Student card and student benefits

Studying at Karelia UAS is beneficial to you

Student life at Karelia UAS and Joensuu is vibrant and filled with opportunities to study 24/7. You have also many possibilities to spend your free time in a meaningful way. As Karelia UAS degree student you are entitled to many benefits which are available to degree students only. They include:

Meal Discount at the University

All degree students in higher education are eligible for discounted meals at participating student restaurants. You can qualify even if you are not a Finnish citizen. The subsidy is deducted from the price of the meal at the student restaurant. You pay the discounted price. The subsidy is available for one meal per day. Students can show a Poka student card or Kela meal subsidy card available in the Tuudo app (which you can get from Student Services) and get a meal discount.

Student Card  

POKA is the student union of Karelia University of Applied Sciences. The POKA student card gives you the right to get at some museums, local shops and restaurants, swimming or other sports halls, and any place that sells tickets with student prices. It is always wise to ask about student discounts!

The student card is valid only when a sticker for the current study year is visible. The stickers are available for a fee from the student union organization.

Go to POKA website

Sports Activities

All university (UEF and Karelia) sporting services in Joensuu for students and staff members are united under the same concept Sykettä Susirajalla! Start a new life – you get a large variety of sports to try out and continue to exercise. The fees for these, including gym and group exercises, are much cheaper than local gyms.

Sport activities >

State Railways (VR)

Students receive a discount for train fares from the VR railroad system with the issuance of a student VR card. 

About student discount in VR website

National long-distance coach service (MATKAHUOLTO)

Students are entitled to fare discounts on national long-distance coaches. Students may also obtain a combination card for train and bus travel from the “Matkahuolto” sales offices. 

About student benefit in long-distance coaches

Public transport in Joensuu

Within the Joensuu region public transport, over 25-year-old students are eligible for a discount on tickets loaded onto Waltti cards. Students younger than 25, may travel with a Youth ticket.

About Joensuu region public transport