We wish to make the start of your studies with us as smooth as possible. This is why we offer an orientation programme for all the new international students at the beginning of each semester. The programme includes a lot of practical information and tips on how to get things rolling. We hope all our new students will be able to join the orientation.
How to complete the credit for the orientation?
In order to complete the credit (1 ECTS) for the course Orientation for the New International Students, you should
- Join the orientation sessions (both the general ones and the field-specific ones).
- Study the orientation material in Kamu and in eLearn Moodle (opens in a new tab).
- Complete all the assignments in the Digistartti (opens in a new tab).
- Register for the course Orientation for International Students in Peppi by 30 Sept. The course code 1131003-3006.
Please make sure to complete all of these in case you wish to earn the credit.
The deadline for completing the requirements is 30 Sept 2023.
The credits will be marked within 3 weeks from the deadline.
Please note that in some UEF degree programmes the orientation is a compulsory course.
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Orientation Programme for New International Students on 1 Sept, 4-5 Sept 2023
General Orientation Programme
General orientation webinars will be held online at 12-17 on 1 and 4 Sept. On 5 September we will have face-to-face programme on both campuses at 12-16.
The links to the general orientation webinars will be available here later. Please note that changes in the programme are possible.
Field-Specific Sessions
In addition to these general sessions most departments/schools will have their own field-specific sessions. They will send the information on these sessions directly to the students. These sessions are organized by the Programme/Departmental Coordinators. (opens in a new tab)
The Bachelor’s and the Master’s degree programmes will have their own sessions for their students, too.
Here is the orientation programme of the Autumn Semester 2023
Friday 1 September 2023
Online webinars
12.00-12.15 Welcome to UEF, Riikka Pellinen
12.15-13.30 Orientation Info and General Info about Studying at UEF, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
13.30-13.45 Break
13.45-14.30 Security and Safety, Juha Pulkkinen
14.30-14.45 Break
14.45-15.30 The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland, Salla Haapavaara and Elina Pitkänen
15.30-16.00 ESN Joensuu for the students in Joensuu
ESN KISA for the students in Kuopio
Monday 4 September 2023
Online webinars
12.00-12.30 Digital Services at UEF, Kaisa Soininen and Kaisa Valtanen
12.30-13.15 How to Use Peppi and Tuudo? Kaisu Kärkkäinen and Tellervo Hirvonen
13.15-13.45 Welcome to UEF Library, Riitta Holopainen and Sofi Timonen
13.45-14.00 Break
14.00-15.00 Official Matters, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
15.00-15.10 Take Care of Your Wellbeing, study psychologist Katri Ruth
15.10-15.30 Break
15.30-16.15 Two different meetings:
one for the exchange students and the other for the Master’s seeking students
Exchange students ONLY
Requirements and Paperwork for Exchange, Päivi Haltilahti and Kirsi Konttinen
Bachelor’s and Master’s students (students in degree seeking programmes at UEF)
Link to this session in Zoom (opens in a new tab): https://uef.zoom.us/j/68038559669
Studying for Working Life, Hanna Reinikainen and Marko Pietilä (about 30 min.)
YUFE opportunities for degree seeking students, Gizem Yozgyur (about 10 min.)
Tuesday 5 September 2023
Separate programmes in lecture rooms on campuses
In Joensuu
12.00 – 13.00 EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY: Signing the exchange documents (lecture room AU100), Päivi Haltilahti
13.00 – 13.30 Questions and Answers (lecture room AU100), Päivi Haltilahti
13.30 – 14.30 Lecture by Paul Fryer: Introduction to Finnish Society & Culture: an outsider’s view (lecture room AU100)
14.30 – 16 Information Market for the new students (Carelia Building)
14.30 – 16 Information Market on minor studies/study subjects available at UEF (Metria Building)
In Kuopio
12.00 – 12.45 Getting to Know Each Other (lecture room SN200, 2nd floor, Snellmania Building), Kirsi Konttinen
12.45 – 13.00 Tips from Yvonne (a second-year student), Yvonne Wiese
13.00 – 13.30 Questions and Answers (lecture room SN200, 2nd floor, Snellmania Building), Kirsi Konttinen
13.30 – 14.30 EXCHANGE STUDENTS ONLY: Signing the Exchange Documents (lecture room SN200, 2nd floor, Snellmania Building), Kirsi Konttinen
14.30 – 16 Information Market for the new students (Snellmania Main Entrance Hall, 1st floor)
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Pre-arrival webinar for the New Students in 2023
Pre-arrival webinar for the new international students (the degree seeking students and the exchange students) was held on 7 June, 2023.
Find below the Power Points of the webinar.
- UEF Summer School, Power Points from the webinar (opens in a new tab) : https://bit.ly/3MZHXay
- Registration and UEF username,
Power Points from the webinar (opens in a new tab): https://bit.ly/3CetiDL - The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland, ISYY,
Power Points from the webinar (opens in a new tab): https://bit.ly/3qz8cgR - Student Housing in Joensuu and Kuopio,
Power Points of the Student Housing Company Elli in Joensuu (opens in a new tab):
https://bit.ly/43uIdp6.
Power Points of the Student Housing Company Kuopas in Kuopio (opens in a new tab):
https://bit.ly/42tPHrh
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How to start your studies?
- Make sure you keep in touch with your programme/academic coordinator and with your student tutor.
- Study the orientation material in Kamu (opens in a new tab) and in Moodle (opens in a new tab, log in with a UEF account). More material (including the Power Point presentations of the webinar sessions) will be added to Moodle later on.
- Complete the UEF Digistartti.
- Join the orientation webinars.
- Join the orientation session of your own programme if offered.
- After registering as a student at UEF and activating your username, start registering for courses and feel free to contact UEF staff members if you have any questions or concerns.
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What is the orientation for?
We recommend that all the new international students will participate in the orientation programme. The orientation offers a lot of practical information in order to help the new students to have a smooth start for their studies at UEF.
The orientation offers
- essential information on studying and university life at UEF
- tips on different practical matters
- information on Finland and on the Finnish culture
- a possibility to meet other students
Those who complete all parts of the programme will earn 1 ECTS credit. Even if the orientation is a course, there is no need to register for the orientation beforehand. The instruction at the departments begins usually after the Orientation Programme.
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The Semester starts with the Orientation Programme
The orientation for the Autumn Semester starts at the beginning of September and the orientation for the Spring Semester starts usually on the first working day right after 6 January . The programmes will be published here about a month before the start of the orientation.
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, and Information Skills and Sources.
Language courses are offered by the Language Centre (opens in a new tab).
For the Master’s Degree Students at UEF
If you are studying for a Master’s Degree at UEF, your studies will start with the Orientation Programme at the beginning of September. However, the Master’s programmes of European Forestry, Forestry CBU and Transfor-M will start already earlier in August.
For the incoming Exchange Students at UEF
The Autumn Semester starts at the beginning of September and the Spring Semester on the first working day after Epiphany 6 Jan. The semesters start with the Orientation Programme. Usually the exchange students start their exchange period at UEF at the beginning of the semester but it is possible to start the exchange studies at another time, too, if the suitable courses are available. The students coming for a research project or for a practical training can negotiate their schedule with their supervisor at UEF and with their home university.
For information on the Academic Calendar at UEF.
Welcoming Words from Our Rector
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