Student arkistot - UEF Kamu

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:

on Wednesdays the customer service desk is open from 10 am to 2 pm (10–14).
At other times the customer service desk is open by appointment only. You can book an appointment in an hour, at the earliest, and a week in advance, at most. You can book a Teams meeting or an in-person appointment at the Joensuu or Kuopio customer service point through our booking site (opens in a new tab). The available times are shown in the booking calendar.

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

Languages of degrees and instruction

In accordance with the provisions of the Universities Act (558/2009), the language of instruction and degrees at the University of Eastern Finland is Finnish. The university may also decide on the use of another language as the language of instruction and degrees, including study attainments.

This regulation stipulates the languages of degrees and instruction of the university, as well as
the language of completion of a course and the language of the thesis.

The regulation applies to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes at the University of Eastern Finland, with the exception of degree programmes in languages and language and communication studies. In international degree programmes, the language of study,
instruction and degrees is English.

Part 1

The Faculty Council may decide on the use of a language other than Finnish in connection with the approval of the curriculum, taking into account the implementation of educational responsibility (Education Regulations, Section 26).

The language of the degree is the language in which the degree programme is implemented, also indicated in the curriculum of the degree programme. The majority of the compulsory part of a degree programme must be provided in the language of the degree. The compulsory part refers to basic, intermediate and advanced studies of a major or similar, or equivalent studies. ‘The majority’ means more than 50 % of the total amount of credits in the degree programme. As a rule, teaching on the courses of the compulsory part of a degree must be organised entirely in the language of the degree. An exception can be made in individual cases for pedagogical reasons.

Example: Most of the degree programmes at the University of Eastern Finland are conducted in Finnish. The university also offers degree programmes where the language of degrees is English.

Example: In a degree programme conducted in Finnish, all other studies except for basic and intermediate studies can be provided in English. Less than 50 % of basic and intermediate studies can be provided in English.

Example: As a rule, the courses of the Finnish-language part of the degree programmes are taught in Finnish. In these degree programmes, students are always entitled to instruction in Finnish for the majority of their basic, intermediate and advanced studies.

Part 2

Each course has a language of instruction, and the language of instruction of the course is the one in which most of the teaching is provided (Education Regulations, Section 26). The course description shall indicate the language of instruction (Education Regulations, Section 19). If the language of instruction is other than Finnish, the course description shall indicate in which language the student can take the exam or complete another attainment related to the course (Education Regulations, Section 19). One or more languages may be used in teaching.

Example: The language of instruction is confirmed in the curriculum.

Example: When the language of instruction of a course is Finnish according to the curriculum, teaching (e.g. lecture, seminar) can be arranged in English for a maximum of less than 50 % of the student’s total workload on the course.

Part 3

The course assignments, exam questions (or equivalent) and answers are given in the language of instruction of the course, in which case it is also the language of completion of the course.
The language of the course refers to the language in which students complete their assignments on the course (e.g. learning assignments, reports, exam, learning diaries, etc.). In a degree programme conducted in Finnish, the student has the right to use Finnish or another language in accordance with the curriculum for both written and oral attainments (Education Regulations, Section 26).

Example: In a degree programme conducted in Finnish, the student always has the right to use Finnish in study attainments (such as learning assignments).

Part 4

The study material for courses is selected primarily on the basis of pedagogical consideration, taking into account the possibility to utilise the latest research data on a course. Regardless
of the language of instruction and completion of a course, material may also be offered in
other languages approved by the university. Decisions on study material and the language used
are made in connection with the approval of curricula, or in another process approved by the university related to the organisation of teaching.

Example: The language of instruction and completion is typically Finnish or English. Study material in German, for example, can be confirmed in the curriculum.

Part 5

At the discretion of the university, teaching can also be offered in language versions using, for example, recordings, subtitles or interpretation.

Part 6

As a rule, the thesis included in the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree is written in the language of the degree of the degree programme or the language specified in the curriculum. Decisions on the right to use another language in the thesis shall be made by the head responsible for education of the department/school/institute/unit. (Education Regulations, Section 26).

Academic Rector’s decision (pdf in Intra, requires registration)

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

Registration instructions for exchange students

These registration instructions are for exchange students starting their studies at UEF. If you are a new bachelor’s or master’s degree student, here you can find the registration instructions for new bachelor’s and master’s degree students.

The academic year at the University of Eastern Finland officially begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The autumn semester courses will begin from 1 September 2025 and the spring semester courses from 7 January 2026.

New exchange students must register as being present before they can start their studies. You can register either online or in person at the Student and Learning Services after arriving on campus.

On this page you can find information on the following subjects:

How to register online

To register online, fill out and submit the online registration form (opens in a new tab). If you choose to join the Student Union, attach the receipt for the Student Union membership fee to the form. You can find the payment instructions below.

How to register in person

If you do not register online, you must register in person at the Student and Learning Services’ customer service once you are in Finland.

Present the following documents when you register:

your registration form (docx) filled out and signed
your ID (passport, for example)
your receipt for the payment of the Student Union membership fee (a receipt issued by your bank, an ATM receipt or a print-out from your online bank), if you choose to join the Student Union. See the next chapter on Student Union membership.

Student Union membership

Student Union (ISYY) membership is voluntary for international exchange students. You can find information on the membership benefits for exchange students on the ISYY website (opens in a new tab).

If you want to join ISYY, you can pay the membership fee either

at the Student Union offices (opens in a new tab) after arriving on campus or
as a bank transfer to the Student Union bank account following the instructions below.

The Student Union membership fee is 73 € for the full academic year / 36 € for the autumn semester / 37 € for the spring semester.

You can pay the fee with cash or card at the Student Union offices. Note that the 50 € banknote is the largest banknote they accept.
Remember to present the payment receipt when you are registering.
Note that you are responsible for any transfer fees or service fees that your bank may charge!

Payment details:

Recipient: Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
Recipient’s address: Yliopistonranta 15, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
Bank name: Osuuspankki/OP Bank/Pohjola Bank Pl
Bank address: Koskikatu 9, FI-80100 Joensuu, Finland
IBAN: FI37 5770 0520 2461 63
BIC/SWIFT: OKOYFIHH
Message: Student’s name and date of birth (dd/mm/yyyy)
Fee: 73 € (full academic year) / 36 € (autumn semester only) / 37 € (spring semester only)

Activating your UEF user account for the university’s information systems

All UEF students must have a UEF user account. The user account is needed to log in to the university’s electronic information systems, to use your UEF email account and to sign up for courses and exams electronically.

Here you can find the instructions for receiving a UEF username.

Here you can find further information on activating your UEF account (opens in a new tab).

NOTE! Your UEF account will only start working when:

you have registered as present
your study right has started
you have activated the account
you have been strongly identified and
you have registered as an MFA user.

If you have any questions regarding activating your account, please contact the Digital Services (opens in a new tab).

Finnish personal identity code

International students staying in Finland for longer than three months should obtain a Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus in Finnish). The code is the key to transfering data between the university and different services. You also need it for, e.g., opening a bank account, in the hospital and when you are in contact with different Finnish authorities.

Students from non-EU/ETA countries: When you are granted a residence permit or a residence card or your right of residence is registered by the Finnish Immigration Service, your personal information will in most cases automatically be registered in the Finnish Population Information System. You will also be issued a Finnish personal identity code (opens in a new tab). It is highly recommended you do it early!

If you were not issued a personal identity code together with your residence permit card, in order to get it later, you have to visit the local Digital and Population Data Services Agency offices (opens in a new tab) during the first three months of your stay. Ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System – this means that you are issued a personal identity code and your postal address in Joensuu/Kuopio is registered.

After receiving the identity code, it is very important that you inform the Student and Learning Services’ customer service (contact information at the bottom of the page) about it so that they can save it to student register Peppi:

You can visit our office and present the identity card or another document that displays the identity code.
If you are unable to visit our office in person, and wish to handle the matter via email, please contact the Student and Learning Services’ customer service and request instructions for sending the identity code in an encrypted email message. Wait for instructions before sending the identity code.

How to get a student card

There are several student card options you can use (Tuudo, Slice or Frank). Most students download a digital student card to their phones, but if you want, you can also order a plastic student card. For exchange students joining the student union is voluntary.

The Tuudo student card works for exchange students even without joining the student union. If you pay the student union membership fee and join the student union, you can also order a student card from Frank or Slice (opens in a new tab).

Before you receive your student card, you can get a meal discount at the campus restaurants with a certificate of study which you receive which you receive with the confirmation email once your registration is done.

Student and Learning Services’ customer service contact information

If you have any questions regarding registration, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Student and Learning Services’ Customer Service

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:

Your preference of the mentor

Your commitment and motivation to the programme

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.