University of Eastern Finland

We are one of the largest universities in Finland, and home to approximately 15,000 students and 2,700 members of staff. Our campuses are located in Joensuu, Kuopio and Savonlinna. UEF is a multidisciplinary university, which offers teaching in more than 100 major subjects. We have four faculties: the Philosophical Faculty, the Faculty of Science and Forestry, the Faculty of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. Our activities underscore multidisciplinarity. Our key interdisciplinary research areas are built around four global challenges. These challenges are Ageing, lifestyles and health; Learning in a digitised society; Cultural encounters, mobilities and borders; and Environmental change and sufficiency of natural resources.

The preparations for the establishment of the University of Eastern Finland began in 2006. In October 2006, the Ministry of Education chose the collaboration model between the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio as one of the national-level spearhead projects in structural development. Led by Professor Reijo Vihko, the report of the working group preparing the project was completed in February 2007. The objective of the project was to establish the University of Eastern Finland, which was to be a federal university in terms of its administrative structure. Originally, the collaboration between the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio was rooted in their aspirations to obtain a shared right to confer degrees in economics and business administration, but already in the report of Vihko’s working group, the collaboration was extended to natural sciences and social sciences. However, the federal university was never formed, as the preparations for a full merger of the universities and their activities was launched in autumn 2007. In spring 2008, the University Senates of both universities approved the merger and the scientific and administrative structures the new university was to have. In 2009, a strategy and administrative regulations were prepared for the University of Eastern Finland, and the contents of the degree programmes were decided upon. The right to confer degrees in economics and business administration was obtained at the time of the merger, in 2010. In other words, the University of Eastern Finland was built on a tight schedule and it began operations in the beginning of 2010.
 
The University of Joensuu was established in 1969. In Finnish, it was first known as Joensuun korkeakoulu and, since 1984, as Joensuun yliopisto. In the beginning, the main focus of the university was on teacher education. Forest sciences was the first field of study not linked to teacher education that began to be taught in Joensuu after a long and colourful debate in 1982. In addition to forest sciences, the launch of education in theology was also a topic that inspired plenty of discussion. The degree programme in Orthodox Theology began in 1988. Western Theology became available for subject teachers in 1997, and education in Western Theology leading to positions within the church began in 2001.  Before the merger of the University of Joensuu and the University of Kuopio, Bachelor's, Master's and doctoral level education was offered at the University of Joensuu in eight fields of study.
 
The University of Kuopio was established in 1972, offering education in medicine, medical physics and biochemistry. The year 1973 witnessed the launch of education in pharmacy, dentistry and environmental hygiene. The University of Kuopio, too, was first known in Finnish as Kuopion korkeakoulu and, since 1984, as Kuopion yliopisto.  In 1984, the university began offering education in social work and clinical nutrition. In 2002, the University of Kuopio was the largest provider of medical education in Finland. Before the merger, the University of Kuopio had five faculties.

Some university ranking institutions provide a subject-specific version of their ranking list. In QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), the University of Eastern Finland has been ranked among the world's leading universities in several subjects in recent years.

University of Eastern Finland in QS World University Rankings by Subject

University of Eastern Finland in Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) by Subject

Cost of living in Finland

Living expenses are relatively high in Finland, though comparable to the EU average. The average cost of living in Finland for a single student varies between 500 and 800 EUR per month, depending on personal spending habits. This amount includes accommodation, transportation and meal costs

Non-EU/EEA students are required to show that they have at least 560 EUR per month (6720 EUR per year) annually at their disposal when applying for a residence permit.

Student housing

Independent, non-profit student housing companies in Joensuu and Kuopio offer housing for single students as well as students with families. There are no on-campus dormitories available.

Rent for a single room in a shared apartment ranges approximately from 150 to 270 EUR per month. Rent for a family apartments starts from app. 350 EUR per month.

For more information:

• Student housing in Joensuu: joensuunelli.fi
• Student housing in Kuopio: kuopas.fi
• Finnish Student housing in Finland: soa.fi

Residence permit / visas

EU and citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter the country freely, but they must register their right to reside in Finland if staying for more than three months.

Non-EU/non-EEA citizens must obtain a residence permit at the nearest Finnish Diplomatic Mission before their arrival in Finland. If the duration of their stay is less than three months students can also arrive with a visa (if needed). Non-EU/EEA students (non-EU/EEA students) are required to show that they have at least 560 EUR per month (6720 EUR per year) annually at their disposal when applying for a residence permit.

For more information:

• Residence permits for students (Finnish Migration Services)
• Finnish diplomatic missions abroad
• Income requirements for students with families

Studying Finnish

It is not possible to apply to our university solely for the purpose of studying Finnish. Neither do we offer any preparatory Finnish courses that aim to train students to study in our Finnish degree programmes.

Students who have been admitted to study at the University of Eastern Finland can choose Finnish language studies offered by the Language Centre free of charge.

Read more about studying Finnish abroad and online Finnish courses.

Thinking about studying in Finland? A smart decision.

Thinking about studying at UEF? An even smarter decision.

Finland is a safe, clean and technology-driven country which, as a member of the European Union, actively promotes democracy, the rule of law and human rights. Finnish education, on the other hand, is known for two things in particular: The education system enjoys world-wide recognition for its excellence and, unlike in many other countries, there are no tuition fees. In Finland, education is regarded as a fundamental right and the Finnish education policy emphasises equal opportunities for all.

The Internet is overflowing with information about Finland and Finnish education, and here you'll find some of our favourite picks for learning more about your future study destination!

• The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has a nice portal, This is Finland, on everything you should and shouldn't know about Finland.
• For those preferring a more touristy approach to what Finland has to offer, the Official Travel Site of Finland is the site to read.
• Of course, Wikipedia also has a lot of information about Finland.
• The website of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, on the other hand, is the best source of information when it comes to Finnish education, our success in PISA, and the education policy of Finland.
• One final site worth visiting is definitely Study in Finland, a portal catering for the needs of international students in particular. 

So, we've convinced you that Finland is an excellent choice for you to pursue your academic ambitions? Now let us do the same for the University of Eastern Finland!

The University of Eastern Finland, UEF, is one of the largest universities in Finland. UEF has an attractive and multidisciplinary academic offering comprising 13 different fields of study, and we offer a wide range of programmes and courses taught in English for international students. Our internationally recognised research is built around global challenges that touch the lives of many.  We are also one of the best universities in Finland: in 2014, we were ranked #24th in the QS Top 50 Under 50, and we frequently appear among the world's leading 300 universities in the main ranking lists.

We have some 15,000 degree students studying at UEF, and our three beautiful campuses are home to a nice mix of Finnish and international students. The atmosphere is international, yet Finnish, and the compact nature of our campuses makes it easy for students to mix and mingle across disciplines. We offer our students a wide range of services aiming to facilitate their studies and everyday life here in Finland.

We take pride in being a student-centred university, and it is our strategic goal to offer our students the best academic learning environments in Finland!

• The University of Eastern Finland Tution Fee Waiver