NOTE! It has been decided on 29 June 2021 that students who are unable to start their studies in the 2021-2022 academic year due to complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic may defer the start of their studies and register as absent for their first year of studies. This decision also pertains to students who have received a study place at UEF in 2020 and have already deferred the start of their studies from the 2020-2021 academic year. If you are unable to start your studies, you must contact your programme coordinator and inform them of your situation.
These instructions pertain to the International Master’s Degree Programme students who, in 2020, were granted a deferment of the start of their studies to the autumn 2021 semester due to complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
If your acceptance at the University of Eastern Finland has been conditional (e.g. tuition fee, degree certificate), you must meet the condition for your acceptance before your registration can be received. Additionally, you must sign and return your Student agreement before you can register. If you have questions regarding this, please contact your programme coordinator.
The registration period for the 2021-2022 academic year starts 3 May 2021 and ends 15 September 2021. You must register as either present or absent for the academic year within the registration period. Here you can find information on registering as being present or absent.
Please note that you can only come on campus after you have observed the possible required self-quarantine period after your arrival in Finland. You can only come on campus if you are healthy and have no COVID-19 symptoms. You can find information on the current coronavirus guidelines above.
To register as absent, please contact the Student and Learning Services (contact information below).
To register as present (attending), please follow these instructions:
1. Pay the Student Union membership fee
Pay the Student Union membership fee either via bank transfer or in person on campus once you are in Finland. The fee for the 2021-2022 academic year is 71,50 EUR. Here you can find more information on the membership fee.
To pay the fee via online banking or in your local bank, please follow the payment details below. Note that you are responsible for any possible transfer fees or service fees your bank may charge.
Payment details:
Recipient: Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Recipient's address: Yliopistonranta 3, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
Bank name: Osuuspankki/OP Bank/Pohjola Bank Pl
Bank address: Koskikatu 9, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
IBAN: FI37 5770 0520 2461 63
BIC/SWIFT: OKOYFIHH
Message: Student’s name and date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Fee: 71,50 €
If you wish to pay the fee after you have arrived on campus, you can do so at the Student Union offices (opens in a new tab). You can pay with cash or card, however, please note that 50€ is the largest banknote they accept.
Either bring or send a copy of the payment receipt to the Student and Learning Services (contact information below). The payment receipt must state the date of payment, the amount paid and the recipient’s name and bank account number.
2. Fill out the registration form
Fill out the registration form (docx). Send or bring the filled-out and signed registration form to the Student and Learning services (contact information below).
3. Provide proof of your identity
To provide proof of your identity remotely, please contact opiskelu@uef.fi, and we will instruct you on how to do so safely.
If you wish to provide proof of your identity in person once you are on campus, you can do so at the customer service desk (contact information below).
Once you have provided the receipt for the Student Union membership fee payment, brought or sent in the filled-out registration form, and provided proof of your identity, you will be registered as present for the 2021-2022 academic year.
Healthcare fee for students in higher education
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students who register as present must also pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education (opens in a new tab). The fee is based on the Act on Student Health Services for Students in Higher Education (Finnish) (opens in a new tab). The payment instructions (opens in a new tab) can be found on the Kela (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) website. You can find more information on the healthcare fee in the section FAQ about the healthcare fee in higher education (opens in a new tab) on the Kela website.
Finnish personal identity code
International students staying in Finland for longer than three months should obtain a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus). You need it for, e.g., activating your digital student card, opening a bank account, and for the university’s database and statistical purposes. The personal identity code will also help with identification when you are in contact with different Finnish authorities.
Students from non-EU/ETA countries can apply for the Finnish Personal Identity Code when applying for the residence permit (opens in a new tab). It is highly recommended you do it early!
If you do not apply for the Finnish personal identity code when applying for residence permit, in order to get it later, you have to visit the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency offices (opens in a new tab) during the first three months of your stay. Ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System - this means that you are issued a personal identity code and your postal address in Joensuu/Kuopio is registered.
After receiving the identity code, please inform the Student and Learning Services about it either by visiting the office or sending an email. You can visit our office and present the identity card or another document that displays the identity code. If you are unable to visit our office in person, and wish to handle the matter via email, please contact opiskelu@uef.fi and request instructions for sending the identity code in an encrypted email message. Do not send your identity code directly to opiskelu@uef.fi. Wait for instructions before sending the identity code.
Your identity code will be entered into the student register only after the Student and Learning Services receive it, and only after that will you be able to order your digital student card.
Activating your UEF user account for the university's information systems
All UEF students must have a UEF user account. The user account is needed to log in to the university electronic information systems, to use you UEF email account and to sign up for courses and exams electronically.
Here you can find information on activating your UEF account (opens in a new tab). Please read through the instructions carefully.
NOTE! Your UEF account will only start working properly once you have registered as present, activated the account, been strongly identified, and your study right has started.
Student card
Students who have paid the Student Union (ISYY) membership fee may order a student card. For information on ordering your student card, see Student card and the term sticker (opens in a new tab).
When you register at the university, you will receive a confirmation of registration. By showing this confirmation, you will get a discount on meals at the campus restaurants.
Tuition fees
Citizens outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland are required to pay tuition. You must pay the tuition fee before registration. After you have paid the first instalment of the tuition fee, you can register for the whole academic year.
Contact information
The required documentation for registration must be brought or sent to the Student and Learning Services. If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email:
Email address: opiskelu@uef.fi
Phone number: +358 (0)29 445 8900, phone service Mon-Fri from 10 am to 4 pm
Joensuu campus:
Customer service desk: Yliopistokatu 2; Aurora building, entrance A, ground floor
Postal address: University of Eastern Finland/Student and Learning Services, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, FINLAND
Kuopio campus:
Customer service desk: Yliopistonranta 1 C; Canthia building, 2. floor (Oppari)
Postal address: University of Eastern Finland/Student and Learning Services, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, FINLAND
Here you can find up-to-date information on any exceptions in opening hours in Student and Learning Services' offices.