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 800 EUR per month (9600 EUR per year) annually at their disposal when applying for a residence permit. You are also required to have private insurance that covers medical and pharmaceutical expenses while in Finland.

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.

 In Joensuu, rent for a single room in a shared apartment ranges approximately from 200 to 350 EUR per month. Rent for a family apartments starts from app. 400 EUR per month.

In Kuopio, rent for a single room in a shared apartment ranges approximately from 260 to 350 EUR per month. Rent for a single-room apartment starts from app. 350 EUR per month. Rent for a family apartments starts from app. 500 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.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is responsible for issuing residence permits in Finland. You can apply for a study-based continuous residence permit (type A) for the entire duration of your studies. Application process can take time, and the student should be prepared to visit to a Finnish mission for identification. Allow at least two months for processing, or possibly longer. You need to have a valid residence permit before arriving in Finland and starting your studies. 
 

For more information:

• Residence permits for students (Finnish Immigration Service)
• Residence permits for PhD students (Finnish Immigration Service)
• 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 must have a valid personal (travel) insurance policy from an internationally recognized insurance agency for the whole duration of their stay in Finland. Read our Kamu Student Handbook about the insurance cover for students.

Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) provides all Bachelor’s and Master’s degree students of the University of Eastern Finland, with preventive health care, medical care, mental health care, and dental care. FSHS provides health services only for degree students (not available for exchange students) who have paid the Student Union membership fee. Read our Kamu Student Handbook about the student health care.

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 and links to learning Finnish online, please see infoFinland.fi.

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 30 hours per week. The right to work changed when the amendments to legislation on students and researchers entered into force on 15 April 2022. 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 tuition fees which are approximately 10,000 € per academic year. 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