Orientation Handbook 2015-2016 Welcome to the University of Helsinki ............................................................................................ 7 Check list for new international students ....................................................................................... 8 I General information about Finland and the City of Helsinki ..................................................... 9 Finland ............................................................................................................................................. 9 General ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Geography ................................................................................................................................. 9 Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Population .................................................................................................................................. 9 Languages ................................................................................................................................. 9 Religion .................................................................................................................................... 10 History ...................................................................................................................................... 10 Government ............................................................................................................................. 10 Foreign policy ........................................................................................................................... 11 Press ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Television and radio................................................................................................................. 11 Education ................................................................................................................................. 11 University education in Finland ............................................................................................... 11 Industry and economy ............................................................................................................. 12 City of Helsinki .............................................................................................................................. 12 Early history ............................................................................................................................. 12 International capital.................................................................................................................. 13 II University of Helsinki ................................................................................................................... 14 University of Helsinki in a nutshell ................................................................................................ 14 University life ................................................................................................................................. 14 Buildings and facilities .................................................................................................................. 15 Administration ............................................................................................................................... 15 Students in university decision making ................................................................................... 15 Faculties ................................................................................................................................... 16 Flamma – the university intranet .................................................................................................. 16 Social opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 16 i System of studies.......................................................................................................................... 17 Academic year ......................................................................................................................... 17 Curricula ................................................................................................................................... 18 Courses offered in English ...................................................................................................... 18 Instructions for studies .................................................................................................................. 18 Degree system .............................................................................................................................. 19 Independent Master's Degree Programmes ........................................................................... 20 Credit system ........................................................................................................................... 20 Credit transfer .......................................................................................................................... 20 Grades...................................................................................................................................... 20 Grading revision ....................................................................................................................... 20 Transcripts .................................................................................................................................... 21 Language studies.......................................................................................................................... 21 Department of Finnish, Finno-ugrian and Scandinavian studies ........................................... 21 Language Centre ..................................................................................................................... 22 WebOodi ....................................................................................................................................... 23 ICT Driving Licence ...................................................................................................................... 23 Studying for a minor in another university ................................................................................... 24 Summer studies ............................................................................................................................ 25 Helsinki Summer School ......................................................................................................... 25 Necessary supplies for studies..................................................................................................... 26 Copy cards and express print.................................................................................................. 26 Book shops .............................................................................................................................. 26 Enrolment and registration ........................................................................................................... 26 First year degree students ....................................................................................................... 26 Exchange students .................................................................................................................. 26 Second year and beyond - Degree students .......................................................................... 27 Did you forget to register? ....................................................................................................... 27 Second year and beyond - Online registration on WebOodi.................................................. 27 Registering for non-attendance ............................................................................................... 27 Year tag for your student card ................................................................................................. 27 Duration of studies ........................................................................................................................ 27 Etappi – checkpoint system .......................................................................................................... 28 Practices affecting doctoral studies.............................................................................................. 28 Student card .................................................................................................................................. 29 ii III University services ...................................................................................................................... 30 Student Services ........................................................................................................................... 30 Student Services on the campuses ........................................................................................ 30 Disabled Student Services ...................................................................................................... 30 Career services .......................................................................................................................