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Target Groups: Student

Financing the studies and living costs in Finland

Tuition Fees

There are no tuition fees for the EU and EEA citizens at the University of Eastern Finland. The non-European citizens studying for a whole Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree pay a tuition fee of 10,000 €/year. The fees need to be paid before you can register as a student at the University of Eastern Finland. 

In some cases the students may receive a full or a partial scholarship for the tuition fee.  Please note that these fees are for the degree seeking students only, the incoming exchange students do not pay tuition fees at UEF.

More information: Tuition fees and waivers (opens in a new tab).

Living Costs

All degree students at UEF must fund their studies and living expenses themselves. Finland can be expensive, so make sure you have personal funds to cover your entire study period before arriving. Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) sets a minimum requirement of €800 per month for a student residence permit for non-EU/EEA students. However, we recommend budgeting a bit more, around €900–€1000 per month, for the entire duration of your stay to comfortably cover essential living costs, including food, accommodation, and local travel. In addition, you might need funds for the tuition fee. Students from outside the EU/EEA are not covered by the Finnish social security system.

Students should never depend on part-time work to fund your studies or life in Finland. The student residence permit is designed for full-time studies. While the student residence permit allows up to 30 hours of work per week, securing employment is very difficult. Financially supporting a family in Finland or abroad while studying is not realistic. In addition, if you plan to move to Finland with your family, your spouse may find it difficult to secure employment. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family for the entire duration of your stay.

Further information on the income requirements by the Finnish Immigration Service: Income requirement for students | Maahanmuuttovirasto

UEF does not offer any financial support or aid for students facing financial difficulties and cannot provide assistance in emergency situations. Careful planning will help you focus on enjoying your studies and student life here.

Methods of completing studies

Education Regulations describe how studies can be completed, and units responsible for courses (in Peppi: course implementations) have the authority to define the ways of completing courses in their curricula, including evaluation of study attainments. Students can complete studies individually or in groups through a variety of written and oral methods, such as lectures and book exams, essays, seminars, practical and laboratory work, online teaching, practical training and the combinations of these. The methods of completing studies are described in the course descriptions of each curriculum. Courses are completed at one go, unless otherwise stated in the curriculum.

If a student has a learning difficulty or disability, s/he has the right to apply for individual arrangements (see Accessibility in studies – aids and facilities) that apply to the ways a course can be completed, for instance.

In addition to traditional contact teaching in class, studies can be completed online or in multiform learning environments. Distance learning/ online studies are carried out in web-based learning environments, whereas multiform learning utilizes a number approaches: independent study and group work, face-to-face activities as well as e-learning where the latest technology is used to enhance learning. One of the latest approaches is “flipping” or “flipped classroom” – an instructional strategy and a type of blended learning – which aims at increasing student engagement and the quality of learning by having students complete readings independently at home, and work on live problem-solving, applying and analyzing in class.

The most typical methods of completing studies are presented below:

Lectures
Lecture is an oral presentation and traditionally a common form of contact teaching at the university. Lectures do not require regular attendance and, in most cases, the number of participants is not limited. However, different practices are used in university teaching and lecturing, and it is a good idea to check the course description in Peppi before the lectures begin. Lectures may be based on pre-distributed material or, in addition to lectures, there may be additional literature for independent study. Lectures are usually followed by an exam. In some cases, a lecture diary may be required.

Exercises
Exercises put in practice data and knowledge obtained during lectures or self-study. Regular presence is required during exercises. Studies can include a wide variety of exercises and/or practical work, the completion of which requires attendance as well as the approved completion of the given assignments.

Seminars
Participants present their seminar work (presentation, thesis, summary, etc.), participate in discussion and act as opponents. Regular attendance is required.

Small group teaching
Small group teaching (i.e. students study in smaller groups) may be part of a course. Dividing a bigger lot into groups usually takes place in advance. There may be exercises, seminars, other types of group work or a teacher-led lecture/ tutorial in a small group.

Book or lecture exam
At the university, tests are called exams. As a rule, there are two types of exams: lecture exams and general exams. A lecture exam is usually at the end of a series of lectures and, in addition to lectures, additional literature may be part of the exam. In general exams, predetermined literature is often taken. In some faculties, one may do exams from other courses in the same general exam. Registrations for general exams should be done 10 days before the exam date
at the latest, and the dates for general exams can be found in the curriculum of your faculty. It is a good idea to check the registration practices and other important details of exams in advance, as they differ from one faculty to another. If required, the student must prove his/her identity before taking the exam.

Exams can also be taken in Moodle and in Exam.

Exam answers are usually essay-type writings. The aim is to test the student’s knowledge and understanding of the topic in question.

Electronic exam system (Exam)
The university utilizes an electronic exam system. An electronic exam can be completed on campus in supervised facilities. The idea is that the student can take an exam according to his/her own schedule. The possibility to take an electronic exam is mentioned in the course description. For more information, please see Electronic exam: instructions for students.

Essay
Essay is a reflective, literature-based article that explores one of the questions given as the subject of an essay. A scientific essay is usually based on several source materials and contains the author’s own reflection as well as critical observations. The topic to be discussed is analyzed, evaluated and compared using different sources followed by a synthesis based on the data as well as  student’s own reflection.


Learning diary
The aim of a learning diary is to form one’s own view of the course literature, lectures, seminars, etc. It involves reflecting and asking questions to what has previously been learned, discussed, read and experienced. A learning diary is not merely a paper or a summary of the topics and contents of lectures.

Summary
Summary is a structured paper of the main points of an oral or written presentation. A summary must include the main ideas of the original presentation in the student’s own words, and as structured as possible. The evaluation of a summary draws attention to the style of the text and the formal requirements of the summary, so that the main content, main points and perspectives of the original presentation are revealed. In addition, a summary shall indicate which parts of the text are compiled by the student her/himself, and which are expressed by the original text/teacher. Mechanical summarizing or copying an original presentation is not an academic summary.

Lecture diary
A lecture diary is a summary-like text on the main points of the followed lecture. It must reflect the main ideas expressed in the lecture in a structured and the student’s own way. In addition, a lecture diary must include the student’s own reflections on the topic discussed, as if talking to the lecturer, perhaps questioning the lecturer’s approach or highlighting points that are still unclear. Any material distributed in the lecture should not be copied word by word into the lecture diary. A lecture diary must clearly show which parts of the text are written by the student him/herself, and which were expressed by the original text/teacher.


Learning group
Learning group refers to a form of study in which a freely formed group of students completes a course as group work. The group meets on a regular basis and students take turns in presenting introductions from the course literature. A final written report is produced based on the introductions and discussions in group so that a study attainment may be recorded into the system. Students themselves are responsible for the compilation and meetings of the learning group. A successful learning group requires motivated students with the ability to cooperate and take responsibility.

Learning assignment
According to detailed instructions on the topic announced during the course, a learning assignment is either individual or group work.

Portfolio
The purpose of a portfolio is to present the accumulation of student’s expertise and competence. A portfolio is compiled following the instructions given during a course. UEF has made the Kyvyt.fi ePortfolio service available to its students. This service provides tools for creating and developing one’s own resumé online as well as maintaining a CV. The service also provides opportunities for networking and publishing a portfolio, e.g. for potential employers.

The Kyvyt.fi ePortfolio service can be accessed through the main page of UEF Moodle by going to “Web servers” and clicking on the link to the Kyvyt.fi service. This link will take you to a page where you can create a new username and password for the Kyvyt.fi service, and the username and password you have now created for Kyvyt.fi will be available also after your study right at UEF has expired.


Practical training
Studies may include compulsory or optional practical training. For example, teacher’s pedagogical studies include teaching practice. Other fields of study may also include compulsory practical training. In terms of employability, it may be beneficial for the student to complete an optional practical training (see the Student guidelines on the practices of supported practical training for more details). In some cases, it is also possible to pursue practical training abroad (please see International traineeships for more details).

Thesis
A thesis is required for all university degrees. Theses at UEF include Bachelor’s Thesis, Master’s Thesis, Licentiate Thesis and a Doctoral Dissertation. Take a closer look at theses.

Maturity test
A thesis is an academic paper including a maturity test. For further information, please see Thesis and maturity test.

Doctoral education and applying for a study right

Doctoral education

The University of Eastern Finland offers high-quality research opportunities after obtaining your Master’s degree, including a doctoral degree. Some fields also offer professional postgraduate degrees, such as the medical physicist’s and chemist’s degrees. The aim of scientific doctoral education is to educate professionals in research who have the capacity to work independently in solving scientific problems and producing new scientific knowledge. A doctorate can be a qualification requirement for some positions.

A doctoral degree consists of a doctoral dissertation and compulsory doctoral studies (30 credits). The dissertation is to be defended in a public examination. More information about the degree can be found on Introduction to doctoral education- page.

The aim is to complete doctoral studies in 3-4 years.

Applying for a right to doctoral studies

The four faculties at UEF are responsible for the administration of seven doctoral programmes which are thematic or discipline-specific. The faculty in question grants the right to pursue doctoral studies, appoints the supervisors and approves the research plan.

You may apply for one of the university’s doctoral programmes.

Before applying

Start preparations in good time! Finding a supervisor and preparing the research plan may take months.  

1. Plan your doctoral studies.

  • Reflect why you wish to pursue a doctoral degree. What is the contentual area on which you want to create new knowledge? How much time and effort you can allocate to your doctoral studies and what is your target schedule for the doctoral degree?
  • Make sure that you are eligible for doctoral studies (see below). In addition, you must fulfill the language requirements of the doctoral programme.  
  • Get to know your funding options. Receiving a study right means that you have a right to study for a doctoral degree, but it does not guarantee funding. Paid positions are limited. How do you plan to finance your doctoral research if you are not selected for a paid doctoral researcher position?
  • Select the right doctoral programme based on your previous education and potential research interests. Familiarise yourself carefully with its requirements.  

2. Find yourself a supervisor.

  • The right to doctoral studies cannot be obtained without consent from the supervisor. Potential supervisors can be found by browsing the webpages of the doctoral programme which introduce the professors, researchers and research groups working in the research areas of the doctoral programme. A supervisory relationship is a long-term and close collaborative relationship, so the decision should not be made lightly, nor should contact be made with inadequate preparation. See also the requirements for supervisors. It is recommended that every doctoral reseacher has two supervisors.

3. Familiarise yourself with the application instructions of your target doctoral programme (see below), and prepare the required documents.

  • The research plan is the most important part of the application. It demonstrates not only the scientific contribution but also the feasibility of the project and the realism of the schedule.  
  • In addition, you will need officially certified paper copies of your degree certificate and transcript of records, as well as language certificates. Check also if there is a country-specific requirement for your documents. 

Doctoral education in four years

Accessible version of the process diagram can be read via this link.

Applying in practice

The application is submitted via Studyinfo.fi-portal. Follow the instructions of your doctoral programme in detail and submit your application on time.

Below you can find links to the application requirements of the doctoral programmes.

Distance and online learning

Distance learning means studying that is non-place-bound and may also be non-time-bound. Usually, the studying is partly or entirely online. Hybrid learning combines different forms of studying. In hybrid learning, teaching is both local and online.

In distance learning, one’s own activity is very important. The ability to concentrate and schedule one’s own studies also plays an important role.

Tips for successful distance learning and teaching:

  • Arrive on time.
  • It is polite to open the camera while you speak.
  • Use your microphone and participate in the lesson.
  • A headset prevents background noise and echo.
  • Be present in teaching and mentoring situations.
  • If the connection is lost or unstable, log in again using the same link.
  • All conversations are confidential. Feel free to participate.
  • Discuss online etiquette.
  • Schedule breaks together.
  • Take notes. Write down insights and questions that come to mind.
  • Keep in touch with fellow students and continue the discussion.
  • Be yourself. Each person participating enables successful distance learning.

When studying online, you will need an internet connection and a computer with the necessary programs. The programs required in the studies determine whether a mobile device is sufficient.

In e-learning, the teacher may put together the learning materials and teaching in an e-learning environment (e.g., Moodle) but they may also send the materials via e-mail. In online teaching, discussions and group work can also be carried out like usual.

Tools for students

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, university-level guidelines change teaching practices, and this changed information has been put on the page Studying and teaching arrangements during the coronavirus situation.

Support Channels for Students page contains different support channels, opening hours and contact information.

Digital environment page contains the web services used at the university and instructions on how to use them. Wistec’s video guides offer a lot of tips for Office programs and more.

You can find a lot of tips for more information in the Student life and well-being category and especially on the Providers of help page.

Variable information related to students is communicated in:

Data protection guide for students

Do you process personal data in your assignments or thesis?

Personal data means all information relating to a natural person that makes it possible to directly or indirectly identify the person. Direct identifiers include a person’s name, personal identity code, photo, video footage, voice recording, email address containing the person’s name, and handwritten signature. A person may be indirectly identifiable if a sufficient number of indirect identifiers is known to allow the person to be identified without unreasonable effort. For example, if a person’s job title and employer or position (such as the chair of a specific city government) is known, identifying the person may be fairly straightforward.

The processing of personal data is governed by data protection legislation (EU General Data Protection Regulation [EU GDPR 2016/679], Finnish Data Protection Act [1050/2018] and special legislation). Personal data processing means all activities performed on personal data, including viewing, collection, recording, organisation, storage, alteration, pseudonymisation, anonymisation, erasure or destruction.

Students may occasionally process personal data in connection with their thesis or in various study assignments.

As a rule, the author of a thesis collects and processes personal data if the thesis concerns living persons. The EU GDPR does not apply to deceased persons. Despite this, it should be kept in mind that a deceased person’s personal data may contain references to living descendants who may be identified even if they are not the subject of the thesis. Data protection legislation does not apply to pre-anonymised research data from sources such as the Finnish Social Science Data Archive. Data protection legislation also applies to published personal data, such as those collected from online sources.

Students can collect personal data in a number of ways, including

  • survey forms (such as Webropol)
  • interviews
  • observations
  • by collecting personal data from online sources (social media, websites of businesses and public figures, etc.)

An interviewee’s voice recording, photo or video are personal data. Even in an anonymous survey, personal data are processed if the information that is collected can be used to identify a respondent directly or indirectly. Even collecting background variables may be enough to identify a person (such as age, sex, place of residence, job title, employer). Identifiability does not mean that a large group of people can identify a person; the person is identifiable even if only by close friends and family or the researcher.

The processing of personal data in various study assignment (not the thesis) can be considered as purely personal processing (so-called household activities), the EU GDPR does not apply to the assignment. Even in this case, personal data should be processed appropriately (see Edinburgh Univerity: If your research is strictly for domestic purposes related to your own personal academic use whilst studying at the University, then your research may be exempt from the Data Protection Laws. However, you should still work as if the legislation applies as it also aligns with ethical best practice). In contrast, the processing of personal data collected for a thesis cannot be considered as personal or household activities.

What do I need to take into consideration before processing personal data?

Before you begin processing personal data:

  1. Describe in as much detail as possible (in the research plan, for example) what personal data you plan to process, how and for what purposes.
  2. Describe in your research plan (or other comparable written document) how you plan to process and store personal data needed for your thesis/research. Keep in mind that you may not collect any redundant/unnecessary data (data minimisation). Also keep in mind that you may process the data only for its stated purpose (purpose limitation).
  3. Identify who is the controller of personal data. The controller is the party that determines the purpose and means of the processing of personal data In general in theses and scientific studies, the purposes and means of processing personal data are determined in the research plan (research questions = purposes of processing personal data, research methods =means of processing personal data). If you are the sole author of the study and use a research plan that you yourself have written, you are the controller. If the student and another party (such as another student or the University or hospital) together determine the purposes and means of processing personal data, they are considered joint controllers. In this case, the data must be stored according to the University’s data protection policies (in other words, you may not store the data on your personal computer). If the student writes a thesis as part of a research project using the project’s research data and questions and the thesis is included in the research project’s publications, the controller is usually the party that is otherwise the controller of the research project’s data. In individual, commissioned studies (typically for a private-sector organisation or business), the client may determine the purposes and means of processing personal data and act as the controller. In this case, the student must follow the client’s instructions on data protection.
    When determining who is the controller of personal data collected for a thesis, discuss the following questions with your supervisor: who decides (source for the questions: memo by THL Data Protection Officer Jarkko Reittu on the controller of personal data, 8 May 2020):

    • whether or not personal data are processed (begins the processing and benefits from it)
    • why the personal data are processed (purpose of processing)
    • what personal data are processed
    • how long the personal data are processed/stored/archived
    • who has access to the personal data and where are they transferred
    • how the personal data are processed (means of processing)
  4. Write a privacy notice in which you answer the questions above. A privacy notice should be written even if you do not collect direct personal identifiers and the risk of identifying a person indirectly is very low. Store the privacy notice in case you need to demonstrate your compliance with data protection legislation. If you want, you can include it in your thesis as an appendix (if you are the controller, remove your contact information from the published privacy notice and leave only your name).
  5. Write an announcement for your research subjects about your study. Think about how you should handle communication with research subjects.
  6. If you collect personal data from official sources, for example, you may need a permission to conduct the study. Include the privacy notice with the request for a permission.
  7. Make sure that you do not need to transfer the data to third parties or to third countries outside the EU or EEA. Transferring personal data to third countries is prohibited unless the safeguards defined in the EU GDPR are taken. If you use free cloud services on your mobile device or computer, for example, the data may be transferred outside the EU/EEA.
  8. If your thesis makes extensive use of so-called sensitive personal data (such as health data, racial origin, religious beliefs or political opinions, trade union membership or sexual orientation), you may also need to perform a data protection impact assessment in which you evaluate the risk posed by the processing to the research subjects. You can find out whether an impact assessment is necessary by first performing an advance assessment of data protection.
  9. The supervisor and student together decide on the need for an advance assessment of research ethics. The general rule at the University of Eastern Finland is that student theses are not reviewed by UEF’s Committee on Research Ethics. The topic of the thesis should be chosen so as to not require an advance assessment of research ethics.

Purpose of processing personal data, legal basis for processing and requesting consent

The purpose of processing personal data and the legal basis are not one and the same. The purpose of processing means that personal data are collected only for a specific purpose (such as managing an employment or client relationship, maintaining membership records, planning and monitoring treatment of a patient, writing a student thesis, undertaking scientific or historical research, compiling statistics, archiving in the public interest). The purpose of processing must be determined separately for each scientific study or student thesis because each research plan defines a specific set of research questions (= purpose of processing personal data) and research methods (= means of processing personal data)

There must be always be a legal basis for processing personal data that is established before processing begins. The legal basis cannot be changed once the processing has been associated with a specific legal basis. The legal basis governs what rights research subjects have relative to the controller. In scientific research, the legal basis for processing is usually public interest (processing is necessary for a task carried out in the public interest, more specifically for scientific research purposes).

The legal basis must be defined in the privacy notice and communicated to research subjects. If the research plan for the thesis (Bachelor’s thesis) does not meet the scientific criteria of the field of study, the legal basis for processing cannot be scientific research in the public interest. In such cases, the legal basis must be the research subject’s consent, for example.

All research subjects from whom personal data are collected directly must be asked to consent to participate in the study (so-called informed consent for research, not the same as consent to personal data processing). Informed consent can be obtained from participants in writing, verbally before an interview or in a separate field in the survey form after the research subject has received a separate notice describing the research.

  • Example: In Webropol surveys, the author of the thesis can include a separate introductory paragraph [=notice to the research subject] that provides general information about the study and a detailed description of how personal data are processed (information to be disclosed to the data subject under the EU GDPR). Alternatively, the information can be behind a link or in a separate document, provided that it can be read before giving consent and is separate from the consent request. The information can also be given separately before responding to the survey when recruiting research subjects by email, for example. The survey must include a consent request checkbox that the research subject can accept before accessing the survey. Be sure to delete any data you have collected from Webropol after completing the study at the latest.
  • You can also ask for consent verbally at the start of an interview, provided that the research subject has received information about the study and personal data processing in writing or verbally before you ask for consent.
  • Consent can also be requested in writing. However, keep in mind that in this case, the written consent form includes the research subject’s signature, which is a direct identifier and forms a part of a data file of personal data.
  • If you use consent as the legal basis for processing personal data, remember to also ask research subjects for their consent to personal data processing (for the purpose you have described).

Templates prepared by UEF that you will need:

  • Privacy notice
  • Informing research subjects
  • Consent to participation in a study
  • Consent to personal data processing and participation in a study
  • Advance assessment of data protection
  • Data protection impact assessment

Store the documents for at least the period of time that you store your research data.

You can find the templates on the Intranet (requires login).

Ensure adequate data protection

In order to protect the privacy of research subjects, you should pseudonymise (remove all direct identifiers and store then separate) or anonymise (delete all personal data in a way that ensures that it is impossible to revert to identifiable data) the data you use in your thesis. You must store the data in a secure location on a platform provided by the University or your personal computer and make sure that the data are sufficiently protected.

A personal data breach or data security anomaly means that personal data are lost or disclosed to outsiders. If you suspect a personal data breach, report it to [email protected] or [email protected] immediately for further instructions. Situations in which a device used to store data is lost or stolen (such as a phone or computer) are also considered data breaches.

Keep in mind that you may not discuss confidential information shared by research subjects with outsiders. Under the non-disclosure obligation, you may not show or disclose documents to outsiders (confidentiality of documents), disclose contents of confidential documents or unrecorded information which, were it recorded in a document, would be confidential (obligation of confidentiality), or use confidential information for the benefit or detriment of yourself or another (prohibition of use). If necessary, you can go over your research data with your thesis supervisor as they are not an outsider to your thesis and you have named them in the privacy notice. However, note that if you are the controller, you may not usually disclose the data to the University for some other purpose (other than scientific research).

What happens to personal data after the thesis is finished?

After your research has ended, any research data that contains personal data must usually be destroyed in a secure manner that ensures that the data are not disclosed to outsiders. Do not throw out written materials in a public recycling bin! The University has locked trash bins for secure recycling of written documents. Files saved on network drives and Webropol must be deleted and any other data destroyed in a secure manner. It is especially important that the lifecycle of data is managed appropriately. Personal data processing has a beginning and an end. In some case after a study has ended, research data can be stored in the Finnish Social Science Data Archive or Language Bank of Finland, for example.

Further information

Privacy protection (in Intranet requires login) and Information security (in Intranet, requires login)

Guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity (TENK)

Guidelines by the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman for scientific research

For guidance and advice, contact the University of Eastern Finland Data Protection Officer: [email protected], tel. +358 50 576 0282.

Accessibility in studies – aids and facilities

Accessibility refers to the design of physical, psychological and social environments so as to allow everyone to function as equals despite their individual characteristics. At the university, accessibility is something that concerns all students and staff members; however, it is of particular importance to those members of the academic community who have a disability, who are ageing, or who belong to a cultural or linguistic minority.

Accessibility includes the following aspects:

  • Studies-related matters such as Finnish entrance examinations, study counselling, teaching arrangements and practices, and examination practices.
  • Physical environments such as facilities, routes, parking areas, lighting, signposts.
  • Accessibility of communication such as web pages, other written materials and the language used.

Requesting individual study arrangements

Individual study arrangements refer to measures previously known as special arrangements. Students who have an impediment or a disability can request individual arrangements. Individual arrangements can pertain to (Finnish) entrance examination and/or to the completion of studies. If you already are a student at the University of Eastern Finland and you need individual arrangements for your studies, you can request them by filling out the Individual Study Arrangements Form.

If you need further assistance or advice on how to request individual study arrangements, please get in touch with the accessibility contact person of your campus or faculty, or with your personal study plan counsellor.

Individual Study Arrangements Form (docx)

Pandemi Korona: Guidelines to Students in Risk Groups for Severe Coronavirus Disease: Arrangements on Completing Courses in the 2021.

Submitting the Application and Required Attachments for individual study arrangements

Application and required attachments for individual study arrangements must be submitted electronically via the secure email website to your own Faculty.

Go to the secure email website (choose language “in English”) and type your own email address (and, to prevent junk mail, an alternating code on the form).

To the email address you give, the system will send a message with a link enabling you to send the secure message itself. Click the link and type the email address of you own Faculty to the receiver slot (To:).

Next, type the message itself on the secure email form and attach the needed enclosures. Finally, press the send button.

Guidance and Contact Information:

  • Philosophical Faculty: Amanuensis Emma Hahl
  • Faculty of Science and Forestry: Head of Academic Affairs Kaisa Laitinen
  • Faculty of Health Sciences: Head of  Student and Learning Services Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, Joensuu Campus: Amanuensis Minna Paronen
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, Kuopio Campus: Amanuensis Heli Kemppainen

E-mail addresses: first name.last [email protected] / UEF Connect  (opens in a new tab).

Examples of individual study arrangements

Individual study arrangements can involve, for example:

  • the opportunity for additional time or lighting, a separate exam room or other arrangements regarding premises.
  • the opportunity to use special aids (such as a computer, braille display or induction).
  • material arrangements (such as the opportunity to have exam questions in a larger font size, providing lecture materials in advance, audio books, or streaming or recording lectures).
  • services (the opportunity to use an assistant or interpreter, Please note! the university is not responsible for obtaining an assistant or interpreter; it is the responsibility of the applicant/student).
  • an alternative way of completing a study module or course exam (such as an oral exam, completing the course with learning assignments rather than an exam, completing the course in parts)

Accessibility aids

There is a portable induction loop system for students to borrow at the Joensuu and Kuopio campuses. The induction loop system can be borrowed at Oppari’s service desk (located in the campus library in Joensuu and in the Canthia building in Kuopio). Furthermore, there is a fixed induction loop system in the larger auditoriums at the Joensuu Campus (for example in auditoriums AU100 and AU206 in the Aurora building).Electric height adjustable desks can be found in the library (two desks, located closest to the staircase) and in Atrium (one desk).

Facilities

A large part of the university’s facilities are accessible and can be used by people with different disabilities. The newer the building, the easier it has been to implement modern accessibility solutions and regulations. The campuses have parking areas for accessible parking, and accessibility has also been taken into consideration in the outdoors routes on campus, for example in structural solutions and winter-time maintenance. The main entrances of the buildings have accessibility ramps and, as a rule, the doors can be opened by pressing a door opening button. In the university buildings, coat racks with storage possibilities are available at accessible heights. Braille buttons are available in the elevators, and some elevators also have voice guidance. All buildings except for the Haltia building have elevators and accessible toilets that are indicated with signs. The largest lecture rooms have induction loops in them, and there are also portable loop systems that can borrowed. Baby care tables can be found in the accessible toilets.

Campus maps

NB! Lecture room maps (Kuopio Campus only) can be found on the intranet.

Restaurants and dining

There are several restaurants at the Joensuu and Kuopio campuses. All of these restaurants are practically accessible; however, there is a low metal doorstep by the door of the Carelia restaurant at the Joensuu Campus, which may pose difficulties for those using a wheelchair. The doors of the Carelia restaurant are kept shut due to fire safety reasons. In other campus restaurants, there are no doorsteps or closed doors, and there is a wheelchair lift in the restaurant in the Snellmania building at the Kuopio Campus.

If you need someone to help you, for example, to carry your tray, the restaurant staff will be happy to assist you. Should you have any special dietary restrictions, it is wise to contact the restaurant you intend to eat in beforehand.

Contact information and locations of the campus restaurants

Special exam facilities

Both the Joensuu and Kuopio campus have special exam facilities. See Special exam facilities and practices.

Facilities are at the disposal of the students who have the right to special arrangements. Special exam facilities are equipped with two computers of which the other is a regular computer and the other for electronic examinations. In the facility one can submit an electronic examination, provide answers with a regular computer or conduct a paper examination. Upon request, computers can be equipped with special software or other aids, such as speech synthesizer or braille display.

How to use special exam facilities

Individual arrangements at the UEF Open University

Accessibility contact persons

A contact person for matters relating to accessibility has been appointed for each campus. These contact persons are tasked with giving common accessibility-related guidance and they also lead accessibility-promoting work at the faculties and academic departments.

  • Joensuu Campus: Mrs Erja Widgrén-Sallinen
  • Kuopio Campus: Mrs Tuija Pasanen

A contact person for matters relating to accessibility concerning studies at the faculties:

  • Philosophical Faculty: Mrs Emma Hahl
  • Faculty of Science an Forestry: Mrs Kaisa Laitinen
  • Faculty of Health Sciences: Mrs Susanna Järvelin-Pasanen
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies: Mrs Minna Paronen (Joensuu Campus) and Mrs Heli Kemppainen (Kuopio Campus)

For contact information, see UEF Connect (opens in a new tab).

Links

Aviris- aids for visually impaired
Celia – accessible literature and publishing in Finland
ESOK – meeting the needs of diverse student body in higher education
Finnish Association of People with Physical Disabilities – Invalidiliitto
Kuuloliitto
Threshold Association – Kynnys ry
Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired – Näkövammaisten keskusliitto
Opi oppimaan – help for learning difficulties
Joensuu areas special learners – Joensuun seudun erilaiset oppijat

Distance exam and study facilities

You can book a quiet space to participate in a distance exam or teaching

Teamwork rooms at Oppari

There are teamwork rooms in both Joensuu and Kuopio campus. Teamwork rooms are equipped with computers and cameras (either fixed or loaned ones). The students can reserve the rooms via Tuudo or Peppi. Read more about room reservations in UEF Intra (the link opens to a new window). You can also contact Oppari help desk (Support Channels for Students –> Oppari) to book a room.

Seminar rooms and other teamwork rooms

Students of the University of Eastern Finland can book university’s facilities for study-related purposes. The reservation rights allow for making facility reservations in Peppi or the Tuudo mobile application on separately specified workspaces and seminar halls. 

Students can make facility reservations for study-related purposes free of charge within the opening hours of the facilities, e.g., for independent study, group work, research interviews, or participation in remote teaching. 

You can find additional information on this in Intra (requires log in, opens in a new tab).

Support Channels for Students

Instructions for Appeal

Appellate authority

A party who is dissatisfied with this decision may lodge a written appeal against it with the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland. The appellate document shall be addressed to the appellate authority and submitted to the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland within the appeal period.

Appeal period

The time limit for appeal is 30 days from the moment the appellant was notified of the decision. The appeal period is calculated from the day following the date of service. If the last day of the appeal period is a holiday, Saturday, Independence Day, First of May, Christmas Eve or Midsummer Eve, the appeal may be submitted within working hours on the following weekday.

The date of service is calculated as follows:
• Regular service shall be effected by sending a letter to the addressee. The addressee shall be deemed to have received the service in seven days from the sending of the letter, unless otherwise is proven.
• In the case of regular electronic service, the addressee shall be deemed to have received the service in seven days from the sending of the message, unless otherwise is proven.

Contents of the appeal

The appellate document shall indicate:
• Which decision the appeal concerns (the decision subject to appeal);
• The parts of the decision that are being appealed against and what changes are demanded to be made to it (demands);
• Grounds for the appeal;
• What the right of appeal is based on, if the decision subject to appeal is not directed at the appellant themselves;
• The appellant’s name, postal address, telephone number and other necessary contact information, e.g., an e-mail address; and
• the postal address and any other address to which documents related to the court proceedings can be sent (process address).
If the appellant has appointed a legal representative, agent or legal counsel to speak for themselves or the appeal has been drafted by a third party, the appellate document must also indicate the name, postal address, telephone number, and other necessary contact details, e.g., an e-mail address, of such persons.

The Administrative Court must be notified of any changes in contact details without delay when the appeal is pending.

Appendices to the appeal

The appeal shall be accompanied by the following documents:
• The decision subject to appeal with appeal instructions, original or copy;
• Proof of when the appellant was notified of the decision or another indication of the date of commencement of the appeal period;
• The documents the appellant refers to in support of their appeal, unless the documents have already been delivered to the authority; and
• The power of attorney, unless otherwise is regulated in section 32(2) of the Administrative Judicial Procedure Act.

Delivery of the appellate document

The appeal may be submitted in person, by post, by electronic means or by using an agent or courier. If delivered by post or by electronic means, the appeal will be sent at the sender’s own risk.

The appeal must be submitted to the appellate authority during office hours before the end of the 30-day appeal period. The electronic document must all be available to the Administrative Court in a reception device or information system so that the message can be processed before 16:15 on the last day of the appeal period.

The office of the registry of the Administrative Court is 8:00–16:15 from Monday to Friday.
An appeal may also be lodged in the e-Services of Administrative and Special Courts at https://asiointi.oikeus.fi/hallintotuomioistuimet (in Finnish and Swedish).

Contact details of the Administrative Court of Eastern Finland:
Postal address: P.O. Box 1744, FI-70101 KUOPIO, FINLAND
Visiting address: Minna Canthin katu 64, Kuopio
Telephone: +358 29 56 42500 (switchboard), fax: +358 29 56 42501
Email: [email protected]

Court fee

A court fee will be charged for the processing of the matter at the Administrative Court in accordance with the Court Fees Act (1455/2015). The amount of the fee is EUR 270. The Court Fees Act contains separate provisions on cases where no charge is levied. The Court Fees Act can be found at https://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2015/20151455 (in Finnish and in Swedish).

Unsuitability to study – the SORA legislation

In order to promote the safety of minors, patients and customers, restrictions have been implemented to student admittance from the beginning of 2012. An admitted student may be requested to provide an excerpt from his or her criminal record for the purpose of assessing his or her capacity to study.

Restrictions to student admittance

In order to promote the safety of minors, patients and customers, restrictions have been implemented to student admittance from the beginning of 2012. Correspondingly, a right to study already granted may be cancelled.

The restrictions apply to the following fields: medicine, dentistry, logopedics, psychology, pharmacy, and social work and teacher training. These fields involve a requirement that the health and functional capacity of persons admitted as students are sufficient for the practical tasks or training related to the studies. A limitation related to health or functional capacity is not an obstacle to admittance if its effects can be eliminated through reasonable measures, such as special arrangements. The intention is also not to raise unnecessary obstacles to the admittance of those who are disabled or have other physical or mental limitations. Indeed, the restrictions to admittance are applied for only when the applicant has a serious illness or disruption of functional capacity of such nature that it is obvious that he or she may not participate in the studies.

Obligation to present an expert form the criminal record and drug testing during studies

A student admitted in 2012 or later may be requested to provide an excerpt from his or her criminal record for the purpose of assessing his or her capacity to study. The excerpt may be requested from only those students whose practical training or other duties related to their studies require working with minors, and it will be requested before the beginning of the practical training or duties. In order to promote the safety of minors, it is necessary to know that a student entering practical training does not have an entry in his or her criminal record for certain serious offences (indecency and sexual offences, murder, manslaughter, homicide, aggravated assault, aggravated robbery and serious narcotics offences). With certain additional conditions, being guilty of these offences constitutes grounds for the cancellation of the right to study, if the studies require working with children.

In certain very limited cases, the student may also be obligated to present a certificate of a drug test. Such cases mainly involve situations where testing is necessary in order to determine the student’s functional capacity and where certain additional conditions defined in detail in the law are fulfilled.

Guidelines of the University of Eastern Finland for the students’ excerpts from criminal records.