Choosing a school in Espoo: English basic education and the later IB

Start with the child’s stage. Espoo International School, or EIS, is a municipal English-medium school for Grades 1–9. Mattlidens gymnasium and Etelä-Tapiolan lukio, or Etis, begin after basic education.

All three are day schools. An EIS place does not reserve a later place at either IB upper-secondary programme.

English basic education at EIS

EIS follows Finland’s national curriculum, using the IB Middle Years Programme framework in Grades 7–9. It does not teach the final IB Diploma.

The English-language route is intended for residents of Espoo or Kauniainen and has its own selection rules. Permanent and temporary places follow different processes; a temporary place lasts at most three school years.

Ask whether the child needs an entrance examination or can apply on the basis of recent English-medium schooling. Admission does not carry a sibling right or a school-transport benefit. Kivimies is another municipal English-language option, so confirm which school the application names.

EIS is on Lillhemtintie at Opinmäki. Check the actual daily journey before treating the absence of tuition as the whole practical answer.

Two upper-secondary IB choices

Mattlidens is a Swedish-language municipal upper-secondary school in Matinkylä, with a separate English-language IB section. Etis is a Finnish-language municipal upper-secondary school in Tapiola, also with an English-language IB section.

Both normally begin with a preparatory year, followed by the two-year Diploma. Their surrounding national-school language does not change the IB section’s English teaching.

Apply to the IB option, not the national programme, in the joint application. Overseas applicants need additional school documents. Direct DP1 entry goes to the school and depends on vacancies after the preparatory year.

Mattlidens’ published 2026 intake has 50 preparatory-year places, with at most eight for applicants from outside the Finnish comprehensive-school system. The spring 2026 application window has closed. Ask about vacancies for a late move, or request the new timetable for 2027.

Mattlidens has no boarding. Etis says overseas applicants must be under 18 and live locally with family or a legally appointed guardian; pupils living with parents take priority.

Do not generalise the fee answer

Mattlidens’ FAQ describes tuition-free study for pupils coming directly from basic education. Etis’s current admissions page separately warns of charges from August 2026 for students entering or residing on a student residence permit.

It names exemptions for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, permanent-residence holders and exchange students. For liable pupils, it mentions approximately €8,500 as a funding benchmark, then €10,300 as a likely annual tuition amount that is still undecided. Materials and meals would cost extra.

Obtain a written decision for the child’s actual nationality and residence status from the relevant school. Neither an older “no tuition” FAQ nor an undecided estimate is a complete budget.

The Espoo hub links all three profiles. The Finland guide explains the wider system and the distinction between basic and upper-secondary education.

Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.