UEF organizes an orientation programme for all new international students, including degree-seeking Bachelor’s and Master’s students and incoming exchange students. The orientation supports your transition to studying at UEF and living in Finland. The semester always begins with the orientation programme.
Orientation for Autumn Semester 2026
- Orientation webinars at 12-17 (Finnish time) on 24 August and 25 August
- Orientation programme on campus in afternoon on 2 September
- Orientation programme in afternoon on 1 October as a part of the wellbeing week
How to complete the credit for the orientation?
International students can complete 1 ECTS by taking the course Orientation for the New International Students. To receive the credit, you must
- participate in the orientation sessions (both the general ones and the field-specific ones)
- study the orientation material through the links on this website and in Kamu (opens in an new tab)
- complete the Digistartti (opens in a new tab) assignment
- register for the course Orientation for International Students in Peppi 1 Aug – 30 Sept 2026 . The course code is 1131003-3014.
Please make sure to complete all of these in case you wish to earn the credit.
The deadline for completing the course requirements is 30 September 2026.
The credits will be marked within 3 weeks from the deadline.
Orientation Programme 24-25 Aug 2026, 2 Sept and 1 Oct
In addition to the general webinars listed here each department/school will organize their own field specific sessions. They will send the information on these sessions directly to the students. The Master’s programmes will have their own sessions, too.
Changes in the programme are possible.
24 August
Online webinars
12.00-12.15 Welcome to UEF, Mari Ikonen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 14 min. (opens in a new tab)
12.15-13.30 Orientation Info and Introduction to Studying at UEF,
Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 54 min. (opens in a new tab)
13.30-13.45 Break
13.45-14.30 UEF User Accounts, Digital Services, and Information Security, Kaisa Hämäläinen, Mika Seppä, and Tuomas Sällinen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 42 min. (opens in a new tab)
14.30-14.45 Services of Oppari, Harri Kurki and Johanna Huttunen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 13 min. (opens in a new tab)
14.45-15.00 Break
15.00-15.45 How to Use Peppi and Tuudo? Kaisu Kärkkäinen and Tellervo Hirvonen, Recording on Peppi, 36 min. (opens in a new tab), Recording on Tuudo, 11 min. (opens in a new tab)
15.45-16.30 The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland,
Joona Rantala and Elina Pitkänen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 27 min. (opens in a new tab)
For the degree seeking students:
16.30-17.00 Finnish Student Health Service, FSHS (YTHS), for degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes, Riikka Nissinen and Minna Virranta, YTHS, Recording, 22 min. (opens in a new tab)
17.00-17.15 Studies in Finnish as a Second Language, for degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes, Emmi Silvennoinen, Language Centre, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 21 min. (opens in a new tab)
25 August
Online webinars
12.00-12.30 Welcome to UEF Library, Riitta Holopainen and Olli Hiltunen, Canva presentation (opens in a new tab), Recording, 29 min. (opens in a new tab)
12.30-13.15 Security and Safety, Juha Pulkkinen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording, 28 min. (opens in a new tab)
13.15-13.30 Break
13.30-14.15 Official Matters, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Power Points (open in a new tab), Recording 48 min. (opens in a new tab)
14.15-15.00 Adaptation and How to Make the Most of It? Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Power Points (open in a new tab)
15.00-15.15 Break
15.15-15.25 Students in Kuopio: ESN SAVO, Activities of ESN SAVO, Recording, 4 min. (opens in a new tab)
15.25-15.45 Student in Joensuu: JEIS, Activities of JEIS, Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students, Canva presentation (opens in a new tab), Recording, 21 min. (opens in a new tab)
Degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
16.00-16.10 YUFE Opportunities for Degree Seeking Students, Gizem Yozgyur, Power Points (open in a new tab)
16.10-16.40 Finnish Working Life for Degree Seeking Students, Hanna Reinikainen, Power Points (opens in a new tab), Recording, 32 min. (opens in a new tab)
Exchange students only
16.40-17.00 Requirements and Paperwork for Exchange, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen, Power Points (open in a new tab)
Wed 2 Sept
On campus
Separate programme on campuses
In Joensuu
13.00-15.00 Information Market for the new students (Carelia Building)
13.00-15.00 EXCHANGE STUDENTS only: Signing the exchange documents, Päivi Haltilahti (in room E100)
In Kuopio (Snellmania Building, SN200 and Main Entrance Hall)
12.00-12.45 Introductions, Kirsi Konttinen, room SN200, Snellmania Building, 2nd floor
12.45-13.15 Activities of ESN Savo, representatives of ESN Savo (room SN200)
13.15-13.45 EXCHANGE STUDENTS only: Signing the Exchange Documents, Kirsi Konttinen (room SN200)
13.00-15.00 Information Market for the New Students (Snellmania Main Entrance Hall, 1st floor)
Thu 3 Sept
On campus
Separate programme on campuses by the Student Union.
In Joensuu
15.00-17.00 Student Blast – the Academic Year Opening in Joensuu Market Square (opens in a new tab)
17.00-22.00 ISYY’s City Orienteering (opens in a new tab)
In Kuopio
14.00-15.00 Student Parade from Snellmania to Kuopio Market Square (opens in a new tab)
15.00-17.00 LoveZone: Opening of the Academic Year in Kuopio Market Square (opens in a new tab)
17.00-22.00 ISYY’s City Orienteering (scroll down for Kuopio) (opens in a new tab)
1 Oct
On Campus
A Wellbeing Week (opens in a new tab) will be organized on both campuses 28 Sept – 4 Oct. The programme includes for example Kaamos Survival at 15.15-16 on 1 Oct in English.
How to Start Your Studies?
- Complete the UEF Digistart.
- Make sure you keep in touch with your programme/academic coordinator and with your student tutor.
- Participate the general orientation webinars. See the programme below.
- Join the orientation session of your own programme if offered.
- Study the orientation material in our student website Kamu (opens in a new tab) .
- After registering as a student (opens in a new tab) and activating your username (opens in a new tab), start signing up for courses in Peppi (opens in a new tab) and feel free to contact UEF staff members if you have any questions or concerns.
Webinars before arrival
The webinars for UEF Offer Holders in degree programmes were held 24 March and 16 April. Find here the Power Points (open in a new tab) of the webinars.
Pre-arrival webinar for all the new international students
at 14-16 (Finnish time) on 10 June
Programme
14.00-14.15 Kuopas Accommodation in Kuopio for students coming to Kuopio, Annamaija Niemelä, Power Points (open in a new tab)
14.15-14.30 Arriving in Finland and at UEF, Kirsi Konttinen and Päivi Haltilahti, Power Points (open in a new tab)
14.30-15.00 Services of the Student Union, Elina Pitkänen and Joona Rantala, Power Points (open in a new tab)
15.00-15.30 Registration and UEF Username, Saija Hokkanen and Katri Tanttu, Power Points (open in a new tab)
15.30-16.00 Elli Accommodation in Joensuu for students coming to Joensuu, Elsi Juurelma, Power Points (open in a new tab)
Webinar for Kuopio students with families at 14.00-15.30 (Finnish time) on 16 June.
Webinar for Joensuu students with families at 14.00-15.30 (Finnish time) on 17 June.
Orientation programme in Autumn 2027
General webinars for all the new international students in spring semester 2027 will be held online 7-8 January 2027 and face-to-face programme on campuses 11 January 2027. The programme and the links will be available here later.
Other introductory courses
Other introductory courses (opens in a new tab) to studying at UEF:
- University Study Skills (only for the degree seeking students)
- University Computing Skills
- Information Skills and Sources (year 2025-2026)
- Language courses are offered by the Language Centre (opens in a new tab)
More information on the Academic Calendar at UEF.
Welcoming Words from Our Rector
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