Is the University of Jyväskylä respected?

[CanadaNomad]

...or what are your personal feelings about the education?

I've been accepted to the MA programme in International Development at the UofJ. This could be a fantastic opportunity for me. However, it would require that I spend lots of cash to get to Finland as well as the two years for the degree.

From what I have found, I think the university looks really great. But I would like to confirm with former students and perhaps anyone with a perspective on how Jyväskylä is seen outside of Finland.

I hope the question sounds respectful. I really mean it to be. I just need to make sure before I make this big of a choice.

Thank you!
Dave

[Nallis]

Don't know about the reputation of Jyväskylä univ. but I'm hoping to apply to that same course next year. Can you tell how hard it was to get accepted and how was the selecting process?

[MrProcrastinator]

Jyväskylä is in the center of Finland and is considered as one of the big University towns in Finland. It is relatively big university in Finnish scale and to my understanding hosts a quality curriculum.

There's an interesting Master's program that I'd like to take, but they don't offer any kind of remote/virtual studying, so I was forced to drop that idea, since I have a full-time job.

[javla_java0]

Inside Finland Jyväskylä is more or less the best.

But... unless you're planning on living in Finland, you should think long and hard about a degree from a CITY that is not "name brand".

[Ras]

Inside Finland Jyväskylä is more or less the best.

But... unless you're planning on living in Finland, you should think long and hard about a degree from a CITY that is not "name brand".

But name-brand city Universities generally charge quite hefty sums for tuition (except if you regard Helsinki as a name-brand city) - when all Finnish Universities are free.

Two sides in this issue. Jyväskylä is considered the "student city" of Finland. It's not so big (85 000), but half of its population is students.

If you think that Finland might be interesting and you would get something unique (international experiences etc.) by coming here, then you should do it. The education is good, but one can get similar education from many universities (eg. all universities in Shanghai top 500).

If you are just looking for a recognized university name to put into your CV, then you might be better off somewhere else.


You should contact foreign students studying currently at UofJ via their Student Union.

[stewy]

just had my first visit there on tuesday. a real nice place. wish i got into uni there

[Gigi]

I have been to UofJy... And it is true what everybody else says concerning "famous" universities.

BUT it is a great university to study at. And they have excellent services for foreign students, which I regard as a pluspoint. If Finland is the country where you want to study, then Jyväskylä is one of the better options!

[elamanmatkalija]

Hey,

I got accepted into the same program at JYU. I think its good the program seems solid for getting both academic and practical experience. I myself am from Canada, but as I am half finnish I did move and live in Finland for close to 2 years, and I loved it. I don't speak finnish very well, but I am fluent enough that some people may not realise I am a foreigner(Finnish is my fourth language, just because I am finnish doesn't mean I learnt it in Canada. Best advice I have is to take the Finnish for foreigners courses and keep them up for 8 months, even if you fail, just keep on going to the next level. You'll never learn a language by staying at one level. Also try to avoid speaking English. I hate it when people ask me to teach them english or speak in worse english than I speak finnish. I didn't come to Finland to speak english. sorry for the rant, but there are so many points on this forum about language).

In any case as far as getting accepted into the I had some experience in the area of development-I worked for the red cross as a campaigner, I also had the opportunity to be he president of the Amnesty club in my university in Canada, I also have my last semester of university in Mexico. So a combination of my hobbies, interests in the field, work experience and international experience helped. Keep in mind that none of these are huge things, but combined they porbably helped. My grades are sort of average, I am nothing of a phenonmenal student, but I do have decent enough grades to be accepted in most M.A. programs. My reference letters came from my employer and my proffesor(he gave me the worst marks in my major, but that is because his tests were difficult and biased-he admits to it and feels bad. But we knew eachother very well and he knows I am articulate and know the material, just not in the way it is evaluated.)

Considering I am accepted into Poli sci (my undergrad majors are sociology and poli sci) I don't think it matters too much where I take my M.A. but what I did with it. I think the INT DEV COOP program is good for doing things with your degree.


As far as cost, well I study in Alberta and tuition is going through the roof. Because I really wanted to finish my BA asap, I took 19 courses (ie 2 years of courses) in one academic year, on top of working, volunteering, running amnesty. So for me to not have to pay tuition, to have some money come in a month (for finns or permanent residents) 300€, and to live in a student flat which costs less than 200€ a month, Finland is a way better choice. If you're from Canada I can guarantee you that you will spend no more money on your Ba in Finland than you would in Canada. Getting a job may be tough, but be persistent, moving to Finland will break you but once you get the basic, house, job, education it'll be a breeze. It'll be way easier than living in Canada (at least it was for me).