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Target Groups: Doctoral student

Student and Learning Services’ Customer Service

The Student and Learning Services’ customer service desk offers general study counselling, information on term registration and study rights and maintains the student register. Changes to personal information are done at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service. The customer services desk also provides study certificates and transcripts of records.

Phone number: +358 29 445 8900

  • phone service: Mon–Thu from 12 to 2 pm (12–14)

Opening/office hours:

Exceptions to the Student and Learning Services’ customer service opening hours are announced here.

Before contacting us, please check if you can find the answer to your question in Kamu or in KamuBot!

Email address: opiskelu@uef.fi

  • If your message contains confidential information, contact us and we will give you instructions on how to send your message encrypted.

Visiting address:

  • Joensuu Campus, Aurora building, entrance A, ground floor (Yliopistokatu 2)
  • Kuopio Campus, Canthia building, 2. floor, Oppari (Yliopistonrinne 3)

Postal address:

  • Joensuu: University of Eastern Finland, Student and Learning Services, P.O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu
  • Kuopio: University of Eastern Finland, Student and Learning Services, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio

Moodle: Support for Communication in Public Defence

Are you nearing graduation and wondering about the preparation to defend your dissertation? The Doctoral School has created supportive material for you on Moodle “Support for Communication in Public Defence” (requires UEF login)!

The purpose of the material is to provide you with ideas, support and encouragement in communication and interaction during the day of your public defence. Supervisors, custodes, research communities (and those invited to be an Opponent in another university) are very welcome to make use of the material as well.

With the help of the videos (in Finnish and in English), guidance, and examples you can create your lectio praecursoria, practise how to interact with the Opponent during the public defence, illustrate verbally and nonverbally your main arguments, and manage your performance anxiety. You also receive support for media interviews and tips for giving speeches at your post-doctoral party (karonkka). The day celebrates You and the research-based new knowledge.

The material does not replace faculty-specific instructions nor does it collect information on administrative responsibilities for graduating. Always refer to your doctoral programme or faculty in official matters.

Congratulations already on your achievements!

More information: University Lecturer Ira Virtanen

Separate certificate

The separate certificate includes the name, scope, grade and completion date of the study module and, if necessary, a professional qualifications clause.

Before filling in the application form for a separate certificate, make sure that all courses in the study module have been recorded in the study register. Before applying for a separate certificate, contact the department/school/unit responsible for education and ask for the study module to be compiled and assessed. Once the study module has been compiled and assessed, the transcript of records shows the compiled study module and individual courses with grades. A transcript of records is attached to the separate certificate.

The delivery time of the separate certificate is approximately three – four weeks. During the summer and Christmas holidays the delivery of the certificate may be delayed.

Application form for a separate certificate issued by the faculty

Application form for a separate certificate issued by the Centre for Continuous Learning


Finding an exchange destination

Student exchange at the University of Eastern Finland is done in the framework of different exchange programmes. Host countries and universities vary greatly between programmes: exchange agreements are made on a subject/departmental level and also university-wide. Placements in subject/department specific agreements are available for students of these fields, while university-wide placements are available for students of all study fields.

Some fields of study may have a more limited range of options in terms of host universities: we encourage students to be flexible when considering their options! For example, in the Erasmus+ programme, host universities are subject/department specific. More information about possible exceptions is available on the Erasmus+ programme page in Kamu.

Host universities tend to have more limited course offerings to exchange students than they have for their own degree students. This is good to consider when planning the exchange: host universities have the right to independently determine which courses/fields are available to exchange students.

Language of tuition is also something that should be considered: tuition in English is available widely around the world, but it is not always a given. Make sure you know what the language of tuition is at your host university and check for any possible language requirements when planning you application.

Picking a host university in different exchange programmes

Different exchange programmes have host universities all around the world. In the framework of these programmes, students can go abroad for a semester or a full academic year. Read more about each programme at their own pages on Kamu, under the heading Long-term Exchange Options. If you are interested in short-term exchanges (max. 1 month), please see Short-term Exchange Options.

Here is a summary of regions available within each programme:

  • Erasmus+: Europe
  • YUFE Alliance: Europe
  • Nordplus programme and Nordlys network: Nordics and Baltics
  • ISEP programme: United States and Asia
  • Bilateral exchange: Africa, Asia, Australia, Latin America, North America
  • north2north: Nordics and North America

Erasmus+

Exchanges in the Erasmus+ programme are based on subject/department-specific agreements. Students should select their host university from the list of their major subject/department primarily. During the exchange, students should complete studies within their own study field depending on the availability at the host university – it is generally not possible to go for an exchange at your own study field’s host university to complete courses from another study field.

Students can also apply for exchange based on their minor subject. In this case, the student will select a host university from their minor subject’s list and complete minor subject studies during the exchange. It is not possible to select a host university from a minor subject’s list and then complete courses from your major. If a student is applying via their minor, the minor must be:

  • Started at UEF before the exchange begins (=they must have completed courses for the minor in the registry)
  • Included in an approved PSP

When applying for exchange to a minor subject’s host university, the student is a secondary candidate for selection. Major students at each study field are always primary candidates for the host universities of each field.

Your study level is also relevant in Erasmus+ exchanges: some of the universities are only available for bachelor or master’s students, while some are available for all study levels. Placements for each study level are indicated with a number from 1 to 3 next to the name of each host university in the host lists; 1=bachelor, 2=master, 3=doctoral students.

YUFE Alliance

Exchange placements in the YUFE Alliance are available for students from all fields of study and of all study levels. Exchanges within YUFE are possible in one of two ways:

YUFE Student Journey exchange: the student will select their courses from the host university’s offerings (requires that the student has a YUFE Student Journey study right)

YUFE Minor exchange: the student will complete a fill minor during the exchange, AKA YUFE Minor (does not require a Student Journey study right)

As this is a university-wide programme, all host universities may not have all the same fields of study as UEF. More information about the YUFE Alliance and what they offer to students is available on YUFE’s Kamu page.

Nordplus programme and Nordlys network

The Nordplus programme in its entirety includes subject-specific networks and the Nordlys network. The programme is available for bachelor and master’s students. More information about the subject-specific networks and the Nordlys network is available at the programme page.

Nordplus subject-specific networks

Subject-specific networks are available for major students of each network’s field of study. In the framework of these networks, students will be able to complete courses within their field of study at network partner universities in the Nordics and Baltics.

Nordlys network

The Nordlys network is open to all students, especially to those whose field of study does not have its own network. Multidisciplinary studies are available at the Nordlys network partner universities, though some subject-specific restrictions may apply.

ISEP Exchange

The ISEP programme is available for bachelor and master’s students of all fields. The programme includes a lot of universities especially in the United States. For students interested in exchanges within Europe, we primarily recommend any of the European exchange programmes (Erasmus+, YUFE, Nordplus/Nordlys).

Through the ISEP Exchange programme, students do not apply for one specific host university: instead, students will apply for 5-10 universities with the same application. The final exchange placement is determined by the ISEP programme based on the student’s application. Only one semester exchanges are possible in the ISEP Exchange programme.

NB! Many ISEP host universities require students to submit an official English language test score with their application (i.e., TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic).

Bilateral Exchange

Bilateral exchange is conducted based on bilateral agreements UEF has with several foreign institutions. Bilateral exchange is mostly available to students from all fields of study, though some agreements may be subject-specific. Most of the host universities are only available for bachelor and master’s students, the options for doctoral students are very limited.

All bilateral host universities are not available for application annually. Each application period’s available institutions will be listed in the calls for applications that are posted before each application period opens.

When considering bilateral exchange, it is good to consider course availability: some universities in Asia (especially in Japan) may have their own exchange programmes for exchange students with limited course offerings. All study fields offered by the universities are not automatically available for exchange students.

North2north programme

North2north is the mobility programme within the UArctic netowrk. In north2north exchanges, the theme is northern and arctic issues from different perspectives: for example, nature and wildlife, societies and native communities of the arctic/northern regions. Courses completed during the exchange should be somehow connected to arctic and northern issues.

North2north exchanges are available for students of all study levels. All institutions involved in the programme are not always open for application – specific information about host universities open for application during each application period is posted in the calls for applications before the application period opens.

Exchange process in a nutshell

Described here is how the exchange process works in general. Please make sure to go through more detailed instructions before starting your application.

1 Planning the exchange

  • When is the best time for your exchange (which semester during your studies)
  • Where do you wish to study during your exchange (exchange programme, host university)
  • What do you wish to study during your exchange
  • Why do you want to study abroad?
  • Discuss your plans with your departmental coordinator of international affairs

2 Starting the application process (1. stage application)

  • Submit your application during the academic year prior to the planned exchange (in the framework of UEF’s application periods)
  • The application (with the required attachments) is submitted to UEF in the SoleMOVE system

3 Application processing

  • Student can be selected for one (1) preliminary exchange placement to one (1) host university or exchange programme
  • Notification of results is done by email
    • Accepted application: accept or decline the offered placement
    • Rejected application: you will be offered the chance to change the application’s host universities to still available hosts, or reapply for exchange in the next application periods

4 Nomination to the host university

  • International Mobility Services nominates the student as UEF’s candidate for exchange to the host university
  • The student receives instruction and deadlines for the 2nd stage application

5 Submitting an application to the host university (2. stage application)

  • During the semester prior to the planned exchange (i.e., during spring for autumn exchange, during autumn for spring exchange)
  • Instructions and deadlines specific to the host university
  • Student receives application instructions from either directly from the host university or from International Mobility Services at UEF
  • Follow the instructions and submit the application to the host university complete with all required documents

6 Host university reviews student’s application

  • Host university reviews the application and asks for clarification or more documents if necessary
  • Host university sends the student or International Mobility Services an acceptance letter and other information about practical arrangements (e.g. accommodation, arrival etc.)
  • If the host university rejects the application, the situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis

7 Grant application to UEF

  • After acceptance, the student should submit the necessary documents for the grant payment to International Mobility Services
  • Instructions and forms will be sent by email
  • The grant is paid approx. one month prior to the exchange, provided that the student has submitted all the required documents in time
    • NB! During the holiday seasons (late June – early August, end-of-year holidays), grant payments may be delayed

8 Practical arrangements

  • Travel arrangements (tickets etc.)
  • Accommodation arrangements (if the host university has not instructed this matter earlier)
  • Insurance

9 Exchange starts!

  • Exact dates and duration according to the host university’s academic calendar

10 After exchange reporting

  • Mandatory part of the entire process and a requirement for the grant
  • Instructions and forms will be sent by email
  • Contact the departmental coordinator of international affairs to have the studies completed during the exchange included into the degree at UEF

Mentoring programme

An annually recurring mentoring programme helps international students get to know Finnish working life and build their networks. Mentors are working life professionals from several different fields in Eastern Finland.

Mentoring is carried out in small groups, which guarantees the opportunity to participate for as many international students as possible.The mentoring language will be mainly English.

Get help with your career planning

Mentoring can help you find your strengths and areas for development and encourage you to take on new challenges. Also, the mentors can get new energy and fresh perspectives on their work through mentees aka actors.

By taking part in the mentoring programme, you will improve your skills in

  • job search and getting to know different career options and paths
  • developing professional expertise and finding your strengths
  • communication and interaction with others
  • building professional networks
  • developing self-confidence and self-knowledge

In addition to the mentor’s support, mentoring gives peer support and new views on topics discussed in the group.

What we expect from you

As an actor, we expect you to

  • commit to the mentoring programme and group meetings
  • take an active role in the group
  • share your expectations and goals with other participants
  • to understand that mentoring is about sharing working life experiences and spurring you in the first steps of your career, not getting a job offer or an internship from a mentor

How to apply

Application for the spring 2025 group mentoring programme will open in autumn 2024. International degree programme students in Eastern Finland are eligible to apply.

You can apply if you are ready to actively plan your future and share your career aims in a group. In addition, you commit to taking part in mentoring meetings from January to May approximately once a month.

The mentors leading the groups are professionals from different fields and diverse backgrounds. You will be placed in a mentoring group according to the following criteria:

  1. Your preference of the mentor
  2. Your commitment and motivation to the programme
  3. Registration order

In the application form, we will ask for your personal and study information, your motives for participating and your expectations for mentoring. The information you provide is very important as it will be used in group formation. Some of the answers will also be sent to your mentor.

The schedule of the programme is annually as follows:

  • Online mentoring training for actors in December
  • Online kick-off meeting in January
  • 4 to 6 mentoring meetings with your group. The group will agree on whether the meetings will be held face-to-face or online.
  • Online intermediate meeting for both mentors and actors in March
  • Final meeting in May

Further information:
minna.tarvainen@savonia.fi (Savonia students),
marko.pietila@uef.fi (UEF students)

Curricula of Previous Years (2010 – 2021)

The study guides for all degree programmes and academic subjects for the academic years 2010-2021 that include information on curricula, course descriptions and degree structures and were previously published in WebOodi, are available on this website. The study guides are in PDF format and are not accessible in all respects. As of the academic year 2021–2022, the study guides are available in Peppi. WebOodi has been removed from service.

If the information is not available in an accessible format in the study guides of the faculties, departments and units for the academic years 2010–2021, the unit responsible for teaching must be contacted, in which case the information can be provided in an accessible format where necessary.

Academic Year 2020 – 2021

Academic Year 2019 – 2020

Academic Year 2018 – 2019

Academic Year 2017 – 2018

Academic Year 2016 – 2017

Academic Year 2015 – 2016

Academic Year 2014 – 2015

Academic Year 2013 – 2014

Academic Year 2012 – 2013

Academic Year 2011 – 2012

Academic Year 2010 – 2011

Funding options for doctoral researchers 

The right to pursue doctoral studies does not include funding, a contract of employment, or teaching tasks at the university. However, full-time doctoral students need funding to cover their living costs and potential research costs (travel costs, research materials, etc.). Funding options should be discussed with the supervisor already when planning to apply for a doctoral study right and writing a research plan. 

Doctoral studies can be funded, for example, by a scholarship, by working as a researcher in a research project, by working as a doctoral candidate at the University of Eastern Finland (doctoral researcher position), or by studying part-time while at work. Doctoral researchers are themselves responsible for applying for a funding.

Salaried doctoral researcher positions 

UEF doctoral researcher positions 

The University of Eastern Finland has salaried positions for doctoral researchers enabling their engagement in full-time research.

These positions may be applied for by those already enrolled as doctoral researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and by those planning to complete their doctoral degree at the University of Eastern Finland. The call for applications is open during spring term and detailed instructions for applying are published annually on the Open positions webpage. 

Shared doctoral researcher position system 

In the shared doctoral researcher position system of the University of Eastern Finland, the doctoral researcher has two employment relationships at the same time: a part-time contract of employment both at the University of Eastern Finland and with an external employer. 

The main task of the doctoral researcher is the doctoral dissertation in both employment relationships. Possible other duties may include, to a minor extent, teaching related to or promoting the doctoral dissertation.

When recruiting to the shared doctoral researcher position system, the usability of the expertise gained in doctoral studies for the business sector or society at large is assessed, in addition to the selection criteria of ordinary doctoral programmes. The working life relevance of the external employer of the doctoral researcher is assessed by the management group of the doctoral programme in question. 

The university is willing to negotiate for shared doctoral researcher positions with all organizations interested in strategic partnership. The contact person is the Head of Academic Affairs, Kaisa Laitinen.

Doctoral researcher positions in projects 

Research projects funded by, e.g., the Research Council of Finland, Business Finland, or the European Union may offer doctoral researcher positions. Information about them can be found in Open positions. 

Grants and Scholarships

Several foundations and associations grant funding for doctoral studies. Learn more about possibilities: 

A a part-time (10%) contract of employment of grant-based researchers

Please, note that the university offers a part-time (10%) contract of employment for grant-funded researchers who have an external funding of at least 12 months.

Grants and scholarships awarded by the university 

In the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Teollisuusneuvos Heikki Väänänen’s Fund awards annually grants for wood-related scientific research at the University of Eastern Finland. Faculty of Health Sciences awards grants from foundations and funds. Open calls are published in Viva Engage group of each faculty. 

Faculties also award grants for starting or finishing a dissertation:  

  • The Philosophical Faculty awards grants for starting (start-up grant) and finishing (finalization grant) dissertation work. Information about the start-up grant can be found on the doctoral programme’s website (Funding doctoral studies). Doctoral researchers in the final stages of their dissertation work can apply for the finalization grant. The grant application process is typically held twice a year, in spring and autumn. The call for applications is published in the FILOTO Doctoral Programme Viva Engage community (requires UEF login).
  • Within the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, grants for periods of 1–3 months for finishing a dissertation are awarded by the faculty. An application submitted by application form, including the necessary appendices, is to be addressed throughout the calendar year.
  • The departments/schools of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies award work grants for doctoral researchers to the start their doctoral research (start-up grant), depending on the financial situation of the department/school. The application form and instructions are available online. 

A compulsory precondition for work grants is that the recipient is released from his/her actual duty for the grant period. 

Doctoral studies alongside work 

It is also possible to complete a doctoral degree alongside other paid work. 

Support for students and studying arrangements related to the war in Ukraine

Russia’s military attack on Ukraine is causing concern in the UEF community. At the same time, the international sanctions against Russia affect the studying arrangements of the university. This website contains information about support channels for students, arrangements related to studying and useful links to sources of information.

The university has set up a team to coordinate actions resulting from the situation in Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Besides coordinating necessary actions, the team is preparing support measures for the students and staff. The team is led by Rector of the university.

Ministry of Education and Culture will distribute up-to-date information about the situation to the Finnish universities, and the University of Eastern Finland will follow national and EU policies in its actions and inform the UEF community about them.

The university will distribute relevant information to the students on uef.fi website, in the News section on Kamu and in the students’ Yammer group (signing in with UEF credentials required), and on Heimo website for university staff and students (UEF login required). Changes in the restrictions and sanctions may occur rapidly.

Support channels for students

If the war causes concern and students need help and support, the university offers its students a variety of support channels. We have compiled providers of help and support on the Kamu service. The students may utilise the services of FSHS, campus chaplains and educational psychologists.

In addition, providers of help include several national services such as crisis counselling by MIELI Mental Health Finland. Familiarise yourself also with the online material of Mielenterveysseurat.fi here and here Serenas materials.

Educational psychologist Katri Ruth has written about living with the feelings of concern and anxiety in the Puheenvuoroja blog of the university. The blog text mentions support channels and options for further reading.

The University of Eastern Finland emphasises that hate speech will not be tolerated in our international scientific community.

Questions about students and studies can be sent via email: studysupport@uef.fi. General questions relating to the situation in Ukraine and the security can be sent to email: ukraine@uef.fi.

In the current situation of war, student mobility programmes to and from Russia are suspended. For the present, no scholarships are available for student mobility to Russia and Belarus.

Due to the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus, the University of Eastern Finland will block access to its electronic services requiring authentication with the university’s username and password from the Russian and Belarusian territory, effective from 23 March 2022.

Travelling to Russia and Belarus is not recommended in the current time of crisis.

As for Ukrainian students studying in Finland, the studies will continue normally. Ukrainians studying in Finland will not be repatriated even if their residence permit is about to expire.

For the present, the EU sanctions against Russia will not affect student admissions of the degree programmes, and the decisions will be made normally according to existing legislation.

Studies during exchange

During the exchange period, the student completes courses offered by the host university. After the exchange, the studies are included into the student’s degree at the University of Eastern Finland on the basis of the host university’s transcript of records.

Exchange student’s course offerings

Many foreign universities have their own course offerings for exchange students. In practice, this means that it is not always possible for exchange students to choose courses freely from all the courses offered by the university. In addition, host universities may exclude certain fields from exchange studies. As a rule, the restrictions and course offerings are university-specific, and often the information can be found on the host university’s own website.

Please carefully read the website of the host university you are interested in – you should try to find information that specifically concerns international and exchange students, not degree students. As an exchange student, you are not a degree student at the host university, which means that the same courses are not always available for exchange students.

On the selection of courses

The courses to be completed during the exchange are selected from the host university’s course offering for exchange students. The selection of courses can be affected by, for example, the following:

  • Exchange programme of the host university: does the university have its own, limited selection of courses for exchange students, or field-specific study offerings?
  • Field of agreement in field-specific exchange destinations: In Erasmus+ destinations, studies can mainly be selected in the field for which the destination is contracted. When going to the destination of the major subject, the exchange should include studies in the major subject, and when going through the minor, studies in the minor subject. Therefore, as a rule, it is not possible to go to the exchange destination of a minor subject and study your own major or vice versa.
  • Language of instruction: in which language does the host university offer teaching? Is the selection in English more limited, i.e. do exchange students have to be more flexible in their course choices? It is the student’s responsibility to find out the language of instruction – so please try to take this into account when researching the websites of exchange universities.

Discuss possible course selections and inclusion of studies with the departmental contact person of your department/department.

Credits abroad

Approximately 20–30 ECTS credits of courses at the host university should be completed during the exchange per semester. The ECTS system is commonly used in Europe, i.e. a credit in Italy, for example, is directly proportional to a Finnish credit. Outside Europe, on the other hand, the definition of a credit may vary, i.e. depending on the destination country, one credit there may correspond to several UEF credits.

The host universities often have their own recommendation for exchange students on the number of credits or courses (min/max), which corresponds roughly to that 20–30 ECTS credits in terms of workload. We recommend that students primarily follow the host university’s possible instructions regarding the number of courses and credits.

Studies completed remotely at the University of Eastern Finland during the exchange period (online and distance courses) are not included in the number of credits for the exchange period – during the exchange, the student should primarily take courses offered by the host university.

Study plan during the exchange, AKA Learning Agreement

All exchange students must draw up an exchange study plan before going on exchange or at the latest at the beginning of the exchange. A Learning Agreement is a plan for exchange studies and their inclusion to your degree. In Erasmus+ funded exchanges, the student prepares an electronic study plan, and in other programmes (e.g. bilateral exchange, ISEP exchange), the student fills in UEF’s own LA form.

N.B! The Learning Agreement is mainly compiled after you have been selected as an exchange student at the University of Eastern Finland in the first phase of the application process.

Learning Agreement forms can be specific to each exchange programme. Follow the instructions sent to you.

As a rule, the student is responsible for ensuring that the information recorded in the study plan is correct. In the digital learning agreements of the Erasmus+ programme, the student also enters a plan for credits for studies. Regardless of the exchange program, when doing LA, it is important to contact your department’s international affairs contact person and go through the form with them before signing.

In general, exchange studies can be credited to the degree in two ways, either as inclusion or as a substitution. If you intend to apply for direct substitution of courses for your exchange studies, discuss the matter with the teacher of the course to be substituted in advance. Substitution is always decided by the responsible teacher of the course.

LA is signed by three parties: the student themselves, the departmental contact of the student’s department, and the responsible person at the host university. International Mobility Services do not sign study plans.

All exchange students will receive instructions by email on how to fill in and return the Learning Agreement. Please read the instructions carefully!

In a nutshell:

  1. Choose courses from your host university’s website (or other provided source) and fill out the Learning Agreement form your exchange coordinator has sent you.
  2. Have your departmental coordinator of international matters at UEF approve (i.e., sign) your LA.
  3. Don’t forget to sign your LA yourself!
  4. By the time your exchange begins, please have the contact person at your host university approve (i.e., sign) your LA.
  5. Scan/take a high-quality picture of the document and upload it to your original application on SoleMOVE. NB! Erasmus+ funded exchange (Erasmus+, YUFE, Nordplus, Nordlys) students will compile their LAs in SoleMOVE, and they do not need to upload it separately.

The forms you will need will be sent to you via email. You may also find the forms on Kamu: forms and reporting of outgoing student exchange.

Erasmus+: Digital Learning Agreement (DLA)

Students need to complete Digital Learning Agreement (DLA) for their Erasmus+ study exchange. DLA is also used for Nordlys and Nordplus study exchanges funded with Erasmus+. Exchange coordinator will send you instructions on how to fill in the Digital Learning Agreement. Digital Learning Agreement can also be called as an Online Learning Agreement (OLA).