Finland: University of Jyväskylä

Students can study from various academic colleges at the university. Some courses will require prerequisites and pre-enrollment, which is a part of the application process. Listed below are the areas of studies offered.

• Business
• Economics
• Education
• Psychology
• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Language and Cultural Studies
• Mathematics and Science
• Sport and Health Sciences

All students need to take at least 30 credits in the ECTS system, in order to be considered full-time at UNI during the semester abroad. This will transfer back to UNI as 15 credits. Students typically take 5 classes. 

Credits (Uses ECTS credit)                                                                      Grades

2 ECTS = 1 U.S.                                                                                        Excellent (A) 5            = A

3 ECTS = 1.5 U.S.                                                                                     Very Good (B) 4         = B+

4 ECTS = 2 U.S.                                                                                       Good (C) 3                  = B

5 ECTS = 2.5 U.S.                                                                                    Satisfactory (D) 2       = C+

6 ECTS = 3 U.S.                                                                                       Sufficient (E) 1             = C

7 ECTS= 3.5 U.S.                                                                                      Failure (FAIL) 0          = F

There is a winter school in January with Sport Sciences classes being offered.  Many of the winter and summer schools offer activities including free cultural tours, getting to know Finnish life and society, excursions, and sports events.

Housing:

Student housing in Jyväskylä is provided by KOAS (Student Housing Foundation of Central Finland).

KOAS has internet, laundry rooms, saunas, and store rooms are available in the building. Kortepohja Student Village has a small shopping center, party room to rent, piano room, and sports facilities. Student apartments are located within walking distance or a short bus ride away from campus. Students will be placed in furnished single bedrooms with shared bathroom and kitchen.

Meals:

All accommodations are self-catered, so students are expected to cook for themselves. There are local restaurants, bars, cafes, and eateries for students to try, but cooking in their accommodations is the most cost effective option. Students will have a shared dining room and kitchen, and grocery stores are close by. 

Health Preparation for Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it also requires careful planning—especially when it comes to your health. To ensure a safe and successful experience, we strongly recommend the following steps:

1. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider Early
At the time you are selecting your study abroad program, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or specialist to discuss:

• Medication Legality: Some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are legal in the U.S. may be restricted or illegal in other countries. Your provider can help you determine if your medications are permitted in your destination and suggest alternatives if needed.
• Chronic Conditions or Health Concerns: Discuss how your health needs might be affected by travel, climate, time zone changes, or access to care abroad.
• Mental Health Support: If you are currently receiving mental health care, talk with your provider about how to maintain support while abroad.

2. Schedule a Travel Health Consultation (6–8 Weeks Before Departure)
A separate travel health consultation is essential and should be held at least 6–8 weeks before your departure. During this appointment, a travel medicine specialist can:

• Review your destination-specific health risks
• Recommend or administer necessary vaccines
• Provide guidance on food and water safety
• Prescribe medications for travel-related illnesses (e.g., malaria, traveler’s diarrhea)
• Offer tips for managing jet lag, altitude, and other travel-related challenges

These appointments can be held at the UNI Student Health Clinic. For more information on their services, please visit their website.

Accessibility and Study Abroad: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Experience

If you are a student with a disability or accessibility concern—whether related to mobility, learning, mental health, chronic health conditions, or other needs—we encourage you to connect with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) as early as possible, ideally during the program selection process. Early communication allows our team to understand your specific needs and preferences and explore available accommodations in your host country.

Accessibility resources and standards can vary widely by country, so advance planning is essential to help us advocate for your needs and create a positive, inclusive experience abroad.

Reach out to Student Accessibility Services to start a conversation. The sooner we know, the more we can do to support you.

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Finland, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more.  From the application process to financial assistance to preparing for your journey abroad, Stephanie will be with you every step of the way providing guidance and reassurance.

Identities Abroad

The Study Abroad Center (SAC) wants to support you as you prepare for your study abroad experience. In addition to course planning and arranging accommodations, it is also important to engage in personal reflection before your departure. There may be certain aspects of your identity that could potentially impact your international experience in ways that you have not faced or thought about previously. As we are here to help guide you, you may want to consider meeting with the SAC staff to discuss this as you plan your abroad experience. Please visit our Identities Abroad page for more information and help.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Finland.

The University of Jyväskylä's Summer School offers a program meant to grow and challenge students in STEM academic fields by learning from distinguished researchers, while exposing them to new cultural experiences. Students will get to be involved in a diverse, international social program and experience a Finnish summer. It runs for 2 weeks in the beginning of August.

The University of Jyväskylä offers many academic courses (see the 2026 course list) in the following areas that can help you fulfill your academic needs:

• Biological and Environmental Sciences
• Chemistry
• Cognitive Science
• Computational Sciences
• Cyber Security
• Inverse Problems
• Information Systems Science
• Mathematics
• Nanoscience
• Physics
• Quantum Science and Technology

Accommodation:

• A limited number of rooms are reserved for summer school participants in Hotel Alba and Time to Stay. Students are assigned to rooms at a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are recommended to reserve their room as early as possible. Reservations can be made by contacting the accommodation provider directly.
• The university also recommends other accommodation options if needed.
• Prices vary depending on the accommodation chosen by the student.
• Once a reservation has been booked, the student will receive a detailed reservation Confirmation of Acceptance email with instructions and reservation codes.

Other Info:

• In this summer school, students will be able to participate in the university's organized Social Program. Through this, they can participate in various Finnish activities, get to know other summer school students, and explore the city of Jyväskylä.
• The university details a variety of other information on pre-departure, travel, campus and city facilities, and grading, which is helpful to review.