Thinking about studying or working in Finland? A smart 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. The Finnish education system enjoys world-wide recognition for its excellence. In Finland, education is regarded as a fundamental right and the Finnish education policy emphasises equal opportunities for all.
Land of a thousand lakes and four seasons
Finland is a Nordic democracy and a member of the European Union. In terms of area, Finland is the seventh largest country in Europe but it has a very low population density. The population of Finland is 5.5 million. The capital of the country is Helsinki, and we have two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. The currency used in Finland is the euro.
Forests cover over two thirds of the country. Finland is also a land of a thousand lakes and water covers 10% of the land. Finland is a land of four distinct seasons.
During the summer, the highest daytime temperature in eastern Finland occasionally rises over 25°C (degrees Celsius). During the winter months, particularly in January and February, temperatures of minus 20°C are common. Even if the temperatures in the winter can seem harsh, Finland has a much milder climate than other areas in similar latitudes. This is due to the many lakes, the Baltic Sea and the airflows from the Atlantic Ocean warmed by the Gulf Stream.
In the summer, there is daylight almost around the clock whereas in the winter there are only a few hours of daylight. In the autumn, the first snow often settles in November and the landscape will often be covered in snow in December. The first signs of spring can be seen in March and the snow gradually starts melting away in April.
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 or work destination!
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has a nice portal, This is Finland, on everything you should 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.
The website of the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture is the best source of information when it comes to Finnish education 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.
If you want to read the latest news, please visit the Yle News site which covers the top domestic stories of the day in Finland.
UEF campuses and campus cities
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. Our internationally recognised research is built around global challenges that touch the lives of many. 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.
We have some 15,500 degree students studying at UEF, and our beautiful campuses in Joensuu and Kuopio 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.
Guides for international students and staff
Contact information for international students
International Student Recruitment: studentrecruiting@uef.fi
Admissions Office for Master's and Bachelor's Degree applicants: admissions@uef.fi
International Mobility Services for exchange students: international@uef.fi
