University of Eastern Finland has bilateral co-operation agreements with universities from various countries. Bilateral student exchange aims at reciprocity, which is why all universities may not be available for applications every year.
The available universities will be listed in the call for applications that will be published at the beginning of the application period. Remember to check the call for applications to see which universities are available before starting your application!
Next call for applications: 1-15 Sept 2025. See calls for applications (link above) for available host universities!
Short-term exchanges are also an option for bilateral exchanges. See more information on Kamu’s page Short-term exchanges outside of Europe!
NB! Students must be registered as “present” in a degree programme at UEF throughout the exchange period. It is not permitted to graduate before or during the exchange and studies completed during the exchange must be included into degree studies at UEF.
For whom
For Bachelor’s and Master’s level students. Limited options for doctoral students.
NB! Students from outside the EU/EEA are advised to discuss with their study programme coordinator if exchange studies would extend their studies and/or affect their tuition fee.
Host universities may limit the available subjects and some host universities are available to students from a certain field only. Limitations are listed below and in the call for applications.
Students can apply for exchange during their first year but cannot start the exchange before their second year of studies. NB! Some host universities may not accept bachelor level students for exchange in the autumn semester of the second year of studies (3rd semester of overall studies). It is often required that the student has 2 semesters of studies (1 academic year) completed at the time of application to the host university, i.e. in the second stage of the application process. In these cases, the earliest time for exchange would be the spring semester of the second year of studies (4th semester for Bachelor students in 3-year programmes).
NB! If you have an employment contract with UEF (for example as a 10 % grant researcher, trainee, research assistant etc.), your contract must expire well before your student exchange period begins. You cannot go abroad for student exchange as a member of staff – see instructions regarding staff exchange. It is permitted to apply for student exchange during a valid employment contract, but the contract must end/expire before the exchange period begins. It is also not permitted to start a new (or resume a previous) employment contract at UEF during the exchange period. Student mobility grants cannot be paid during a valid contract of employment, so the contract must end before the grant can be paid.
Applying
The annual first calls for applications are 1-15 November. Applications are for the next academic year. Students can apply for either one semester (autumn or spring) or full academic year.
Supplementary calls for applications
1-15 February, 1-15 May, 1-15 September. Calls for applications are opened, if placements and grants are available.
During February calls for applications, most placements are available for spring semester exchanges only, though some may be available for autumn semester. Students seeking autumn semester or full academic year exchanges should apply in the November application period primarily. During May, placements are only available for spring exchanges. During September, placements are available for the spring semester of the same academic year.
Funding
University of Eastern Finland awards a mobility grant to those selected for exchange studies. The amount of the mobility grant is determined on an annual basis. In the academic year 2024–2025, the mobility grant for bilateral exchange students are as follows:
- Students leaving for European universities: EUR 1,200 for a single semester or EUR 1,700 for the full academic year
- Students leaving for Russia or non-European destinations: EUR 1,800 for a single semester or EUR 2,300 for the full academic year
NB! Students do not pay tuition fees to the host university. If you are paying tuition fees to UEF, you will be required to pay the tuition fee to UEF for the exchange semester.
Please note
Teaching in English is increasingly available around the world, but availability must be confirmed on a case-by-case basis. Some host universities only offer teaching in the local language. Some (Asian) universities accept applications only from students who have already completed one year of academic studies.
While you will apply for exchange according to UEF’s academic calendar, the actual dates and duration of your exchange will be according to your host university’s academic calendar and schedule.