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.
Webinars before arrival
The webinars for UEF Offer Holders in degree programmes were held 24 March and 16 April. Find here the Power Points (opens in a new tab) of the webinars.
Pre-arrival webinar for all the new international students
at 14-16 (Finnish time) on 10 June (The link will be sent to the participants by email.)
Programme
14.00-14.15 Kuopas Accommodation in Kuopio for students coming to Kuopio, Annamaija Niemelä
14.15-14.30 Arriving in Finland and at UEF, Kirsi Konttinen and Päivi Haltilahti
14.30-15.00 Services of the Student Union, Elina Pitkänen and Joona Rantala
15.00-15.30 Registration and UEF Username, Saija Hokkanen and Katri Tanttu
15.30-16.00 Elli Accommodation in Joensuu for students coming to Joensuu, Elsi Juurelma
Webinar for Kuopio students with families at 14.00-15.30 (Finnish time) on 16 June. The link will be sent to the participants.
Webinar for Joensuu students with families at 14.00-15.30 (Finnish time) on 17 June. The link will be sent to the participants.
Orientation for Autumn Semester 2026
These sessions are aimed for all the new international students (degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and exchange students) who have been admitted at UEF for the 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
Changes are possible.
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.
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.
24 August
Online webinars
12.00-12.15 Welcome to UEF, Mari Ikonen
12.15-13.30 Orientation Info and Introduction to Studying at UEF,
Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
13.30-13.45 Break
13.45-14.30 UEF User Accounts, Digital Services, and Information Security, Kaisa Hämäläinen, Mika Seppä, and Tuomas Sällinen
14.30-14.45 Services of Oppari, Harri Kurki and Johanna Huttunen
14.45-15.00 Break
15.00-15.45 How to Use Peppi and Tuudo? Kaisu Kärkkäinen and Tellervo Hirvonen
15.45-16.30 The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland,
Joona Rantala and Elina Pitkänen
16.30-17.00 Finnish Student Health Service, FSHS (YTHS), for degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes, speakers to be confirmed
25 August
Online webinars
12.00-12.30 Welcome to UEF Library, Riitta Holopainen
12.30-13.15 Security and Safety, Juha Pulkkinen
13.15-13.30 Break
13.30-14.15 Official Matters, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
14.15-15.00 Adaptation and How to Make the Most? Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
15.00-15.15 Break
Two different sessions: one for the students in Joensuu and the other for the students in Kuopio
15.15-15.45 JEIS, Activities of JEIS, Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students
15.15-15.45 ESN SAVO, Activities of ESN SAVO
Two different sessions: one for the exchange students and the other for the degree seeking students.
Degree seeking students in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes
16.00-16.10 YUFE Opportunities for Degree Seeking Students, Gizem Yozgyur
16.10-16.40 Finnish Working Life for Degree Seeking Students, Hanna Reinikainen and Marko Pietilä
In a separate meeting
Exchange students only
16.00-16.30 Requirements and Paperwork for Exchange, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
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
12.00-13.00 Introductions, Kirsi Konttinen, room SN200, Snellmania Building, 2nd floor
13.00-13.45 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
City Orienteering in Joensuu and in Kuopio
Programme in Joensuu
Programme in Kuopio
More information:
ISYY website (opens in a new tab)
2 Oct
On Campus
Wellbeing Week 28 Sept – 2 Oct
including for example
Students’ Wellbeing by a study psychologist at 14.15-15 on 2 Oct
Kaamos Survival at 15.15-16 on 2 Oct
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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