressed in credits (cr).
The subjects of general upper secondary are:
- Mother tongue and literature
- Second national language, and foreign languages
- Maths and natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geography)
- Humanities and social studies (philosophy, history, social studies, psychology)
- Religion, and culture, worldviews and ethics
- Physical education, music, visual arts
- Health education
- Study and careers education
- General upper secondary education diplomas
- Thematic studies
Transversal competences are a key part of both subject-specific studies and those integrating different subjects. Each subject approaches transversal competences from their own fields of knowledge and science.
Transversal competences in the 2019 national core curriculum are:
- Well-being competence
- Interaction competence
- Multidisciplinary and creative competence
- Societal competence
- Ethical and environmental competence
- Global and cultural competence