IB Diploma Programme (DP)

Turku International School (TIS) is intended mainly for

• international families moving to Finland and living and working temporarily or permanently in Turku and surrounding municipalities
• Finnish families returning to Finland after years abroad
• We will only consider for admission students under the age of 18 who will reside locally with family members

International or national section?

There are two streams in the DP upper secondary school: International and national section.

Applicants with a Finnish basic education certificate completed in Finnish or Swedish apply to the national section through the Finnish national joint application system.

Applicants with an equivalent certificate completed abroad with good academic skills in English apply to the international section. These students should fill in the Turku International School online application.

Depending on the section, students are offered a different language programme. In the international section English is offered as Language A, and Finnish as language B. Swedish B is not offered for the students of the international section. National section students are offered Finnish or Swedish as Language A and English as Language B. Finnish speaking students of the national section are required to  study Swedish B.

The entrance exam of the international section contains 3 parts; two subtests of English and one subtest of Mathematics.

Applicants for the international section, please find more information below.

Applicants for the national section, please see Turun normaalikoulu website.

Applicants with a Finnish Basic Education Certificate

• The selection of new pre-DP-students is based on previous academic records. If the applicant has a Finnish basic education certificate, the grade average of academic subjects in this diploma is considered. Mathematics and English grades have double weighing. If the applicant has a Finnish Basic Education certificate, but the language of instruction has been Finnish/Swedish, he/she must take the entrance exam in May 2025. The invitation to the test will be sent out on the basis of the application forms submitted.

• The deadline for applications is by the 18th of March 2025 at the latest. Please fill in the online application form below.

  Online application for the pre-IB Diploma programme

  Presentation evening for applicants and their guardians on Thursday the 9th of January 2025 at 18.30

• Admission directly to DP1: It is possible for a candidate to apply directly to the DP1, without the preceding pre- DP year. In those cases, the applicants should fill in the online application form and contact the principal, Ms Mirjam Rasmus (mirjam.rasmus@utu.fi). Every application is considered individually. The academic skills of the applicants will be tested. The student is expected to have studied in an English medium program prior to the application. Since admission is based on academic achievements, the latest school reports must be attached to the online application.

• The deadline for applications is by the 18th of March 2025 at the latest. Please fill in the online application form below.

Online application for DP1

Applicants with an International Lower Secondary Certificate

• The selection of new pre-DP-students is based on previous academic records and an entrance exam. The grade average of academic subjects is considered. Mathematics and English grades have double weighing. The entrance exam for 2025 pre-DP entry will be held on May 26-27, 2025 in Turun normaalikoulu (Annikanpolku 9, 20610 Turku). The applicants will be sent an invitation to the entrance exam. Please fill in the online application form below. The deadline for applications is 18 March, 2025.

Online application for the pre-IB Diploma programme

• Admission directly to DP1: It is possible for a candidate to apply directly to the DP1, without the preceding pre-DP year. In those cases, the applicants should fill in the online application form and contact the principal, Ms Mirjam Rasmus (mirjam.rasmus@utu.fi). Every application is considered individually. The academic skills of the applicants will be tested. The student is expected to have studied in an English medium program prior to the application. Since admission is based on academic achievements, the latest school reports must be attached to the online application.

• The deadline for applications is by the 18th of March 2025 at the latest. Please fill in the online application form below.

Online application for DP1

Admission test for students arriving to Finland during the summer 2025

• Admission test for students arriving to Finland during the summer 2025: The entrance exam for 2025 pre-DP  and DP1 entry will be held on August 4-5, 2025 in Turku normaalikoulu (Annikanpolku 9, 20610 Turku). Invitations will be sent via email given on the submitted online application. Please note, that applications need to be submitted by the 3rd of July in order to be tested in August 2025. The entrance exam will be held only if there are spaces available in the pre-DP and DP1.

• Please fill in the online application form below.

Online application for the pre-IB Diploma programme

Online application for DP1

 Admission results are announced in June 2025 (the exact date will be announced later). The results will be sent to the email address given on the online application form.

• For additional information, please contact guidance counsellor Lotta Sundgren at uhsund@utu.fi, tel. +358 50 3596682.

Who  can apply to Turku International school (TIS)?

The school is intended for international families moving to Finland, working temporarily or permanently in the Turku region and also for Finnish families returning to Finland after years abroad. The parent/parents must have a job or a confirmed admission decision from an educational institute.

Is it possible to apply to TIS in advance?

It is possible to start the application process while living abroad. We recommend filling in the online application well in advance, if you are planning on moving to Finland.  Parents are advised to contact the TIS principal Mirjam Rasmus to inquire the student situation of the grade in question.

Please note, that in order to finalize the application process and confirm a student’s school place you need to have a residence permit and an address in Turku/Turku region. To get a residence permit to Finland, you have to contact the Finnish immigration authorities.

Can my child go to TIS even though we don’t live in Turku? 

You need to live in Turku or its surrounding areas. Please contact the principal Mirjam Rasmus in order to find out from which municipalities in the Turku area students can attend TIS.

How much are the school/tuition and application fees?

Basic and secondary education in Finland is free of charge. TIS is a public school and therefore there are no school fees. The school materials and daily school lunch are free of charge as well.

However, that also means that we only serve families living in the Turku area, so you need to have a residence permit and an address in Turku before we can admit your child to TIS.

Does the school have boarding facilities?

Turku International School is a day school and the school does not provide any boarding facilities. Therefore, all our students live with their families in Turku region.  In addition, the school can´t arrange accommodation or visas.

Can a student apply to IB programme without a parent?

The International Baccalaureate programme at the Turku international school is intended for students (usually 16-19 years old), who have to move to Finland because of their parents’ work or for Finnish young people who have been studying abroad previously, but are now returning to their home country. Please note, that we do not enroll foreign students who would move to Turku without their parents.

 Note for applicants outside of Finland

Turku International school welcomes applications from outside of Finland, with a priority going to families relocating due to job opportunities or families returning to their homeland. We will only consider for admission students under the age of 18 who will reside locally with family members.

• IB Diploma Programme is a challenging pre-university programme of international education offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization (Diploma programme at the IBO website)
• Founded in 1968, the IBO is a non-profit educational foundation
• There are more than 2700 schools in about 140 countries offering the IB Diploma Programme. In Finland the number of IB DP schools is 16.
• The IB Diploma Programme leads to a qualification that is widely recognized and appreciated by universities all over the world.
• In Finland the IB Diploma is considered equivalent to the Finnish “ylioppilastutkinto”.

IB Diploma Programme in Turun normaalikoulu is preceded by a one-year Pre-DP Programme which follows Finnish national upper secondary school first year curriculum. The language of instruction in Pre-DP is English. Pre-DP is implemented in order to ensure sufficient skills in the language of instruction (English) and to introduce working methods that are typically used in the IB Diploma Programme.

Around 95% of the IB Diploma graduates enter universities in Finland, Britain, other European countries or elsewhere in the world. The most successful graduates often gain admission to prestigious European and North American universities.

DP subjects

The Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprising theory of knowledge (TOK), creativity, activity, service (CAS) and the extended essay (EE).

Through the Diploma Programme (DP) core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research and undertake a project that often involves community service.

The DP subjects are chosen at the end of the pre-DP year. Students must choose 6 subjects from DP subject groups 1-5, at least one subject from each group (group 6, Arts, is not offered). Three subjects must be chosen at higher level (HL) and three subjects at standard level  (SL). It is possible to choose 4 higher level subjects and an additional 7th subject.

At higher level the number of teaching hours is 240 and at standard level 150.

If a student needs all sciences (biology, chemistry, physics) for medical studies at university he/she does not need to choose a group 3 subject. A specific permission by the IBO is required.

DP subjects

Pre-diploma year

• The IB Diploma Programme (DP) lasts for two years and is preceded by a pre-diploma year aiming at developing the students’ general knowledge as well as study and language skills.
• The pre-DP year curriculum is a modified version of the national curriculum and the language of instruction is English.
• Students complete 25-30 courses in the pre-DP year.
• All students study either German, Spanish or French. Students with no previous studies in these languages study 4 courses and advanced students study 2 courses. The courses are compulsory.
• Other language studies must be approved by the DP coordinator.
• In addition, Turku International School (TIS) students with previous knowledge of the Finnish language  take 2 courses of Finnish B in the pre-DP year.
• TIS students with little or no knowledge of Finnish take 3 courses of Finnish in the pre-DP year.
• If a student intends to take some other Language A than English, he/she has to study it with a private teacher during the pre-DP year at his/her own cost.
• DP coordinator can be consulted on questions regarding other Language A arrangements.

Subjects and Number of Courses

Languages:

Language A English 3

Language B Finnish 3
Language B (advanced): German, Spanish or French 2
Language B (beginners): German, Spanish or French 4

Mathematics 4 or 5
Natural Sciences: Biology 1-2, Physics 1-2,  Chemistry 1-2, Integrated sciences 1
Humanities: History 2, Psychology 1, Social Studies 1, Academic thinking skills 1, World today 1
Other subjects: Art or Music 1, Physical Education 1, Guidance and counselling 1

Independent studies

• Due to family or medical reasons a student may have to be absent from school and work independently for some time.
• The school should be informed of such a case and preferably in advance, if possible.
• The permission application for absence is made in Wilma.
• The principal grants permissions to do the required course work independently.

Pre-DP year evaluation

• Students are assessed  five times a year at the end of each study period. The grade reports are available in Wilma.
• The courses are evaluated on a scale of 10 (excellent) to 4 (fail).
• If all course work is not submitted the student is awarded the grade K (= unfinished work). Grade K is automatically replaced by a 4 (fail) after the next study period.
• Teachers are not required to accept work which is turned in late.
• Students can try to raise a course grade by signing up for a retake exam via Wilma.
• A retake exam can be taken only once per course.
• The dates for the retake exams can be found on the school’s website.

Absences

• All students are expected to attend school regularly. Absences from school must have a legitimate excuse and teachers should be informed of them in advance, if possible.
• All absences must be cleared by a parent/guardian or a medical professional (doctor, dentist etc).
• If a student has three to four absences the teacher will determine whether he/she can evaluate the course.
• More than four absences results in the incompletion of the course and the student must study the course independently.
• The last retake exam is arranged in mid-June.
• The pre-DP year cannot be repeated.

Conditions for moving on to DP1

• To choose a higher level (HL) subject the student should have at least a minimum average grade of 7.0, although an average grade of 8.0 or more is recommended
• For a standard level (SL) subject the minimum recommended grade average is 7.0.
• Students must meet the requirements below to select six DP year subjects (see section below for eligibility).
• Students have to choose 3 higher level (HL) subjects (max. 4) and 3 standard level (SL) subjects from DP subject groups 1 – 5.
• The sixth subject is chosen from groups 2 – 4.
• Students must have completed all pre-DP year courses with a grade 5 or above by the end of the school year.

Subject Group 1
English A (HL/SL)

Subject Group 2
Finnish B (HL/SL), French B  (HL/SL), French B ab initio (SL), German B (HL/SL), German B ab initio (SL), Spanish B (HL/SL) Spanish ab initio (SL)

Subject Group 3  History (HL/SL), Psychology (HL/SL), Economics (HL/SL), Business Management (SL),

• To qualify for Business Management SL students should have at least grade 7 in social studies (SOC).
• To qualify for Economics SL or HL students should have at least grade 7 in social studies (SOC), for Economics HL grade 8 or more in SOC is recommended.

Subject group 4
Biology (HL/SL), Chemistry (HL/SL), Physics (HL/SL)

Subject Group 5

• Two different mathematical subjects are offered in the DP: Mathematics, Applications and Interpretation (MAI) SL and Mathematics, Analysis and Approaches (MAA) SL and HL 
• If the student chooses the short version of math (4 courses) in the pre-DP, they must take SL Mathematics Applications and Interpretation (MAI) course during the DP. 
• If the student chooses the long version of math (5 courses) in the pre-DP, they can take either Mathematics, Applications and Interpretation (MAI) at SL or Mathematics, Analysis and Approaches (MAA) course at SL or HL in DP 
• For MAA SL an average grade of 7.0 or more is recommended and for MAA HL an average grade of 8.0 or more is recommended 
• For MAI SL an average grade of 6.0 is required 

N.B. Due to timetable reasons some subjects have to be taught at the same time. The overlapping subjects are physics and history / chemistry and psychology / biology and economics

DP subject briefs

The link above will take you to the official IBO Dipoloma Programme web pages where you can study the content, syllabus and evaluation of each of the IB subjects. TOK, CAS and EE information is there as well.

Evaluation in DP1 and DP2

• IB grades range from 7 (highest) to 1 (lowest).
• Thus 6 subjects give maximum 42 points, TOK and EE max 3 bonus points. So the maximum points in the IB Diploma is 45.
• Students are given grades after each of the five study periods as a course ends. In DP1, there are 5 HL courses and 3 SL courses and DP2 4 HL courses and 3 SL courses.
• In DP2 the students have two mock weeks (mid-term exam weeks) to practise time management and test their knowledge and skills.
• If a student is absent from a mock exam, they must present a doctor’s certificate or the quardian must clear the absence to the form teacher and DP coordinator. This is a requirement for rescheduling the exam.
• Failure to submit all course work can result in the grade T (= unfinished work). A numerical grade will be awarded once the work has been completed.
• Teachers are not required to accept or assess work turned in late.

Absence control in the DP

• All students are expected to attend school regularly. Absences from school must have a legitimate excuse and teachers should be informed in advance, if possible.
• All absences must be cleared by a parent/guardian or a medical professional (doctor, dentist etc).

IB final examinations schedules

The link above will take you to the following two exam sessions. The exams of one subject is usually divided between two days. Sometimes the students have two different subjects tested on the same day.

Conditions for the award of the IB Diploma

• all six IB subjects are compulsory and have to be taken in the final examinations
• the students have 3 opportunities to take the examinations, this does not have to take place in consecutive sessions
• most subjects can be taken in May or November sessions
• a minimum total of 24 points in six diploma subjects
• a minimum average grade of 4 in HL subjects (note: 3 is sufficient if have grade 5, 6, or 7 in another HL subject)
• a minimum average grade of 3 in SL subjects (note: 2 is sufficient if have grade 5, 6, or 7 in another SL subject)
• a minimum of 12 points altogether in 3 HL subjects
• a minimum of 9 points in 3 SL subjects
• completion of all IA work,  done at home or at school and is part of the final grade being 25-50 % of the final grade.
• completion of all TOK components, no grade E
• completion of all CAS components
• completion of the Extended Essay, no grade E
• all pending fees must have been paid, the final exam cost about 600 euros
• Failing to meet one or more of the criteria above means no diploma awarded.

These pages will be updated in the academic year 2022-2023.

Academic honesty policy Turun normaalikoulu (Turku teacher training school) 2023

Admission policy in Turku teacher training school 2022

Assessment policy Turun normaalikoulu (Turku teacher training school) 2022

Inclusion policy Turun normaalikoulu 2022

Language policy Turun normaalikoulu (Turku teacher training school) 2022

Creativity, activity, service (CAS) is one of the three essential elements that every student must complete as part of the Diploma Programme. Studied throughout the Diploma Programme, CAS involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies.  CAS is not formally assessed. However, students reflect on their CAS experiences as part of the DP, and provide evidence of achieving the seven learning outcomes for CAS.

Creativity – arts, and other experiences that involve creative thinking.

Activity – physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle, complementing academic work elsewhere in the DP.

Service – an unpaid and voluntary exchange that has a learning benefit for the student. The rights, dignity and autonomy of all those involved are respected.

Please read more: https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/creativity-activity-and-service/

Here some examples:

Kalle´s CAS story: 

For my activity strand, my goal is to improve my balancing skills in skateboarding. It is an ongoing activity in which I regularly participate. I wanted to improve my balancing skills because it is one of my weaknesses in skateboarding. In order to achieve my goal, I need to push myself out of my comfort zone and practice intensely to learn more balancing tricks. Often, it is a strenuous process as I try a trick for hours at a time. Usually, I do not learn anything in a single session, but over time my body and board land in the right places and I learn a new trick. As this happens, I reflect on what my body is doing and figure out the techniques required for the trick. This is my favourite part of the learning process as I get a eureka moment. 

The photo above shows me performing a skateboarding trick called “kickflip to regular manual”. This was a significant moment in developing my balancing skills because it was my first flip trick to a balancing position. 

IMG_2879

*Kalle DP1 student

Jenny´s CAS story

CAS-project is something you need to do within the CAS program. It is a longer project that must last for over a month and be done in collaboration with others. My friend and I decided to join an organization in Varissuo, Turku, called Together association. Through that association we got to take part in a project called Green Work Hubs. It is an international project that lasts nine months. We had a training course in Krannenburg, Germany, in January and met people from abroad that we will be working in collaboration with. The aim of the project is to bring awareness on climate change and encourage people to take actions for it. Now for the nine months we’re making an E-magazine and keeping that up while doing local activities. It is a very interesting and fun project that me and my friend are both interested in. CAS does not have to be something you force yourself to do. Seek out for opportunities and you might find yourself collaborating with loads of people from different countries.

* Jenny DP1 student

DP1 textbooks 2020-2021

DP1 textbooks 2021-2022

Study welfare team

Health care

School nurse Vilma Alcenius  (tel. 040 149 8500)

The school nurse’s room is located on the 1st floor next to Lounge A in the elementary school section.

• at 8 – 9 reception  without pre-booking
• at 9 –  reception with advance booking
  

The aim of school healthcare is

• to enhance the students’ health and ability to study effectively, and to support life control and the process toward adulthood
  
• to recognize the need for special support and to guide the student to make use of our welfare team and the suppotive measures
• to observe and promote the health, welfare and safety of the whole school community and environment.

Health inspections of the senior high students

School health care is mostly taken care of by the school nurses and school doctor. They will contact other health services such as hospital inspections, treatment or rehabilitation if needed. All 1st-year senior high students are called to the health inspection carried out by the school nurse. 2nd-year students are inspected by the school nurse and doctor together but it is possible to meet the doctore earlier on request.

The aim of the health inspections is to get an overall view of the students’ health and welfare situation and to guide the students to make choices that promote their health. Special attention is paid to the students’ life situation, study motivation and health risks.

The students’ health situation is evaluated from the point of view how well they are able to do well in their studies. The doctor’s inspection in the 2nd year includes the inspection for the army as a pre-measure to the official army inspection.

It is vital that new students inform the school nurse, form or subject teacher about any underlying diseases or other conditions or symptoms that may affect the future studies.

Accidents and sudden illnesses that require medical doctor’s treatment are taken care of in the local health centre or on-duty hospital (TYKS, T-hospital, Savitehtaankatu 1, Turku; telephone advice 02-313800). First aid is given by the school nurses. The treatment in cases of school accident is free for the students. See for more information in Wilma.

Dental treatments

Dental treatment of the students is carried out in the student’s own dental clinic in his/her postal area. The students must book the time themselves and the treatment is free for anyone under 18. Turku central dental clinic tel. 02-2660 644. Those who are not permanent residents of Turku are obliged to book a time in their own community.

Schedules of the school year 2024-2025

Autumn term: Thu 8.8. – Fri 20.12.2024

• Autumn vacation: Mon 14.10. –  Sun 20.10.2024 (week 42)
• Independence Day: Fri 6.12.2024
• Christmas vacation: Sat 21.12.2024 – Mon 6.1.2025

Spring term: Tue 7.1. – Sat 31.5.2025

• Winter vacation: Mon 17.2. –  Sun 23.2.2025 (week 8)

Study periods

Period 1 8.8.2024 – 1.10.2024

Period 2 2.10.2024 – 28.11.2024

Period 3 29.11.2024 – 5.2.2025

Period 4 6.2.2025 – 3.4.2025

Period 5 4.4.2025 – 31.5.2025

Assessment periods (pre-DP)

Assessment period 1 24.9.2024 – 1.10.2024

Assessment period 2 21.11.2024– 28.11.2024

Assessment period 3 29.1.2025 – 5.2.2025

Assessment period 4 27.3.2025 – 3.4.2025

Assessment period 5 21.5.2025 – 28.5.2025

Retake exams (pre-DP)

1. Tue 29.10.2024 at 16 – 19
2. Tue 14.1.2025 at 16 – 19
3. Tue 4.3.2025 klo 16-19
4. Tue 6.5.2025 at 16 – 19
5. Wed 11.6.2025 at 9 – 12 (pre-DP)

Guardians’ and parents’ evenings

To be announced later

Other events

• Penkkarit event Fri 7.2.2025
• Day of the Eldest Thu 13.2.2025

Daily working hours at school

1. lesson  08.30-09.45
2. lesson  10.00-11.15
3. lesson  11.30-12.45
4. lesson 13.15-14.30
5. lesson  14.45-16.00