Welcome to start your studies with us!
The pre-arrival webinar for the students staring their studies at UEF in Spring Semester 2025 will be held at 13.30-16 (Finnish time) on 25 November 2025.
The link to the webinar:
https://uef.zoom.us/j/64725269974?pwd=faLU9CgFZYZPrUkaDNNhKA7PxwhPFz.1
Programme of the pre-arrival webinar 25 November
13.30-13.45 Arriving in Finland and at UEF
13.45-14.15 Accommodation in Joensuu (Elli) and in Kuopio (Kuopas), in two meetings
14.15-14.30 Break
14-30-15.00 Services of the Student Union (ISYY)
15.00-15.30 Registration and UEF Usernames for New Students
15.30-16.00 Questions and Answers
The orientation for new students will be organized at 12-17 (Finnish time) on 7-9 January, 2025. Please save the date.
The orientation programme and the links to the webinars will be available here in December. The first two days of the orienation (7 Jan and 8 Jan) will be online webinars and the 9 Jan will be face-to-face on campus.
We wish to make the start of your studies with us as smooth as possible. This is why we offer an orientation programme for all the new international students at the beginning of each semester. The programme includes a lot of practical information and tips on how to get things rolling. We hope all our new students will be able to join the orientation.
How to start your studies?
- Make sure you keep in touch with your programme/academic coordinator and with your student tutor.
- Study the orientation material in our student website Kamu (opens in a new tab) .
- Complete the UEF Digistartti.
- Join the general orientation webinars.
- Join the orientation session of your own programme if offered.
- After registering as a student at UEF and activating your username, start registering for courses and feel free to contact UEF staff members if you have any questions or concerns.
How to Complete the Credit for the Orientation?
In order to complete the credit (1 ECTS) for the course Orientation for the New International Students, you should
Join the orientation sessions (both the general ones and the field-specific ones).
- Study the orientation material through the links on this website and in Kamu (opens in an new tab)
- Complete all the assignments in the Digistartti (opens in a new tab).
- Register for the course Orientation for International Students in Peppi 1 Aug – 30 Sept, 2024 . The course code 1131003-3008.
Please make sure to complete all of these in case you wish to earn the credit.
The deadline for completing the requirements is 30 September 2024.
The credits will be marked within 3 weeks from the deadline.
The orientation offers
- essential information on studying and university life at UEF
- tips on different practical matters
- information on Finland and on the Finnish culture
- a possibility to meet other students
Those who complete all parts of the programme will earn 1 ECTS credit. Please register for the orientation course by 30 September in Peppi (opens in a new tab). Peppi is the Student and Study Register at UEF. Please use the course code 1131003-3008 when registering for the orientation.
Orientation Programme in September 2024
General Webinars
Mon 2 Sept
Online webinars
12.00-12.15 Welcome to UEF, Riikka Pellinen
12.15-13.30 Orientation Info and Introduction to Studying at UEF, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen Recording, 52 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
13.30-13.45 Break
13.45-14.30 UEF Usernames and Digital Services, Kaisa Soininen and Tommi Eskelinen Recording, 44 min. (opens in a new tab)
14.30-14.45 The Services of Oppari, Harri Kurki and Alisa Rissanen, Recording, 9 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
14.45-15.00 Break
15.00-15.45 How to Use Peppi and Tuudo? Kaisu Kärkkäinen and Tellervo Hirvonen Recording, 46 min. (opens in a new tab)
15.45-16.30 The Services of the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland,
Salla Haapavaara and Elina Pitkänen Recording, 33 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
Tue 3 Sept
Online webinars
12.00-12.30 Welcome to UEF Library, Riitta Holopainen, Recording 28 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
12.30-13.15 Security and Safety, Juha Pulkkinen, Recording 31 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
13.15-13.30 Break
13.30-14.15 Official Matters, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Recording, 46 min. (opens in a new tab) Power Points (opens in a new tab)
14.15-14.45 JEIS for the students in Joensuu (The students in Kuopio will have the ESN KISA session on Wednesday.) Recording 14 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
14.45-15.00 Break
Two different sessions: one for the exchange students and the other for the degree seeking students.
Degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
15.00-16.00 Talent Hub Eastern Finland, Hanna Reinikainen, Marko Pietilä, Power Point
16.00-16.10 YUFE Opportunities for Degree Seeking Students, Gizem Yozgyur, Recording 10 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
In a separate meeting
Exchange students
15.00-15.30 Requirements and Paperwork for Exchange, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Recording, 11 min. (opens in a new tab), Power Points (opens in a new tab)
Wed 4 Sept
Separate programme on campuses
In Joensuu (room AU100, 1st floor, Aurora Building)
12.00-13.00 Lecture by Paul Fryer: Introduction to Finnish Society & Culture: an outsider’s view
13.00-13.30 Questions and Answers
13.30-14.30 EXCHANGE STUDENTS: Signing the exchange documents
14.30-16.00 Information Market for the new students (Carelia Building)
In Kuopio (room SN200, 2nd floor, Snellmania Building)
12.00-12.45 Getting to Know Each Other, Kirsi Konttinen
12.45-13.00 Tips from a Second-year Student, Mahim Musa, Power Points (opens in a new tab)
13.00-13.30 ESN KISA And the Activities for Students, KISA Board, Power Points (opens in a new tab)
13.30-13.45 Business Center, Matti Laitinen, Parastoo Jalili
13.45-14.30 EXCHANGE STUDENTS: Signing the Exchange Documents
14.30-16.00 Information Market for the New Students (Snellmania Main Entrance Hall, 1st floor)
Thu 5 Sept
Separate programme on campuses organized by the Student Union
Academic Year Kick-off and City Orienteering (for all the new students in the city)
Joensuu: at the Joensuu Market Square at 2-5 pm
Kuopio: Student Parade from Campus to Kuopio Market Square organizes at 1.50 pm
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The Semester starts with the Orientation Programme
The orientation for the Autumn Semester starts at the beginning of September and the orientation for the Spring Semester starts usually on the first working day right after 6 January . The programmes will be published here about a month before the start of the orientation.
Other introductory courses
Other introductory courses (opens in a new tab) to studying at UEF:
University Study Skills (only for the degree seeking students), University Computing Skills, and Information Skills and Sources.
Language courses are offered by the Language Centre (opens in a new tab).
For the Master’s Degree Students at UEF
If you are studying for a Master’s Degree at UEF, your studies will start with the Orientation Programme at the beginning of September. However, the Master’s programmes of European Forestry, Forestry CBU and Transfor-M will start already earlier in August.
For the incoming Exchange Students at UEF
The Autumn Semester starts at the beginning of September and the Spring Semester on the first working day after Epiphany 6 Jan. The semesters start with the Orientation Programme. Usually the exchange students start their exchange period at UEF at the beginning of the semester but it is possible to start the exchange studies at another time, too, if the suitable courses are available. The students coming for a research project or for a practical training can negotiate their schedule with their supervisor at UEF and with their home university.
For information on the Academic Calendar at UEF.
Welcoming Words from Our Rector
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