The Matriculation Examination Board Begins to Advance the Implementation of Matriculation Examinations in Arts and Practical Subjects and the English-Language Matriculation Examination
In early December, Parliament approved the government's proposal to Parliament for an Act amending the General Upper Secondary Education Act and certain related laws (HE 159/2024). Responsibility for preparing the implementation of matriculation examination tests in the arts and practical subjects covered by the new law will transfer from the Finnish National Agency for Education to the Matriculation Examination Board at the beginning of 2025. Additionally, the Board will commence preparations for implementing the English-language matriculation examination.
Matriculation examination tests in the arts and practical subjects will be organised in visual arts, physical education, and music. These subjects are compulsory for all students in general upper secondary education for young people. The test in arts and practical subjects may be one of the five tests required for the examination. The test includes a preparatory competence demonstration to be completed before the actual test day, where candidates can demonstrate competence characteristic of the subject. The first matriculation examination tests in the arts and practical subjects are planned to take place in autumn 2029.
To support the preparatory work, the Finnish National Agency for Education has gathered expert information during the autumn and collected views based on the legislative proposal on how the tests might be structured. As matriculation examination tests in the arts and practical subjects have not been organised before, preparing for their implementation requires a new organisational structure within the Matriculation Examination Board. The Board will provide further information on this matter at the beginning of next year.
“The Board takes over responsibilities for preparing tests in the arts and practical subjects, but close collaboration with key stakeholders will continue. A lot of work remains to be done before matriculation examination tests can be organised in visual arts, physical education, and music,” says Tiina Tähkä, Secretary-General of the Matriculation Examination Board.
English-Language Matriculation Examination from Autumn 2028
The preparation of the English-language matriculation examination aims for the first English-language matriculation examination tests to be organised in autumn 2028. The English-language matriculation examination can be taken under specific conditions at general upper secondary schools authorised to provide education in English. Education providers can apply to the Ministry of Education and Culture in 2025 to amend their education licences to begin English-language education in August 2026.
The English-language matriculation examination tests will be conducted as translated tests, meaning they will have the same content as the tests in Finnish and Swedish. Those taking the matriculation examination in English will be required to complete the test in Finnish or Swedish as a second language and literature, as the test in mother tongue and literature.
The Matriculation Examination Board will collaborate with its stakeholders in preparing both the arts and practical subjects matriculation examination tests and the English-language matriculation examination and will provide updates on the progress of the preparations on its website.