Doctoral student arkistot - Page 14 of 14

Insurance cover for students

Health insurance for incoming international students

UEF requires that all incoming international students must have a valid personal health insurance and a travel insurance from an internationally recognized insurance agency for the whole duration of their stay in Finland. Insurance should cover all costs related to a treatment of sudden illness, accidents and accidental death. It is also important that the insurance also covers travels to and from Finland.

EU Citizens

All the citizens of the EU countries (opens in a new tab) and Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are entitled to use the public health care services on the same basis as Finnish citizens, when they are covered by health insurance in their home country and when they have a European Health Insurance Card (opens in a new tab). This card gives access to medically necessary public health care during a temporary stay in Finland. Students should always carry it with them in case of a sudden illness or an accident. However, students from the Nordic countries do not need the European Health Insurance Card.

You should note that health care is not completely free of charge even for EU/EEA citizens. Please also note that the European Health Insurance Card is not valid during your journey to and from Finland or during trips to other countries.

Those who wish to use the services of a private doctor shall first pay the doctor for the treatment. Later, students with the European Health Insurance card or equivalent documents (citizens of the Nordic/EU/EEA countries, Switzerland or Québec) can apply compensation from Kela (the Social Insurance Institution of Finland) and they will be compensated for a part of the medical fee. Alternatively, they can claim for the compensation from their own health insurance offices later after returning to their home countries.

Non-EU Citizens

Students from non-EU/EEA countries must have a health insurance and a travel insurance.

Students from non-EU/non-EEA countries must be covered by a private health insurance from an internationally recognized, reliable and financially sound insurance agency. The insurance should be without deductible. Non-EU/non-EEA citizens must have an insurance to obtain the residence permit for Finland. The health insurance must be obtained prior to applying for a residence permit and it must be valid upon entry to Finland.

Students applying for an extension to their residence permit must also have appropriate health insurance. The insurance must be valid throughout the entire stay in Finland.

The insurance deductible may not be more that 300 €. If you study in Finland less than two years, the health insurance must cover both sickness and accident related medical treatment up to 120,000 €. If you study in Finland for at least two years, your insurance cover must be up to 40,000 € for medical expenses. If the studies last two years or longer, health insurance must cover medical expenses up to a minimum of EUR 40 000. This is because the students will usually have a place of residence in Finland and are therefore entitled to the public health care services. Check the possible updates for the insurance requirements (opens in a new tab) by the Finnish Immigration Service, Migri (opens in a new tab).

Please remember to apply for the Municipality of Residence (opens in a new tab) at the local DVV (Digital and Population Data Services Agency, opens in a new tab) Office in Finland as soon as you arrive to receive access to the public health care.

You should choose an internationally recognized, reliable insurance company for your insurances. Check the insurance providers (opens in a new tab) recommended by Migri. Migri requires an insurance from all non-EU students and they assess each insurance policy and its terms and conditions individually when they process the residence permit applications. Check what the insurance policy must include on Migri’s site. Please note that you as a policyholder should discuss all the issues with your insurance company, the University of Eastern has no right to do that.

NOTE: Students seeking a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at UEF have the right to use Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS/YTHS). However, this does not exclude the student from having to take out the private health insurance.

Accident Insurance Policy

The university of Eastern Finland has a statutory accident insurance policy for its students as required under the Act on Compensation for Study Accidents (460/2015). The insurance covers accidents that occur in conditions typical of the studies while the person participates in practical instruction comparable to work in accordance with the curriculum or qualification requirements or in an unpaid practical work placement, either at an educational institution or in an external company offering a work placement.

No compensation under the statutory accident insurance is paid for an accident that occurs during lectures, breaks or normal school travel. The insurance only covers students in unpaid placements. If a wage is paid during the placement, the student is covered by the payer’s accident insurance.

An Open University student may only be deemed to be covered by the university’s accident insurance if the studies include a placement comparable to practical work in accordance with the faculty’s approved curriculum.

Regardless of their nationality, a foreign student is covered by the insurance in Finland if they have registered as a student with a Finnish educational institution with the aim of completing a degree.

The insurance is valid globally. The accident insurance is also valid during practical training associated with a degree that is completed abroad if the work placement abroad is part of the student’s curriculum at the University of Eastern Finland. It is important to note, however, that this accident insurance policy only covers practical work. When a student travels abroad, taking out travel insurance that supplements the insurance and also covers illnesses contracted while travelling, interruptions and cancellations of travel, and repatriation costs is always recommended.

Form: Reporting occuupational accidents (Intranet, opens in a new tab, login requires)

Travel insurance for study trips

The travel insurance taken out by UEF also covers study trips abroad organised by the university in accordance with the study plan, provided that the university pays the costs of travel (e.g. tickets, accommodation).

The insurance covers cancellations, damage to luggage (breakage and theft) and the cost of essential supplies if luggage arrives at the destination at least 4 hours late.

Further information on matters relating to accidents of students and travel insurance for study trips of students:

Joensuu Campus: Kari Reinikainen ([email protected])
Kuopio Campus: Tarja Saastamoinen ([email protected])

Form, reporting occupational accidents (in Heimo, opens in a new window, logging required)

Liability Insurance

The University of Eastern Finland’s liability insurance covers the university’s students and incoming exchange students while performing work where they are comparable to employees when working at the university (who work under the guidance and supervision of the university’s paid employees).

The university’s liability insurance is additionally valid as a secondary insurance (the insurance of the workplace offering the placement is primary) to the following:

liability insurance for exchange students in a work placement
work placement liability insurance
liability insurance for trainees attending labour market training

In these situations, the excess of the liability insurance is EUR 2,000, and the insurance covers the property of the workplace offering the placement, the property used by or otherwise in the possession of the workplace offering the placement, as well as the property regarding which the workplace offering the placement or a party working on its behalf has a duty of protection or prevention of damage. The insurance cover is valid worldwide, except in the United States and Canada.

Further information: Paula Jussila ([email protected])

Student’s obligations

Studying at the university has very few restrictions. With this freedom comes responsibility for your own studies and completing them in a timely manner. Students are helped with planning their studies, but usually not without them asking for help and support first. Students are also responsible for finding out what is needed to complete their studies, including the methods and practices. The ethical principles for studying must be complied with. Lying, cheating and plagiarism are prohibited at the university.

Students must also behave appropriately towards their fellow students and the university staff. The university has published Guidelines to promote appropriate workplace behaviour in Heimo (login required). Students should also read these guidelines and follow the ones that apply to them. When you need to contact the university staff, it is polite to find out what their office hours are (if these have been set) and take these into consideration when making direct contact. The university is a work community as any other workplace. It is therefore prohibited to come to the university under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Students are also obliged to comply with the rules on information security and data protection. The user credentials given to students are always intended for personal use only and they must not be disclosed to others for any reason. The university email address can be used for personal correspondence, however, in moderation and avoiding any negative effects on the university’s operations. Using the university email address for commercial or political purposes is prohibited.

Safety and security

The crime rate is low in Finland in comparison to most other European countries. Visitors have little need to fear for their personal safety or their property. Nevertheless, reasonable caution with personal belongings is always recommended as a precaution. Incoming international students are reminded to take into consideration that although Finland is a safe, tolerant and open nation by international standards where inappropriate behaviour is not usually present, this does not necessarily mean that one does not encounter such events in Finland.

What you should be aware of to ensure your safety in Finland:

Avoid walking alone at night; take a taxi or walk home with your friends.
Tell your friends where you are going.
Do not hesitate to contact the proper authorities if necessary.
Do not mingle with unknown people, especially if they are intoxicated.
Avoid being provocative and mind your temper, especially on weekends in bars.

The university’s safety and security is the result of collaboration involving several actors. The coordination responsibility lies with the university.

In matters related to safety and security, the university engages in close collaboration with local authorities and other educational institutions.

We seek to make sure that the University of Eastern Finland is a safe place for our students, staff members, and guests.

If you notice an accident, emergency, or crisis situation, please report it in order to make it possible for us to make the university a safer place for all. Report a safety or security incident (webropol-form, opens in a new tab).

Safety and Security at UEF

Safety and Secuirity pages in Intra (opens in a new tab, logging required) contain information and instructions relating to safety and security at the University of Eastern Finland.

Our campuses has an appointed Crisis Support Team and, in the event of a crisis, the task of these teams is to arrange psychological support and post-crisis care. More detailed instructions for members of the university can be found on the Intranet (opens in a new tab, logging required). It is advisable to get to know the instructions beforehand, as in the event of an emergency, there usually isn’t time for reading.

Emergency telephone number: 112

In the event of an emergency, call 112.

Answer the questions asked.
Follow the instructions given.
Do not hang up until you are told to do so.

Guide the rescuers to the scene of the accident / emergency. Redial 112 if the situation changes.

How to use the emergency number 112 in Finland (opens in a new tab)

Police of Finland

The police force in Finland is reliable and honest. The police maintain public order and security, primarily by giving advice, instructions and orders. Each police officer has a badge which he or she must carry and present if needed or requested.

Police of Finland (opens in a new tab)

Video: Safety and security concern all members of the academic community! (1:31)

Links:

Report a Safety or Secuirity Incident (webropol-form, opens in a new tab)

Student’s rights and obligations (operating models and instructions)

Equality

According to the Equality Act, universities and other bodies providing education and training must ensure that women and men have equal opportunities for education, training and
professional development, and that teaching, research and instructional materials support the attainment of equality (Section 5). Special attention must be given to equality and equal opportunity in student selections, the organisation of teaching and the evaluation of study performance. Furthermore, measures to ensure the prevention and elimination of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination must be promoted. The faculties are recommended to review their study processes and obstacles to the completion of studies particularly from the perspectives of equality and equal opportunity. The duty of the university’s equality committee is to monitor that a student’s gender, age, background or any personal quality does not place him or her in an unequal position compared to the other students.

The Equal Opportunities Committee has drawn up Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities Plan for years 2025-2026 and it describes the current situation regarding gender equality and equal opportunities at the university.

Gender equality and equal opportunities at the University of Eastern Finland (in Intranet, opens in a new tab, login required)

Gender equality and equal opportunities

Contact persons (Gender equality and equal opportunities)

Contact persons (Inappropriate treatment and harassment)

Equal and accessible university

Information about 10% contract of employment

University of Eastern Finland offers grant researchers an opportunity to conclude a part-time (10%) contract of employment for everyone who has an external funding of at least 12 months and meets other criteria listed below. In practice this means that the tasks related to this contract are agreed between the grant researcher and the head of the unit concerned. These tasks can be, for example, teaching.

The annual working time in part-time, 10% contract is equivalent to 160 hours. These hours are not tied to weekly working hours and they don´t have to be divided evenly over the grant period. Anyhow, the employment contract will be concluded for the whole funded period. This way the grant researcher will have almost the same fringe benefits as the rest of the university staff for the whole research period.

The contract of employment entitles the grant-funded researcher to:

an office space, when necessary
necessary tools for work (Microsoft O365), including a phone
a user account to the university’s information systems and research databases
occupational health care and insurance coverage (for the 10% contract of employment).

Read more on Information for new staff members– page in Kamu.

After fulfilling the criteria of 10 % part-time employment contract (listed below) it is recommended that the grant researcher contacts the head of the unit concerned well in advance to negotiate for the assignments and timetables. The grant-funded researcher must make the initiative to conclude the part-time, 10% contract of employment.

The funded research period has to last at least 12 months after concluding the employment contract. In addition to the part-time (10%) contract of employment, an agreement on working as a grant-funded researcher at UEF is always concluded, and, when necessary, a separate agreement on the transfer of rights.

Read the following information on the 10% contract of employment. For more information, contact Tuula Ranne.

Part time (10%) contract of employment; criteria and other important information

A part-time (10%) contract of employment will be concluded between the University of Eastern Finland and a grant-funded researcher when the following criteria are met:

The grant has been awarded and paid by an external organisation, meaning an organisation other than UEF.
The grant-funded researcher has made sure that the funder’s grant decision allows the conclusion of a part-time, concurrent contract of employment with the university during the grant period.
- The grant-funded researcher is responsible for ensuring that the organisation awarding the grant approves the concurrent contract of employment with the university.
- Any other terms of the grant decision must also be taken into consideration.
The research grant has been awarded and the research is linked or can be linked to:
- doctoral research, of which researcher has the right to pursue postgraduate studies in a doctoral programme of the University of Eastern Finland or
- other research conducted at the University of Eastern Finland as a postdoctoral researcher or senior researcher.
The duration of the grant period is a minimum of 12 months, which is also the minimum duration of the contract of employment.
- The part-time (10%) contract of employment is always concurrent with the grant intended for full-time research.
- The grant period of a UEF Grant-funded Researcher must continue for a minimum of 12 months after 1 June 2021 in order for a contract of employment of a minimum of 12 months to be concluded with them.
- The 12-month grant period can consist of several grants awarded by an external organisation.
The grant has been awarded for research work, a so-called working grant, and it must enable full-time research.
Finland must be the country of work and residence, and it has been confirmed that the grant researcher belongs under Finnish social security legislation for the whole duration of the employment.
The duties will be defined separately in a work plan to be prepared in collaboration with the head of the unit concerned.
- Researchers come under the total working time system, and the annual working time in a part-time, 10% contract is equivalent to 160 hours.
- A contract of employment will be concluded if an agreement on the duties can be reached (160 hours/year).
The title associated with the part-time contract of employment is Doctoral Researcher, if the person is working on their doctoral dissertation. For persons conducting other research, the title is Postdoctoral Researcher, Senior Researcher or Project Researcher, depending on their duties, qualification requirements, and research career stage.
In addition to the part-time (10%) contract of employment, an agreement on working as a grant-funded researcher at UEF is always concluded, and, when necessary, a separate agreement on the transfer of rights.
The grant-funded researcher is responsible for finding out about taxation and pension-related issues from the tax administration and from the relevant pension insurer.

The initiative to conclude a contract of employment

The grant-funded researcher must make an initiative to conclude a part-time, 10% contract of employment with the University of Eastern Finland by filling out an electronic form. The form must be submitted one month before the planned employment start date! NOTE! Before submitting this form, please familiarise yourself with the criteria on which grant-funded researchers at UEF can conclude a part-time (10%) contract of employment (above).
A contract of employment is concluded without discretion whenever the criteria are met and an agreement on the duties can be reached.
After the grant-funded researcher has submitted the electronic form, the process proceeds internally at UEF. The head of the unit will discuss the duties with the grant-funded researcher proposing a contract of employment, and the head of the unit makes sure that the criteria are met.
If an agreement can be reached on the duties of the grant-funded researcher, and if the criteria for concluding a contract of employment are met, the head of the unit gives the unit's HR staff an assignment to start preparing a contract of employment as per the normal procedure, including the terms of employment, such as salary and title.
This initiates the normal employment contract process, as part of which the employee is instructed to prepare a work plan in accordance with the university's guidelines pertaining to work plans.
With the conclusion of a contract of employment, the grant-funded researcher also concludes an agreement on the transfer of rights as part of the contract of employment with UEF. In addition to the contract of employment, an agreement on working as a grant-funded researcher at the University of Eastern Finland is concluded for the same time period.

UEF grant-funded researcher's part time (10%) contract of employment and leave of absence

If a grant-funded researcher applies for a leave of absence from their part-time contract of employment, they shall be entitled to a part-time (10%) contract of employment of a corresponding length after their leave of absence, provided that their grant period continues. In these cases, the duration of the contract of employment may be shorter than 12 months, which otherwise is the minimum length.

Work trips and working abroad

Work trips

Part-time employers also are eligible for work trips in correspondence to the extent of employment. In a 10% contract of employment the extent is 2 working days/calendar month. Travel bookings can be made from the contract travel channels and the person is insured with university insurance on the work trip.

The total journey length is calculated by multiplying the number of working days by the number of remaining months of employment. For example, if the number of remaining months of employment is four, the total length of the work trip can be 2 x 4 = 8 working days at maximum. If a longer trip is planned, the grant-funded researcher must arrange the trip with the grant. In this case, the person handles the travel bookings themselves and provides adequate insurance coverage for the trip.

Working abroad

In general, the country of work and residence of grant-funded researcher who has a part-time contract of employment (10%) must be Finland, and it has been confirmed that the grant researcher belongs under Finnish social security legislation for the whole duration of the employment.

However, an agreement on working abroad can be concluded for a period of time coinciding with the duration of the employment relationship, provided that it has been ensured that the grant-funded researcher remains covered by Finnish social security during their working abroad, and that working abroad does not cause any other employer obligations in the destination country (such as an obligation to withhold tax, or separate insurance coverage required by the destination country). In the case of working abroad, the guideline on work trip above shall not be followed.

Frequently asked questions about grant-funded researchers' 10% contract

How flexible is the time criteria?

A grant-funded researcher who meets the criteria listed below and who has a funding of at least 12 months, has a subjective minimum right to conclude a 10 % part-time employment contract with the university. The departments are only bound by this minimum right, therefore it is possible to negotiate for concluding the employment contract even for a shorter period than 12 months.

Is there supervision of work available?

The researcher will be familiarized with the working tasks the same way as any other new staff. The employee will have information about working in UEF and other guidance needed will always take place at department level.

What to do when confronting problems at work?

In confrontational situations at work, you can contact the labour safety representative of your unit. When having health problems, contact the occupational health care and when encountering inequality in university, contact the UEF contact persons of equality.

Does the opportunity to part-time contract of employment concern only PhD students or post doc -researchers as well?

Part time employment concerns both PhD students and post doc- researchers. The research in both cases should be linked to research conducted at UEF.

Can the international research grants be taken into account?

International research grants can be taken into consideration if they equate the amount of the Finnish grants.

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

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Target Groups: Doctoral student