Orientation for degree students

The autumn 2026 orientation for new international degree students will be held in August during week 35. The general orientation dates for all new international degree students are Mon–Wed 24–26 August.

During the orientation, you will be given an introduction to studying at the University of Turku. You will also learn about the services you can use as a student: sports, language courses, IT services, library, etc.

09.30 – 09.50 CampusSport's presentation

09.50 – 10.00 Turku University Choir

10.00 – 10.45 Registration with the University and in Finland (+ other official matters) 

Valtteri Kiviö, International student coordinator, Admission Services

10.45 – 11.30 Tuition Fees and Scholarships + Residence Permits 

Johanna Kärki, International Education Specialist, Admission Services

11.30 – 11.35  Break

11.35 – 11.45 Student Union of the University of Turku, TYY

Hanna Kiiskilä, TYY International Specialist 

11.45 – 12.00 Being an active student

Kamran Aliyev from TYY executive board of 2026

12.00 – 13.30 Lunch

13.30 – 13.50  UTU Well-being Services 

Anu Mäkelä, Study and Work Well-being Specialist, Study and Work Well-being Services

13.50 – 14.05 Centre for Language and Communication Studies

Anna Väre, Head of Academic and Student Affairs, Educational Affairs

14.05 – 15.00  Academic Writing at Finnish Universities

Bridget Palmer, Centre for Language and Communication Studies

15.00 – 15.15 Break

15.15 – 15.45  Finnish Language Courses

Minella Salonen & Jenni Laaksonen, University Teachers, Centre for Language and Communication Studies

15.45 – 16.00 Finnish Language and Culture Minor 

Hanna Jokela, University Lecturer, Department of Finnish and Finno-Ugric Languages 

16.15 – Picnic with new international degree students & tutors

Location: The university Hill

Note: Picnic dependent on weather. Any changes will be informed via e-mail.

The degree programme-specific autumn orientation dates will be updated to this website during summer 2026. 

Each international degree programme usually holds their own short orientation sessions or introductory meetings for their new students. We recommend that you attend both the general orientation as well as your programme-specific orientation. Information on programme-specific orientation sessions will be updated here during summer 2026.

In addition to the general orientation, there will be a so-called "re-orientation" session on the afternoon of Friday 11 September which we hope all new international degree students will also attend. Additional important orientation matters will be discussed during this session. 

The idea is to provide a chance to return to orientation matters after settling in and starting your studies, when you have had the chance to calm down after the initial relocation stress. However, the re-orientation does not substitute for attending the actual general orientation, students are encouraged to attend all orientation programme during autumn 2026.  

15.15 – 15.35 Exchange studies for international degree students 

15.35 – 16.35 UTU Career Services, Career after Studies 

16.45 – 17.15 What information channels should you follow? 

Valtteri Kiviö, International student coordinator

17.15 – 18.00 Summary of important matters from general orientation

Valtteri Kiviö & Johanna Kärki, Admission Services

Slight changes and updates to the programme are still possible.

The autumn DVV pop-in dates for the international degree students will be updated to this website during spring 2026. 

We kindly ask you to come on the day assigned for your last name. If that is not possible, you can come on one of the other dates instead.

You do not necessarily have to be at the DVV at 9 o'clock sharp in the morning, instead you can visit at any point between the assigned hours during the pop-in dates. The processing takes about 5–10 minutes per student, but you should prepare to queue for a short while. 

Before visiting:

Please review the instructions on the DVV website carefully. 

Fill the online form

To apply for a Finnish personal identity code and/or a municipality of residence, you must fill in the online form in advance to your visit, but only after you have arrived in Finland.

Bring a certificate of study

Once your UTU account is active, you can download an official certificate of study from Peppi:

• Go to the top menu of the Peppi homepage

  • Click on the “Certificates” tab and download the document titled “Certificate of studies for all study rights”

  • If you do not have access to your UTU account by the time of your DVV visit, you can request a certificate by sending an email to disco@utu.fi.

• A certificate of admission is not accepted. 

Please note that family members cannot be registered at Pop-In events
The DVV does not serve students’ family members during the Pop-In events.

• If you arrive in Finland together with your family, please book appointments for both yourself and your family members through the DVV website (preferably two consecutive time slots for larger families).

• If you arrive before your family, you can attend a Pop-In event, and your family should book separate appointments after they arrive in Finland.

As a degree student you will have a student tutor to help you with the practicalities and guide you through the student life in Turku. Tutors are senior students who have volunteered to help you get a smooth start in your studies in Finland! Each tutor has about 5-10 students.

Once accepted to the university, you will receive the contact information of your tutor by email during the summer.

Inform your tutor about your arrival day, time and place as soon as possible so that they can make arrangements to meet you upon your arrival.

If you do not need or want a tutor, please inform your faculty as soon as possible.

• Your faculty or programme at UTU, you can find the e-mail address on your admission offer.