Jyväskylä University Libraries - at the Heart of Campus

The Jyväskylä University Library is one of the oldest libraries in Finland, its history beginning in the 1860s. Today, the Library serves over 2 000 customers daily and over a half million annually.

-- JYU Main Library

In Finland, libraries are not only about reading. They are aimed to provide a common space for students and other citizens as well. Besides books, journals and articles, they also offer music collections, videos, computers, printers, different functional areas and food. If you have been to or heard about the Oodi library in Helsinki, you must know what I am talking about.

As a JYU student, you cannot miss the main library on campus. It is a three-floor building designed by Finnish architect Arto Sipinen, located at the end of the main campus. I’d say it is the most popular place among students, because it has everything you need.

If you want to focus, there are silent study area and self-study rooms. If you need to discuss with your group, there are discussion area and meeting rooms. If you are tired or you want to study in a more comfortable way, there is a cafeteria, a cafe and cozy sofas on both second floor and third floor. There are also computers and printers on each floor. Sometimes, the library organizes events and exhibitions on the first floor, such as old book sales and topic-based book exhibition every 3 months.

It is under renovation now, and will be ready to use in autumn 2021. After renovation, it will be equipped with more flexible and more comfortable facilities. The opening hours will also be longer than before. To memories its 45 years of service, students made a music video for it:

Although the main library’s renovation takes about 2 years, the other libraries on campus are at your services:

Mattilanniemi Library, building MaA

Mattilanniemi Library is on the second floor of building MaA, which is near to Agora. It also has silent study area, computer rooms and a meeting room. On the first floor, there is a cafeteria called Maija.

Ylistönrinne Library, building YK

Ylistönrinne Library is on the side of the lake Jyväsjärvi, in the faculty of Mathematics and Science. Its collections are all on nature science. It is easy to notice spot those buildings, especially in summer, as they are all shining under sunshine.

Aalto Library, building C

Aalto Library is designed by architect Alvar Aalto and is open as a self-service reading room while the Main Building (C) is open. There are about 10 working stations and wireless network (WLAN) available. It has various collections but does not provide home loan.

Subject associations – connect with fellow students

We know that studying can get overwhelming, especially at the beginning of the semester. But once you get the hang of it, you can explore ways to meet same-minded students. In Jyväskylä there are many student events where you can meet new people. But University has also many student associations that are open to students of the University of Jyväskylä. Associations at JYU offer services and wide range of free time activities to students.

Emile ry members

What are subject associations?
They are group of same-minded students who organise various events for their members and create opportunities to influence and pursue shared interest. Associations bring together same-minded people that are studying at the same programme or same faculty. There are currently more than 30 subject associations altogether and they operate under the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä.

Students from Pörssi - subject organisation

Membership
Each association has small membership fee that give students many benefits (for example discounted prices for their events, discounts at local shops etc). Membership is usually limited to the students majoring in specific subject. However, a lot of times you don’t need to be a member of a specific association to attend their events. You can also become a board member and help to manage organisation at your faculty. Additionally every subject association has their own overall colour. So you can easily see who is from your association. During many events you can get a patch for that specific event you are attending which you can sew to your overall and make your overall your diary of your studies.

overall and patch collection

Association activities
Associations together with University help to create a sense of community in Jyväskylä. They organise group-building events for beginning students, networking events, help you answer some FAQ regarding your programme and so much more. Being a part of an organization is also a great way to meet fellow students that share the same interests like you. It is an amazing way to connect Finns and International students. There are also some events that are cross-disciplinary that extend beyond the boundaries of specific association. They are usually joint event between two or more associations.  Some of these events are: 3MIOT, Pikkarit, Kauppakatu Appro etc. Every association has their own (or shared) facility on campus where members can relax and spend time together.

Sporticus student hang out room

Currently at the University we have the following subject associations:


* Abakus ry
* Ainejärjestö Asterix ry
* Ainejärjestö Sputnik ry
* Chydisco
* Cogito ry
* Corpus ry
* Dumppi ry
* Emile ry
* Fokus
* Guberna
* IDESCO ry
* Jano ry
* Lanka ry
* Lingviestit ry
* Linkki Jyväskylä ry
* Lööppi ry
* Magna Carta ry
* Mephisto ry
* Nefa-Jyväskylä ry
* Parku ry
* Pedaali ry
* Pedago ry
* Puloue ry
* Pörssi ry
* Radikaali
* Sane ry
* Sporticus ry
* Stimulus ry
* Sturm and Drang ry
* Svenska Klubben ry
* Syrinx ry
* Taberna Latina
* Tiltti ry
* Tosine ry
* Trioli ry
* Varkaat ry
* Viito! Ry
* Ynnä ry

Finnish Winter Guide: How to enjoy the coldness and the darkness!

During your online research you have probably found out already quite some information about Finland. Most likely you have also heard some crazy stories about the finnish winter. It is true it will get cold and also dark. But it is a magical time of the year. Following we are going to present you some information about how to dress appropriate and how to make the best out of this time of the year.




Clothing
First of all, take warm clothes with you and put them on. Being warm goes before style in winter. Walking outside ankle-free or with a crop top is cool, it is even too cool. One could say it is freezing. So leave these in your closet for warmer times of the year :) The onion-look is IN here in Winter and everyone wears it. So go with it. When it is really cold we recommend to put on a warm underlayer under your normal clothes or a really warm top layer like snow pants and always wear a scarf, a hat and gloves. For the winter jacket we recommend a mid-long to long jacket that covers the upper part of your legs so that they stay warm. If you have a shorter jacket you can put outdoor pants on so that your legs stay warm. Also put on warm winter shoes (not just sneakers). Proper winter shoes keep you warm and prevent you from slipping because they usually have a better profile under the shoe.

Darkness
There is a lot of darkness during finnish winter and you easily get in a lazy cycle, where you feel that the best for you is just to stay home under a warm blanket with a tea and watching series. And that is not bad. You can do that. But be sure to also keep active: keep on doing sports, go outside to the fresh air, go to some of the many university or other events and see your friends. Keeping active is the biggest secret of having a great winter here. Also make sure to take some additional Vitamin D to stay healthy.

Safety
It is very dark in the finnish winter. Therefore it is recommended to wear reflectors on your jackets and backpacks. It is for the simple reason to be seen better by other people.
If you are biking in Winter: drive safely! Next to that always have bike lights and a helmet. Sometimes it can be very slippery and icy. For that there are spike tyres for bikes and cars - so that you get better grip on the ice. These also exist for shoes. You can easily attach them to your normal winter shoes.

Additionally you can find a post here from the university which provides you with tips for the winter!








Now we get the the second and more fun part of this blog post: Winter Activities
There is soooo much to do in finnish winter!
Check out VisitJyväskylä for a comprehensive list!

First of all, go out! It is so refreshing walking on one of the lakes in Jyväskylä or up to Laajavuori (Skiarea of Jyväskylä) or anywhere else!


Downhill skiing/snowboarding
Laajavuori is only a short bike/bus ride from the center and if you live in Kortepohja it is even just a small walk. At Laajavuori you can go downhill skiing and snowboarding. They have around 13 slopes, a fun park and a practice hill for beginners. You can either bring your own equipment or rent some on site

Cross country skiing
Next to downhill skiing and snowboarding Laajis also offers 60 km of cross country skiing tracks. But in and around Jyväskylä there are a lot more of cross country tracks
Jyväskylän Seutu  and Jyväskylä.fi  have more information about all the different tracks.
If you do not have your own equipment the easiest is to go to Laajavuori and rent and ski there. If you are planning to go more frequently, you can buy your own ones. Cheap options are second hand groups on Facebook or Sporttidivari  which is a sports equipment secondhand shop in Seppälä.

Ice skating
When it is long enough cold, the lakes will all freeze and you can go ice skating on them. (Always make sure that the lake is proper frozen, if you are unsure do not go!!) On Jyväsjärvi (the big lake in the center of Jyväskylä) they make a 2.4 km long track in Winter were you can ice skate on. Check out visitJyväskylä.fi post about ice skating in Jyväskylä. Next to the big lakes, many schools also flood their school yards. During the day these spots are reserved for the school kids. But afterwards they are open and everyone can enjoy skating on them.

Ice fishing
Once the lakes are frozen there is also another traditional winter activity you can try: ice fishing. For that finns cut a whole in the ice and then sit next to it and fish for hours.It should be said, that for trying out ice fishing you should join a local or someone who has done it before. Visit Central Finland has published a blog post about this finnish hobby.

Ice swimming
The local ice swimming club of Jyväskylä operates 5 different ice swimming spots in Jyväskylä. For a small membership fee you can use their warm changing rooms and experience the magic of ice swimming. At first it sounds crazy to jump in a mostly frozen lake during minus degree. But ice swimming offers many health benefits and you will instantly feel better after. Also it is one of the greatest feelings to expand your comfort zone and go ice swimming.

Sauna
Last but not least: sauna. Sauna you can do all year round in Finland. Rumors say that there are around 2 million saunas in Finland for a population of around 5.5 million people - so there should be one nearby for you. Going to the sauna is especially in winter after being outside in the cold it is the best feeling ever to sit in a hot room and to get finally really warm again. Sauna can be also perfectly connected to ice swimming. If you do not have a lake close by, going outside in the snow is a perfect way to cool down from the sauna turn.

Come and enjoy the Finnish winter with us! :)

FAQs about JYU and application (for non EU/EEA students)

This is a blog post regarding various questions we are getting from non EU or European Economic Area (EEA) students.
Note: For students from the EU these information can be different!

1. Does JYU have bachelor programs taught in English?
Unfortunately we do not yet have bachelor programs taught in English. If you are an undergraduate student and interested in studying in JYU, you can check if your home university is a partner university of JYU and probably come as an exchange student!

Find Bilateral partner universities of JYU 2019-2020 here!

2. Do you have scholarships for international master’s degree programs?
Starting from 2020 application period, JYU will provide two full scholarships (covers 2 years’ tuition fees) and four half scholarships for each program. You can apply for scholarship with the same application form for master’s programs, and the selection criteria will be the same as admissions criteria. JYU does not provide any other university level scholarships, but some faculty may provide other supports for international students. For further information, check the program page of your ideal program.
Find out more about scholarships and tuition fees here.

3. Which programs are JYU’s specialities? 
JYU has one of the leading education programmes in Finland, and is the only university that has a sports faculty. We also have highly competent business and social sciences programmes.

4. Can I apply if I am from a different background? 
You can apply to the Master’s degree programs as long as you have a suitable higher education degree and adequate proficiency in English language. Relevant academic background is normally not a must, but it will give you more credits during the admission process. For detailed information, you may check the program page of the specific program you are interested in, or send email to ask in advance.

5. Does JYU provide accommodation for international students? 
JYU does not provide accommodation directly, but will recommend local student apartments (KOAS, Kortepohja student village) to international students.

6. Is it possible to attend JYU’s summer school or short-term courses?
Currently JYU provides the following summer and winter schools:

Summer schools: 
Jyväskylä Summer School in August, targeting all advanced Master's students, graduate students, and post-docs from the field of Mathematics,Science and Information Technology
Jyväskylä Summer School in Human Sciences in May-June, targeting students from JYU, students from partner universities of JYU, and students coming within the framework of ISEP Exchange

Winter schools: 
Winter School of Ecology in February, targeting all international and Finnish students who are majoring in biology
Winter School in Sport Sciences in January, targeting students from universities and professionals from sport organizations all over the world

*Some of the Summer & Winter School are only for JYU students or students from partner universities.

Find out more about the summer and winter schools here.

7. How much is the cost to study in Finland?
The tuition fee of JYU’s master’s degree programs are between 8,000-12,000 euros per year. The living expense in Jyväskylä is around 600-800 euros per month, depending on which part of the city you stay in.

8. Do I have to learn Finnish to study in Finland? Will it be enough if I only speak English? 
Many MSc programs require international students to take a couple of Finnish course credits (normally Finnish 1) to help you learn about the basics, but there are no other language requirements regarding Finnish. Most Finnish people speak at least conversational English, so it will not be a problem if you cannot speak Finnish. However, we do encourage you to learn Finnish, because it definitely helps you to make friends and live more like a local.

9. Is it very cold and dark in winter? 
There will only be 1-2 weeks of - 20°C temperature each year, normally in January or February, but it is always warm indoors. The days get apparently shorter in November, so it would be helpful to go out and be active to prevent depression.

Tutors: Little helper for your arrival in Jyväskylä

When you are moving to a different country everything in the beginning can be very overwhelming. Basic activities, which you do in your home country without even thinking about them like using public transport or going to the supermarket, can be challenging suddenly.

 The University of Jyväskylä offers a tutoring system to help you have an as smooth as possible start in your new home. Every new arriving student (exchange and degree students) will get connected to a tutor. Tutors are fellow students from our university who will support you in many practical questions.

Before your arrival your tutor will get in contact with you at least three weeks before your arrival. He or she can help you with your travel plans and any other questions you have in advance. One of the best services is that your tutor will pick up your keys in advance (when you live in one of the student housings). On your arrival day your tutor will meet you at the train or bus stop and help you find your way to your new apartment. He or she will also support you in finding the nearest supermarket and bus stop.

The tutor is usually tutoring several other new students. So in the tutor group you can already meet the first people before the university even starts.

When the orientation week starts the tutors will make sure that you find your way to the university. Either through showing the way to you in advance or through organizing walking groups for the first morning.

During your first weeks your tutor will show give you a campus, a library and a city tour. The tutor will help you with practical manners like opening a bank account, filling out registration forms and electing your university courses. Additionally, your tutor can help you get to know the Finnish student life ;-)

Tutors are very caring and supportive helpers for your start here in Jyväskylä. Make sure to reply your tutor when he or she gets in contact with you before your arrival. Because they can really support you in making the best out of your stay in Jyväskylä! :)

Application period starts today

Finally it is the time! The application period for the international master’s degree programmes of the University of Jyväskylä starts today. The application period is open from 08th January until 22nd January 2020 at 3:00 p.m. (GMT+2).


All the information about the master degree programmes can be found here.


Following you will find some last information about the application process. Here is the university link which leads you to the web page with all the information about the application process.
(Note: The following article points out important aspects for the application. The complete information and requirements can be found on the above mentioned link!)

Online Application Form
Today the online application form opened. It is only open during the admission period. You can find the application form here.
Remember that you can not save a draft of the application form. If you close it before submitting, all your entered information will be lost. But after submitting you will receive a link via email with which you can make changes on your application form until the end of the application period.
With the same form you also apply for the tuition fee scholarship.


Required attachments
You have to submit all the required attachments so that your application can be processed. In case you get asked to send some of your documents via postal email, do that as soon as possible! Make sure that you submit everything required before the deadline. After you have done your application, make sure to check your emails regularly so you do not miss any updates. For example in case an attachment was missing. If documents are missing the application is not complete and can not be processed!
There are specific requirements for some documents. Check them out here.


Interviews
After the application process, the second round starts. The second round is for the so far selected applicants and they will be invited for an interview. The interviews are held in March and will be in person (if you are in Finland) or via Skype. Do not be too afraid of the interviews. The interviewers, which are usually some of the program teachers, are very nice. During the interview they will try to get to know you a bit better and to hear about your knowledge of the field and the motivation for the master. Prepare yourself for the interview, through answering these basic questions for yourself in advance. Why do you want to do this master? What is your motivation? What is your expertise? Do you have already a possible idea for the master thesis?  Why did you choose Finland?


The decision on the student admission is based on the application and the interview. The results are based on a scoring system. The applicants will be informed via email.

Good luck for your applications! We hope to see many of you soon in Jyväskylä!