NOTE! The following instructions pertain to new students whose study rights at UEF begin in the spring 2022 semester. If you received a study right in 2020 or 2021 and were given a deferment of the start of your studies due to the coronavirus pandemic, you must register following the separate instructions above.
First year master’s degree students are obliged to 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).
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. If you are unable to start your studies, you must contact your programme coordinator and inform them of your situation.
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 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.
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.
You must register by 15 January 2022. You can register as present either remotely or in person at the Student and Learning Services' offices.
Registering remotely by email
NOTE! Due to the coronavirus situation (opens in a new tab), we strongly recommend that, instead of registering in person at the Student and Learning Services, you send the documents required for registration to the Student and Learning Services by email (opiskelu@uef.fi).
To register as present remotely by email, please send the filled out registration form (docx) and Student Union membership fee receipt (payment instruction below) by email to opiskelu@uef.fi. A customer service representative will respond with instructions on how to provide proof of your identity and complete your registration.
Registration online (only for study rights starting in the autumn semester)
- If you are obligated to pay a tuition fee, remember to pay the fee (only citizens outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland studying in English) no later than 15 June 2021. The tuition fee must be paid before registration.
- Log into My Studyinfo with the same confirmation link that you used to confirm your study place. Then proceed to register in the Oili registration service. Register as present (i.e. attending) and pay the student union fee online. The registration period in the Oili registration service is open from 3 May to 20 August 2021.
Registration in person
If you cannot register online and your study right starts in the autumn 2021 semester, you must register in person at the Student and Learning Services no later than 15 September 2021.
If your study right starts in the spring 2022 semester and you want to register in person at the Student and Learning Services, you must do so by 15 January 2022.
Here you can find up-to-date information on the Student and Learning Services' customer services' current opening hours.
Joensuu Campus: Student and Learning Services
Visiting address: Yliopistokatu 2, Aurora Building A, 1st floor.
Mailing address: P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Tel. +358 29 445 8900, Email: opiskelu@uef.fi
Kuopio Campus: Student and Learning Services
Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia Building, 2nd floor
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
Tel. +358 29 445 8900, Email: opiskelu@uef.fi
Please present the following documents upon registration:
1. your identification card (ID card or passport)
2. your registration form (docx) duly filled out and signed
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)
4. your receipt of the payment of the tuition fee, if you are obligated to pay tuition fees
Student Union membership
The Student Union (ISYY) membership fee is 71,50 EUR for the full academic year, 35,50 EUR for the autumn 2021 semester and 36 EUR for the spring 2022 semester. The Student Union (ISYY) membership is mandatory for master’s degree students. The Student Union (ISYY) membership will entitle you to a variety of benefits.
- 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 or remotely by email, you can pay the fee in advance into the Student Union bank account using the payment details below. You can also pay the fee in your own Finnish bank after you have arrived in Finland and opened a bank account. It is also possible to pay the fee in cash or with a credit card at the Student Union offices (opens in a new tab). However, please note that 50€ is the largest banknote they accept.
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 € / 35,50 € autumn semester / 36 € spring semester
Remember to show the payment receipt when you register at the Student and Learning Services. Please note that you are responsible for any possible transfer fees or service fees your bank may charge! The payment receipt must state the date of payment, the amount paid and the recipient’s name and bank account number.
Student card
See page Student card and the term sticker (opens in a new tab).
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 as present.
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 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 IT services
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 your 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, your study right has started, you have activated the account, been strongly identified and have registered as an MFA user.
Healthcare fee for students in higher education
University students who are entitled to use the services of the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) (opens in a new tab) have been required since January 2021 to pay a student healthcare fee to Kela for each academic term. All students who are registered as attending for the current term and are studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are entitled to FSHS services.
If you are entitled to FSHS services, you must pay the student healthcare fee. You cannot get an exemption for example for using occupational health services instead of FSHS, or for not receiving any financial aid for students.
You are not billed for the student healthcare fee but must make sure to pay it in OmaKela for each academic term. How to pay the student healthcare fee (opens in a new tab)
The due date for paying the student healthcare fee is determined based on the date on which you register as attending.
- For the autumn term, the due date is 30 September provided you have registered as attending by then. If you register as attending for the autumn term on or after 1 October, the due date is 31 December.
- For the spring term, the due date is 31 January provided you have registered as attending by then. If you register as attending for the spring term on or after 1 February, the due date is 31 July.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the healthcare fee (opens in a new tab) on the Kela website.
Registration as being absent
According to the Universities Act, a first-year degree student may register as absent for the academic year for the following reasons only:
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) maternity, paternity or parental leave;
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 the legal grounds for your absence should be sent via postal mail to the Student and Learning Services (Student and Learning Services, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland). Your documents must be received by 30 September 2021.
NOTE! If you do not have any of the above three reasons defined in the Universities Act, you must register as being present during 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 of the Student Union payment) to Student and Learning Services.
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 also register within the registration period.
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 3 pm (UTC +2)
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.
Registration at the university comes under the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009).
NOTE! Exchange students starting their studies in the spring 2022 semester register following the separate instructions above.
All international exchange students must register as being present at the Student and Learning Services. The registration has to be done in person. Upon registration, your information will be entered into the student register and you will be given a student number. After this, you must activate a user account for the university's information systems. Please note that if your study period continues after December, even for one month, you must also register as being present for the spring semester.
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.
Please present the following documents upon registration:
- your identification card (ID card or passport)
- your registration form (docx) duly filled out and signed
- 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 'Student Union Membership'.
Here you can find up-to-date information on the Student and Learning Services' customer services' current opening hours.
Joensuu Campus: Student and Learning Services
Visiting address: Yliopistokatu 2, Aurora Building A, 1st floor
Mailing address: P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
Phone: +358 29 445 8900, Email: opiskelu@uef.fi
Kuopio Campus: Student and Learning Services
Visiting address: Yliopistonranta 1 C, Canthia Building, 2nd floor
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
Phone: +358 29 445 8900, Email: opiskelu@uef.fi
Student Union membership
The Student Union membership fee for the full academic year is 71,50 EUR; and 35,50 EUR for the autumn semester only or 36 EUR for the spring semester only.
The Student Union (ISYY) membership is voluntary for international exchange students. The Student Union (ISYY) membership will entitle you to many benefits. You can find information on the membership benefits for exchange students on the ISYY website (opens in a new tab).
If you wish to join the Student Union (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 these instructions. Remember to show the payment receipt when you are registering. If you pay the fee abroad, please note that you are responsible for any transfer fees or service fees that your bank may charge!
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 €/academic year or 35,50 €/autumn semester or 36 €/spring semester
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.
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.
In order to get a Finnish personal identity code, 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.
Students from non-EU/EEA countries can apply for the Finnish personal identity code (opens in a new tab) when applying for the residence permit.
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 your 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.
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 3 pm (UTC +2)
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.
Registration at the university comes under the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009).