Registration instructions for new bachelor’s and master’s degree students

These registration instructions are for new bachelor’s and master’s degree students starting their studies at UEF. If you are an exchange student, here you can find the registration instructions for exchange students.

The academic year at the University of Eastern Finland officially begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The autumn semester courses will begin from 2 September 2024 and the spring semester courses from 7 January 2025.

Contents

Read all of the instructions on this page carefully. On this page you can find information on the following subjects:

• New bachelor’s and master’s degree students’ registration period
• Registration as being present as a new degree student
• Registration as being absent as a new degree student
• Statutory reasons for registering as being absent
• If you fail to register or you register as absent without a statutory reason
• Student Union membership is mandatory for bachelor’s and master’s degree students
• Activating your UEF user account for the university’s information systems
• Remember to pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education
• Apply for a Finnish personal identity code
• How to get a student card
• Student and Learning Services’ customer service contact information

New bachelor’s and master’s degree students’ registration period

As a first year bachelor’s or master’s degree student, you must register as being present for the whole academic year, unless you have legal grounds for registering as absent. See chapter below: Registration as being absent as a new degree student.

If your acceptance at the University of Eastern Finland was conditional (e.g., tuition fee, degree certificate), you must meet the condition for your acceptance before your registration can be completed. 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 starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 23 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September.

For students whose study right starts in the spring semester, the registration period ends 15 January. You can register either remotely or in person at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk.

Registration as being present as a new degree student

If you are obligated to pay tuition (only citizens outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland studying in English), you must pay the tuition fee before you can register as being present. Here you can find further information on tuition fees.

Registration

To register as present, you must pay the Student Union membership fee and fill out the registration form.

You can register as present either online or in person on campus.

Register online

• Log into My Studyinfo with the same confirmation link that you used to confirm your study place. Proceed to register in the Oili registration service. Register as present (i.e. attending). The registration period in the Oili registration service is open from 1 June to 23 August.
• Pay the Student Union membership fee online through the Oili registration service.
• Fill out the online registration form (opens in a new tab).
  • If you are unable to fill out the online form, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information at the bottom of the page), and we will send you the registration form as a word document.
• After you have submitted the registration form, you will receive an invitation to be strongly identified by the UEF Digital Services. Follow the instructions to get you UEF account working. NOTE! Don’t worry if you do not receive the invitation immediately after sending the registration form. It might take several days or some weeks before we are able to handle your registration and send you the invitation.

OR

Register in person on campus

• If you cannot register online and your study right starts in the autumn semester, you can register in person at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk (contact information at the bottom of the page) no later than 15 September.
• If your study right starts in the spring semester and you want to register in person at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk (contact information at the bottom of the page), you must do so by 15 January.
• Pay the Student Union membership fee. You can find the payment instructions in the chapter ‘Student Union membership for new bachelor’s and master’s degree students’ below. Bring the receipt for the payment to the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk (contact information at the bottom of the page).
• Fill out the registration form in person at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk.
• Bring your ID to the Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk (contact information at the bottom of the page).

Registration as being absent as a new degree student

Students registering as being absent will not take any courses or sit any exams during the semester/academic year in question.  Students who have registered as being absent will not pay the Student Union membership fee and thus are not entitled to any student benefits. Students registering as being absent must register within the registration period. First-year students may only register as being absent if they have a statutory reason for registering as being absent.

To register as being absent:

1. Log into My Studyinfo with the same confirmation link that you used to confirm your study place.
2. Proceed to register in the Oili registration service.
3. If you are unable to register in the Oili registration service, you can register as being absent by contacting the Student and Learning Services’ customer service by email (contact information at the bottom of the page).

Statutory reasons for registering as being absent

According to the Universities Act, a first-year degree student may only register as absent for the academic year if they have one of the following statutory reasons:

1. service under the Conscription Act (1438/2007), Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or Act on Women’s Voluntary Military Service (194/1995);
2. the student requires leave from their studies in order to take care of their child following birth or adoption;
3. the student cannot begin studies due to being incapacitated by personal illness or injury. (In this case, it should be made clear that this entails incapacity for the entire semester or academic year.)

If you register as absent, you must prove the legal grounds for your absence. Documents proving that you have a statutory reason for absence must be sent via email or postal mail to the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information below) by 30 September for the autumn semester and 31 January for the spring semester.

NOTE! If you do not have one of the three reasons defined in the Universities Act as stated above, you must register as being present for your first year. You must register as being present even if you cannot travel to Finland and start your studies. In these cases, registration will be done remotely by sending the required documents (a copy of passport, registration form, and the receipt for the Student Union membership fee payment) to Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information below).

If you fail to register or you register as absent without a statutory reason

• If you do not register for the academic year within the registration period as being present or absent, you will lose your right to study.
• If you register as being absent for your first year but do not prove you have a statutory reason for registering as absent by the deadline, you will lose your right to study.
• If you register as being absent for your first year but do not have a statutory reason for registering as absent, you will lose your right to study.

If you lose your study right and later wish to start your studies, you must apply for having your study right reinstated. To have your study right reinstated, you must pay a handling fee (35 euros) and fill out a form. Here you can find the instructions for having your study right reinstated.

Student Union membership is mandatory for bachelor’s and master’s degree students

Student Union (ISYY) membership is mandatory for bachelor’s and master’s degree students who register as being present. Information on ISYY membership benefits (opens in a new tab).

The Student Union membership fee is 73 € for the full academic year / 38 € for the autumn semester / 39 € for the spring semester.

• If you register online through the Oili registration service, you pay the Student Union membership fee with a credit card upon registration.

OR

• If you register in person on campus, you can pay the fee in advance into the Student Union bank account using the payment details below or with a credit card or cash at the Student Union offices (opens in a new tab). Please note that the 50 € banknote is the largest banknote they accept.

NOTE! 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 15, 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: 73 € (full academic year) / 38 € (autumn semester only) / 39 € (spring semester only)

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’s electronic information systems, to use your UEF email account and to sign up for courses and exams electronically.

Here you can find the instructions for receiving a UEF username.

Here you can find further information on activating your UEF account (opens in a new tab).

NOTE! Your UEF account will only start working when:

• you have registered as present
• your study right has started
• you have activated the account
• you have been strongly identified and
• you have registered as an MFA user.

If you have any questions regarding activating your account, please contact the Digital Services (opens in a new tab).

Remember to pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education

All bachelor’s and master’s degree students who are registered as being present in a Finnish institute of higher learning are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (opens in a new tab) and must pay the healthcare fee for students in higher education (opens in a new tab) to Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) by the due date.

You will not be exempted from paying the fee even if you, e.g., do not use the services of the FSHS, do not receive student financial aid or are studying abroad. You must pay the fee even if you are studying remotely and are not based in Finland.

However, you do not have to pay the healthcare fee if you have social security coverage from another EU/EEA country, from Switzerland, or from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In this case, you must still contact Kela. Despite not paying the fee, you can use the FSHS’s services.

Visit the Kela website for information on how to proceed if you have social security coverage in another EU/EEA country or in Great Britain and Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab).

Kela will not send you a bill for the student healthcare fee. You must pay the fee on your own initiative in the Kela e-service for each academic term. Find out how to pay the student healthcare fee (opens in a new tab) on the Kela website.

The due date for paying the student healthcare fee is determined based on the date on which you register as present, i.e., attending.

On the Kela website you can find information on the healthcare fee and the due dates as well as the payment instructions (opens in a new tab).

Apply for a Finnish personal identity code

International students staying in Finland for longer than three months should obtain a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus in Finnish). You need it for, e.g., opening a bank account, and to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (opens in a new tab). 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, it is very important that you inform the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information at the bottom of the page) about it. Until the identity code has been saved in the student register, you will not be able to, e.g., use the FSHS online services. To save the ID code in the student register:

• 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 the Student and Learning Services’ customer service and request instructions for sending the identity code in an encrypted email message. Wait for instructions before sending the identity code.

How to get a 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).

Before you receive your student card, you can get a meal discount at the campus restaurants with a certificate of study. You can request a study certificate from the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information below).

Student and Learning Services’ customer service contact information

If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Registration at the university comes under the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009).

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Registration instructions for exchange students

These registration instructions are for exchange students starting their studies at UEF. If you are a new bachelor’s or master’s degree student, here you can find the registration instructions for new bachelor’s and master’s degree students.

The academic year at the University of Eastern Finland officially begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The autumn semester courses will begin from 2 September 2024 and the spring semester courses from 7 January 2025.

New exchange students must register as being present before they can start their studies. You can register either online or in person at the Student and Learning Services after arriving on campus.

On this page you can find information on the following subjects:

• How to register online OR How to register in person
• Student Union membership
• Activating your UEF user account for the university’s information systems
• Finnish personal identity code
• How to get a student card
• Student and Learning Services’ customer service contact information

How to register online

To register online, fill out and submit the online registration form (opens in a new tab). To join the Student Union, attach the receipt for the Student Union membership fee to the form. You can find the payment instructions below.

OR

How to register in person

If you do not register online, you must register in person at the Student and Learning Services’ offices once you are in Finland.

Present the following documents when you register:

1. your registration form (docx) filled out and signed
2. your ID (passport, for example)
3. your receipt for the payment of the Student Union membership fee (a receipt issued by your bank, an ATM receipt or a print-out from your online bank), if you choose to join the Student Union. See the next chapter on Student Union membership.

Student Union membership

Student Union (ISYY) membership is voluntary for international exchange students. You can find information on the membership benefits for exchange students on the ISYY website (opens in a new tab).

If you want to join ISYY, you can pay the membership fee either

• at the Student Union offices (opens in a new tab) after arriving on campus or
• as a bank transfer to the Student Union bank account following the instructions below.

The Student Union membership fee is 73 € for the full academic year / 38 € for the autumn semester / 39 € for the spring semester.

• You can pay the fee with cash or card at the Student Union offices. Note that the 50 € banknote is the largest banknote they accept.
• Remember to present the payment receipt when you are registering.
• Note that you are responsible for any transfer fees or service fees that your bank may charge!

Payment details:

Recipient: Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Recipient’s address: Yliopistonranta 15, 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: 73 € (full academic year) / 38 € (autumn semester only) / 39 € (spring semester only)

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’s electronic information systems, to use your UEF email account and to sign up for courses and exams electronically.

Here you can find the instructions for receiving a UEF username.

Here you can find further information on activating your UEF account (opens in a new tab).

NOTE! Your UEF account will only start working when:

• you have registered as present
• your study right has started
• you have activated the account
• you have been strongly identified and
• you have registered as an MFA user.

If you have any questions regarding activating your account, please contact the Digital Services (opens in a new tab).

Finnish personal identity code

International students staying in Finland for longer than three months should obtain a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus in Finnish). You need it for, e.g., 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, it is very important that you inform the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information at the bottom of the page) about it:

• 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 the Student and Learning Services’ customer service and request instructions for sending the identity code in an encrypted email message. Wait for instructions before sending the identity code.

How to get a 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).

Before you receive your student card, you can get a meal discount at the campus restaurants with a certificate of study. You can request a study certificate from the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information below).

Student and Learning Services’ customer service contact information

If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Peppi is an information system entity that is formed by the student and study register, education planning and facility and resource reservations. In Peppi, different functions are organized into virtual desktops based on user roles. Students, teachers, PSP instructors, coordinators, amanuenses, study secretaries, study coordinators, persons reserving facilities, etc., use Peppi in every-day work.

In Peppi, a student can, for instance:

• plan their studies
• register for course units, i.e., teaching and examinations
• view their timetable
• make facility reservations related to their studies
• apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
• acquire digitally signed study certificates and transcripts of records
• receive their degree certificate digitally signed
• view and edit their contact information

Login to Peppi with your UEF account. Write your username in the format username@uef.fi.

Direct link to Peppi (requires logging in with a UEF user account, link opens in a new tab)

Peppi user instructions

You can find Peppi user instructions and instructional videos in the Peppi Handbook (requires logging in with a UEF user account, link opens in a new tab). In the Peppi Handbook, you can find instructions on registering for course implementations, cancelling your course registration, updating your PSP and credit transfer, among other things.

Changes to personal information and contact information

If your contact information (personal email address, home address, etc.) changes, you can update the information in you own profile in Peppi on the Contact information tab.

Personal information like names or your Finnish personal identity code you cannot change yourself in Peppi. This information can only be changed by the Student and Learning Services’ customer service, and official documents are needed to do this. If your personal information needs to be changed in some way, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ customer service.

Peppi plug-in services

Atomi

You can download your digitally signed study certificate or transcript of records from the Atomi service in Peppi. You can find the Atomi tab at the top of the page once you have logged into Peppi.

If you have or have had more than one study right at UEF, choose the study right for which you want the certificate before you go to Atomi. You can do this by bringing the mouse to your name in the upper right corner of the screen in Peppi. From the drop-down menu, choose the study right number for which you want the certificate. Then go to Atomi, and download the certificate you want.

Here you can find information on digitally signed study certificates and transcripts of records.

Lukkarikone

Lukkarikone is Peppi’s schedule assistant (link opens in a new tab) with which you can create timetables even before registering for course implementations. Here you can find information on Lukkarikone.

Study guide

With the Study guide you can search for available course implementations. You can use the Study guide without logging in. You can find the Study guide here (link opens in a new tab).

Peppi user support

If you did not find what you were looking for, or you have questions or feedback related to Peppi, please contact Peppi support at peppituki@uef.fi.

Student’s Moodle environment

Moodle is an online learning environment that includes, for example, course materials, assignments and discussion areas.

UEF currently has one Moodle environment: eLearn Moodle. In addition, some courses can be held in Digicampus Moodle, which is a learning environment shared by Finnish universities. The teacher in charge of the course will tell you where the course is located and what the enrolment key required for registration is.

• eLearn Moodle (opens in a new tab) – a learning environment for the courses that are included in the UEF’s credit system.
• DigiCampus.fi Moodle (opens in a new tab) – is a Moodle-based learning environment, commonly used by Finnish universities. There are MOOC-courses and courses carried out jointly by universities and colleges in the DigiCampus Moodle. You can also visit the DC-help website (opens in a new tab) for more instructions. You can log in with HAKA identification or Google account. Please remember to always use the same login method so you won’t have multiple profiles.

For more information on the UEF user account and its activation, see the web page of IT Services (opens in a new tab).

Taking Moodle into use – UEF staff and students

UEF staff and students are identified through their UEF user accounts.

1. Signing in with the UEF account varies slightly between different Moodle environments:

• eLearn Moodle (opens in a new tab)
  • Click “UEF Login”
  • You will be redirected to Microsoft 365 authentication
  • Enter your username as: username@uef.fi
  • Enter your password
• DigiCampus.fi (opens in a new tab)
  • Click “Login with HAKA account”
  • Select University of Eastern Finland from the list
  • You will be redirected to Microsoft 365 authentication
  • Enter your username as: username@uef.fi
  • Enter your password
  • After identification, you will be directed back to Digicampus Moodle

You can also use your Google account with Digicampus Moodle. Please remember to always use the same login method so you won’t have multiple profiles.

2. If the identification is successful, you will be redirected to Moodle. At the first login, you may be asked for your basic information. Moodle will have access to your name and email automatically and you can’t change them (if your name or email is missing or incorrect, please contact servicedesk@uef.fi or support@digicampus.fi).

3. Read and accept the student’s copyright agreement. You can’t use Moodle, if you don’t accept this.

4. After that, the dashboard of Moodle will open, and Moodle is ready for use.

5. On the left, under “My Courses”, are the courses to which you have been granted access/you have registered.

Course registration

Once you have logged in to Moodle, your recently accessed courses and overview of your courses are shown. The courses shown here are the ones you have already enrolled in.
From the course overview, you can choose whether you want to see all your courses, your ongoing courses, your future courses, or your past courses. You can also star courses and remove them from the view, which only affects your own view.

The person in charge of the course can give you the link to the course and the enrolment key, for example, through Peppi, via email or at the first meeting. After this, you can join the course in three ways:

1. You can search for courses by clicking “Search courses” on the top right corner. Write the name of the course and click the magnifying glass. When you find the course, click it’s name and then click enrol me. If the course has an enrolment key, enter it first.

2. The person in charge of the course can also send the link to the course and the enrolment key directly to you (by email). Click the link and enter the key.

3. If the course is in the eLearn Moodle and integrated with Peppi:

• Register to the course on Peppi.
• After that, the teacher will accept your registration.
• Peppi will automatically add you to the course on eLearn Moodle, and the course will appear under “my courses” listing.
• You must have logged in to the eLearn Moodle before Peppi can add you to the course. If you log in for the first time, there will be a slight delay before the course appears on your Moodle.
• Please note that the course won’t appear on Moodle until the teacher has set it visible. If the course has not begun, it could still be hidden and will appear on Moodle when the course starts.

Please contact the teacher if the course does not appear on the eLearn Moodle after a slight delay, even if you have registered to the course on Peppi and the course has started.

You only have to enter the enrolment key once when you register to the course. After joining a course, you can find it on the left under the heading “my courses”.

If you are joining as another teacher, ask the person in charge of the course to add you and to give you the teacher’s rights.

SEB – Moodle Safe Exam Browser exams

The Moodle exam can be implemented as a closed SEB exam, where the student uses their own computer, but access to other pages and materials is blocked during the exam.

The Safe Exam Browser is used in the SEB exam. The browser can be installed on Windows and MacOS devices. SEB cannot be used for exams on Android, Chromebook, Linux or iPhone devices.

The SEB exam is usually held under supervision in a auditorium or in a class.

Student instructions for participating in the SEB exam (opens in a new tab)

If the SEB browser does not work on your computer, you can borrow a computer for the exam from the computer lending machine.

Computer lending machines, 4 hours/booking

• The computers do not have chargers, they are charged in a computer lending machine
• The SEB browser is already installed on the computer
• Computer lending machines can be found
  • Canthia 2nd floor,  Oppari
  • Snellmania 1st floor, Library
  • Karelia 1st floor, Service Desk (library)

Moodle app

1. Download the Moodle app (App Store, Google Play) to your mobile device.

2. When you use the app for the first time, type https://elearn.uef.fi/ as the address.

3. Log in using your mobile device’s web browser. On the login page, select UEF Login.

Moodle app Login instructions 

Moodle and browsers

We recommend that you use Moodle with Mozilla Firefox, which is an officially supported browser. Google Chrome also seems to work well with Moodle, although it is not an officially recommended browser.

Safari (Mac users) and Internet Explorer 10 (Windows users) are non-recommended browsers. These browsers have had problems, for example, with downloading files.

Do you have questions?

Contact servicedesk@uef.fi

You too should download Tuudo now! Tuudo is a mobile app that supports you in your studies.

You can register in Tuudo with your UEF username and password.

Tuudo compiles your most often used, study-related services into a portable user interface.

The following can be found in Tuudo:

• Registration for courses and exams
• Your completed studies
• Automatic timetable generator
• Facility reservations (requires log in and opens in a new tab).
• Library services and a digital library card (more information on the UEF Library’s website, the link opens in a new tab).
• Menus of campus restaurants
• Public transport schedules
• Other useful additional services, for example, for managing your finances

Tuudo uses push notifications to convey important messages and remind you of upcoming events in your timetable. Enable the use of push notifications when you install Tuudo. Tuudo is designed to make it easier for students to manage their time and life both on and off campus. Tuudo does not replace all the browser-based services offered by UEF, and using it is not mandatory for students.

Android and iOS devices support Tuudo. You can download Tuudo on your mobile phone from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. Use your UEF username and password when you log in to Tuudo for the first time; no further logging in is needed.

If you encounter problems when you use Tuudo, please contact peppituki@uef.fi.

More information on Tuudo.fi (opens in a new tab).

University of Eastern Finland campuses offer Eduroam and UEF-open wireless networks. UEF-open is available for visitors and can be accessed without login. Eduroam requires a login with username@uef.fi.

UEF-OPEN
An open WLAN. Mainly for the use of visitors.

Usage does not require a user account or a password.

EDUROAM (More information HERE)
UEF staff, students and research can login to the Eduroam network by using their username formatted as username@uef.fi.

The certificate used is TERENA SSL CA. Download a Eduroam configuration app from HERE

External users use their own organization’s guidance to login to the Eduroam network.

For help, contact IT support services (new tab).

The link to Digistartti 2023-2024 (opens in a new window).

Important! Digistartti platform in English for the academic year 2023-2024 will be closed on 31.7.2024! If your assignments are in progress, please complete them by 31.7.2024.
If you are a new student starting your studies in autumn 2024, go to “Digistartti” for the academic year 2024-2025 (Digistartti in English 2024-2025), which will open on 1.8.2024. In order to start your studies, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the UEF digital services with the help of Digistartti during the summer even before starting your studies. New students familiarise themselves with and complete the tasks of Digistartti on the Digistartti platform for the academic year 2024-2025.

Digistartti offers you an introduction to the digital study environments used at the University of Eastern Finland. We recommend that you complete the Digistartti assignments at the very beginning of your studies, preferably within two weeks after starting your studies.

The old Digistartti is open until 31 July 2023 and the new Digistartti will open 1 August 2023.

You can access the materials in Digistartti without a UEF user account, but please note that you can complete the assignments only when you log in with your UEF account.

In order for your UEF user account to work, all the below conditions have to be met:

• • register as a present student at UEF
  • activate your UEF user account. The activation is possible as soon as you have received the activation email (how to activate your UEF user account, new tab)
  • your study right must be valid (for most Master’s students the study right begins 1 August and for most exchange students 1 September)
  • registered as an MFA i.e. Multi-Factor Authentication user
  • In addition, all the Master’s degree students have to be strongly identified by the IT service desk. This means that the IT services have checked your passport and identity.

Your UEF user account will work in about approximately one hour after activation and your email approximately 4 hours after activation. Digistartti opens 1.8.2023.

Digistartti is located on a Moodle platform in Digicampus (Note that we use several different Moodle platforms at UEF).

When logging into Digistartti, please select Haka login, then choose the University of Eastern Finland, and use your UEF username.

We recommend you use a computer (not a mobile device) and Mozilla Firefox as the browser.

Digistartti is a compulsory part of the course Orientation for International Students, 1 ECTS.

Orientation for International Students, 1 ECTS.

Technical Problems?

• If you have problems with logging into the Digicampus Moodle (new tab) or other issues related to the Digicampus Moodle, please contact the Digicampus Moodle support either via their Chat or email: support@digicampus.fi.
• If you have problems with the UEF ID (after selecting Haka login and choosing the University of Eastern Finland and using the UEF ID and password), if the username or the password is not valid, or you receive an error message related to them:
  • Check the user ID and the password
  • Note that you have to be registered as present
  • Note that your study right has to be valid (for most Master’s students the study right begins 1 August and for most exchange students 1 September)
  • Note that login can succeed only four hours after activating the account
  • For the Master’s degree students: note that Haka login can succeed only if you have been strongly identified.

• If you receive a notification on an error on your password, change the password according to the instructions (please read the password requirements carefully).
• If the problem persists, please contact the UEF IT services (new tab) either via their Chat or email: servicedesk@uef.fi

Teaching methods

Academic freedom is one of the basic values of the Finnish university system. It emphasises independent study and opens up many possibilities to students. In most cases, students can basically choose what to study and when to study. Some lectures, for example, may not be compulsory.  However, the practical sessions are usually always obligatory. Academic freedom goes hand in hand with academic responsibility – it is up to students themselves to plan, schedule and complete their studies.

Courses

Courses can last for one semester or they may start and finish at any time of the semester. Some courses are intensive with up to six hours of lectures and/or laboratory exercises per day. The other courses are less intensive with only a couple of hours a week. So the duration of a course may vary from a few days to several months depending on the field of study and the courses taken. Usually no courses are organized during the summer months (June–August). However, some practical training may be possible during that time. UEF also organises Summer School in August.

Course descriptions describe the teaching methods and specify what a student must do in order to earn credits from a course. The course requirements are often listed in the course descriptions. Courses may include lectures and/or small-group teaching, written assignments, examinations, practical exercises, classroom discussions, group work, on-line discussions/exercises, lab work/reports, course diaries, term papers, oral presentations, or a combination of these.

In most study fields the courses form larger modules at 3 levels: basic/introductory studies, subject/intermediate studies and advanced studies. Course descriptions and timetables of the courses (as soon as they have been confirmed by the Faculty, usually timetables are available at the beginning of the semester) can be found in Peppi.

Please make sure you always attend the first meeting of the course because the first meeting is always the best possibility to ask about the course requirements, the credits and grading and everything else concerning the course. Ask questions to make sure that everything is clear to you.

Study tours, excursions and field courses

In some study programmes study tours, excursions, and field courses offer an opportunity for the students to visit and experience various sites in the nearby area, other locations around Finland, the Baltic States and even Russia. Fieldwork usually involves gaining practical experience through field exercises, some formal lectures, and group work. Additional costs may apply to field courses, excursions, and study tours. The contact persons for these courses can provide more information and answer questions.

Lectures

Most courses offered in English are lecture courses. Course participants are generally assessed by written work in the form of reports, research essays or examinations. Some courses may have a range of credits possible to earn based on a combination of course options. For some courses, especially those in which reading assignments in English substitute lectures given in Finnish, students may be required to pass an examination on the required course literature.

Lectures usually begin a quarter past the hour (e.g. 8:15) excluding some group teaching and exams. In Finland these fifteen minutes are called “an academic quarter”. A lecture lasts for 45 minutes, but double lectures are very common (2 x 45 minutes). Attendance at lectures is usually optional, but often essential for passing the course successfully. Therefore, attending lectures is highly recommended. Most of the teaching is carried out in lecture form although in many fields practical training, laboratory work, exercises or group work play a central role. In these cases, attendance is mostly compulsory. Please make sure you know the requirements for each course, including which parts are compulsory and which are optional.

Course literature

Course literature is often specified in the course description. This literature is usually available to be borrowed from and/or read only in the University Library. In some cases students may obtain assigned literature from the office of the faculty organising the course. The number of copies of course literature available is limited so you may have to make a reservation. If a student wishes to purchase textbooks published abroad, it is recommended that he or she do so before arriving in Finland since prices, especially for imported textbooks, are higher. Some reading materials are distributed during courses. Questions about specific course literature should be directed to the contact person of the course.

Independent study

Some courses can also be completed as independent study. In the case of independent study, reading assignments are given in English and students complete work under the supervision of an instructor. Independent studies in some subjects can be  completed by taking examinations on specified books.  Examinations based on reading assignments are organised on general examination days scheduled by the faculty responsible for the course. The schedules for the examination dates for specific independent study courses are available from the faculty arranging the courses and in most cases on Peppi. Some independent study courses have multiple examination dates each semester or year; others may be scheduled for only one day a year. Confirm the schedule in Peppi or from your International Academic Coordinator.

Office hours

Please note, that members of the university staff have often allocated office hours during which you can visit them. You can also make an appointment either by phone or email. You can search for the contact information and office hours of any staff member in UEF Connect.

General info

Exam Introduction (video)

University of Eastern Finland uses EXAM for electronic exams. You can take an exam during the examination period (defined by the lecturer) when it suits you the best. You can take exams in Kuopio and Joensuu campuses.

You can also take your examination in another university’s EXAM room as an exam visit. See where you can take your exams (opens in a new tab). Read the instruction for EXAM visit in English carefully before enrolling for an EXAM.

Instructions

Procedural instructions for taking an electronic exam including the deadlines for grading (in Finnish) (pdf)
Guide to EXAM for students

For exam registrations and reservations see: Exam service (opens in a new tab)
See also Heimo: Exam instructions to teachers (opens in a new tab, login required)

Further information: servicedesk@uef.fi