Begin your journey toward a degree through the Open University route at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF). With flexible online studies, you can start studying right away, wherever you are, and use your completed credits to apply for full degree admission at UEF.
The open university route is an alternative way of applying as a degree student. In short, you complete a set of studies as an open university student, after which you may apply to become a degree student. At the moment, there are two open university routes you can choose from.
2
Open university routes
100
Courses in English
15 000
Students in the open university
Why Choose the Open University Route at UEF?
The Open University route at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) offers a flexible and smart way to begin your academic journey.
- Start studying right away, even while working or from your home country
- Explore your interest in a subject before committing to full-time studies
- Earn credits (25 ECTS) that count toward your future degree
- Build confidence in academic English and university study methods
- Get familiar with UEF’s learning systems
- Cost-effective and low-risk way to begin your degree journey
More information about studying at the Open university can be found here: How to study at the Open university.
I wanted to continue my studies and had always wanted to attend university. I heard about the concept of the open university from my Finnish friends, and I thought that was an excellent opportunity for me to return to studying after a long time.
Paula Carballo
Our open university routes
Understand how education and civic engagement can promote sustainability in diverse communities and global contexts.
Admission criteria
- Route studies: Basic studies in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development, 25 ECTS (UEF’s Open University)
- Grade: 3/5
- Seats: 5
- Application period: Annually in January. Courses need to be completed by the end of March.
In addition, applicants must meet the general English-language requirements to be eligible to apply.
If there are more eligible applicants than there are seats, applicants will be ranked according to the weighted mean of grades of the five basic studies courses.
Please see the degree programme’s webpage for specific criteria, deadlines and further information.
Studying at the Open University
The studies are available as online teaching. Please note that each course has its own schedule and deadlines. Explore the studies through the link below.
Basic studies in Lifelong Learning and Sustainable Development
More information about registration and fees.
More information
Improve your understanding of the rapidly changing world. Social scientists examine the dynamics of societal change and seek answers to questions such as what creates wellbeing or a lack of it, what causes alienation, what is happening in education and the labour market, and what is the role of culture in shaping our relationships with each other.
Admission criteria
- Route studies: Basic Studies in Social Sciences, 25 ECTS (UEF’s Open University)
- Grade: 3/5
- Seats: 5
- Application period: Annually in January.
For the 2026 admissions, the course “What is Society” needs to be completed on April 5, 2026. Other courses need to be completed by the end of April. The applicants with the best scores from the “What is Society” course will be accepted for the programme.
In addition, applicants must meet the general English-language requirements to be eligible to apply.
Please see the degree programme’s webpage for specific criteria, deadlines and further information.
Studying at the Open University
The studies are available as online teaching. Please note that each course has its own schedule and deadlines. Explore the studies through the link below.
Basic Studies in Social Sciences
More information about registration and fees.
More information
Refunds for Open university route applicants pursuing their first degree
Are you a first-time university applicant? You may be eligible for compensation of your Open university study fees. Please read the conditions below.
A refund can be applied for under the following conditions:
- The applicant is a first-time applicant (no previous higher education degree or a higher education study place accepted in autumn 2014 or later, including universities of applied sciences).
- The refund is granted only upon application, provided that the admission criteria for the Open University route have been met.
- The refund is issued for studies completed after August 1, 2023, at the University of Eastern Finland, for which the student has paid the study fee.
- The refund is granted for studies completed with the study right of the Open University of the University of Eastern Finland and is not issued for studies or fees from other open universities or higher education institutions.
- The refund is issued according to the fees of the Open University of the University of Eastern Finland.
- The refund is issued after the admission process is complete, provided that the conditions for the refund are met.
- The applicant is compensated for only one (1) Open University route
- The refund is paid only for the route or target for which the applicant has applied for admission.
- The application period takes place every summer, following the publication of admission results. The application period for spring 2025 was from June 16th to July 31st. The application form for 2026 admissions will be added here in spring 2026.