JYU in a nutshell – World‑class research, supportive campuses, and a city built for students

Studying here at the University of Jyväskylä has made me feel like studying in a city which is made for university. One third of the population of Jyväskylä are students making it one of the most student friendly city in Finland. The University of Jyväskylä plays the key role with its faculties, programmes, research and services in making this city an “Educational Hub”.

JYU has multidisciplinary core research fields 

When I came to know about JYU, I knew it as a “Research University”. It has a strong research facility in various fields and is internationally recognized for its contribution towards research.

JYU focuses on six strategic core fields of research:

• Language, Culture and Society: Research on human learning, understanding and how they interact, as well as how the educational environment enhances their development across the lifetime.
• Basic natural phenomena and mathematical thinking: By developing mathematical methods to show and understand complicated systems by doing research on basic physical phenomena and providing a strong basis for new innovations.
• Languages, culture and society: It investigates how languages, cultures, communities, and societies evolve and interact with each other in a global set up.
• Physical activity, health and wellbeing: Investigates how lifestyle choices impact health and quality of life over the course of a person's lifetime.
• Information technology and the human in the knowledge society: JYU focuses on cutting edge research on digital technologies, data science, AI, quantum computing and many more in the field of Computer Science and IT. Passionate researchers have lots of funding possibilities also in this area for their projects.
• Sustainable business and economy: This area of research focuses on how business and economic activities impact social and economic sustainability.

Learn more: JYU Research 

Close‑knitted campuses and diverse faculties

JYU has several faculties and campuses; It's very common to meet students from different faculties in a university cafeteria, in a common space, Library or in gatherings as all the campuses are in a walking distance.

The main faculties that JYU has are:

• Faculty of Education and Psychology
• Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
• Faculty of Information Technology
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Mathematics and Science
• Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE)

Every campus location has a distinct atmosphere. Seminaarinmäki represents a historical place, it has older red-brick buildings with tall trees. In April 2022, the University of Jyväskylä's Seminaarinmäki campus received Finland's first European Heritage Label.  This campus is notably for humanities and education. By the lake, Mattilanniemi and Ylistönrinne are mostly for the natural sciences, IT, and business. 

Read more: JYU faculties and programs

English-taught degree programmes for international students

Considering exchange or degree studies abroad? If you’re an international or exchange student, JYU is an ideal choice, offering flexible study options and a wide range of English-taught programmes. 

JYU has about 20 master's programmes spread across its six faculties including educational sciences, sport sciences, IT and AI, business, nanoscience, music, language, etc. On top of that JYU offers two English-taught bachelor's programmes in business and economics and information technology. These programmes are all research-based and intended for international students.

Read more: JYU English taught programs

Services that support your student life

In JYU, the classroom activities are just as important as activities one does outside of the classroom in university life. That’s where several services at JYU and in Jyväskylä make students’ lives easier to focus on studies and to integrate into this new environment. JYU offers several services for their students. Some of them are: 

Career services and study counseling help students to choose their courses, plan their study, about internships, summer schools or employment in Finland.

Orientation period for international students in the beginning of studies helps them with their residency permits, registration, and all the practical questions during the first few weeks that they might have when they arrive here. 

Student Tutor Service, offered by JYU and Student Union,is for every upcoming international student. Tutors support new students with practical matters such as picking them up from the railway or bus station, guiding them to their accommodation, assisting with opening bank accounts, and giving a city tour. 

Student health and wellness programmes, offered by JYU, help students by providing counseling for mental wellbeing, personal issues, and study-related pressure. 

Library and study rooms include quiet areas for individual and group work, extensive digital resources, and opportunities for students to study and grow in the state‑of‑the‑art library.

Student discounts provide a wide range of benefits for students at the university. These include reduced fares on bus and train tickets, as well as affordable meals at the university cafeteria — a full lunch costs around three euros. Many clubs, bars, and restaurants in the city also provide special student pricing. In addition, students can use a health card that allows them to access treatment at a very low cost.

My JYU: Hands-on research experience with cutting-edge technologies

My primary concern was research when choosing a university for my higher studies. University of Jyväskylä has perfectly met my expectations and it went beyond to be honest. I am getting hands-on research experience with cutting edge technologies, the kind of education that I had always dreamt of. 

At the same time, JYU provides a well-structured academic environment that supports both teaching and research. Students benefit from modern facilities, strong research infrastructure, and opportunities to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration throughout their studies.

JYU offers a highly diverse, student-friendly environment combined with excellent research fields, distinct teacher profiles, and specialized units like the truly outstanding Nanoscience Center, which has the state-of-the-art facility to explore matter at the smallest scales possible. The University of Jyväskylä covers a wide range of educational facilities which can make a desirable institution for students of any field. 

Studying at the University of Jyväskylä feels less like simply completing a degree and more like becoming part of a research-driven community that encourages curiosity, growth, and the confidence to shape a student’s academic future.