JYU.INTEGRA for students

INTEGRA training does not lead to a university degree, and the students cannot automatically continue in degree studies at the university or at another higher education institutions after the training. However, JYU.INTEGRA training and the guidance received during it will help students to continue in the degree studies they apply for afterwards.

Objective of the training

The aim of the INTEGRA language training is to integrate language studies with studies in the participants’ own disciplines. In this way, the training will support the participants in learning the Finnish language, academic skills (in both Finnish and English) and the contents of their own discipline in Finnish. At the same time, the training promotes the students’ integration into the Finnish academic world and university learning culture.

INTEGRA training does not lead to a university degree, and the students cannot automatically continue in degree studies at the university or at another higher education institutions after the training. However, JYU.INTEGRA training and the guidance received during it will help students to continue in the degree studies they apply for afterwards.

The aim of the INTEGRA language training is to integrate language studies with studies in the participants’ own disciplines.

What is the training like?

INTEGRA is a language training programme that also includes university studies in the participants’ own disciplines. The scope of the training is 45 ECTS credits:

  • 24 ECTS credits Finnish language skills
  • 6 ECTS credits English language skills
  • 5–10 ECTS credits of studies in each student’s own discipline
  • 5 ECTS credits individual guidance

At the beginning of the training, the student and the counsellor of the SIMHE project (Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland) collaboratively create a personal study plan for the student. The participant’s prior education, current educational needs as well as Finnish, English and other language skills are mapped in the plan.

The training offers two different educational paths, A and B. Educational path A is intended for students whose Finnish language skills are from beginners to A2 level (Common European Framework of Reference) level. Path B is for students who have stayed in Finland for longer and for those with Finnish language skills of B1-B2 (Common European Framework of Reference) . The Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication organises the language studies.

The Open University of the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ provides the field-specific content studies agreed on in the study plan. Separate study rights can be negotiated with university faculties if the Open University does not offer suitable content studies, or if a student needs Master’s level studies. The central civic and working life skills studies defined in the National Core Curriculum for Integration Training for Adult Migrants that are relevant for the students will be integrated with the language and content studies.

Participants can complete an internship or a work try-out during the training. SIMHE will help and support students in finding the placement. In addition, an individual follow-up plan will be created for each student towards the end of the training.

Student guidance

Student guidance and support on the recognition of competence are provided throughout the training. Utilising the individual, networked guidance service of the project Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland (), we will recruit the students, identify their competence and needs, and create individual study plans for those selected for the training. The study plans also include the mapping of language skills (Finnish, English and other multilingual

resources). SIMHE will support the students in finding a work placement and planning their independent content studies. Towards the end of the training, SIMHE, the Open University and the Centre for Multilingual Academic Communication will work together to create an individual follow-up plan for each student on study paths related to the training. The project also cooperates closely with the Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office) on, for example, student recruitment and guidance.

Who can apply for INTEGRA?

We invite applications from people who

  • have either completed an academic degree or started to study towards one outside of Finland
  • are eligible for university studies
  • aim to finish their interrupted degree studies or upgrade a prior degree according to Finnish qualification requirements.

Participants can receive unemployment benefit during the training, but they must contact the TE Office immediately after they have been notified of admission to the training. Study grants are not awarded for the training. If a participant’s integration period is valid, the training can serve as individual integration training.