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Inappropriate treatment and harassment

From 1.8.2023 (Decision of the Rector 41/2023 §)

The students of the University of Eastern Finland have the right to study in a safe and comfortable environment. All the university’s units must ensure that students do not experience harassment or inappropriate treatment when they participate in education or receive guidance.

The Decision of the Rector: Operating Model to Prevent Inappropriate Treatment and Harassment at UEF (pdf), 41/2023 § / dnro 1939/00.00.02/2023, 7.6.2023.

Instructions

Current legislation

(links open in a new tab, translation from Finnish)

Links

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 (kari.reinikainen@uef.fi)
  • Kuopio Campus: Tarja Saastamoinen (tarja.saastamoinen@uef.fi)

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 (paula.jussila@uef.fi)

Student guidelines on the practices of supported practical training

It is important for your future employment that you perform the voluntary on-the-job training included in your studies. It would also be desirable that you direct your gaze outside your home country and use your opportunity to complete international practical training during your studies. Complete the practical training and insert it into your personal study plan as early as possible!

Contact the person in charge of practical training or your study coordinator

At the department and school level, the persons in charge of practical training coordinate the training. They approve the training locations and check that the contents of the training fulfill the criteria set for the practical training that forms part of the degree. They also act as contact persons for the workplaces and help the student in making the traineeship contract.

At the faculty level, the Heads of Training coordinate training-related matters.

In all questions related to practical training, you can turn to the contact person of practical training for your academic subject.  If you have questions concerning practical training abroad, you can turn to International Student Services.

  • Determine in which stage you can fit the planned training period and whether the training is suitable for your academic subject.
  • If you have already found a training place, do still contact the above-mentioned counsellors and, with them, start planning your leaving for the traineeship.
  • Take into consideration your subject’s training-related regulations, such as the required number of ECTS credits or academic success and the type and level of the tasks required during the training.
  • Also note that you can receive financial support for traineeship only once during your degree!
  • Make sure that a traineeship contract is made between the university and the employer; the university and your employer have committed to arranging the training. The contract defines your duties, the duration of the training, the financial support paid by the university and the wages paid by the employer.
  • Once the traineeship contract has been made, also ensure that you make an employment contract with your employer. The employment contract is a fixed-term contract, and the duration of the training forms the grounds for its fixed-term nature.
  • Find out who at the workplace is your training supervisor and, correspondingly, who is your supervisor at the university.
  • Put effort into writing the training report – study your department’s instructions and take at least some notes every day. This will make your life surprisingly easier at the end stages of the training period!
  • Instructions for preparing a training portfolio (pdf, in Finnish)
  • A healthy dose of humility at the workplace is in order – if you jealously guard your efforts or limit the amount of your duties based on the scope of the training, a possible future employer will not get a good impression of you. So, be flexible.
  • Show initiative and do not stay/hide in your own corner at the workplace – this allows you to network, or build relationships that may be surprisingly valuable as your graduation looms ahead of you and you start seriously looking for work.
  • Always ASK if you do not know. Asking is a show of wisdom, taking foolhardy action due to a lack of knowledge is not!
  • You are representing not only your own discipline, but also the University of Eastern Finland, so prepare to tell something about at least your department at the workplace.
  • Learn for your own sake! Traineeship and a job where you can work on your thesis are milestones on your career path!

Consider the following when

Choosing the traineeship location

  • What values and interests are important yo you?
  • What are key aspects of your personality?
  • What motivates you?
  • What kind of work duties would you like to have in the future – what kind of competence do you need?
  • What kind of position are you after?
  • What kind of an employer would be ideal for you?

Useful information you will get

  • You will find out clues to what kind of know-how and skills you should have or what you need to work on more.
  • Your experience of how workplace communities work – workplace communities are individual, and there are numerous different workplace cultures.
  • You will quickly discover what kind of a workplace community makes you thrive and what you want from your future workplace community to be able to be a productive employee full of ideas.
  • You will receive feedback and your self-knowledge will increase. You will learn what kind of an employee and colleague you are.

The key question: What goals should you set for your career path and how could you achieve them?

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.

Read more on: Ethical guidelines for teaching and studying

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.

Read more on information security

Providers of help

Help for different life situations are gathered in this site.

TUUDO

Download mobile application “TUUDO” to your own phone!  TUUDO offers most useful information in well-being and health services for students.

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.

Read more:

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

Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY)

ISYY is here to advocate UEF students’ rights and to provide services!

The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (opens in a new tab), ISYY, is UEF students’ advocacy and service organisation. All Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students of UEF despite their study field are automatically required to join ISYY according to the Finnish University law. Additionally, doctoral students and exchange students may join ISYY on a voluntary basis – and most do!


As a part of the UEF registration process you are paying the Student Union membership fee. If you’re not a degree student, paying the ISYY membership fee is voluntary. ISYY provides services and activities for a fun and meaningful student life and we are here for you, so that your studies in our university would go as smoothly as possible!


As an ISYY member you are a part of our active student community. We organize recreational activities, events, sports services and also possibilities to impact student life in our campuses. We also advocate for your interests, so that you can focus on studying!

Student Union activities are a great way to meet new people with the same interests, You only have one (student) life – make the most of it!

Make an impact!

As an ISYY member you have the opportunity to influence many aspects of student life and participate in decision-making through:

  • Casting your vote in Representative Council Elections
  • Presenting yourself as a candidate in Representative Council elections
  • Applying to become a member of Executive Board
  • Getting involved in Teams
  • Applying to become a student representative in UEF administration

Read more about opportunities to make a difference (opens in a new tab).

Our Membership Services (links open in new tabs):

Read more about ISYY Services.

Survival package for Exchange Students

International students who are members of the Student Union can rent a Survival Package which includes some essential homeware items to start your exchange abroad, such as kitchenware, bed sheets and towels. The maximum rental period is one academic year and the packages are primarily rented for exchange students. The idea is reusing, so most of the items are second-hand.

For more information: ISYY survival package (opens in a new tab).

ISYY Offices at UEF Campuses

In Kuopio, ISYY Office can be found from Studentia building (C-door) at campus and in Joensuu from Suvantokatu 6 in the city centre (Starting from August 2025). You’re welcome to pop in! ISYY office opening hours and exceptions can be found from ISYY website’s front page.

ISYY office opening hours and exceptions (front page, opens in a new tab)
ISYY office contact information (opens in a new tab)

Follow ISYY’s Social Media!

By following ISYY’s communication channels you’ll have information about your student community and services for students. You’ll also be notified of our upcoming events, to which every ISYY member is warmly welcome to join. In addition to our own news, we’ll also give you information about other local and national matters regarding student life.

You should follow not only our social media channels, but also our weekly newsletter, Weekly Feed, which will be sent to your email every Tuesday. As an ISYY member you’ll be automatically added to the mailing list in the beginning of semester.

Other Useful Information

Follow ISYY’s Communication Channels (links open in new tabs):

Associations and ISYY Clubs on UEF campuses

There are a wide range of Student Associations, Campus Associations and ISYY Clubs that are operating on UEF campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio. Student Associations gather together UEF students who study the same subject, Campus Associations gather students with the same interest (e.g. politics, theater or choir). ISYY Clubs operate under ISYY and they gather together students with the same interests or hobbies. Read more about associations and clubs from the ISYY website.

ISYY Clubs

ISYY has clubs for various different hobbies and activities. All ISYY members are welcome to join any club activities! In Joensuu, there is e.g. a Japanese culture club (JOOJAKU), board game club (Joensuu Board Gamers), Magic the Gathering club (MtG Guild) and a chess club (Joensuu Chess Club). In Kuopio, there is e.g. a board game club (Kärmes), UEF Muslim Students’ Club and a chess club (Itä-Suomen Akateeminen Shakki).

Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students (JEIS)

JEIS is the international club of ISYY that organises fun events, trips and activities both on and off Joensuu campus. Despite the club’s name, both Finnish and international students are welcome to join all activities! The most important task of JEIS is to introduce Finnish culture and lifestyle to international students and to give Finnish students an opportunity to gain international experiences in Joensuu by organising diverse events and activities. In addition, JEIS is active in promoting intercultural understanding on and off campus.

For more information: ISYY Clubs (opens in a new tab)

University Computing Skills 8031006, 2 cp

University Computing Skills (8031006, 2 CP) course helps you to effectively work, for example, with the text processing, spreadsheet and presentation software at the university environment.

The University Computing Skills course covers the following topics: UEF online services, as well as introduction to the basic use of text processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

The student will learn how to create, e.g., tables and indexes, and how to use styles. The things to be covered as regards the spreadsheet programme and the presentation graphics software include, e.g., basic formulas and functions, charts and presentations.

After completing the course, the student can:

  • use computers to aid in their studies
  • use the various online resources and services of the University of Eastern Finland
  • use the Moodle online learning environment
  • produce a text document using styles, a table of contents, tables, images, graphs, references and various headers and footers
  • produce simple tables and calculations and utilise functions and formulas with a spreadsheet tool
  • create presentation graphics using a presentation tool.

The course may be completed by taking a skills assessment test to demonstrate your proficiency, participating actively in exercises and completing the course assignments with a pass grade or passing the final exam or the final exam retake.

Please notice that students may substitute the course with an RPL demonstration of proficiency only. This is possible by either taking the skills assessment test held during the first course session, or by taking the final exam or final exam retake.

University Computing Skills is organized mainly during the autumn semesterns. More information, schedules and contact details see study register Peppi (use the course code 8031006 to find the course description and the course unit).