What is SARAVE?

SARAVE is a nationwide development project (January 1st, 2025 – July 31, 2028) that aims to improve the quality and accessibility of university programmes in German, French and Russian.

Coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä, the project brings together all Finnish universities offering academic education in German, French and Russian: University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Jyväskylä, University of Oulu, Tampere University, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University.

Our goals

1. We open a new path to certain degree programmes in German, French and Russian for applicants with no previous knowledge of these languages.
2. We develop inter-university teaching cooperation in German, French, and Russian disciplines.

In addition, SARAVE aims to influence Finnish language education policy for foreign languages.

Backround

The project stems from the limited scope of language education in both basic and upper secondary schools in Finland. Over the past few decades, the teaching of foreign languages - other than English - has significantly declined, and its availability varies greatly across regions. As a result, fewer students have been able to pursue university studies in foreign languages. This has led to a decrease in the number of foreign language experts in Finland, with economic, social, and cultural repercussions.

SARAVE offers solutions that ensure continuity in the highest level of expertise in languages and cultures in Finland.