Checklist for new students

Last modified: 15.05.2026

Welcome to UEF!

Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Eastern Finland! We are excited to have you on board. Being a new student, you are bound to have questions. These pages contain all the necessary information you need to get started with your studies at UEF, from planning your journey to Finland to the first week of your studies.

Checklist for new exchange students

Before arrival

Use this checklist to prepare step by step. Start as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.

Confirm your study place in SoleMOVE.
Find out if you need a visa (opens in a new tab) or a residence permit (opens in a new tab) and apply immediately if required.
Apply for housing (opens in a new tab) as soon as possible.
Arrange travel insurance and a health insurance. If you are an EU or EEA citizen, get the European Health Insurance Card (opens in a new tab).
Plan your travelling schedule and arrival.
Register at the university. Before registering, review the Student Union services (opens in a new tab). If you wish to use them, join the Student Union by paying the membership fee (opens in a new tab).
Stay in touch with your student tutor. Your tutor will contact you a few weeks before the semester starts. Inform your student tutor about your arrival details. Trainees arriving during the university holiday period may be welcomed by a staff member instead of a student tutor.

After arrival

Once you arrive on campus, complete these steps during your first weeks.

Activate your UEF user account and verify your identity at the IT Service Desk (Joensuu in Carelia Library,Kuopio in Canthia Oppari).
Register for the courses in Peppi (opens in a new tab) and meet your academic coordinator to discuss your course choices.
Download the Tuudo App (opens in a new tab) – your mobile student card, course registration tool, timetable generator, campus restaurant menus and local bus schedules, all in one place. You can also register as a library customer through Tuudo and get a digital library card right away. If you prefer not to use Tuudo, register with the online form for a traditional library card. More information is available on the UEF Library website (opens in a new tab).
Participate in the Orientation for International Students.
Register at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV, link opens in a new tab) to receive your Finnish personal identity code and to file a Notification of Move. Inform the Student and Learning Services of your personal identity code as soon as you receive it.
Start studying and enjoy student life at UEF. For example
- Join the UEF Sports programme SYKETTÄ in Joensuu and SYKETTÄ in Kuopio (links open in a new tab).
- Find your own subject-specific Student Association (opens in a new tab) and join their events

Checklist for new degree seeking students

Before arrival

Use this checklist to prepare step by step. Start as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.

Confirm your study place on Studyinfo as soon as possible. The deadline is 9 July 2026.
Non-EU/EEA students: Apply for a residence permit (opens in a new tab) as soon as possible. Arrange your health insurance (opens in a new tab) at the same time. If your family members are joining you, submit all residence permit applications together and confirm your family ties.
If you are conditionally accepted, submit the verification of your educational documents (opens in a new tab) by the given deadline. If you miss the deadline, your study offer will be cancelled. Use this checklist to prepare step by step. Start as soon as you receive your acceptance letter.
Non-EU/EEA students: Pay the tuition fee via Flywire (opens in a new tab). The Early Bird discount ends on 10 June 2026. Read also UEF’s refund policy (opens in a new tab).
Apply for housing from May onwards – in Joensuu with Elli (opens in a new tab) or in Kuopio with Kuopas (opens in a new tab). Housing may be available from July or August. Note that affordable options are limited and accepting a housing offer is binding.
Register as a present student and pay the Student Union membership fee (opens in a new tab). Online registration closes on 21 Aug, and on-campus registration closes on 15 Sept. See the instructions for registration (opens in a new tab).
Plan your travel. Obtain travel insurance and tickets. Arrive on campus by your programme’s starting date Most programmes begin in early September.
Stay in touch with your programme coordinator and your student tutor. Let your student tutor know your arrival details.
Join the orientation programme for new students. Online sessions take place 24-25 August and onsite sessions on 2 September and 1 October. Make sure to also attend your programme-specific orientation.
Optional: UEF Summer Schoo l (opens in a new tab) takes place on 10-21 Aug 2026 and is free of charge for degree students.

After arrival

Once you arrive on campus, complete these steps during your first weeks.

Join the orientation programme for new students. Online sessions take place 24-25 August and onsite sessions on 2 September and 1 October. Make sure to also attend your programme-specific orientation.
Activate your UEF user account (opens in a new tab) and verify your identity at the IT Service Desk (Joensuu in Carelia Library, Kuopio in Canthia Oppari).
Register for the courses in Peppi (opens in a new tab).
Download the Tuudo App (opens in a new tab) – your mobile student card, course registration tool, timetable generator, campus restaurant menus and local bus schedules, all in one place. You can also register as a library customer through Tuudo to get a digital library card right away. If you prefer not to use Tuudo, register with the online form for a traditional library card. More information ia available on the UEF Library website.
Register at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (dvv.fi, link opens in a new tab) to receive your Finnish personal identity code, to register your municipality of residence (non-EU citizens), and file a notification of move. Inform the Student and Learning Services of your personal identity code as soon as you receive it.
Pay the Student Health Care fee (35.60€ per semester) online (opens in a new tab) by 15 November.
Start studying and enjoy student life at UEF! For example
- Join the UEF Sports programme SYKETTÄ in Joensuu or SYKETTÄ in Kuopio (links open in a new tab).
- find your subject-specific student association (opens in a new tab) and join their events.