Studies

As you prepare for your upcoming studies, we have compiled a comprehensive pre-arrival course package to ensure you are well-prepared. 

This elective pre-arrival course package is designed to help you begin your academic journey at Karelia UAS independently before the start of the academic semester. These courses will be part of your degree as elective studies and the credits will count toward the scholarship for the second study year.

Courses are not a mandatory part of your studies but are highly recommended. That way you will be one step ahead when you start your studies, and you have earned your first credits!

There are three separate courses and one English language-level test course:

Starting Studies at Karelia UAS, 1 credit
In this course, you will explore foundational materials preparing you for the upcoming academic year.
Karelia UAS Welcome to Finland, 1 credit
The civic orientation course makes it easier for you to settle in our country.
Office Basics, 2 credits
In this course, you learn the basics of Office applications Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The course information will be emailed to you separately by the Admission Services/course provider at the earliest on 14 January 2025.
Karelia Start Kit, self-study material (no credits)
This material familiarizes you with the digital environments and services of Karelia UAS before the beginning of your studies.

The first step to having access to this course package is to activate your Karelia username (Karelia ID).

Karelia ID

Once you have your Karelia username, you can access Karelia’s virtual learning environment Moodle. You find the courses on your Moodle Dashboard.

If you do not have the courses on your Moodle Dashboard, you find links for each course and the access keys in the Pre-arrival course package’s Moodle page.  After logging in, use the “Search courses” function on the front page to search for Pre-arrival Elective Course Package 1/2025. Use the enrolment key January2025 to access the material.

An academic year (1 August – 31 July) is divided into autumn, spring and summer semesters. As a degree student, you will have scheduled studies during the autumn and spring semesters. Elective studies completed during the summer semester allow you to speed up your studies. No common teaching will be arranged during the summer semester.

Spring semester 7 January – 1 June 2025
Winter break (no classes) 3 – 7 March 2025
Continuing students start the autumn term on 25 August 2025.

As a new degree student, you will start with orienting studies, guided by your study counsellor.

Degree Programme in International Business students start their studies on the Wärtsilä campus on the 7^th of January 2025 at 9:00 in auditorium WÄR100.
Degree Programme in Industrial Management students start their studies on the Wärtsilä campus on the 8^th of January 2025 at 9:00 in auditorium WÄR100.

Wärtsilä campus address: Karjalankatu 3, 80200 Joensuu. Google map

International Students must arrive on campus by 31 January 2025.
You will receive more information regarding the start of the studies by email.

The extent of the studies is measured using the ECTS credit unit system. Credits are allotted to courses according to the amount of work required to complete them. One academic year of study is 60 ECTS credits which means an average of 1600 hours of work.

One study week equals 1.5 credits, equivalent to 40 hours of student work (including teaching, self/group/teamwork).

Courses taking place during the same semester do not all start at the same time. Your weekly schedule is different for each week.  In addition to classes, you study independently which means that you study the course materials and literature and complete individual and group learning assignments.

You can find your class schedule at Lukkarikone. Schedules for spring semester 2025 classes will be published in December 2024 (changes are possible).

You will find your schedule by searching with your year group code.

Degree Programme International Business LBNK25A and LBNK25B (groups are formed in January)
Degree Programme Industrial Management IINK25A and IINK25B (groups are formed in January)

Here is a short video on how to find the timetable for your group in  Lukkarikone. 

The curriculum defines learning outcomes and the planned process of your professional growth and learning.

The Bachelor of Business Administration study curriculum is 210 ECTS credits (3.5 years) and the Bachelor of Engineering 240 ECTS credits (4 years).

In the Study Guide, you find the learning outcomes, core content, student´s workload, assessment criteria and way of grading for each of your mandatory courses. You will make the enrolment for the spring semester courses once you start your studies.

Watch these videos to learn more about the studies:

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) International Business

Degree Programme in Industrial Management

Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial Management)

Complete the Start Studies at Karelia UAS course to learn more about the Finnish education system, study curricula, study methods and study culture.
Pre-arrival elective course package

During your studies at Karelia UAS you will have a great opportunity to study Finnish language. Karelia offers plenty of courses for you to choose from and to study Finnish right from the first semester. It is very important to start studying Finnish language already in the beginning or your studies. Knowing Finnish language is essential for your integration and future employment in Finland. You will have an info session on Finnish language studies in the beginning of the semester and you can always contact the Finnish language teachers to learn more.

View Learners’ stories | Kielibuusti

There are plenty of options to start learning Finnish language online already before your arrival.

Here are some tips:

Opeton – Learn to speak a second language
- Mobile app
- AI teacher
Duolingo
- Mobile app
- Vocabulary, phrases, grammar, speaking, listening, reading, writing
Yle oppiminen
- Basics: phrases, alphabet, numbers
- Videos
Taste of Finnish
- Course by University of Helsinki
- Useful vocabulary, phrases and grammar for students
Suomi taskussa
- Videos of different themes – watch, listen and learn

Karelia offers several Finnish language courses. You find the elective course offering here:
Complementary Studies | Study Guide, Karelia. More information will be delivered on your orientation classes.
Check regularly Student Intra Pakki’s News section for Finnish language and culture events.
Student Intra – Home
See information for Finnish learners on Learn Finnish | Kielibuusti.
International House Joensuu offers Finnish language courses free of charge. Please check the courses and timetable on the IHJ website.
Joensuu Community College also offers Finnish language courses on different levels throughout the year. Please check the courses and timetable on their website.
You can search for online courses in the Finnish Courses service.
If you want to study independently, please ask your Finnish language teacher for tips.

Have you completed university-level studies that could be recognised for your new degree? If you have prior learning that meets the learning outcomes of your Karelia studies, you can have it accepted either by substitution, inclusion or by providing a demonstration of your competence.

You can apply for substitution with a previously completed course of study when

the study has been completed at a higher education institution,
the study is in the same field, and its content and scope are at least the same as in Karelia,
less than ten years have passed since the performance.

Credits from course substitutions are not counted for the second study year scholarship as the studies have been completed before starting studies at the Karelia UAS.

You can give proof of competence when

you have skills acquired through non-formal learning or outside higher education, and
your skills meet the learning outcomes of the Karelia studies.

More details will be provided during your orientation classes. For the process, you need original school certificates and transcripts, course descriptions and work experience certificates.

Read the stories and watch the videos relevant to your degree programme on this website:  
Student and Alumni Stories

Here are just a few videos and student stories to get started.

International Business

Industrial Management

Karelia UAS student ambassadors tell about their studies and life in Joensuu via Instagram account 
@karelia_internationalstudies.

Complete the Start Studies at Karelia UAS course to learn more about the Finnish study culture.
Pre-arrival elective course package

As a Karelia student, you are an active learner: you identify your competence needs and set goals for your learning. You are independent and active and take responsibility for your learning and professional development.

Studying requires you to have self-discipline, time management skills and determination to take responsibility for your studies. It is your responsibility to follow and adhere to the rules and timetables. In Finland, the rules are followed. 

What is expected?

Students are expected to be present during classes and encouraged to be actively engaged.
Independent approach to learning: you manage your studies and time.
Classes start and end as scheduled. Being late is not polite or acceptable.
Your field of study determines class types, assignments, and assessment methods.
Assignment deadlines are to be respected and adhered to. All course-related activities, lectures, assignments, and exams must be completed strictly within the designated time frames.
Students are encouraged to apply newly gained knowledge and understanding.
Working in multicultural, diverse groups offers new experiences and broadens your perspectives. This is a valuable working life skill.
Maintaining a professional and respectful tone when interacting with the Karelia UAS community.
Balancing study commitments with well-being is emphasized in Finland.

Complete the Start Studies at Karelia UAS course to learn more about student’s responsibilities.
Pre-arrival elective course package

Karelia UAS is committed to following ethical guidelines. Ethical norms and principles are binding to both the teacher and the student. The student has the right to receive guidance and instruction. However, the final responsibility for academic integrity and good scientific practice belongs to the student. Ethical principles are discussed at the beginning of your studies to prevent problems and misconduct before they appear.

Academic integrity is expected of all students. You have both rights and obligations. You have all rights to your own original work – anything where you have used your own skill, labour, judgement and effort. Similarly, you have an obligation to comply with copyright law and request permission to use other people’s work. You also must mention the original author when you use someone else’s work in producing yours.

Source criticism when finding information is very important. You must use only reliable, recent and relevant sources to your discipline and your assignment. Be profound when reading and studying the information. Do not just copy it, but make sure that you understand the whole context.

Sources: Karelia Thesis instructions and principal lecturer Kirsi-Marja Toivanen

Finland is the most digitalized country in Europe and Finns are among the world’s leading users of digital services. Studies show that the digital skills of Finns are the best in the EU. Digitalised society and working life require digital skills.

During your studies, you will be using several digital tools. Therefore, you need good digital skills. Start developing your skills by studying carefully the Karelia Start Kit self-study material. In addition, you can complete an Office Basics course, 2 credits. You can take addition course on digital skills during your studies.

Pre-arrival elective course package

Karelia’s IT services will send you instructions regarding your Karelia username (Karelia ID). Therefore, you must have access to the email account you have given to Karelia in your student application/acceptance. 

After you have received your Karelia username (Karelia ID), log in to the virtual learning environment Moodle, O356 email and Student Intra Pakki.

The most important information channels are the Karelia O356 email account, the virtual learning environment Moodle and Student Intra Pakki.

The Admission Services, teachers, student counsellors, Student Union and other Karelia staff members will inform you of current issues concerning your studies via Moodle, Karelia O356 email and Student Intra Pakki. Therefore, you must check your Karelia O356 email daily. 

Karelia ID and links to Moodle, O365 etc.

What to do when you have questions regarding courses e.g. assignments or deadlines:

Study carefully the course Moodle for instructions and the material shared by the teacher,
Check your Karelia Outlook for email instructions from teachers. Study the email instructions carefully. 
If you did not find the answer to your question in Moodle or your email, ask in the next class.
If you do not have classes with the teacher, send an email. When contacting your teachers you must use your Karelia email account.

When you have questions regarding general matters like academic year dates, health care services etc.

Go to Student Intra Pakki and search for information in the News, Studies, Services and Counselling and Welfare sections. You can use the Search function too.
Attend the orientation classes and ask your question then.

If you have questions regarding tuition fee or changing your student status,
contact [email protected].

Karelia UAS has two campuses that are located near each other. Both campuses are also located near the city centre and are easily accessible from all parts of the city by bike and bus.

All three English-taught programmes are located in the Wärtsilä Campus.

Campus addresses: