Study at UEF

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.

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

EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter Finland 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 the 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. The PhD students from non-EU/EEA countries are required to have 1,000 EUR per month at their disposal or the salary of 1,236 EUR per month.

For more information:

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

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. Further information can be found in Kamu student handbook.

The University of Eastern Finland requires that all incoming international students have a sufficient personal health and travel insurance policy for the whole duration of their stay in Finland. The insurance should cover all costs related to treatment of sudden illness, accidents and accidental death. Students must present proof of valid insurance when registering to the University of Eastern Finland. It is important to check that your insurance also covers your travel to/from Finland.

• Students coming from the EU/EEA countries: EU citizens should have a European Health Insurance Card (issued by their home country), entitling them to use the public health care in the same way as the locals do. In addition to this they need a travel insurance.
• Students coming from non-EU/EEA countries are required to have insurance already when they apply for the residence permit.
• For studies of less than two years in duration (primarily exchange students), students must have private health insurance which covers costs of at least 100,000 € for medical treatment.
• Where the duration of the studies is two years or more (including Master's students), it is sufficient for the insurance to primarily cover the cost of medicines (in practice the cover extends to doctor's fees and costs of treatment and examination), of at least 30,000 €.

For more information: Insurance Cover for Students

Student Health Service

• Offers preventive health care, medical care, mental health care and dental care (NOT emergency health care).
• Available for the students in Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes who have paid the Student Union fee.
• Available for the exchange students until the end of 2020 if they have paid the Student Union fee.
• NOT available for the PhD students.
• Further information of student health care in Kamu student handbook.

Health Services for PhD Students

• PhD students who have a contract of employment with the UEF, are entitled for occupational health care.
• PhD students who work with a grant or a scholarship must use public or private health care.

Public Health Care

• Available for all the EU/EEA citizens with the European Health Insurance Card under the same conditions as for the local residents.
• Available for the non-EU/EEA citizens if they have a place of residence in Finland.
• Available for the citizens of the countries Finland has a social security agreement with.
• Public Heath Care in Kuopio.

Private Health Care

• Available for everybody who can afford to pay more expensive fees than in the public health care. If you have a private insurance, you might be able to cover the cost from your insurance.

Occupational Health Care (for UEF Staff)

• Available for the UEF staff members. Further information in Guide for international staff.

Finland has four distinctive seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The highest daytime temperature in eastern Finland during the summer occasionally rises over 25°C (degrees Celsius). During the winter months, particularly in January and February, temperatures of minus 20°C are common. Due to the low humidity, however, Finland's climate is actually not as cold as temperature readings might seem to indicate.

In eastern Finland first snow settles in late October or in November, and the landscape will usually be covered with snow in December. The first signs of spring can be seen in March, and in April the snow gradually starts melting away. Still, there might be some snow left even in the beginning of May.

Finland has two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. However, knowledge of Finnish language is not necessary for studying in our degree programmes taught in English. However, studying Finnish before and during your studies is recommended. Knowledge of Finnish helps students to integrate into the everyday life in Finland.

For more information:

Infopankki - links to learning Finnish online

International students from non-EU/EEA countries are allowed to work in Finland on student's residence permit (without a work permit) for a maximum of 25 hours per week during academic semesters and full‐time during holidays. Students from the EU/EEA countries do not need work permits at all.

Please note that finding a job without excellent knowledge of the Finnish language is very difficult.

For more information: Employment and Economic Development Office

The non-European citizens studying in an international Bachelor's or Master’s degree have fees which vary from 8,000 to 10,000 € per year depending on the programme. The university offers tuition waivers and scholarships for international degree students required to pay tuition fees. There are no tuition fees for the EU and EEA citizens.

For more information:  Tuition fees and waivers