Studies at the University of Eastern Finland after graduation - alumni study right

Students that have completed their Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or postgraduate degree at the University of Eastern Finland have the right to complement their studies after graduation with the alumni study right.

Students entitled to the alumni study right:

• Students who have completed a Master’s degree on 1.8.2019 or thereafter.
• Students who have completed a Bachelor’s degree that does not grant them the right to complete a Master’s degree on 1.8.2019 or thereafter. Students who graduate from one of the following degree programmes only complete a Bachelor’s degree and may activate the alumni study right when they complete the Bachelor’s degree:
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Sciences
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Sustainable Forest Bioeconomy
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Information Technology
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Urban Sustainability Studies
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (farmaseutin koulutusohjelma, programme in Finnish)
  • Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Early Childhood Teacher Education (varhaiskasvatuksen opettajan kandidaattikoulutus, programme in Finnish)
• Students who have completed a postgraduate degree i.e. their licentiate or doctoral degree on 1.1.2020 or thereafter.

The alumni study right is defined in the Education Regulations (15 §).

What can you study when you have an alumni study right?

Students who have activated their alumni study right may complete minor subject studies that are free to take or minor subject studies that are restricted but for which the student has received the right to study during their degree studies. Check the list of minor subjects at the university. Any restrictions on education participation are specified in the curricula.

A student with an alumni study right is entitled to get an official transcript of academic records on the studies they have completed.

What is the alumni study right?

The alumni study right is a non-degree study right.

The study right can be activated once the degree is completed. The student has the right to complement their studies free of charge during the academic year of completing their degree and during the following two academic years by activating the alumni study right. The study right always terminates two years after the last day of the academic year on which you graduate. The alumni study right is thus valid for maximum of three years. For example, if a student graduates at any point during the 2024–2025 academic year (1 August 2024 – 31 July 2025), the alumni study right will be valid until 31 July 2027.

You cannot apply for an extension to the alumni study right.

How can I apply for the alumni study right?

You can apply for the alumni study right with an electronic application form.

If you are unable to fill the electronic form, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ customer services (contact information at the bottom of the page).

Annual registration

Students who have activated the alumni study right do not need to register annually. The attendance is marked automatically for the full duration of the alumni study right.

UEF account, access rights

Students who have activated the alumni study right have the same UEF account and access rights they had as a degree student. The access rights are valid for the full duration of the alumni study right.

Student union membership

Students who have activated the alumni study right may join the student union, the membership is voluntary. However, students whose only acitve study right is the alumni study right are not entitled to the services of Finnish Student Health Services (YTHS) and as thus need not pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education to KELA (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland). The alumni study right also does not entitle the student to student discounts on public transportation, student priced meals at the university campus restaurants or Sykettä sport services. More information on the benefits offered by the student union membership.

If you want to join the student union as a student with the alumni study right, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ Customer Service in order to receive payment innstructions. You can do this when you activate your alumni study right or later.

Frequently asked questions

Who is entitled to the alumni study right?

• Students, that have completed their PhD or Master’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree with no right to complete a Master’s degree at the University of Eastern Finland (Education regulations 15 §)
• Students that are studying or have studied with a non-degree study right are not entitled to the alumni study right.

Can a student with an alumni study right apply for recognition of prior learning?

• Depends on the studies and the nature of recognition of prior learning.
• Inclusion? In most cases recognition of prior learning by inclusion is not possible.
• Substitution? Depends on the content of studies.

Can a student studying with an alumni study right complete a traineeship abroad or study as an exchange student?

A student cannot complete a traineeship abroad or study abroad as an exchange student with the alumni study right. Exchange programmes, networks and bilateral agreements of the University of Eastern Finland are only for degree students who wish to complete a traineeship abroad or study as an exchange student.

Can a student with the alumni study right take courses that are available for degree students, but are organised by another higher education institution (cross-institutional studies)?

Often yes, but there might be restrictions in the curriculum or in the cross-institutional studies agreement. Consult your UEF coordinator or amanuensis.

Can a student have a degree right and an alumni study right at the same time?

As a rule, no, but there might be some exceptions.

A course’s number of participants is limited, and it has quotas for different student groups. Is a student with the alumni study right always accepted to the course?

Check the limitations in participation in the course curriculum.

Can a student take courses of their former main subject, optional or not optional?

If the number of participants on the course is limited, then no. If there are no limitations, then yes.

Can I study languages with the alumni study right?

You can take courses in the Language Centre with the alumni study right. You have to choose from optional courses. You cannot take courses that are a part of a degree, because they are not a part of any minor subject.

For further information:

For further information on studies, contact your study coordinator or:

Philosophical Faculty: Riikka Myllys
Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology: Maarit Merimaa-Piirainen
Faculty of Health Sciences: Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies: Annikki Honkanen and Anne Korhonen
Language Centre: Lauri Tolkki and Satu Karhapää-Puhakka

You can find the contact information in UEF Connect.

For further information on registration and applying for the study right contact the Student and Learning Services’ Customer Service: