Student arkistot - Page 2 of 16

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.

Please note that you cannot have a valid employment contract at UEF during an exchange period nor can you graduate before or during an exchange period.

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.

Sustainable exchange

The sustainability of exchange studies can be viewed from several different perspectives. Ecological sustainability refers to the environmental effects of going on an exchange, such as emissions caused by travel and consumption related to the exchange. The social dimension, on the other hand, describes the effects of the exchange on local people, communities and, more broadly, on culture. Sustainability should also be considered in everyday life. Social responsibility is, for example behaving well while respecting local culture and customs. Financial responsibility encourages spending so that the locals benefit as much as possible and the money does not flow elsewhere.

The University of Eastern Finland is committed to promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all its activities. Ecological, social, economic and cultural sustainability as well as equality and equality guide the university’s activities. The university strives to promote sustainable development by means of science, but also on a practical level in everyday life. UEF aims to be carbon neutral by the end of 2025, and therefore responsibility must also be considered from the perspective of internationalization.

On this page, you will find tips on how to take the different dimensions of sustainability into account during exchange studies as well.

How to consider sustainability in exchange studies

Before the exchange

It is possible to travel to some exchange destinations in other ways than by flying – you can easily get to Europe by ferry and train connection, and you will see interesting places at the same time. However, there are not always alternatives to flying, but you can influence the environmental effects of air travel, for example by preferring direct flights and, if you wish, by compensating for emissions. However, reducing and avoiding emissions is often more effective than compensating for them. If you’re considering an alternative to flying, nowadays you can find a lot of information about routes and schedules, for example, on the Facebook group “Maata pitkin matkustavat” (new tab) and different websites. When you travel other than by flying, you already see other countries and travel destinations on the way.

From Kuopio and Joensuu, the journey will probably continue beyond Finland’s borders from either Helsinki or Turku. Even within Finland, you should prefer traveling by land instead of flying, which can often also be cheaper.

Students who receive an Erasmus+ grant can receive additional support for traveling with green travel means. Read more about this below in the section Erasmus+ support for green travel.

During the exchange

During the exchange, you should not forget the good responsible habits that you have already formed in your everyday life at home. Not all of them can necessarily be implemented in the same way in the host country but try to do the best you can.

Many everyday things that are self-evident in Finland may be different in the host country; find out, for example, whether tap water is drinkable, and if not, how to recycle empty water bottles. Recycling and waste management are important issues in terms of preserving nature, so find out the possibilities for recycling other materials as well and do your best to follow them. In some countries, for example, plastic bags may also be free, and purchases may be automatically packed in plastic bags. Hence, it is a good idea to keep a reusable bag with you, which you can use, for example, at the grocery store.

In the exchange destination, you should prefer public transport, such as local buses and trains. If you are traveling from the host destination to nearby countries or cities, also prefer train and bus connections or carpooling instead of flying. The exchange period often also includes traveling in your free time, and it is usually easy to get to know many countries and cities. Would it be possible to avoid flying and travel by land on these trips as well? In this way, the trip itself is an adventure and at the same time you get to know places you might not otherwise end up.

Respect local culture, people and nature by learning about local customs and rules. If possible, you should direct your own spending to support local companies instead of international chains. Also try to avoid unnecessary spending during the exchange and favor local companies in this case as well. If you need something new, buy the products used or find out what local (responsible) companies have to offer. For example, you may find local student groups on Facebook where you can buy and recycle, for example, kitchen utensils and other consumables when other exchange students leave the destination. Remember this also at the end of your exchange and sell or give away the things you no longer need.

It is also possible to make responsible and sustainable choices while studying. Consider, for example, the use of course materials: are the materials available and can the course assignments be returned electronically? Also favor library services and the possible reuse of materials – take advantage of the cooperation with your fellow students!

Exchange student culture can be very different from the everyday life of locals, so try to experience life outside of the ”exchange student bubble”. Many host universities offer Buddy and Local Family services, through which you can interact with local students and families and get to know your destination through their eyes.

After the exchange

Family, friends and other people are often very interested in hearing your exchange experiences. Tell them about your experiences and make the culture of the exchange destination known to others as well. During the exchange, you can learn a lot of new perspectives and ways of being responsible. If possible, stick to the habits that you find useful even after returning home. Share the good experiences of the exchange with others and encourage them to make responsible choices even outside their own home!

Supporting sustainable exchange in the Erasmus+ program

Erasmus+ support for green travel

Students receiving Erasmus+ grant who travel more than half of the round trip to the exchange destination with green travel means (bicycle, train, bus, carpool) can apply for additional support for green travel. The green travel grant is applied for together with the usual Erasmus+ grant, and you can get instructions for applying from UEF International Mobility Services.

Erasmus+ Interrail pass

Erasmus+ exchange students are entitled to the Interrail Global Pass, which allows you to travel green in Europe by train for 4 or 6 days within six months during the Erasmus exchange period.

The Erasmus interrail pass enables an even easier way to travel to and from the exchange destination responsibly, using the green form of travel. Like other Interrail passes, you can take advantage of the youth discount for students under 28 years.

Read more detailed instructions and get a pass from the Interrail Pass for Erasmus+ website (new tab).

Announce your graduation on social media

Empty,phone,screen,in,woman,hands,with,space,for,text.

We have created a selection of images celebrating your graduation so you can showcase your achievement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Download the image or images that suit you best and share your good news on social media! Remember to use the hashtag #madeinuef.

Graduation-related images for Facebook and Instagram posts

Using the right mouse button, open the image in a new tab, save a copy for yourself, and share it on social media!

Graduation-related images for LinkedIn posts

Using the right mouse button, open the image in a new tab, save a copy for yourself, and share it on social media!

Studies during exchange

During the exchange period, the student completes courses offered by the host university. After the exchange, the studies are included into the student’s degree at the University of Eastern Finland on the basis of the host university’s transcript of records.

Exchange student’s course offerings

Many foreign universities have their own course offerings for exchange students. In practice, this means that it is not always possible for exchange students to choose courses freely from all the courses offered by the university. In addition, host universities may exclude certain fields from exchange studies. As a rule, the restrictions and course offerings are university-specific, and often the information can be found on the host university’s own website.

Please carefully read the website of the host university you are interested in – you should try to find information that specifically concerns international and exchange students, not degree students. As an exchange student, you are not a degree student at the host university, which means that the same courses are not always available for exchange students.

On the selection of courses

The courses to be completed during the exchange are selected from the host university’s course offering for exchange students. The selection of courses can be affected by, for example, the following:

Exchange programme of the host university: does the university have its own, limited selection of courses for exchange students, or field-specific study offerings?
Field of agreement in field-specific exchange destinations: In Erasmus+ destinations, studies can mainly be selected in the field for which the destination is contracted. When going to the destination of the major subject, the exchange should include studies in the major subject, and when going through the minor, studies in the minor subject. Therefore, as a rule, it is not possible to go to the exchange destination of a minor subject and study your own major or vice versa.
Language of instruction: in which language does the host university offer teaching? Is the selection in English more limited, i.e. do exchange students have to be more flexible in their course choices? It is the student’s responsibility to find out the language of instruction – so please try to take this into account when researching the websites of exchange universities.

Discuss possible course selections and inclusion of studies with the departmental contact person of your department/department.

Thesis during an exchange

Working on a thesis for your degree during an exchange period requires that the student’s thesis advisor and study programme coordinator have approved of the thesis being done during the exchange. The thesis must follow UEF’s guidelines and requirements and must be submitted to UEF as per departmental instructions. If the purpose of the exchange is primarily to complete a thesis, the student must also have an advisor at the host university, who can supervise and document the student’s progress at the end of the exchange. The host university advisor should be confirmed only after the student has been accepted as UEF’s candidate for exchange and after the advisor and programme coordinator at UEF have approved of the plan. The student should discuss the matter with ther study programme coordinator and thesis advisor at UEF well in advance.

Thesis work can also be done during free time while abroad for exchange studies, as long as the student completes 20-30 ECTS’ worth of courses from the host university’s catalogue during the exchange. Exchange periods should be either primarily course-based or thesis-based (subject to departmental approval at UEF).

Students may also benefit from a traineeship abroad while doing their thesis, especially if the thesis is done in collaboration with an organisation or the traineeship placement is with a research group at a foreign higher education institution.

Credits abroad

Approximately 20–30 ECTS credits of courses at the host university should be completed during the exchange per semester. The ECTS system is commonly used in Europe, i.e. a credit in Italy, for example, is directly proportional to a Finnish credit. Outside Europe, on the other hand, the definition of a credit may vary, i.e. depending on the destination country, one credit there may correspond to several UEF credits.

The host universities often have their own recommendation for exchange students on the number of credits or courses (min/max), which corresponds roughly to that 20–30 ECTS credits in terms of workload. We recommend that students primarily follow the host university’s possible instructions regarding the number of courses and credits.

Studies completed remotely at the University of Eastern Finland during the exchange period (online and distance courses) are not included in the number of credits for the exchange period – during the exchange, the student should primarily take courses offered by the host university.

Study plan during the exchange, AKA Learning Agreement

All exchange students must draw up an exchange study plan before going on exchange or at the latest at the beginning of the exchange. A Learning Agreement is a plan for exchange studies and their inclusion to your degree. In Erasmus+ funded exchanges, the student prepares an electronic study plan, and in other programmes (e.g. bilateral exchange, ISEP exchange), the student fills in UEF’s own LA form.

N.B! The Learning Agreement is mainly compiled after you have been selected as an exchange student at the University of Eastern Finland in the first phase of the application process.

Learning Agreement forms can be specific to each exchange programme. Follow the instructions sent to you.

As a rule, the student is responsible for ensuring that the information recorded in the study plan is correct. In the digital learning agreements of the Erasmus+ programme, the student also enters a plan for credits for studies. Regardless of the exchange program, when doing LA, it is important to contact your department’s international affairs contact person and go through the form with them before signing.

In general, exchange studies can be credited to the degree in two ways, either as inclusion or as a substitution. If you intend to apply for direct substitution of courses for your exchange studies, discuss the matter with the teacher of the course to be substituted in advance. Substitution is always decided by the responsible teacher of the course.

LA is signed by three parties: the student themselves, the departmental contact of the student’s department, and the responsible person at the host university. International Mobility Services do not sign study plans.

All exchange students will receive instructions by email on how to fill in and return the Learning Agreement. Please read the instructions carefully!

In a nutshell:

Choose courses from your host university’s website (or other provided source) and fill out the Learning Agreement form your exchange coordinator has sent you.
Have your departmental coordinator of international matters at UEF approve (i.e., sign) your LA.
Don’t forget to sign your LA yourself!
By the time your exchange begins, please have the contact person at your host university approve (i.e., sign) your LA.
Scan/take a high-quality picture of the document and upload it to your original application on SoleMOVE. NB! Erasmus+ funded exchange (Erasmus+, YUFE, Nordplus, Nordlys) students will compile their LAs in SoleMOVE, and they do not need to upload it separately.

The forms you will need will be sent to you via email. You may also find the forms on Kamu: forms and reporting of outgoing student exchange.

Erasmus+: Digital Learning Agreement (DLA)

Students need to complete Digital Learning Agreement (DLA) for their Erasmus+ study exchange. DLA is also used for Nordlys and Nordplus study exchanges funded with Erasmus+. Exchange coordinator will send you instructions on how to fill in the Digital Learning Agreement. Digital Learning Agreement can also be called as an Online Learning Agreement (OLA).

Funding your studies abroad

General information about the costs of studying abroad

The tuition fees of the host university are waived for the outgoing exchange students who go on exchange via the exchange programmes or bilateral agreements of University of Eastern Finland. However, the outgoing exchange students should be prepared for other costs (study materials, membership fees, other administrative fees set by the host university etc.)

In most student exchange programmes and the majority of bilateral host universities, the students are required to cover their own accommodation and living costs during the exchange. Students are also required to cover their own travel expenses (and travel arrangements) as well as insurance costs.

In the ISEP Exchange programme, the student will pay an ISEP fee to University of Eastern Finland and the fee covers the accommodation and meal plan of an incoming ISEP student at UEF. Correspondingly, this incoming ISEP student pays the ISEP fee to their home university and this is used to cover the accommodation and living costs of the UEF student going on ISEP exchange. The ISEP fee is not a tuition fee or administrative fee, but instead, it is used to cover some of the costs of the student exchange in advance. This may be more affordable than paying the costs of living at the host country.

Students must secure funding for their student exchange beforehand, because obtaining funding in the host country can be difficult, even impossible. Some countries want to confirm in advance the student’s ability to support themselves and require documentation on the sufficient funds with the student visa application. The student may use UEF Certificate, Kela’s financial aid certificate in English, and the bank statement of the student or a family member to demonstrate the sufficiency of the funds.

KELA financial aid for students

Financial aid from Kela can be granted for student exchange if the exchange studies are equivalent to Finnish studies eligible for financial aid or are included in a Finnish degree.

Outgoing exchange students may receive the normal study grant from Kela for the exchange period. The housing supplement is normally a fixed amount, but can be smaller for some countries with lower level of rent. An increased student loan can be obtained for exchange studies.

The progress of studies (a minimum of 5 credits/month of financial aid on average) is a general requirement for granting financial aid. After the student exchange, the student should make sure that the studies completed abroad are recorded for the time of the exchange period, i.e. the studies should be recorded for the academic year in which they were actually completed. The student exchange must fit within the maximum period of financial aid which cannot be extended due to exchange studies.

Financial aid for studies abroad is applied for with a Notification of changes form (OTm) stating the types of aid applied for. The notification can be filed through Kela’s online customer service. Additional information is available on Kela’s website (the link opens up to a new window).

Mobility grant

All the students who go on exchange via the exchange programmes or bilateral agreements of University of Eastern Finland receive a mobility grant. The purpose of the mobility grant is to help subsidise the extra expenses caused by the student exchange (e.g. travel costs). The mobility grant is not intended to cover the normal costs of living in the host country. UEF does not have fully funded exchange programmes.

Before the grant can be paid, the student needs to submit to UEF International Mobility Services 1) a mobility grant form and 2) a copy of the acceptance letter/email sent by the host university. The grant can only be paid after the student has been accepted by the host university and no earlier than one month before the beginning of the exchange period. You should allow approximately 4 weeks for the processing of the mobility grant form. Payments can be delayed in the holiday seasons.

The precise sums of the mobility grants vary by year, destination, and exchange programme. For the academic year 2024-2025, the grants are:

Erasmus+: 490-540 € / month
Nordplus/Nordlys: 540 €/ month
YUFE (Erasmus+ funding): 490-540 € / month
Bilateral: 1200-1800 € / one semester, 1700-2300 € / full academic year
ISEP: 1200-1800 € / one semester
north2north: 1500 € / one semester (Nordics), 2000 € / one semester (North America)

Please see the exchange programme sites on Kamu for more details on grants.

Grant payments

UEF payment dates for mobility grants are twice a month, the 15th and last day of the month. If the payment date is on a weekend or midweek holiday, payment is scheduled for the previous work day. In long-term exchanges, grants are primarily paid approx. 1 month before the exchange at the earliest, provided that the student has completed and submitted all the required documents well in advance. In short-term exchanges, grants are primarily paid on the last payment date before the mobility starts, or one month before the mobility starts at the earliest, provided that the student has completed and submitted all the required documents well in advance. Grants are not paid retroactively after the mobility has ended – if grant documents have not been submitted in advance before the exchange, or immediately at the start of the exchange (in long-term exchanges in case of delays), grants will not be paid.

In addition to the UEF mobility grant, you should find out whether funding could be arranged from elsewhere. You may look for possibilities offered by various associations, foundations, funds, cities, municipalities, friendship societies etc. More information is available at the following sites, the links of which open up to a new windows: National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) (new tab) and the Research.fi database of the Council of Finnish Foundations (new tab). The websites of the Finnish National Agency for Education (new tab) and Fulbright Center (new tab) also contain information on mobility grants.

Additional support for students with fewer opportunities

If the outgoing exchange students or trainees have fewer opportunities on participating in mobility, they may be eligible for additional support for the exchange in addition to the mobility grant. Additional support can be granted to students who belong to the groups mentioned below. The grant sums vary with the exchange programme. Eligibility for the additional support can be proven with the declaration on honour signed by the student and the sending organisation. For more information on the additional support, please contact UEF International Mobility Services.

Social obstacles:

Students with families (student has an underaged child or children). The additional support can be granted to the student regardless of whether the children accompany the student on the exchange or not.
Students who are family carers (student has an agreement of informal care with the municipality)

Disabilities:

Students with EU’s disability card or who have a right for the card
Disabled students (at least moderate functional deficiency)

Health obstacles:

Students having severe and/or chronic health problems (at least moderate functional deficiency)

Migrant background:

Students who have received international protection (refugees, asylum seekers, students who have been granted international, subsidiary or temporary protection, or the student has a refugee’s passport)

Inclusion support

If the outgoing exchange student has a disability, illness, learning difficulty, or other special need, they may be able to get inclusion support for the exchange period. Inclusion support can be issued to the student if the disability/illness/learning difficulty/other special need causes extra expenses during the exchange – e.g. accessible housing or mobility, or special arrangements for studying, such as study materials. Inclusion support can be applied even if the student also applies the additional support for students with fewer opportunities. For more information on the inclusion support, please contact UEF International Mobility Services.

Travel support and green travel support (Erasmus+)

In Erasmus+ funded mobilities, the student is entitled to travel support and two grant-funded travel days. In the Erasmus+ program, you can also apply for green travel support if most of the travelled journeys to and from the host organisation or at least one way of the round trip is traveled with low-emission (bus, train, carpool). It should be noted that a ship/ferry is not considered as a form of green travel. When traveling green, the student is entitled to increased travel support and up to six grant-funded travel days. The amounts for travel support and increased travel support are presented in the table below. The travel distance is calculated as the crow flies between UEF’s home campus and the host university.

Travel distance	Green travel	Standard travel
100 - 499 km	285 €	211 €
500 - 1999 km	417 €	309 €
2000 - 2999 km	535 €	395 €
3000 - 3999 km	785 €	580 €

Checklist for outgoing exchange students

Checklist: before your exchange

Start planning your exchange:

Why do you want to go? What are your goals for the exchange?
Where do you want to go?
What do you want to study during your exchange? Your major, minor, the local language, something else?
What language do you want to use when studying? English? Another language you know?
How long of an exchange would suit you best, a semester or academic year? Discuss with your study programme coordinator, amanuensis etc.
How are you financing your exchange?
Do you want to go by yourself or with your friend/spouse/family?
Do you require accessibility aid?

During the application process:

Plan your exchange well in advance. Search for information about the host country, region, and host university.
Find out if the host university you’re interested in has studies that would suit you in English or another language you know.
- NB! If you wish to study a specific subject during your exchange, for example your major, make sure you check the host university’s course offerings for exchange students. All subjects that are taught at the host university may not be available to exchange students.
Phase 1: fill in the application form on SoleMOVE well in advance before the application period closes.
Phase 2: when you receive application instructions to your host university from Int’l Mobility Services, complete your application with all necessary documents and submit your application according to instructions.
Plan your studies at the host university and make your Learning Agreement (instructions found here)
Plan your exchange funding in advance.
Discuss your exchange with your departmental coordinator of international matters and discuss the inclusion of exchange studies with them.
If you need a letter of reference etc. in your Phase 2 application, make sure you obtain it well in time to include it to your application.
If you need a TOEFL or IELTS certificate to your application, book your test appointment as early as possible!
The final acceptance from the host university usually arrives late in the summer/at the beginning of the year. You can start planning the arrangements even before the acceptance letter arrives; however, booking your plane tickets, giving away your apartment, or arranging anything permanent before you receive the final acceptance is done at your own risk.

Before your departure:

Remember to register as a present student at the UEF for the full period of exchange before your departure and pay the Student Union fee – mandatory!
Participate in the pre-departure orientation.
Make sure that your passport is valid for long enough (at least for the time you are spending abroad and the period mentioned in your residence permit; for example, your time abroad + extra 6 months afterwards).
Find out about the residence permit/student visa regulations of your host country from the embassy/consulate. If a residence permit is required, prepare the application before receiving the final acceptance from your host university.
Check the vaccination requirements in good time! Contact the Finnish Students’ Health Service (Travel Health Advice, the link opens up to a new window) or consult your doctor on health matters and renewing your medical prescriptions. Take enough medicine with you. Get a comprehensive insurance – it should cover e.g. ambulance flights. Ask advice from your insurance company. Also find out if Finland/your home country has a social security agreement with the host country and what this agreement covers.
If you receive a study grant from Kela, you may be able to get it for your studies abroad as well. More information KELA (the link opens up to a new window).
The total costs of living may be higher during your exchange. Make a budget and be prepared for unexpected expenses especially at the beginning of the exchange. In case you need extra funding, find out about the different possibilities before the departure.
If you need someone to take care of your matters in your home country or in Finland, remember to give a power of attorney to a reliable member of your family or a friend.
Ask your bank for the best solution to take care of your finances and banking while abroad. A credit card may be more useful than a debit card in some areas.
Keep the information of your permanent address (in Finland/your home country) updated in Peppi.
Compare the different ways and prices to travel. You might benefit from the international student card ISIC that you can order the card eg from Kilroy Travel Agency.
Persons travelling or moving abroad and especially to risk-prone areas can submit a travel notification (the link opens up to a new window) to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the mission of Finland in the host country.
Compile an ICE card for yourself. Keep it e.g. in your wallet.
Find out about the housing possibilities of the host university or in your host region. Be prepared to stay some nights in a hotel/hostel and to search for a flat on the spot.
Take a certificate of registration and a transcript of academic records in English with you. You can get these documents from UEF Student Services.
Bring along several passport photos, a copy of your passport, proof of your insurance, and guides, brochures, and other information about the University of Eastern Finland and Finland.
Keep scanned copies of important documents on a cloud service or on your email.
Make a list of important contact information (eg. the nearest embassy of Finland or your home country) and keep it with you.
Contact your host university and inform them about your arrival time (if requested). If possible, arrive on a working day and on reasonable time of day.
Participate in the orientation and/or other welcoming events organised by your host university.
Prepare to adjust to the new surroundings – travel with an open mind!

Checklist: after your exchange

Get your exchange studies included into your UEF degree – contact your departmental coordinator of international matters, as the process may vary between departments.
Upload all required exchange documentation and complete the report in your SoleMOVE application’s After Exchange and Feedback tabs.
Participate in the post-exchange orientation.
Don’t forget the friends you made along the way!
You can continue internationalization at your home university: for example, you can become a tutor for new international students or participate in the Student Union’s international activities (clubs etc.)
Use your experience: the good practices and ideas from your exchange period can be adapted to your life after exchange!

Including exchange studies into your degree

University of Eastern Finland assigns credits in accordance with the common European ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System). One UEF credit is equivalent to one ECTS credit. A year’s full-time studies correspond to 60 credits, i.e. roughly 1,600 hours of work. This estimated workload includes lectures, exercises, seminars, exams, and independent study. There are two methods of evaluating courses: 1) pass/fail or 2) a numeric rating on a scale of 0−5 (5 being the best grade). These grades have their equivalents in the ECTS grading scale.

The ECTS system and Diploma Supplement (English-language appendix to the degree certificate) are used by all the UEF faculties.

Studies and traineeships completed abroad in accordance with their study plan will be recognised by University of Eastern Finland and transferred to the student’s degree. All students are required to make a Learning Agreement on the exchange studies before the beginning of the exchange.

Credit inclusion is not an automatic process. Students must apply for credit inclusion separately.

After completing their exchange, the students need to contact their department/school and make a request to get their studies completed abroad credited to their degree. More information on credit inclusion is available in Kamu.

NB! International Mobility Services does not handle matters regarding credit inclusions. Students should always contact their study programme/department at UEF after the exchange.

A transcript of records and an (approved) Learning Agreement are required in the process. The transferring of the studies varies according to the subject and phase of the studies. The credits can be transferred in two ways: a study unit can substitute a similar UEF course or it may be included as a new study unit. Studies can be included as a minor subject as well.

Studies completed during exchanges must be included into degree studies at UEF.

Grades and credits from exchange studies

For studies completed during student exchange, grades will be registered mostly as Pass/Fail, because different countries and universities have numerous differences in their grading scales.

European universities commonly use ECTS for credits. For example, one credit in Spain is also one credit at UEF. Outside of Europe institutions use different credit measures, so converting the credits to ECTS should be done before the credits are registered into Peppi at UEF. It is recommended to convert the credits when filling out the Learning Agreement form. Departmental coordinators are able to assist with credit conversions.

Exchange experiences

Feedback from previous exchange students

Feedback from previous exchange students is available in the SoleMOVE application system (new tab).

Select University of Eastern Finland from the drop-down options. You do not need to login in order to search for feedback. Once you have selected UEF, select the option Exchange destinations Abroad and Feedback that appear on the top of the page after you have selected UEF.

To find feedback, you can search by country etc. Click the name of the university you are interested in to see the university’s profile. If there is feedback available, it says so just below the university’s name in the profile. Not all host universities have feedback available from students, and most of the feedback may be in Finnish.

If you are looking for feedback for universities in a specific exchange programme, such as the YUFE Alliance, you can filter the results by clicking open Advanced Search options and selecting the exchange programme you are interested in as your filter.

Please note that this does not guarantee that feedback is available – student feedback is only published if the student has given permission for it.

Assessment and registration of study attainments and publication of exam results

According to the Education Regulations (2§) a study attainment refers to a course completed by the student.

Assessment

The teacher in charge shall be responsible for the assessment of the study attainment. If there are several implementations of the course, the teacher who was responsible for the implementation shall be responsible for the assessment. (Education Regulations 33 §)

The assessment of a study attainment shall be based on the course description confirmed in the curriculum. Learning outcomes must be set for each course. The assessment of learning shall focus on the learning outcomes specified in the curriculum, and the grade shall be given on the basis of the assessment scale laid down in the curriculum. (Education Regulations 33 §)

If a student has retaken a study attainment and received different grades for the same study attainment, the highest grade shall be the one recorded. (Education Regulations 33 §)

Scales and grades used in the assessment of study attainments

The numerical scale 0–5 shall be used in the assessment of study attainments, including Bachelor’s and Master’s theses and theses written for a minor subject. Grades have the following meaning: 5 = excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = satisfactory, 1 = sufficient and 0 = fail. Study attainments may be graded on a scale of Pass – Fail. The minimum requirements for passing shall be laid down in the curriculum. (Education Regulations 32 §)

Approved licentiate theses and doctoral dissertations shall be evaluated as pass with distinction, pass, or fail. (Education Regulations 32 §)

The scale for evaluating the proficiency in the second national language shall be fail, satisfactory or good, as laid down in the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) and the Government Decree on the Demonstration of Proficiency in the Finnish and Swedish Languages in Civil Service (481/2003). (Education Regulations 32 §)

Publication and registration of study attainment results

The date of an exam or the date on which a study attainment was submitted for examination shall be the completion date of the study attainment. The completion date of theses (excluding the Bachelor’s thesis) shall be the date of the decision on grading the thesis. If a study attainment has several parts, the date of the final part shall be the completion date of the study attainment. (Education Regulations 40 §)

Course assessment results shall be published no later than three (3) weeks after the completion of the course by entering the grades in the university’s student and study register. For a special reason, the teacher in charge of the course may extend the deadline for one (1) week. Students who have enrolled in teaching must be immediately informed of the extension and its grounds. The dean or the head responsible for education of the department or the school that is in charge of teaching may extend the deadline for publishing the results on the basis of particularly weighty reasons. Students who have enrolled in teaching must be immediately informed of the extension and its grounds. (Education Regulations 34 §)

The deadline for publishing the results of electronic examinations shall be calculated from the 15th day of the month in which the examination was taken if the examination was taken before the 15th day. The deadline for publishing the results of examinations that took place on or after the 15th day of the month shall be calculated from the first day of the following month. (Education Regulations 34 §)

Information on both passed and failed study attainments shall be entered in the student and study register. The distribution of grades and the number of failed attempts can be seen on the electronic platform. A student shall receive a notification of the study attainment once it is recorded in the student and study register to the e-mail address provided by the university. (Education Regulations 34 §)

The deadlines do not include periods during which teaching is not provided in accordance with the decision of the Vice Rector for Education, nor the period between 15 June and 15 August. (Education Regulations 34 §)

Application periods for outgoing exchange

This page is about the outgoing exchange application periods at the University of Eastern Finland.

These application periods are a part of the first stage of the exchange application process: the student’s application to the UEF.

The second stage of the application process, the student’s application to the host university, is a completely separate process and specific to each host university. More information can be found on the host university’s website. Students who are selected for exchange by the UEF will receive separate instructions on how to compile their application to the host university from either International Mobility Services or from the host university directly.

Application periods

1–15 November
Bilateral exchange, ISEP exchange, north2north (North America and other waiver placements)

1–15 February
Erasmus+, Nordplus/Nordlys, YUFE, bilateral exchange

1–15 May
Supplementary call for applications, YUFE, Erasmus+, Nordlys, bilateral exchange, always check calls for applications.

1-15 September
Supplementary call for applications, YUFE, limited number of other programmes/institutions, always check calls for applications.

The application periods are generally on the same dates each academic year.

NB! OpenYUFE exchanges require that the student has a valid OpenYUFE right at the time of application in order to be eligible.

Application deadlines

The deadline for each application period is always written into the calls for applications, so it is very important to read through the calls for applications before starting the application. The time specified is always Finnish time.

It is not recommended that students leave their application until the last days or last minutes of the application period – International Mobility Services is not responsible for any issues regarding internet connection, time difference or any other issues students may encounter if compiling their application during the last few minutes of the application period that may result in the student not submitting their application in time.

It is solely the student’s responsibility to make sure their application is fully complete and submitted by the deadline. It is not possible to submit any applications, incomplete or complete, after the deadline has passed.

Application periods during the year

Application periods vary between exchange programmes. Please note that all host universities are not available during all application periods. Always check the calls for applications to see which host universities are available for applying before you start your application. Calls for applications are published before each application period.

The University of Eastern Finland has two primary application periods and two supplementary application periods. The primary application periods are in November and February, while the supplementary application periods are in May and during the autumn semester. Students are recommended to apply during the primary application periods for their selected exchange programme for more available host universities.

November application period, 1–15 November

Exchange programmes: bilateral exchange, ISEP Exchange, north2north (North America and other waiver placements).

Regarding bilateral and north2north exchanges, please remember to check the calls for application to see which specific universities are available for applications. All partner universities are not available each year.

Students may apply for exchanges during the next academic year: autumn semester, spring semester, or full academic year.

February application period, 1–15 February

Exchange programmes: Erasmus+, Nordplus/Nordlys, YUFE, north2north Nordics, bilateral exchange

Students may apply for exchanges during the next academic year as follows:

Exchanges in Europe are possible for the next autumn, spring or full academic year
Exchanges outside of Europe are only possible for the next spring semester. Some institutions may be available for autumn semester.

May application period (supplementary application period), 1–15 May

Exchange programmes: all programmes with available exchange placements. Check calls for applications!

Students may apply for exchanges during the spring semester of the next academic year. It is not possible to apply for full year or autumn semester exchanges in the May application period.

September application period (supplementary application period), 1-15 Sept

Exchange programmes: YUFE, limited number of other programmes/institutions

Students may apply for exchange during the next spring semester, exchanges will take place during the same academic year as the application.

Other relevant application periods

UEF students are also able to apply for grants for intern/traineeships in Europe and short-term exchanges during the year. More information about different options can be found on Kamu:

Erasmus+ grant for short-term mobility (BIP courses)

Erasmus+ grant for traineeships

Nordic Centre summer courses

Nordlys grants for short-term exchanges in the Nordics

Short-term exchange outside of Europe

Application for these grants are open throughout the year. Applications are submitted in the SoleMOVE system.

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