University of Jyväskylä
Jyväskylän yliopisto
Finland's teacher-education pioneer, now a multidisciplinary university with English-taught bachelor's degrees in business, software and education.
- Students
- 15,200
- Tuition
- €10,000
- From · 2027-28
- Founded
- 1863
- QS World Ranking
- #521
- 2027 edition
About JYU
The University of Jyväskylä traces its roots to 1863, when Finland's first Finnish-language teacher training college (the Teacher Seminary) opened on today's campus. It became the College of Education in the 1930s and took its current name in 1967. Today it has about 15,200 degree students and 2,850 staff in six faculties, and it remains Finland's leading institution for teacher education, alongside strong programmes in sport and health sciences, psychology, information technology, natural sciences, humanities and business.
JYU is one of Finland's largest and most multidisciplinary universities, offering more than 100 subjects. It hosts six Research Council of Finland Centres of Excellence (coordinating four) and several ERC-funded researchers. Its main building, the Capitolium on the Seminaarinmäki campus, was designed by Alvar Aalto.
Most bachelor's teaching is in Finnish, but JYU offers three English-taught bachelor's programmes through Finland's January joint application: Business Innovation and Sustainability, Immersive Software Engineering and AI, and Early Childhood Education. EU/EEA students pay no tuition; non-EU students pay 10,000 to 16,000 euros a year, with a JYU Scholarship from the second year for students who keep up. JYU suits students who want small-group teaching, a strong route into a master's, and a safe, compact city close to nature.
Why students choose JYU
Business Innovation and Sustainability admits students to a 3+2 study right: after the bachelor's you can continue to one of four JSBE master's programmes without reapplying.
Immersive Software Engineering and AI replaces lectures with daily small-group project work and includes two four-month internships in IT companies.
The Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics is AACSB, AMBA and BGA accredited.
Non-EU students get a 1,500-euro Early Bird discount for accepting their place within 14 days, and a JYU Scholarship of 3,000-6,000 euros a year from the second year if they complete 55 ECTS credits a year.
Admissions
Autumn 2027 entry (Joint Application to Higher Education, spring 2027)
Selectivity
JYU publishes no overall admission rate. Places in the English-taught bachelor's programmes are small: Business Innovation and Sustainability has 30 seats for 2027 (12 certificate-based, 3 for SAT/ACT applicants with Finnish, IB, EB or DIA qualifications, and 15 for other SAT/ACT applicants), and applicants are ranked by points or test score within each group.
Typical entry requirements
| General eligibility | Upper secondary education that gives eligibility for bachelor's study in the awarding country, or the Finnish matriculation examination, IB, EB, DIA/RP, AICE Diploma or a Finnish vocational qualification |
|---|---|
| SAT / ACT (Business Innovation and Sustainability) | SAT at least 1100 (EBRW + Math) or ACT at least 22, sent directly to JYU (SAT code 12301, ACT code 8262) by 28 January 2027 |
| IB Diploma | Certificate-based admission for Business Innovation and Sustainability with a pass in mathematics; predicted grades due 1 April 2027 and final grades by 13 July 2027 |
| English proof | IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band below 5.5), TOEFL iBT 78 (or 4.0 with no section below 3.5 from 21 January 2026), or IB/EB English routes; no waivers, even for native speakers |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 78 For Business Innovation and Sustainability: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 78 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 with no section below 3.5 (from 21 January 2026); PTE, Cambridge and IB/EB routes also accepted. Early Childhood Education accepts only an SAT/ACT result as English proof; Immersive Software Engineering and AI tests English through its ACRES screening. No waivers. |
Deadlines
- Joint application (all English-taught bachelor's programmes) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months21 January 2027, 15:00 (UTC+2)
Application period opens 7 January 2027. Attachments and SAT/ACT scores due 28 January 2027. Results by 8 April 2027 (SAT/ACT groups and the IT and education programmes) or 28 May 2027 (certificate-based admission); accept your place by 13 July 2027. Studies start in late August 2027.
Dates are from JYU's 2027 bachelor's admissions timetable; the university says exact times will be confirmed. If you miss the January 2027 window, the next chance is January 2028.
How to apply
Apply through Finland's national Studyinfo.fi portal in the spring joint application, where one form lets you list up to six programmes at Finnish universities. Submit the form between 7 and 21 January 2027 and upload educational documents, English proof and any SAT/ACT score report by 28 January 2027. Non-EU/EEA citizens pay a 100-euro application fee. Immersive Software Engineering and AI adds an online admission test and interview; Early Childhood Education adds an interview.
What admissions looks for
- For Business Innovation and Sustainability, the highest SAT/ACT scores or certificate points within your admission group.
- Solid secondary-level mathematics and strong commitment, motivation and perseverance for Immersive Software Engineering and AI.
- Proof of English skills in exactly one of the accepted ways; applications that fall short are rejected.
- Complete, on-time attachments uploaded to Studyinfo.
Tips for applying to JYU
- 1 Send SAT or ACT scores directly from the test organiser to JYU (SAT 12301, ACT 8262) so they arrive by 28 January 2027; late scores are not accepted.
- 2 IB and EB candidates can apply on predicted grades and must upload them by 1 April 2027.
- 3 Accept your place within 14 days of your admission letter to get the 1,500-euro Early Bird discount on the first-year fee.
- 4 Start your Finnish residence permit early: it can take five to six months, and you need at least 9,600 euros in your account when you apply.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in EUR
There are no university scholarships for the first year, but non-EU students who accept their place within 14 days get a 1,500-euro Early Bird discount. From the second year, the JYU Scholarship covers part of the fee (3,000 euros for 10,000-euro programmes, 6,000 euros for 16,000-euro programmes) for students completing at least 55 ECTS credits a year. JYU offers no fully funded scholarships.
- 1,500 euros off the first-year fee if you accept within 14 days
- Early Bird discount (2027 intake)
- 3,000-6,000 euros a year, depending on the fee, with at least 55 ECTS credits per year
- JYU Scholarship from year 2
- 100 euros
- Application fee (non-EU/EEA)
- At least 9,600 euros in your bank account
- Residence permit funds requirement
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (autumn and spring)
Business Innovation and Sustainability (BSc Econ & Bus Adm)
English-taught, small-group teaching at an AACSB-accredited school, with a 3+2 study right into JSBE master's programmes.
Immersive Software Engineering and AI (bachelor's)
Project-based learning instead of lectures, integrated Finnish studies and two four-month company internships, which are paid if you pass the company's interview.
Early Childhood Education (bachelor's)
English-taught, building on the teacher education JYU has offered since 1863; qualifies graduates to work as early childhood education teachers.
Sport and health sciences
JYU has a dedicated Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, offering master's programmes such as Biology of Physical Activity.
Nanoscience and Physics (master's)
English-taught master's programmes in the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, open after a bachelor's.
Research
- Home to six Research Council of Finland Centres of Excellence (2026), coordinating four of them.
- Four Academy Professors (2026) and several ERC-funded researchers.
- 3,682 publications, including 3,267 open publications (2025).
- Supplementary (external) funding of 87 million euros in 2025.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Education and Psychology
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Information Technology
- Faculty of Mathematics and Science
- Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
- Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics (JSBE)
JYU publishes no graduate employment rate on its admissions pages; it awarded 3,497 degrees in 2025.
Student life
Student life at JYU centres on the Seminaarinmäki campus, whose main building was designed by Alvar Aalto. Degree students join the Student Union, which is compulsory and gives discounts on student lunches and long-distance trains and coaches, and pay a student healthcare fee each semester unless they have an EHIC card. Faculty student associations such as Pörssi at the School of Business and Economics organise networking and social events. International master's students run a chat service to answer applicants' questions.
- More than 1,000 international students every year.
- Compulsory Student Union membership with student lunch and travel discounts.
- Pörssi student association at the School of Business and Economics.
- Alvar Aalto's main building (Capitolium) on the Seminaarinmäki campus.
Location
Jyväskylä, in Central Finland, is the country's seventh-largest city with about 145,000 people. Its compact centre puts services, shops, schools and workplaces within easy reach, and nature is close by. The university describes it as safe and student-friendly, and estimates living costs at 800-900 euros a month.
Nearest airport: Jyväskylä Airport (JYV); Helsinki Airport (HEL) for most international flights
Notable alumni
- SO Sofi OksanenNovelist and playwright (Purge); studied literature at JYU
- JU Jutta UrpilainenFinnish politician and former school teacher; Master of Education from JYU, 2002
- HV Henna VirkkunenFinnish politician; Master of Philosophy in journalism and communication from JYU, 1999
- MC Minna CanthWriter and social activist; studied at the Jyväskylä Teacher Seminary, the university's predecessor, from 1863
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Jyväskylä offer bachelor's degrees in English?
Yes, three: Business Innovation and Sustainability, Immersive Software Engineering and AI, and Early Childhood Education. All are applied for in the January joint application on Studyinfo.fi.
How much is tuition at Jyväskylä for non-EU students?
For 2027 entry, 10,000 euros a year for Business Innovation and Sustainability and Early Childhood Education, and 16,000 euros for Immersive Software Engineering and AI. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens pay nothing.
When is the application deadline for JYU bachelor's programmes in 2027?
The joint application runs from 7 to 21 January 2027, with attachments and SAT/ACT scores due by 28 January 2027.
What SAT score do I need for Jyväskylä?
Business Innovation and Sustainability requires at least 1100 (EBRW plus Math) or ACT 22, but applicants are ranked by score, so a higher score improves your chances.
Are there scholarships at the University of Jyväskylä?
Not for the first year, apart from the 1,500-euro Early Bird discount. From the second year, the JYU Scholarship covers 3,000-6,000 euros of the fee if you complete at least 55 ECTS credits a year.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- JYU: How to apply for international bachelor's programmes (2027)
- JYU: Bachelor's degree programmes
- JYU: Business Innovation and Sustainability
- JYU: Immersive Software Engineering and AI
- Studyinfo.fi: Admission criteria 2027, Business Innovation and Sustainability
- JYU: Bachelor's applicants, how to prove your English skills (2027)
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