The Board of the University of Jyväskylä discusses the University’s financial situation and proposed changes to degree regulations on doctoral education
The University of Jyväskylä’s turnover increased by 6% in January–September compared to 2024, in line with the budget. The annual forecast for 2025 operating expenses remains at the expected level. The surplus for January–September is 2.4 million euros, and the University has improved its financial performance by 1.8 million euros compared to the budgeted level as a result of controlled financial plans. Due to strong investment returns and profits from share sales, the University’s overall result shows a surplus of nearly 22 million euros.
The 2026 budget is being finalised, taking into account the modest growth in basic funding provided by the Ministry of Education and Culture. The university index is fully in effect, but the cuts decided in the government’s spending limits session will be implemented in the basic funding, reducing the amount of funding earned through the funding model. The supplementary funding granted under the Act on Research and Development Funding to strengthen research explains the slight overall increase in basic funding. Unfortunately, the basic funding for education will decrease.
The Rector made an internal allocation decision on 5 September 2025, and budget preparation began in the units in September. No new policy guidelines have been prepared for approval in the drafting of the 2026 budget. The inclusion of the higher education group development in the budget is currently being prepared. The budget will be submitted to the Board for approval on 12 December 2025.
The University Board held a preliminary discussion on the proposed amendments to the Degree Regulations of the University of Jyväskylä concerning doctoral education. The proposed changes are part of the ongoing development of the University’s doctoral programmes. Previously, the Board approved the new structure of doctoral education. The aim of the changes is to unify and clarify practices in doctoral education. The preparation is based on the assignment given to the development group for the reform of doctoral education to produce a clear plan for how the University will achieve the goals set by the Ministry of Education and Culture for this contract period. These goals include shortening the completion time of doctoral degrees, improving the quality of education, and ensuring that expertise is transferred to working life more rapidly than at present. The proposed changes aim to support the quality of doctoral education, particularly by improving the supervision of PhD students and the quality of dissertations. The proposals have been prepared by the development group for the reform of doctoral education. The matter was discussed at a joint meeting of the Research Council and the Education Council on 24 September 2025, and subsequently by the University Collegium on 24 October 2025 and the Management Team on November 3, 2025.
The proposed amendments to the Degree Regulations of the University of Jyväskylä concerning doctoral education will be submitted to the Board for approval on 12 December 2025. The faculties will be asked to provide their statements on the proposed changes before the matter proceeds to decision-making.
In addition to the proposed amendments regarding doctoral education, Student and Academic Services is preparing further amendments to the Degree Regulations of the University of Jyväskylä, which will be submitted to the Board for approval during 2026.
Minutes from University Board meetings are available on the Dynasty portal (in Finnish)
