The University of Jyväskylä is a research university in Jyväskylä, Finland. It has its origins in the first Finnish-speakingTeacher Training College (the so-called Teacher Seminary), founded in 1863. Around 15,000 students are currently enrolled in the degree programs of the university. It is ranked as the second largest university in Finland when measured according to the number of master’s degrees conferred.

Organisation

The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, teacher training programmes and over 120 subject area disciplines.

The university is currently divided into six faculties:

• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Information Technology
• Faculty of Education and Psychology
• Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences
• Faculty of Mathematics and Science
• Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics

Independent institutes in addition to faculties:

• Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication, Movi
• Finnish Institute for Educational Research
• Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius
• Open University
• Open Science Centre | University Library | University Museum

Campuses

The faculties and departments are mainly located on three campus areas: the Main Campus area in the city centre – where the original Teacher Seminary has first started – as well as Mattilanniemi and Ylistönrinne Campuses on opposite shores of Lake Jyväsjärvi, united by a bridge, some 10 minutes walk from the Main Campus area.

Several buildings in the main campus area were designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Aalto received the commission to design the College of Education campus following a competition held in 1951. Aalto played on the idea of Jyväskylä’s image among the town’s inhabitants as it being the „Athens of the North“, and layout of the campus reflects principles of Greek acropolis layouts. His scheme even included a Greek-style open-air theatre, though executed in minimal form.

Buildings in the campus area designed by Alvar Aalto:

• Teachers Training School 1951-54
• Staff housing 1951 (now offices of the Jyväskylä University Museum, Building G)
• Student’s Hall of Residence 1952-54 (Building Philologica, P)
• Lozzi and Lyhty staff and student refectories (P)
• Main Building 1954-56, Building C
• Swimming Pool 1954-58, 1964, several alterations (called Aalto-Alvari)
• Physical Education Building 1971
• Library 1957 (now the Aalto Reading Room)