Colleges and adult education
Jyväskylä is one of the liveliest school and college towns in Finland. Almost every third person in the street is a pupil or student with a student population of 45,000 in total. The most educated people in their thirties in the country live here. The traditions of education and Finnishness run strong: the first Finnish secondary school in Finland was founded here as were the very first Finnish seminary for primary school teachers and the first Finnish girls’ school.
Jyväskylä offers excellent opportunities for continuous learning and personal development. In addition to qualification-driven education, there is an abundance of voluntary education, open for all: preparatory and supplementary courses, general interest and hobby courses boosting the student’s skills and competence. Open university and higher education studies are also available with a variety of tests and examinations which may prove helpful for studies and working life.
Liberal adult education in Jyväskylä is organised by Jyväskylä Adult Education Centre, Jyvälän kansalaisopisto, Summer University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Christian Institute and Alkio College in Korpilahti. Moreover, various associations and organisations in the Jyväs Region also provide courses and other learning opportunities.
There is basic education for adults, language training and tests for immigrants, general upper secondary education studies, vocational further education and training and basic education in the arts. Jyväskylä Christian Institute and Alkio College provide liberal adult education to persons of compulsory school age as an opportunity to attend compulsory education.
Studies vary from evening classes to full-time short or long term courses, distance learning and intensive courses. There may be a tuition fee or the studies may be free of charge, depending on the target group and content.
Jyväskylä Adult Education Centre is part of the City of Jyväskylä culture and sports services. The Adult Education Centre offers a variety of general education programmes and courses for people of all ages. The Centre focuses primarily on over-16-year-olds, but has no formal minimum or maximum age limit. The Centre caters for everyone, regardless of their educational background or municipality of residence.
Summer University of Jyväskylä is an educational institution providing liberal adult education and managed by Jyväskylä Summer University Association. Most Summer University programmes and courses are open to everyone regardless of their age or educational background and instruction is organised with consideration for students’ different circumstances and opportunities to pursue their studies. The programmes supplement and add variety to the education and training provision available in Central Finland while providing lifelong learning opportunities.
Jyvälän kansalaisopisto is a private adult education centre managed by The Settlement of Jyvälä. The centre fulfils the tasks and duties of liberal adult education and the values of the settlement movement. Available courses in Jyvälän kansalaisopisto are based on the needs and wishes of the clients. It provides education and training in various subjects, from e.g. the well-being of body and mind to skills enhancement courses.
Alkio College is a college in Korpilahti in Jyväskylä, managed by the Alkio College Patrons’ Association. The college provides, among other things, the widest range of open university and UAS studies, path studies for university or university of applied sciences, courses in general upper secondary education, liberal adult education programmes (also for young people in compulsory education) in six different fields of study: Education and Psychology; History; Languages and Communication; Well-being and Natural Sciences; Society, Economy and Law; Creative Industries and Technology; Multidisciplinary Studies. Studies may be flexibly arranged throughout the academic year, either as six month programmes or short courses.
Jyväskylä Christian Institute is a folk high school in Kuokkala in Jyväskylä, which is managed by Jyväskylä Christian Institute Foundation. The institute provides liberal adult education (also for young people in compulsory education), vocational education and training, basic education for adults, preparatory education for qualification (TUVA for short in Finnish) and a variety of annually alternating short courses. The studies focus on educational subjects; arts, physical education, crafts and home economics; information and communication technologies; studies supporting parish and societal work.
The Open University of the University of Jyväskylä provides university studies of all the University of Jyväskylä faculties. No specific educational background or age is required. Students can schedule their studies to suit their individual needs and circumstances and study either at an intensive pace or balance study with work. The studies give an introduction to academic study and various branches of science. Studies at the open university may supplement skills and knowledge, provide competence, or head for a new career by way of e.g. open university route.
Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences Open Studies provides courses in UAS degree programmes, but not a complete degree. Open Studies are available for everyone, irrespective of age and educational background. The studies are suitable for improving e.g. the knowledge and skills required in the working world or as a path to studies or higher education at the university of applied sciences.