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Information security guide

Every member of the university community is responsible for managing the documents and other data  they handle, maintaining information security and data protection, and complying with the university’s information security rules and guidelines.

The information security rules can be found on the intra (login required). Please familiarize yourself with the rules and instructions for data processing.

Everyone must report any observed anomalies in information security, misuse related to information security, or suspected security breaches. Please report immediately. If you suspect misuse of your university credentials, change your password immediately, and contact the IT Service Desk of Digital Services.


Information Security Threats

Information security threats target not only technical devices and software but also their users. Recognizing threats helps in preventing them.

Phishing and Scams

Phishing aims to trick the target into revealing confidential information, such as login credentials or banking details, or may be used to install malware on the user’s device. Phishing can occur via email, text message, phone call, or QR code. It can be targeted, with personalized content and familiar sender names. Messages often have an urgent, threatening, or helpful tone. Scams may aim for direct financial gain, constituting fraud.

Malware

Malware, such as viruses, worms, or trojans, is designed to cause harm. It can disrupt usage, steal information, or bypass security mechanisms. Malware exploits technical vulnerabilities or user actions.

Physical Threats

Devices containing information, such as computers, phones, and USB drives, are vulnerable to theft, loss, malfunction, and damage.


Protection Against Threats

Username, Password, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Your username is personal, and you are responsible for its use. Never share your username or password. Choose a password that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Use a different password for services outside the university.

In addition to a password, multi-factor authentication protects your data. Do not approve login requests unless you initiated them. It is also advisable to enable MFA for services outside the university.

Data Materials

As a user, you are responsible for ensuring that important data is not lost. Ensure adequate file backups.

Use university-provided services for storing study-related files. USB drives are easily damaged or forgotten. If you find a USB drive, do not connect it to your computer—deliver it to Digital Services. Be careful when sharing files and ensure you share the correct files with the correct people. Refer to the instructions for data processing (login required) on the intranet.

Email

Use your UEF email primarily for study-related communication. Do not open email attachments if you are unsure of the sender. Attachments may contain malware or lead to malicious websites.

Always check the actual destination of a link in an email or QR code before clicking. Learn to distinguish legitimate web addresses from those used by scammers. Avoid clicking links in messages—type the address directly into your browser instead.

Beware of scam and phishing messages. Carefully verify the sender’s email address. Confirm financial transactions, for example, by calling. If a website opened from a link asks for your credentials or bank details, ensure the site is trustworthy. If unsure, ask for help.

Always send confidential information encrypted, for example, using secure email.

Devices

Protect your computer with a firewall, antivirus software, and backups. Install security updates promptly. Also protect your smartphone and mobile devices with a lock code. Only install apps from official app stores or other trusted sources, and only install apps you actually need.

Disclosing information from student register

The keeping of the university’s student information system Peppi and its information content are governed by the Universities Act, the Universities Decree, the Decree on University Degrees, and the University of Eastern Finland Degree Regulations.

The processing of personal data in the student information system, including disclosure of information, is governed by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679, GDPR) and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (Laki viranomaisten toiminnan julkisuudesta 621/1999).

Disclosing information to authorities

The university is obliged by law to disclose personal data from the student information system to various authorities on a regular basis (e.g. Statistics Finland, Ministry of Education and Culture, Finnish Student Health Service, Social Security Institution of Finland). The university also discloses personal data to the university’s own units for the purposes of monitoring of studies and planning of teaching.  The Student Union shall receive the information of its members.

Disclosing information for research purposes

Information may also be disclosed for the purposes of scientific or historical research. In these cases, the student information disclosure request needs to be accompanied by a brief research plan or other description of the use of the information.

Personal data disclosed for research purposes need to be destroyed, archived or altered so that the data subjects cannot be identified after the personal data in question is no longer needed for research purposes.

Concealed information

In order to mark their information concealed, a student needs to have a non-disclosure for personal safety reasons from the Finnish Digital and Population Data Services Agency (the link open to a new tab).

Please note, that if you have a non-disclosure, even the teachers can’t see your information in the student register.

Student information disclosure request

The person writing the study / thesis, association, organisation or other party requesting student information needs to fill out the Student information disclosure request (DOCX, opens up in a new tab). Application forms are also available at Student and Learning Services at both campuses. The application form should be filled out and returned to persons to be contacted in matters relating to information disclosure (see below).

The processing time of information disclosure applications is 1–3 weeks.

The university adheres to the principles of good register-keeping and requires that parties requesting student information have a relevant relationship to the group on which data is requested.

Persons to be contacted in matters relating to information disclosure

Anne Litja
peppituki(at)uef.fi
Tel. +358 40 3553 308

Tarja Pakarinen
peppituki(at)uef.fi
Tel. +358 50 4080 223

Student and Learning Services:

Joensuu Campus
Street address: Yliopistokatu 2, Aurora building, entrance A, ground floor
Postal address: University of Eastern Finland, Student and Learning Services, Joensuu Campus, P. O. Box 111, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland

Kuopio Campus
Street address: Yliopistonranta 1 B, Canthia
Postal address: University of Eastern Finland, Student and Learning Services, Kuopio Campus, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland

Academic calendar

The university provides education during the autumn and spring semesters. Education has been divided into period and there are four periods per academic year. The official academic year starts on 1 August and ends on 31 July.

Courses may include teaching over several periods. There may also be teaching outside the periods but never during the Christmas or Easter holidays. In accordance with the university rules of procedure, the results of a study attainment shall be published no later than three (3) weeks after the attainment, in the university’s electronic student and study register. These deadlines do not apply to times when teaching is not organised in accordance with the Rector’s decisions (Christmas and Easter holidays), or to the period from 15 June to 15 August.

There will be no teaching or tutoring during the opening ceremony, after 12 noon during sports afternoons, after 12 noon during the anniversary ceremony or on 30 April. The opening ceremony is open to everyone.

Teaching period in 2024-25: Autumn Semester 2024: 2 Sept – 13 Dec and Spring Semester 2025: 7 Jan – 31 May

Academic year1 August 2024 - 31 July 20251 August 2025 - 31 July 2026
Registration, current students1 June 2024 - 15 September 20241 June 2025 - 15 September 2026
Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students
Programmes taught in English
The registration period starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 23 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September.The registration period starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 22 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September.
Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students,
study rights starting in the spring semester
The registration period ends 15 January.1 November 2025 - 15 January 2026
Registration for spring term only, current students1 November 2024 – 15 January 20251 November 2025 - 15 January 2026
Opening ceremony of the academic year5 September 2024 in Kuopio4 September 2025 in Joensuu
Periods (used in some study fields)
Autumn semester, 1st period2 September - 25 October 20241 September - 24 October 2025
Autumn semester, 2nd period28 October - 13 December 202427 October - 12 December 2025
Spring semester, 3rd period7 January - 14 March 20257 January - 13 March 2026
Spring semester, 4th period17 March - 31 May 202516 March - 29 May 2026
Orientation for new students2 - 6 September and 1 October 20241 - 5 September 2025
Orientation for new international students2 - 4 September 2024
7 - 9 January 2025
1 - 3 September 2025
7 - 9 January 2026
Christmas break16 December 2024 - 3 January 202515 December 2025 - 6 January 2026
Easter break17 - 23 April 20252 - 8 April 2026
Sports day starting 12.15 p.m.2 October 2024
25 February 2025
1 October 2025
17 February 2026
Climate Afternoon 12 - 16
Summer School

Self-study facilities

The self-study facilities are available for quiet studying and group work. The university’s guidelines relating to safety and hygiene must be followed in all facilities.

Access badge

Access to the 24/7 self study facilities is with an access badge only. You can apply the Access badge by using this online form. If you already have an Access badge, you can apply for extending the right of access. You will be notified by email when the access badge can be retrieved from key services or the permissions on an existing badge have been updated. The access badge gives you access to the university’s common self-study facilities and exam rooms for the duration of your study right.

Campus Libraries 24/7 Self-Study facilities

Both campuses have self-study spaces in connection with campus libraries, which are available to you with an access badge. In Joensuu, these spaces are in the Carelia building and in Kuopio in the Snellmania building. Meeting and group work facilities in the lower lobby of the Snellmania building are not 24/7 spaces of the library. These facilities can be reserved during the opening hours in accordance with the students’ reservation rights. More information in Intra / Facility reservation guidelines for students 

NOTE! You must have a UEF library card (Tuudo or traditional plastic card) to be able to apply for an access badge for the library. When you receive a library card, you also commit to complying with the library’s rules of use. The rules of use also apply to 24/7 use.

During self-service hours, you can use the library’s loan and return machines, computers and multifunction devices for printing, copying and scanning, as well as utilize the library’s facilities. Check the opening hours and more information from the library’s website (opens in a new tab). We will inform about exceptions in the UEF 24/7 Library | Library -Viva Engage group (opens in a new tab), in the library’s premises and on the library’s home page in Current Announcements.

The self-study facilities in Joensuu and Kuopio campuses

JOENSUU

Carelia

Self-study facility, Oppari, Carelia building: 1st floor. Please check the opening hours.

Carelia group work rooms

The teamwork rooms can be used for working together or for private studying. All rooms are equipped with a large monitor.

Reservations for teamwork rooms can be made in Tuudo or Peppi. Reservations max 3hrs/student/day.

The room identifiers:

  • CK242 (prev. 2A1)
  • CK243 (prev. 2A2)
  • CA245 (prev. 2A3)
  • CK247 (prev. 2A4)
  • CK248 (prev. 2A5)
  • CK249 (prev. 2A6)

In addition to the listed group work rooms, there are more of them with different sizes on the 3rd floor: 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3A5, 3A6, 3B1, 3B2 and 3B3. The rooms can be used without reservation whenever they are available.

Computer labs

The following computer labs are available during building´s opening hours if there is no scheduled teaching in them:

Building Room
Agora AG211
Aurora II Atrium (KTL)
Borealis BOR102
Futura F226c, F109
Natura N202, N111, N114
   

Other facilities

Aurora-building

Atrium is located on the ground floor of Aurora II building, in the Carelian Institute, entrance B. Atrium is intended for quiet studying – it is possible to work alone or in a group. The room is equipped with computers, and it has spaces for relaxation. Printing is not possible. Open from Monday to Friday  7:45 am until 4:15 pm.

Natura-building

Self-study N110 is located near stairwell E on the ground floor, entrance A.

The space is intended for quiet studying alone or in a group. Equipment: sofas,  adjustable tables,  no computers, no printing possibilities. Open during hours of the building (opens in a new tab, requires log in).

Taitola-building

Taitola includes facilities for craft science students for their independent work. The facilities include wood, metal, electronics, stone and plastic workshops, and textile materials facilities such as sewing, dyeing and yarn studios. Only students who have received security training can apply for access to the premises.

24/7 classes

Computer classes N111 and N114 are open 24/7 and they are situated in the Natura building.

KUOPIO

Canthia 2nd floor

Self-study facility, Oppari, Canthia building 2nd floor. Please check the opening hours.

The study space in the front is intended for casual studying – it is possible to work alone or in a group, and discussions with others are allowed. The space is divided by the service desk that offers help during opening hours.

The same space offers two accessible working stations that have height-adjustable desks. They are located so that it is easy for the person using the station to ask for help from the service desk when necessary.

The spaces in the back are meant for quiet independent study. These stations are divided with screens.

Printers are located next to the service desk.

Canthia teamwork rooms, 2nd floor

The teamwork rooms are open to students. 

There are two kinds of teamwork rooms. The bigger ones,  have a large monitor, a computer, video conference equipment, digital tv, and a flip chart. The smaller ones  are equipped with a computer, a scanner, a large computer desk and two smaller group stations. Reservations for group study rooms can be made in Tuudo or Peppi. Reservations max 3hrs/student/day.

The room identifiers:

  • CA2310 (ent. Teamwork_1_Canthia)
  • CA2311 (ent. Teamwork_2_Canthia)
  • CA2312 (ent. Teamwork_3_Canthia)
  • CA2316 (ent. Teamwork_4_Canthia)
  • CA2317 (ent. Teamwork_5_Canthia)
  • CA2318 (ent. Teamwork_6_Canthia)
  • CA2319 (ent. Teamwork_7_Canthia)

Read more about room reservations in UEF Intra (the link opens to a new window).

Canthia 1st floot

Rooms 1177/1, 1177/2, 1176 ja 1175 for selfstudy and groupwork, Canthia building, 1st floor.  There is wifi for using your own laptop. Rooms are open on weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm. See location.

Computer labs

The computer labs CA103, CA104 ja CA105 (Canthia building 1st floor), MD101 (Mediteknia building 1st floor) are available if there is no scheduled teaching in them. See the opening hours.

24/7 classes

Computer lab MD101 in Mediteknia building can be used for quiet studying during the academic year from 6 pm until 08 am and during days if there is no scheduled teaching in the class. Otherwise the class can be accessed 24/7. If the main entrance of Mediteknia is closed, it is possible to access the side door (entrance 2) of the building.

Taitostudia

Taitostudia is located in Medistudia building, 5th floor. It is a place place for practicing clinical skills using phantoms and other equipment. Please check for more information on Taitostudia (in Finnish, opens in a new tab).

Accessible Workstation

The university has accessible workstations on both campuses for students’ independent study use, supporting cognitive and physical accessibility. These workstations are intended for self-study use by students who are sensitive to sensory stimuli. The workstations are quiet and equipped with 4K monitors, electrically adjustable desks, and additional lighting. Additionally, the workstations are easily accessible. The 4K monitor provides a sharp image, adjustable brightness and contrast, and ergonomic design.

Reservable Workstations

  • Joensuu Campus: Carelia 162 (EXAM2), 1st floor. Available 24/7.
  • Kuopio Campus: Canthia CA206, 2nd floor. Available during Oppari service hours, check opening hours. NOTE! To be launched in spring 2025.

Reservation Instructions These spaces also function as exam rooms, so reservations must always be made by sending an email to oppitupa@uef.fi. Reservations for weekdays must be made by the previous day, and reservations for Joensuu campus for Sat-Sun must be made by Friday at 3 PM.

Freely Available Workstation In the quiet area of the Joensuu campus library, there is one workstation equipped with a 4K monitor, electrically adjustable desk, and additional lighting. This workstation does not need to be reserved separately.

Facility reservations and lost and found

Students of the University of Eastern Finland can book university’s facilities for study-related purposes. The reservation rights allow for making facility reservations in Peppi or the Tuudo mobile application on separately specified workspaces and seminar halls.

Students can make facility reservations for study-related purposes free of charge within the opening hours of the facilities, e.g., for independent study, group work, research interviews, or participation in remote teaching.

You can find additional information in Intra (requires log in, opens in a new tab).

Student associations and similar organisations can make reservations at the university premises.

The real-time booking situation is shown on Peppi calendar, Tuudo  and Lukkarikone.

Use facility reservation forms to make reservation requests:

You can find instructions and contact info for making facility reservations in Intra (requires login)

Lost and found

To enquire after an item you have lost at the university, please contact the university’s Facilities Management Officer of the building in question.

Campus restaurants and lunch menus

Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students and international exchange students are eligible for discounted meals at most campus restaurants. You qualify for the meal subsidy at the restaurant by presenting a valid student ID card. As the Student Union membership is not compulsory for exchange students, those students who decide not to join the Student Union may use the student card by Tuudo or request a meal subsidy card from the Student and Learning Services in order to get the discount.

Please note that the official study certificate, which you will obtain upon registration, can be used as a temporary proof of your student status at the university restaurants for one month (September or January) before you receive the proper student card.

Student discounts do not apply to cafeteria products.

Doctoral students are entitled to have lunch at staff prices at the campus restaurants. To get the discount, the person must present a researchers’ ​lunch card signed by the department head, which can be obtained from the department. Note! In Joensuu, the Amica restaurant located in the Carelia building offers prices to doctoral students that are lower than the staff prices. To get the doctoral student prices, the person must present their doctoral student study certificate or student card.

List of restaurants on campus (opens in a new tab.)

Meal subsidy and eligibility / Kela  (opens in a new tab).

Substance abuse programme for students

University of Eastern Finland has a Substance abuse programme for Students (pdf).

Substance abuse contact persons

Every faculty has named a substance abuse contact person. Their task is to support staff in order to take substance abuse in discussion. If needed, they arrange case management meeting with FSHS.

Philosophical faculty: Riikka Myllys (Joensuu Campus)

Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology: Maarit Merimaa-Piirainen (Joensuu Campus and Kuopio Campus)

Faculty of Health Sciences: Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen (Kuopio Campus)

Faculty of Social Sciences and Business: Minna Paronen (Joensuu Campus) and Anna-Maija Pyykönen (Kuopio Campus)

Language Centre: Emmi Ylihärsilä (Joensuu Campus and Kuopio Campus)

Contact information (UEF Contacts Directory, opens in a new tab)

Links:

Student Well-being work at UEF – Student Well-being and Study Ability Team (HYRY)

EHYT (Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention) (opens in a new tab)

Student sports services

Exercise has a proven positive effect on maintaining physical and mental health. A fun exercise session during free time is the best possible way of promoting a feeling of togetherness and bringing the students and staff closer together. SYKETTÄ Sport Services offers a diverse and inexpensive sports calendar for students and staff members.

Break exercise

Break Pro break exercise program is now available free of charge for UEF students and staff. The programme is available in Finnish, Swedish and English. The program may be installed on UEF’s staff and students´ computers and mobile devices, as well as on a personal mobile phone. Teachers and lecturers may also use the programme for break exercising during lectures.

Further information and installation instructions in Intranet (opens in a new tab, login required via UEF-user name).

SYKETTÄ Sport Services

The sport services of the university and the higher education institutions of the campus cities have been combined into the SYKETTÄ Sport Services (opens in a new tab). Users of the service can try out a wide variety of different forms of exercise in the campus cities – gyms, group exercise classes and ball games.

Sykettä on Joensuu campus

A sufficient amount of exercise supports the students physical, mental and social well-being, facilitates learning and reduces stress. SYKETTÄ Joensuu University Sports is a joint offering of sport services of the students and staff of the Joensuu campus of the University of Eastern Finland and the Karelia University of Applied Sciences, comprising a wide range of affordable sports activities taking all types into consideration. The university sport services also allow you to get to know other students across subjects and faculties.


The offering includes many different group exercise sessions, time slots for ball games, trying out different sports, exercise courses, regular time slots for the subject associations, and three weight rooms. The prices are student-friendly. The group exercise fee is EUR 35/semester or EUR 66/academic year, including the entire SYKETTÄ offering, and the ball game fee is EUR 17/semester or EUR 33/academic year, including the use of weight rooms, time slots for ball games, trying out different sports, and courses. During the free try-out weeks from 3 September to 16 September, you can test the sports offering free of charge.


Become a user by registering with the service and paying for the affordable sports sticker. The sports sticker gives you the right to use the diverse SYKETTÄ sport services.
Register for SYKETTÄ sport services (opens in a new tab).

Joensuu contact information:

  • Heli Aalto, university sports coordinator +35844 576 8445, liikuntasuunnittelija@isyy.fi
  • Niklas Leinonen, service planner, +358 44 576 8418, vapaa-aika@isyy.fi
  • Instagram: syketta_jns
  • Sykettä Joensuu on Facebook (opens in a new tab)

Sykettä on Kuopio campus

SYKETTÄ means well-being for the Kuopio higher education community! We offer a diverse sports calendar containing different forms of exercise for different types of people. Sport services are offered on the campus facilities, for example, so they are easy to reach. We have adjusted the sport services based on feedback, and what is best, the price of the SYKETTÄ sport services is student-friendly!

At the heart of the services is a versatile exercise calendar. That sports calendar takes different kinds of users into account, those who love group exercise and ball games and only gym users. In addition to this, our service offering includes gym services, the services of a nutrition specialist and SYKETTÄ Trainers offering individual training.

There is something available for every user. You can select from about 50 guided weekly classes from air yoga to kettlebell and from spinning to adult ballet. The most popular shifts in our ball sports are badminton, futsal and volleyball. It is also possible for SYKETTÄ users to book free shifts in the sports hall, for example, for training your own sport! In addition to the weekly sports offering, we also organize a lot of different courses and sport trials.

In addition to the sports facilities in the campus areas, as a SYKETTÄ user you can use the Sports and Events centre Luola! In addition to these, we also organize our services in many other sports and wellness centres around Kuopio.

Become a user by registering with the service and paying for the affordable sports sticker. The sports sticker gives you the right to use the diverse SYKETTÄ sport services. Read more on SYKETTÄ for new users (opens in a new tab) and register for SYKETTÄ sports services (opens in a new tab).

Kuopio campus contact information: