Category: Common

The aim of UEF Trainee programme is to enhance employment possibilities of international degree students. In the programme, international students have a chance to work at paid placements provided by our collaborators for two months (or four months half time). During this period, international degree students will gain work experience in expert tasks and become familiar with Finnish working life and culture.

Take a look of the testimonials of our previous UEF Trainees:

• A move from Bangladesh to Eastern Finland led to new professional opportunities
• UEF Trainees’ cultural competence supports the internationalisation of a forest sector company
• From trainees to full-time researchers: How Yasin and Nafee found their match at RNatives

Students will be selected by the provider of the training placement (employer). The selection is based on application documents and a possible interview. You can apply simultaneously, in the order of your preference, up to three different placements. To be eligible you need to be registered to one of UEF degree programs as an active bachelor´s or master´s student during the application period.

Prior experience, previous and current study merits, and communication skills are prioritized. Trainees are expected to possess a positive service attitude, hands-on working manners, good teamwork and organizing skills, readiness to use IT tools and software, and accuracy in given tasks.

Please read the UEF Trainee offers carefully as there can be something for you that you might consider unlikely at first glance. When writing the cover letter (motivation letter), please consider what you have to offer for the employer and what motivates you to apply for this particular position. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the organization and their business by thorough investigation of their web pages.

The UEF Trainee programme has gathered a list of selected collaborators who are offering training placements as a part of the programme (UEF Trainee 2026 positions.docx). UEF gives financial support to the employers who are willing to take students to fixed-term paid internship for at least two months or equivalent part-time work.

UEF Trainee position does not need to be part of your studies (it can be, if you agree with your study programme). UEF Trainee position is a normal fixed term working contract. This means, that you can graduate during or even before your internship period, as long as you are a registered student during the application period.

There is quite a balanced distribution of offers both in Joensuu and Kuopio. However, these days many of the expert jobs are done mainly online, and thus, you should not limit your choices to your hometown. Note also, that some of the employers may agree that the training is done during your summer break. These, and other matters related to the working time, place, and other working conditions, are something that you need to agree with the employer before signing the work contract.

How to apply

The application needs to be submitted no later than Tue 30th January 2026 (by 16:00 hours Finnish time) by using an electronic application form.

Please note that the application is required to include the following appendices:

• CV (Job application and CV, InfoFinland.fi)
• Copy of your transcript of records from UEF (Student and study register PEPPI)
• Cover Letter (we recommend to write a separate cover letter for each applied position) (Writing a successful application letter, Tips for finding job, Job Market Finland)

UEF Trainee programme is only for international degree students, and thus, students with Finnish citizenship are excluded. Neither can you apply to the programme if you have already been accepted on the programme as a UEF Trainee or if you have reserved practical training support from university previously during your degree. As the programme is only for UEF international degree students (bachelor´s and master´s students), international doctoral researchers are not eligible.

Questions?

For further information please contact:

Coordinator Marko Pietilä, email: [email protected]