General Description of JAMK
Studies at the University of Applied Sciences
Nature of Studies
JAMK as a Place of Study
Studies at the University of Applied Sciences
The Finnish higher education system is formed by two parallel sectors: the universities of applied sciences (also known as polytechnics) and the universities. The universities of applied sciences provide a practically oriented alternative of higher education, offering students high-level education based on their individual needs and on the requirements of the dynamic world of work. Consequently, the structure of the Finnish higher education system has become more comparable with the higher education systems of other European countries.
The length of Bachelor’s degrees completed at the Finnish universities of applied sciences is, as a rule, 3.5–4.5 years, depending on the field. The education develops both theoretical knowledge and practical professional competence. It consists of basic and professional studies, elective studies, a practical training period, a bachelor’s thesis, and a maturity test.
The graduates of the universities of applied sciences who have acquired work experience after their Bachelor’s degree can complete a Master’s degree at the university of applied sciences in order to deepen their professional skills and competences. The master’s degree programmes can be completed through part-time study, while working, in approximately 1.5-3 years. The flexible modes of learning which are applied include contact teaching periods, online learning, and independent study. Master’s education aims at promoting the development of the professional field.
Close interaction with economic and cultural life, education tailored to meet the needs of the industry, and the consideration of internationalisation guarantee the graduates excellent employment prospects and interesting, challenging careers. The objective of the studies is to educate experts for a dynamic society - for planning, development, counselling, educational and managerial tasks, as well as for entrepreneurship.
Nature of Studies
In a dynamic and developing society, knowledge is continuously revised. Therefore, studies emphasize, in addition to professional, social and ethical competences, data acquisition and communicational skills, as well as the development of individual learning skills. The aim is a critical approach to acquired knowledge and the use of knowledge in real-life professional tasks and problem situations. The main objective is to develop initiative, cooperation skills, responsibility, independence, and creativity in students. JAMK applies a competence- and learning-based curriculum which emphasises students’ learning process and its facilitation.
Internationality is part of everyday life at the universities of applied sciences. The students can complete part of their studies, practical training or thesis in the partner institutions abroad or while working for a foreign employer. The universities of applied sciences have several degree programmes with instruction exclusively in English, and a wide variety of courses are taught in foreign languages in all the fields of study. Degree and exchange students from around the world also complete their studies at Finnish universities of applied sciences.
The universities of applied sciences closely cooperate with regional working life, cultural life and organisations. This allows students to participate in various cooperation and development projects, in addition to completing practical training periods in authentic environments and workplace situations.
Right at the beginning of their studies, students create a Personal Learning Plan (PLP) and determine the objectives of their studies and the courses to be completed. These plans are updated and specified at various stages of the studies. The students are responsible for the completion and follow-up of their studies, but study guidance is also available. The heads of programme, principal lecturers, career tutors, counsellors, practical training tutors, lecturers, student tutors, and the personnel of the Student Services assist students in creating their career plans and study plans, as well as in other study-related choices.
JAMK as a Place of Study
JAMK is a multi-disciplinary institution, providing easy access to education crossing the traditional boundaries of educational fields. The four educational units of JAMK offer over 30 interesting bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. In addition to the studies of one’s own degree programme, students can choose courses from the other schools of JAMK, from the selection of elective studies, or from the Finnish Online University of Applied Sciences.
JAMK also provides the opportunity to complete Open Studies. Moreover, various units of JAMK have separate sub-units for continuing education and services, and the Teacher Education College provides the pedagogical qualification required of teachers at vocational schools and universities of applied sciences.
JAMK hosts about 8,000 students. All the educational units are located close to each other (most of them within a radius of three kilometres in the city of Jyväskylä, except for Saarijärvi at about 60 kilometres from Jyväskylä), providing a versatile and compact learning environment and high-level student services.
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