The Sibelius Academy, founded in 1882, is located in the heart of Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The Academy is named after the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, who is the central figure in Finnish music history. The Academy is a state music university and is an integral part of the system of higher education in Finland. It offers not only Bachelor and Master of Music degrees, but also Licentiate and Doctoral degrees. It is the only music university in Finland and one of the largest in Europe, with 1,700 students and 240 full-time teachers.
Accommodation & Meals
Sibelius does not provide accommodation, but will provide information about student housing options and assistance if students encounter difficulty. September is typically the peak period for student housing, so students should begin their search very early on. Rooms in the student housing system cost approximately 300-550 euros/month; a studio apartment is approximately 600-800 euros/month.
While there is not a meal plan, students have the opportunity to purchase lunch from student cafeterias at a reduced rate with their student ID (3 to 5 euros).
Dates
Fall Semester: Late August to mid-December
Spring Semester: Early January to late May
The
learning atmosphere at Sibelius Academy is creative, innovative and encouraging. Interaction between students and teachers is casual and informal, like in many Finnish educational establishments. In addition to providing the highest education in music, the Sibelius Academy also integrates performance, creative art, and research into its programs. There are approximately 10 different degree programs at the Academy, including Composition, Jazz, Performance, and Music Technology.
The Sibelius Academy offers several hundred concerts events each year, enriching both students at the Academy and the cultural life of Helsinki. Moreover, there are many seminars and conferences held at the Academy throughout the academic year. Concerts are an integral part of studies. The Sibelius Academy concert activities and music program services provide excellent live performance opportunities to students. The Academy premises are available for practice 24 hours a day.
A jazz degree student talks about his experience at Sibelius Academy >
Academic Areas
Music
Applicants must be approved by the UM School of Music; this exchange program is designed primarily for
jazz studies students. This program is meant for Juniors only. Students typically enroll in 24 to 30 ECTS credits which is equal to 12 to 15 UM credits.
A list of courses offered in English can be found here >
General Enrollment Information
- Courses taken abroad will count for a letter grade and toward your UM GPA as well as overall credits
- You must enroll in the equivalent of at least 12 UM credits while abroad
Grading Scale
| Sibelius Academy Mark |
UM Grade |
| 5 = Excellent |
A |
| 4 = Very Good |
B+ |
| 3 = Good |
B |
| 2 = Satisfactory |
C+ |
| 1 = Pass |
C |
| 0 = Fail |
F |
Credit Equivalency
1 ECTS credit= .5 UM Credits
While Finland is one of the northernmost countries, the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream gives it a mild climate for much of the year. Of course, it will be colder than Miami; you will most definitely want to pack a warm coat, gloves, hat and good winter boots. Finland is bilingual, with Finnish and Swedish as the two official languages; most of the 5.4 million people in Finland can speak or at least understand some English. Finns are direct communicators, but can be seen as shy or reserved by Americans as small talk is not typical.
Finland has a vast coastline and about 30,000 islands, resulting in an importance placed in the sea, along with the unspoiled countryside of the regions outside Helsinki. Helsinki is on a peninsula, with many nearby islands offering various recreational activities; the city itself boasts many parks as well as entertainment and arts offerings.
Finland places a premium on equality and education, giving students a special place in society. In general, universities are informal; dress is casual and people are addressed by their first names. There are very high educational standards and norms in Finland; most young people do go on to higher education, and remain in university until their late 20s.
The public transit system in Helsinki is excellent and ranked one of the best in Europe. Long distance trains and buses cover Finland as well, making it easy for students to travel outside of Helsinki (students get 50% off these train/bus fares). Other important Finnish cities are: Tampere, Turku and Oulu.
Websites for further information:
City of Helsinki:
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en
Study in Finland:
http://www.studyinfinland.fi/
Official Travel Guide of Finland:
https://www.visitfinland.com/
If you have questions about attending this UM Partner Program, please contact Krista Lyons for more information at k.lyons1@miami.edu.
