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Target Groups: Student

Personal study plan PSP

The personal study plan, PSP, is a plan made by the student for the duration of his or her studies. The degree structure and the curriculum of your degree programme will serve as the foundation of your PSP. Your study coordinator or PSP counsellor will help you in making your personal study plan.

The PSP is a tool for planning your studies and making your goals crystal-clear, allowing you to visualise your objectives and academic choices.  The choices you make should serve a purpose and be in line with your degree structure. By making a realistic plan, you will be able to complete your studies smoothly and on time.

The PSP should include, for example, the mandatory courses required for your degree, the order in which they can be completed and a timetable for completing them. In addition to making a timetable for your studies, your PSP can also reflect upon your learning outcomes, learning and studying from the viewpoint of working life.

If you need support in the making of your PSP, please turn to the coordinator and other staff of your academic subject. The PSP is made by using Peppi.

Around the world: ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct

ISEP exchange

NB! The links in this article open up in a new tab.

ISEP (International Student Exchange Program) is an international student exchange programme based on reciprocity, and it is administered from the United States.

You can search for feedback from previous ISEP exchange students in the SoleMOVE application system. You will find instructions on how to search for feedback in the SoleMOVE instructions. NB! When searching for feedback, leave the Your home unit -filter empty and select “ISEP Exchange” as the Exchange program in the advanced filters.

Feedback is available by country, and often under the title International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). Please note that there may not be feedback available for all the destinations in the programme.

NB! Students must be registered as “present” in a degree programme at UEF throughout the exchange period. It is not permitted to graduate before or during the exchange and studies completed during the exchange must be included into degree studies at UEF.

For whom?

Bachelor’s and Master’s level students of various fields.
NB! Students from outside the EU/EEA are advised to discuss with their study programme coordinator if exchange studies would extend their studies and/or affect their tuition fee.

There are more universities offering Bachelor’s level courses than Master’s level courses. Students must have completed one year of academic studies before the beginning of their exchange.

NB! If you have an employment contract with UEF (for example as a 10 % grant researcher, trainee, research assistant etc.), your contract must expire well before your student exchange period begins. You cannot go abroad for student exchange as a member of staff – see instructions regarding staff exchange. It is permitted to apply for student exchange during a valid employment contract, but the contract must end/expire before the exchange period begins. It is also not permitted to start a new (or resume a previous) employment contract at UEF during the exchange period. Student mobility grants cannot be paid during a valid contract of employment, so the contract must end before the grant can be paid.

Where can I go?

North and Latin America, Asia. Some universities in the United Kingdom and few in Africa and Oceania. ISEP features hundreds of universities from the United States and elsewhere in the world. More information on the universities is available on the ISEP website (new tab).

NB! EU region host countries are not available through the ISEP programme. The programme includes some universities that are in the EU region, but UEF students may only apply for host universities outside of Europe (excl. UK). Students interested in exchanges within the EU region should apply through the Erasmus+, Nordlys and YUFE Alliance programmes.

When searching for potential exchange destinations on the ISEP website, we recommend using search filters to find results. It is possible to filter results to exclusively search for ISEP Exchange destinations by selecting ISEP Exchange as the program under the More filters option in the search engine. By only searching for ISEP Exchange destinations, it is possible to exclude tuition fee charging ISEP Direct -options (below).

Applying

The annual first call for applications for ISEP exchange is 1–15 November. A second call for applications will be organised 1-15 May if there are places left. A second call for ISEP applications is not  organised usually, because all the available places are filled in the first call for applications.

Applying for ISEP Exchange is a two-stage process: first step is applying to become UEF’s candidate for ISEP exchange, the second step is starting the ISEP online application.

  • In the first stage of the process (internal selection process of the home university), students apply to be accepted as UEF candidates for ISEP exchange. The application is submitted in the online application system SoleMOVE. In the letter of motivation, the applicants describe why they are applying for ISEP Exchange programme and to which country/countries they plan to apply, and they should state clearly if there are at least 5 suitable host universities in the ISEP Exchange programme. General instructions on the letter of motivation and applying may be found on the article called Applying for student exchange and traineeship abroad.
  • In the second stage of the process, those who were accepted in the first stage as UEF candidates for ISEP exchange complete an application in the ISEP online application system. The applicant sends a request to start the ISEP application to the coordinator of the home university who then accepts it and after this, the applicant is able to start the application. The applicant lists 5–10 host institutions in their ISEP application and ISEP aims at offering a placement in one of these institutions. The applicant may apply for institutions in different countries. Before submitting the application, the applicant should explore the host institutions in detail, because after submitting the application, the list of institutions cannot be altered.

In the second stage, certain attachments are required with the application, e.g. an academic reference letter and a proof of language skills document.

Academic reference: one academic reference from a member of the UEF academic staff who knows the student and is thus able to describe them in the reference, and a proof of language skills. The students must make arrangements with the referee and send them a request to fill out ISEP’s academic reference form. The referee may also submit a letter of reference in a separate document, but it should be uploaded through ISEP’s request form.

Proof of language skills: most host institutions in North America require a TOEFL iBT test result (new tab) with the application. Some host universities accept a IELTS test result (new tab). The language skills and test requirements of each institution must be checked individually. ISEP also offers their own LPR (Language Proficiency Report) form to be used as a language proof document. The LPR should be filled out by a staff member from a language course the student has completed. Not all ISEP host institutions accept the LPR as a language proof document: this should be checked individually.

  • NB! All applicants are required to submit some form of proof of language skills. The only exception to this is students who have completed an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree in an English-speaking country, or have completed high school education in an English-speaking country. For these students, a copy of either undergraduate degree diploma or high school diploma is required. More information about ISEP’s language requirements can be found on ISEP’s website.

ISEP offers a preliminary placement to the student and informs them about this, and the student makes a preliminary study plan for the host university in question. ISEP then sends the application documents to the host institution that decides on the acceptance. The student’s host institution is confirmed only at this stage. If a placement cannot be offered at any of the universities on the list, the student will be contacted by ISEP that will try to find an alternative host university that meets the student’s situation and wishes.

ISEP Chances of Placement

ISEP uses a Chances of Placement (new tab) ranking on their host institutions. This means that ISEP indicates how likely it is for a student to be placed in any particular host institution according to this ranking. Institutions that are ranked as Most Competitive are extremely difficult for students to be placed into.

Students are only able to add one Most Competitive ranked institution in their ISEP application in the second stage of the application process. Please keep this in mind when you are searching the ISEP website for possible host institutions.

NB! Due to the Chances of Placement ranking, it is generally not possibly to apply to only Australia or New Zealand, as most (if not all) of these sites are listed as Most Competitive. Students interested in these countries are expected to be willing to apply and commit to other host countries as well.

Duration

Due to the popularity of the programme and limited availability of places, it has been necessary to restrict the duration of ISEP exchanges to one (1) semester.

Funding and costs

Tuition fees are not charged from the students going on ISEP Exchanges. ISEP charges application and acceptance fees for each application, and UEF covers these fees for all UEF’s selected candidates to the ISEP Exchange programme.

UEF students participating in the ISEP Exchange programme pay the accommodation and living costs of their exchange period to their home university before the beginning of the exchange (this is called the ISEP Fee). This payment is used to cover incoming ISEP students’ accommodation and meal stipends. In return, incoming ISEP Exchange students pay a similar fee to their own home university, which is then used to cover outgoing UEF students’ accommodation and meal stipends at the host university. Practical arrangements are always specific to each individual host university – the host university will advise students directly when students are placed at the host university by ISEP.

The ISEP fee at University of Eastern Finland for the academic year 2024-2025 is EUR 2,500 for one semester. All outgoing UEF students for ISEP Exchange are required to pay this fee to UEF.

The students are required to cover the costs of their travel, study materials, and leisure activities as well as the mandatory ISEP insurance. Students may also be required to pay accommodation deposits at the host university.

The outgoing ISEP exchange students receive a mobility grant from University of Eastern Finland. The amount of the grant is determined on an annual basis and published in the call for applications. In the academic year 2024-2025, the mobility grant for ISEP exchange for European destinations is EUR 1,200 for one semester and for destinations outside Europe EUR 1,800 for one semester. For more information on funding, please check the article called Funding your studies abroad.

Please note

The studies completed during ISEP exchange must be included in the student’s degree at University of Eastern Finland. A study-related internship in the United States can also be linked to the ISEP exchange. The maximum duration of the internship is equal to the maximum exchange study period at an ISEP university. Students can only apply for internships after arriving in the host country and must obtain the internship themselves. The ISEP fee is paid in a single instalment before the beginning of the exchange.

While you will apply for ISEP exchange according to UEF’s academic calendar during the first stage of the application process (see above), the actual dates and duration of the exchange will be according to your host university’s academic calendar.

ISEP Direct

ISEP Direct is an alternative for students who only want to apply for one specific university or a most competitive university. Some universities only participate in ISEP Exchange and others solely in ISEP Direct. Many universities are also available through both programmes. On ISEP Direct, the participants are required to pay the tuition fees of the host university. The number of places available through Direct is not limited. As long as the minimum academic requirements are met, applicants are guaranteed a place at the host university.

Please note that the application periods and practices of ISEP Direct are different from ISEP Exchange.

Tip: The tuition fees of universities participating in Direct can be viewed in the Find a Program (new tab) section of the ISEP website, by clicking on ’Detail’ in the application menu above the universities in the sidebar. This will open a list showing all Exchange and Direct options. A single university can be listed more than once depending on the exchange programme (Exchange or Direct) and time (fall semester, spring semester, full year).

More information on the ISEP Direct programme is available on the ISEP website (new tab) and UEF International Mobility Services.

Nordics, North America: north2north

The purpose of the north2north programme is to support mutual research and understanding of the northern regions and promote high-quality education in North America, the Nordic countries, and Russia. The north2north programme is the University of the Arctic’s internal student mobility programme. As a speciality of the programme, the studies of the participating students must be related to the northern or Arctic region.

University of the Arctic (UArctic) offers student mobility within the north2north programme, as well as the online study module Circumpolar Studies.

NB! Students must be registered as “present” in a degree programme at UEF throughout the exchange period. It is not permitted to graduate before or during the exchange and studies completed during the exchange must be included into degree studies at UEF.

North2north exchange

For whom

Bachelor’s and Master’s level students.
NB! Students from outside the EU/EEA are advised to discuss with their study programme coordinator if exchange studies would extend their studies and/or affect their tuition fee.

NB! If you have an employment contract with UEF (for example as a 10 % grant researcher, trainee, research assistant etc.), your contract must expire well before your student exchange period begins. You cannot go abroad for student exchange as a member of staff – see instructions regarding staff exchange. It is permitted to apply for student exchange during a valid employment contract, but the contract must end/expire before the exchange period begins. It is also not permitted to start a new (or resume a previous) employment contract at UEF during the exchange period. Student mobility grants cannot be paid during a valid contract of employment, so the contract must end before the grant can be paid.

Where can I go?

North America and Nordics. The programme also includes a limited number of placements in Scotland and Australia.

Applying

November and/or February application period annually. Please always check the Calls for Applications on Kamu for updated information.

International Mobility Services will post a call for applications prior to the application period, where more information about possible host institutions will be specified.

NB! Not all UArctic partners are involved with the north2north mobility programme. Host universities for each exchange application round will be announced separately in the call for applications (see link above).

Applying to North American, Australian and Scottish institutions

Host institutions North America, Australia, Denmark and Scotland charge tuition fees from exchange students. The north2north programme is allocated some placements with tuition fee waivers to North America, Australia and Scotland on an annual basis, and these placements will be opened for applications during our application periods. Students at the University of Eastern Finland will be able to apply for waiver placements during the application period.

Students who are applying for north2north exchanges in North American, Australian or Scottish institutions will need to compile a TOP 3 list of host institutions and include the list in their application, for example in the motivation letter. Students may be selected for one exchange placement on the list. The student must be committed to accepting a placement in any of the institutions they have listed.

NB! Due to the limited number of placements in Scotland and Australia, it is strongly recommended that a student’s TOP 3 list includes at least one host institution in North America. UEF cannot guarantee placements.

The University of Eastern Finland will make a preliminary selection of candidates and submit the information to the north2north coordinators at the Finnish National Agency for Education. The final selection of candidates and their exchange placements will be made by the north2north programme.

Due to the limited number of available waiver exchange placements, it is possible that not all applicants from the UEF will be selected. In case a candidate from UEF is not awarded a placement to one of their 3 choices, we will contact the student separately regarding the available options.

The list of institutions offering waivers will be updated annually. Possible host institutions are currently listed here: the list of 2025/26 waiver placements.

The finalized list of institutions UEF students may apply to and more instructions on how to compile a list of host institutions will always be given in the calls for applications!

Applying to Nordic partner universities

Host universities in the Nordics (Sweden, Norway, Iceland) do not charge tuition fees from exchange students. Danish host institutions (Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands) charge tuition fees from n2n exchange students unless there is a bilateral agreement between home and host institution.

Students interested in applying to the Nordics will not need to submit a Top 3 list. Students who are interested in applying to a Nordic institution for north2north exchange may submit an application and specify which institution they wish to apply to in their application.

Funding

The students are responsible for their travel costs, accommodation and other expenses. The north2north programme provides participants with a mobility grant, the amount of which varies annually. For exchanges during the academic year 2024-2025, students going to North American host institutions for one semester will receive 2000 euros, and students going to Nordic host institutions for one semester will receive 1500 euros.

Further information

North2north programme at UArctic: University of the Arctic (new tab)

North2north member institutions (please note the restrictions above): north2north partners (new tab)

Circumpolar Studies

UEF students may also participate in online studies within the UArctic network: Circumpolar Studies (CS) study module is a multidisciplinary module, to which all bachelor and master’s degree students at UEF may apply for.

The multidisciplinary research conducted in the module sheds light on possibilities of the arctic region and the threats it faces.

The module consists of one introductory course and smaller, 2-course modules related to native peoples of the arctic region, arctic governance, or global changes and sustainable development:

CS100: Introduction to the Circumpolar World

CS311: Land and Environment of the Circumpolar World I
CS312: Land and Environment of the Circumpolar World II

CS321: Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World I
CS322: Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World II

CS331: Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World I
CS332: Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World II

Each course awards 6 ECTS.

There are a couple application periods annually for the courses, July-August for autumn semester classes and October-November for spring semester courses. Information about applying to courses will be published in the Viva Engage group Internationalisation offers for Students.

If you are interested in completing Circumpolar Studies courses, please make sure that the courses can be included into your degree at UEF. Contact your departmental coordinator to discuss inclusion.

NB! Transcripts for the courses are awarded by the hosting organisation, i.e. the Canadian or American university offering the courses. Inclusion into your degree at UEF is done by your department’s usual processes for inclusion/crediting, so the credits are not automatically transferred to Peppi after the courses end. Receiving the transcript from abroad may take a long time, and therefore we do not recommend leaving your graduation waiting for these courses.

Further information: Circumpolar Studies, UArctic (new tab), core course materials (new tab)

Freemover/Visiting Student exchanges

You can also apply for exchange studies outside exchange programmes, with a freemover or visiting student status. It is a good idea to chart the international contacts of your department/school when planning an independent student exchange. Many students have found great study and internship locations independently.

It takes initiative to apply for independent studies abroad: the applicants themselves are responsible for the communication with the host university, the application process, the practical arrangements, and the costs of studying abroad, such as potential tuition fees. Tuition fees and application procedures vary between universities, fields of study, and countries. It takes time to arrange the practical matters, so you should start planning your freemover exchange at least a year before the planned start of your exchange studies. The longer and better you prepare for studies abroad, the more successful they will generally be.

NB! Students must be registered as “present” in a degree programme at UEF throughout the exchange period. It is not permitted to graduate before or during the exchange and studies completed during the exchange must be included into degree studies at UEF.

Freemover mobility grant

UEF International Mobility Services may award mobility grants for outgoing freemover studies. The duration for freemover exchange must be one or two semesters, and grants are awarded from autumn semester 2023 onwards. The grant amount depends on the host country and the exchange duration.

Europe: 700 euros (one semester) or 1000 euros (two semesters, i.e., full academic year)
Outside of Europe: 1000 euros (one semester) or 1500 euros (two semesters, i.e., full academic year)

Applying for the mobility grant

Students apply for the mobility grant by submitting an application in SoleMOVE. You may find instructions on how to compile and submit your application on Kamu. Students must apply for the grant a minimum of one month before the exchange begins. Grants will not be awarded retroactively.

The application form for the grants will be open throughout the academic year, from 1 June to 31 May, and decisions are made continuously. Processing applications may take 2-3 weeks, even longer during holidays, so students are advised to apply for the grant as soon as possible once they have received confirmation from the host university.

The following documents must be included in the application:

  • Transcript of records (from Peppi)
  • Learning Agreement approved and signed by the student’s departmental coordinator at UEF
  • a Letter of Acceptance from the host university or other document confirming the exchange placement from the host university

Eligibility requirements for the grant

  • The student must be registered as present at the University of Eastern Finland throughout their exchange
    • NB! Registration as present includes paying the Student Union fee and Kela healthcare fee (if applicable)
  • The student has completed a minimum of one academic year’s studies before the exchange begins
  • The minimum duration of the exchange is 3 months
  • The student must have received approval for the exchange from their department at UEF
  • The student must compile a Learning Agreement (LA, i.e., exchange study plan), and the LA must be signed by the student’s departmental coordinator at UEF
  • The host university or institution is not located in the student’s home country or country of residence
  • The student does not have a valid contract of employment at UEF during the exchange period and the student cannot start a new (or resume a previous) contract of employment at UEF during the exchange period. Student mobility grants cannot be paid during a valid contract of employment, so the contract must end before the grant can be paid.

The grant may be awarded for exchanges in the following institutions/networks (examples)

  • Universities and higher education institutions outside of UEF’s networks or partners
  • Universities and higher education institutions that are among UEF’s networks and partners, but for which the student would study as a visiting student/freemover at due to lack of available placements
  • ISEP Direct: student pays the tuition fee for the ISEP Direct university and other ISEP fees (Application fee, Acceptance fee)

The grant may not be awarded for exchanges in the following institutions/networks (examples)

  • Host institutions that are located in the student’s home country or country of residence
  • Exchange programmes that charge fees from students, for example Asia Exchange (excluding ISEP Direct)
  • Host institutions that are among UEF’s networks or partners and to which the student has already received a placement from UEF and exchange programme-specific mobility grant (bilateral exchange, ISEP Exchange, Erasmus+, Nordplus etc.)
    • If you have been accepted for exchange by UEF, you may not receive Freemover grants on top of another grant from UEF
  • Grants are not awarded for traineeships abroad

Other information

Announcements on international options outside the scope of University of Eastern Finland’s exchange programmes are published on Viva Engage (formerly Yammer): Kansainvälistymismahdollisuuksia opiskelijoille // Internationalisation offers for students (new tab).

Student Tutoring for International Students

All incoming exchange students and Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students will be provided with a student tutor who helps the new students with practical matters and adjusting into the Finnish student life and culture.

The tutor should be
-a degree student in a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme at UEF
-interested in helping the new international students
-willing to learn and develop their skills and cooperate with others
-able to communicate with different people in English
-able to participate in the training sessions
-in the campus city during Autumn Semester, starting from late August

The student tutor contacts the tutees before their arrival, usually meets them on the arrival and helps the new students with the questions the tutee might have (for example registration at the university, registration for the courses, how to move around in the campus city and in campus).

We received 184 applications for international tutoring next autumn semester. Thank you for everybody who has applied. We will get back to all of you during Feb-March.

All the student tutors are trained and they can earn credits for the tutoring. The tutor training takes place in April (6 hours) and in August (2 hours). In addition there will be a feedback session (2 hours) in Oct-Nov and in Feb-March. The tutors for the exchange students can earn 3 ECTS and the tutors for the degree students can earn 4 ECTS. Please note that the tutor training is compulsory for the tutors. If you have tutored earlier at UEF, you don’t have to participate in the training again.

The tutors in Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programme work closely together with each other and with the programme coordinator.

We encourage all the student tutors to work together (for example in pairs) and network with the other student tutors. The International Mobility Services, the Student Union, the Student Services, and other staff members are always there to help the tutors, as well as the new international student.

For further information please contact
Kirsi Konttinen
tel. +358 40 3552146
email kirsi.konttinen@uef.fi

Departmental coordinators of international matters at faculties

The departmental or academic coordinators of international matters advise outgoing UEF exchange students in matters related to their studies. The contact persons for all academic subjects are listed below.

Email addresses are listed in the format firstname.lastname @ uef.fi . The contact information can also be found in the UEF Connect (link opens in a new tab).

Philosophical Faculty (Joensuu)

Finnish Language and Cultural ResearchAnna Arkko (outgoing), Elina Arminen (incoming)
Foreign Languages and Translation StudiesAnette Huovinen (outgoing), Pekka Kilpeläinen, Michael Pace-Sigge (incoming)
Special EducationAino Äikäs
Education and Adult EducationAntti Ronkainen
Career CounsellingMerja Tamminen
PsychologyMatti Kuittinen
Applied Educational Science and Teacher EducationHenna Martikainen (outgoing), Henri Heiskanen (incoming)
TheologyMaria Riipi

Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology (Joensuu and Kuopio)

PhysicsNoora Heikkilä
MathematicsChangyu Guo
Technical PhysicsCristina Florea
Chemistry and Sustainable TechnologiesMika Torvinen
Forest SciencesPiritta Torssonen (outgoing), Isabel Muñoz Hidalgo (incoming)
Computer ScienceLaura Hurmalainen (Joensuu), Esther Galbrun (Kuopio)
BiologyJarkko Akkanen
Environmental ScienceEila Torvinen

Faculty of Health Sciences (Kuopio)

PharmacyJaana Veki (outgoing), Anne Lecklin (incoming)
Nursing ScienceMaliheh Nekouei
Clinical MedicineTimo Kemppainen
Public HealthAnnika Männikkö
Clinical NutritionMarjukka Kolehmainen
DentistryLeena Lampinen
BiomedicineTiina Kuningas (outgoing), Teemu Natunen (incoming)

Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies (Joensuu and Kuopio)

Geographical and Historical StudiesSatu Malinen, Meri Strand (outgoing), Paul Fryer (incoming)
Business SchoolJarmo Romppanen (Joensuu), Christina Piel (Kuopio)
Law SchoolMia Kilpeläinen
Social and Health ManagementHeli Kemppainen
Social SciencesJarmo Romppanen (Joensuu), Heli Kemppainen (Kuopio)

Personal career counselling

The aim of career counselling is to support the attainment of career planning and employment skills. Good career planning skills help you, for instance, in recognizing your own strengths and possibilities, in developing yourself and in making decisions about your future. You can receive career counselling at a personal career guidance conversation or by taking part in the study units on career planning and job seeking.

Career guidance conversations are confidential and personal dialogues with a trained career counsellor. You can bring out issues relating to your future, study choices or the working life that occupy your mind. The discussions are always based on your own questions and needs. You can consult a career counsellor at any stage of your studies and within a year of your graduation.

Come discuss, reflect, weigh and assess with us your options, choice of field or minor subjects, internship, time after graduation, combining studying and other spheres of life, or some other issue in your present situation or in the future. Read an interview with a UEF career counsellor: Career counselling helps orient to the future

You can read in more detail about career planning and career counselling on the career planning page of the Aarresaari, the Career services network of Finnish universities (opens in a new tab).

Book an appointment to career counselling

Kudin.fi career readiness self-assessment test and send the results to the career counsellor as you  book the discussion time. The Kudin.fi tool helps you recognize and develop your career competences and yields important information to the counsellor about the support you might find helpful.

You will find the free times for career counsellors’ appointments in the JobTeaser portal (opens in a new tab). The one-hour sessions are for discussions about issues, such as, your strengths, interests or possible study or employment alternatives. The 30-minute appointments are for shorter questions, for instance, comments on job seeking documents or other job seeking advice.

You can access the JobTeaser with your UEF credentials. Create a profile in your own name and choose your field(s) of study in the Course/Programme drop-down menu. In the Appointments tab, you will get to choose the type of appointment, the location (on campus/online) and the time. After sending the request for the appointment, the career counsellor will send to your UEF-email a confirmation of the appointment and, in case of an online meeting, a Teams link.  You will find more specific instructions on how to use the Jobteaser service in the Kamu JobTeaser page.

Welcome to career counselling!

More detailed instructions on how to use the JobTeaser and a link to the service:

Jobteaser Logo Vilkkuva

Career counsellors

Joensuu campus

  • Career counsellor Hanna Reinikainen (English and Finnish)
  • Career counsellor Kirsi Vallius-Leinonen (Finnish only)
  • Career counsellor, coordinator Outi Suorsa (Finnish only)

Kuopio campus

  • Career counsellor Janne Saarela (English and Finnish)

Email: firstname.surname@uef.fi or urapalvelut@uef.fi

Courses in career planning and job seeking

Do you need support in career planning or job seeking?

Participate in the self-study courses and/or practical exercises offered by the UEF Career Services! In our study units, you will be well-equipped for the development of your career and employability competences. You will also learn about the requirements of the working life and develop your own career skills, which, in turn, will make your studying more focused and your job hunt more successful. 

The courses are intended for all UEF students and offered in the autumn and spring semesters. You can start the self-study courses as soon as the course opens on the UEF eLearn-environment and proceed according to your own schedule. The autumn semester courses will begin around mid-September and the spring semester courses in mid-January. The self-study courses are open for 2 months. 

We recommend you to complete the self-study course in career planning before the practical exercises. Similarly, the self-study course in job seeking is commendable before the exercises. The knowledge obtained on the self-study courses will be put into practice and deepened in exercises. 

SELF-STUDY COURSES

  • Career planning – self-study course 2 ECTS
  • Jobseeking – self-study course 1 ECTS
  • Basics of Finnish Working Life – self-study course 1 ECTS

EXERCISES IN GROUPS

  • Career portfolio building – practical exercises 1 ECTS
  • Job seeking – practical exercises 1 ECT

The registration for the courses is in Peppi. For the courses in the autumn semester, it is from 16 August onwards and for the spring semester courses from 1 December onwards. Check out the course descriptions and the timetables for the exercises in Peppi, add the courses to your PSP and sign up! 

Further information

urapalvelut@uef.fi

Practical training

Practical training during studies is a great opportunity for students to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice, improve their professional skills, narrow down their career choices, and make direct contact with potential employers. Having work experience in your own discipline, no matter how brief the period of employment, gives you an advantage over others in the job market. Think very carefully about where you apply for practical training because the workplace and work tasks you choose are relevant to your future career.

Read more on: Student guidelines on the practices of supported practical training

Practical training supported by the university

The university has two different ways to support international students practical training: UEF Trainee programme (solely international students) and practical training support (for all students). Following text is about practical training support. UEF Trainee programme you’ll find more information here.

The faculties can reserve money for supporting their students’ practical training financially. The financial support for practical training is meant for students who study general academic subjects. The goal is to support the students in finding a place to do their practical training in their own discipline. Practical training helps students get an understanding about the situation in the labour market and the job seeking process before they graduate. The best time to do practical training is during the third or fourth year of studies because by then the student will have acquired the capacity needed to put their skills and knowledge into practice. This will also enable working on a master’s thesis while doing practical training. The university does not, however, offer financial support for practical training after graduation, so leaving it last is not recommended. Please note that you can receive financial support for practical training only once during your degree studies!

The practices relating to practical training vary between the units (department or school). Each unit has its designated contact person for practical training who will

  • check whether the place of practical training meets the goals set in the curriculum
  • guide in the practical arrangements related to practical training, such as concluding a practical training contract
  • acts as the point of contact for the employer

The university does not grant financial support in the following cases:

  • practical training included in teacher’s pedagogical studies, practical training in pharmacy, practical training for the students of clinical medicine in wellbeing services counties, clinical and advanced practical training for the students of dentistry, practical training for the students of social work, as well as practical applied studies for the students of theology
  • cases where the student simultaneously receives other financial support from the university or another organisation for the same traineeship
  • the student has already received financial support for practical training
  • the practical training is unpaid or
  • the salary falls below the minimum wage confirmed by the Social Insurance Institution KELA annually (in year 2024). In year 2025 minimum wage is 1430 €/month. It is based on Aarresaari-networks recommendation.
  • the practical training is part of a project funded by the EU
  • the employer dos not arrange workplace guidance

If you will be doing unpaid practical training, read about insurance coverage for students.

Practical training abroad

All students of all disciplines are entitled to financial support for practical training done abroad. The financial support for practical training granted by the faculty can be paid as a grant. The eligibility criteria for the grant include not receiving any other financial support (e.g. Erasmus, CIMO, etc.) and not having done practical training supported by the university before. A placement agreement is concluded with the place of practical training, to be signed on behalf of the University of Eastern Finland by the head of the department or the contact person for international relations. Read more about doing practical training abroad on the international studies web pages.

Read more on International traineeship.

Finding and applying for a placement

As a rule, students should find a place for practical training and apply for it themselves so as to get a sense of how the application process works in the labour market after graduation. Practical training can take place in a company, government agency, local authority, or an association. The places for doing practical training offered to the university are posted in the JobTeaser– jobportal, which includes advertisements for regular jobs, internships and thesis work. The university’s units may also have practical training positions that students can apply for.

The work tasks must correspond with the objectives for the practical training stated in the curriculum. The place of practical training must be approved by the participating student’s contact person for practical training or person in charge of practical training at the unit. The details of the practical training should be agreed with the employer and an employment contract concluded before the practical training starts.

Applying for financial support for practical training

Financial support for practical training is granted when the student has found a placement, the traineeship meets the objectives of the curriculum and the employer requires it.

Applicable agreements in

Further information

At the university level, general information on practical training is provided by Outi Suorsa Coordinator at Career Services. When you need more information about practical training, you should first contact the person in charge of practical training for your academic subject. She/he knows the practices for granting financial support for practical training and approving the place of practical training the best. If you have questions concerning practical training abroad, you can turn to International Student Services.

About UEF Trainee programme, please contact International Relations Coordinator Marko Pietilä.

Academic study skills

Academic study skills

Appropriate study skills are an important element in achieving academic success. Studying at a Finnish university may differ considerably from studying in some other country, and international students may discover that they need to adapt their study habits to be able to meet the academic requirements.

Academic freedom is one of the basic values of the Finnish university system. It emphasises independent study and opens up many possibilities to students. In most cases, students may choose what to study and when to study. Some lectures, for example, may not be compulsory. However, the practical sessions are usually always obligatory. Academic freedom goes hand in hand with academic responsibility – it is up to students themselves to plan, schedule and complete their studies.

Adapting to the ethical guidelines for studying at the University of Eastern Finland is an important and essential study skill and is related to the student’s responsibility for studying. Students must be familiar with the ethical guidelines to be able to act in an equal, responsible, and ethical way in the academic community. Managing ethical skills not only contributes to student success but also contributes to student’s well-being and trust of the community at large. Please read more about students obligations and familiarize yourself with the ethical guidelines and examples for teaching and studying.

University studies are characterized by the fact that the study units are extensive and may also be conceptually challenging. In that case, mere mechanical knowledge is not necessarily enough. New and different study strategies may be needed and may help develop criticality, reflection and persistence. There should be enough time for learning. University studies include that the student can reasonably discuss and justify things. The use of learning materials in other languages is also part of academic studies.

The duration of a course may vary from a few days to several months. Courses can last for one semester or they may start and finish at any time of the semester. Some courses are intensive with up to many hours of lectures and/or laboratory exercises per day. The other courses are less intensive with only a couple of hours a week.

An important competence for university students is also to learn the skills of learning. This means awareness of one’s own learning, the ability to vary and adapt learning strategies as well as the ability to assess what kind of learning works best in each situation.

To support students’ academic study skills, some courses are offered:

  1. University Study Skills (8031003, 1 cp) course develops students’ academic study skills. The course gives an overview of academic studying at the University of Eastern Finland
  2. University Computing Skills (8031006, 2 cp) course helps students to effectively work for example with the text processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs in the university environment
  3. Information skills and sources courses are offered to learn the most important subject-specific scholarly information sources and basic skills in systematic information retrieval.