At the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, interdisciplinarity serves as a foundation for our activities. We examine and study the society and environment around us, as well as the relationships between them, from a multitude of scientific perspectives. We are home to an exceptionally broad selection of disciplines, including the humanities, business studies, natural sciences, law, health sciences, and social sciences. This allows us to seek diverse solutions to local, regional and even global issues, and we build a sustainable future while taking economic and environmental aspects into consideration.
Our strong and natural links to other actors in society lay a foundation for education that is of a high quality and relevant to labour market needs, as well as for continuous learning. Genuine interaction with various national and international actors brings up issues that our teachers and researchers examine in both education and research.
We operate on the Joensuu and Kuopio campuses.
4,480
Bachelor's and Master's Degree Students
500
Doctoral researchers
550
Staff Members
Departments, Schools and Units
Research
Our research is linked to the university’s strategic research areas as well as to the individual interests of our researchers. Our surrounding society and nature also serve as a continuous source of new phenomena for research. Our research is interdisciplinary, and we use multi-method approaches. We are actively involved in the university’s multidisciplinary research communities, as well as in international research networks.
We generate research-based knowledge and open new dialogues on multidisciplinary themes. These include socio-cultural phenomena related to borders, mobilities and encounters between people, social issues pertaining to climate change, sustainable development, the bioeconomy and the circular economy, as well as themes relating to effectiveness in social welfare and health care, and ageing. We carry out active research into the transformation of working life, as well as into the development of competence and learning in our fields of study.
Our research is of a high scientific standard and it makes an impact on an international level. For us, the societal impact of research-based knowledge is a priority – after all, much of our research is conducted in the context of the society around us. The development, goal setting and monitoring of faculty research and doctoral education is led by the Research Development Committee, chaired by the Vice Dean of Research.
The faculty's researchers and research groups are actively supported in applying for external research funding and in questions related to data management, research methods and infrastructure. The faculty monitors the latest developments in its research fields and key funders, and the research funding coordinators, research manager and staff scientist provide expertise by disseminating funding opportunities, organizing training, and assisting in the development of applications and research plans in line with the funders' requirements.
Research funding coordinators dedicated to support the faculty’s researchers in applying for research funding provide information on different funding sources, can assist in proposal preparation and comment on proposals. See more on support for applying research funding at UEF. In the preparation of EU projects requiring an international consortium, the research manager supports the assembling of the project consortium and participates in the review and editing of proposal sections, as required. Staff scientist assists researchers and research groups in the use of advanced statistical methods and with applying for infrastructure projects. The staff scientist also focuses on developing the quantitative methodological competences across the faculty’s postgraduate research portfolio.
Studies
We educate our students about contemporary issues in society and provide them with the theoretical and academic skills typically associated with university education. Our students get to contribute to the creation of new thinking and knowledge already during their studies. Our diverse learning environments, digital tools and pedagogically motivated teachers make it possible for students to complete their studies smoothly and in a learner-centred manner.
We offer education in archives and records management, history, business studies, geography, law, social psychology, sociology, social pedagogy, social work, social and health management sciences, health and human services informatics, health economics, human geography, social and public policy, and environmental policy. At the University of Eastern Finland, students can choose their minor subjects freely, which offers them an excellent opportunity to select studies according to individual interests, beyond the scope of their major subject.
In addition to degree programmes taught in Finnish, we offer four Master’s degree programmes that are taught in English. We are also a strong player in the field of continuous learning; for instance, we offer a wide selection of Open University courses and alternative routes to university. The Committee on Development of Education, led by the Vice Dean of Education, ensures the development of quality of teaching, learning environments and common good practices.
International Master's degree programmes
Doctoral Programmes
Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
Read moreNews and events
News
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Alumni story: Katarzyna Wiśniewska
27.3.2025
Events
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Contact information
Joensuu campus
Postal address
University of Eastern Finland
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
Joensuu campus
P.O. Box 111, FI-80101
Finland
Kuopio campus
Postal address
University of Eastern Finland
Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
Kuopio campus
P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211
Finland