New Students -Frequently Asked Questions

On this page you can find answers for questions that are asked from us frequently.

Degree students

I want to become a degree student. Where can I find information? 

Tuition fee, Early-bird price, scholarships and refund policy 

I have applied for a study place, and now I’m on a waiting list. How can I check, where my application is in the queue?

  • You can follow the waiting list position at MyStudyinfo. Please read more about it here. In case of questions, please, contact Admission Services: admissions(at)karelia.fi.

I paid my tuition fee to Karelia UAS. How can I get a confirmation of it?

  • If you have paid the tuition fee via Karelia Shop, you will automatically receive a receipt of the tuition fee payment to your email address. If the the tuition fee payment is made via bank transfer, a receipt of the tuition fee will be sent to you by email once it has arrived at Karelia’s bank account. Please note that international money transfer can take several days.

How can apply a residence permit? 

Starting of studies 

How can I activate my Karelia username and log into Karelia Start Kit? 

  •  You will receive an email in August with the instructions on how to activate your Karelia username and how to log into the Karelia Start Kit. The username will be registered and taken into use at https://id.karelia.fi.  You will need to use electronic identification in the service either with your bank codes or with a mobile certificate. 
  • If you are unable to take your username into use online, you can receive it from Karelia UAS Helpdesk. In this case, you should make an appointment with the Helpdesk and take an ID with a photo with you (ID card, driver’s license or passport). If you cannot visit Helpdesk, please reserve an online appointment with Helpdesk: [email protected]

Are the Open UAS courses free for enrolled students?

Is it possible to work part-time? 

  • If you come to study from outside EU, please check the webpages of the Finnish Immigration Service (Student’s right to work). You may search for job positions, for example, through mol.fi website. 

Exchange students

Does the university have any dormitories? 

  • Finnish HEIs don’t have their own dormitories. However, there are special student housing companies in the cities, where HEIs are located. In Joensuu, students can apply from the student housing company, Joensuun Elli, for a room in a shared flat once they receive their acceptance letter from Karelia. The accommodation is located around 3–4 km from Karelia UAS and students can use the bus or bike to the campus.  
  • You can find the answers to the FAQ at Joensuun Elli webpages.

I am an exchange student. Can I take courses from other fields to complete the necessary credits for my exchange?  

  • All students can take courses from the Joint and Transdisciplinary courses selection. If you want to take courses from another field, you have to contact your departmetnal coordinator about this and additionally you need to have relevant backgroundm on the subject. 

Can I do a traineeship exchange at Karelia? 

  • Karelia University of Applied Sciences can arrange clinical placements in the fields of health (Nursing, Physiotherapy), ICT. Placements in other fields are more limited. The internship can only be arranged for a limited number of exchange students who are enrolled in one of our partner universities. Please contact us in advance to discuss the placement possibilities. 

 I am an exchange student. Do I get a student card or have any student discounts?  

  • If you are coming to Karelia UAS as an exchange student, you will receive a Meal subsidy card. With this card, you can get a student priced meal at our student restaurants and other student restaurants across Finland. You can’t use this card for other student discounts. However, you can join the student union POKA and get a student card. The membeship fee costs 25 euro academic year/semester (+6 euro for printing the card) and you can use it to have discounts on long distance buses, trains and university cafeterias in Finland among others.   

I want to come to Karelia UAS as an exchange student. What do I need to do? 

  • If you would like to complete your exchange at Karelia UAS, please first contact your home university and make sure we have an agreement with them in your study field. After that your home univesity will nominate you to us. Once we receive your nomination, we will send you an email with all the application instructions and all other necessary information.