All attending students are given an IT username to the University's network. Most public computers on the campuses as well as the University's wireless network require you to log in with your username and password. The access right includes a username and password, an email address, disk space on a server and access to various programs. Basically you will need your user account for almost everything digital at the University of Helsinki.
You can activate your user account four months before your study right begins on 1 August and once your information is recorded in the student register. The student register will inform you by email when your information has been recorded.
Please note that you cannot use the University’s data systems (e.g. register for courses or print a digitally signed transcript) until you have activated your user account.
Activating the account online requires a Finnish e-banking account or an electronic user ID and a card reader. If you do not have a Finnish e-banking account or electronic user ID, please take the following actions:
- Fill out the IT username application form (pdf) online and sign it. A username and an e-mail address will be assigned to you based on your first name and surname. If desired, you can suggest a username (4-8 letters, a-z) and/or an e-mail address in the "Reasons for applying for a username" section of the form. After being set, the username can only be changed in exceptional circumstances.
- Send a picture of your signed application by email to the IT Helpdesk (helpdesk@helsinki.fi) using the subject line: “Degree student video identification: Firstname Lastname”
- After your application has been processed, you will receive a notification to visit a Helpdesk ID point personally or instructions for video identification. You will receive an e-mail from the IT helpdesk with information on how to book an appointment. After receiving the email, fill in your details in the booking system. Please note that it can take up to a couple of weeks before you receive the reply.
- For the actual online appointment, you need to have your official ID (e.g. passport) at hand and make sure you are in a well-lit space with a stable and safe internet connection preferably in a private surrounding.
If the activation of user accounts is not possible in before 1 August, the reason may be a technical challenge related to the registration of study rights (for example, in the case of students not attending due to a statutory reason). In this case, the account can be activated starting on 1 August or in urgent cases by contacting IT-Helpdesk.
For detailed instructions for activating your account, please see IT-Helpdesk's instructions. You can also read more about the IT services offered by the University of Helsinki on IT-Helpdesk's page for new students.