About us – the Open University is open for you

The Open University of the University of Jyväskylä (JYUOpen) is the largest and most versatile open university in Finland, with over 26,000 students annually. An integral part of the University of Jyväskylä, JYUOpen promotes educational equality and lifelong learning with high pedagogical quality, both in Finland and internationally through flexible modes of study.

At the Open University of the University of Jyväskylä, you gain access to the internationally regarded Finnish education, which the University of Jyväskylä has had a historically key role in building and fostering. Since its founding in 1863 as the country's first Finnish-language teacher seminary, JYU has been a community of educational excellence, and we have since grown into a multidisciplinary and globally ranked research university.

Facts and figures about JYUOpen

  • The most popular open university in Finland
  • 26,000 students annually
  • Around 40 subjects with instruction in Finnish, some in English
  • Established in 1984
  • An independent institute within the University of Jyväskylä
  • Approximately 50 educational partner institutions

Flexible university studies online

JYUOpen offers around 40 bachelor-level subjects in Finnish from the faculties of the University of Jyväskylä, as well as a wide range of general studies. JYUOpen specialises in distance learning, and flexible online learning environments are key to how you study our courses.

Check out all courses currently on offer in English at JYUOpen

JYUOpen courses are offered through not just the University’s own instruction, but also in collaboration with a multitude of regional partner institutions around Finland.

University studies are for everyone

Finnish open universities provide anyone the opportunity to pursue university studies, regardless of age or educational background.

Our English-language course offering encompasses educational science courses as well as courses on ICT in education. While JYUOpen doesn't offer degree studies, all courses in our selection are true university studies from JYU's curricula, and credits can usually be accepted as part of your degree studies.

Values and vision

The Open University adheres to the values and ethical principles of the University of Jyväskylä. Our values are openness, integrity, quality, trust and community spirit.

Open University is a place for lifelong learning

  • The Finnish Universities Act (558/2009) provides that universities must promote lifelong learning by degree-awarding, continuing, or by open university education. Open universities are integral parts of their universities, and they can also operate regionally.
  • The objective is to offer everyone opportunities to develop their competences, to raise their level of education and to receive retraining. The courses at the Open University are open to everyone: there are no age limits or previous education requirements.
  • Methodologies of adult education are an area of specialisation for the Open University
  • Open universities are funded from two sources: 50–70 % of funding comes from the Ministry of Education and Culture (results-based), while the other 30–50 % is derived from study fees