Starting Your Studies

Welcome to study Industrial Engineering and Management, and congratulations on choosing an amazing place to study! We’re also happy that you’ve found your way to our website. On this page, you’ll find all the important information you need to get your studies off to a great start.

A freshman (in finnish fuksi) is a first-year university student just starting their higher education journey. The first year is often said to be the best time of your student life, so make sure to enjoy it to the fullest! During your fuksi year, there will be all kinds of events organized especially for you. You’ll get to enjoy them together with other freshmen, many of whom may become lifelong friends.

As a freshman at Optiem, you and the other first-year students are looked after by the Optiem Freshman Team. Freshman Coordinator Silja Kilpi, Freshman Assistant Sisu Mäkinen, and the tutors will make sure that you get your studies off to a good start, settle into university life, and get to experience the best parts of being a student. Our most important task is to make everyone feel welcome at Optiem and to ensure that everyone is accepted exactly as they are.

If you are starting your studies in the international programme, your tutor will be Luanna Draskochy. If you are starting an exchange period, please check the “Exchange Students” section of our website. You’ll find the relevant information for exchange students there.

Your first opportunity to meet the other fuksis and the Fuksi Team will be at Ballday (in finnish Pallopäivä) on 29 August 2026. Despite its name, Ballday has (at least nowadays) nothing to do with balls. The day will start with a meeting at the university, followed by a relaxed afternoon of hanging out and getting to know the university, the Freshman Team, and, of course, your fellow students. The meeting is part of the mandatory small-group guidance, but you won’t have to worry about schoolwork just yet on Saturday.

In August, you’ll receive an email from your tutor containing important information about starting your studies. So, keep an eye on your inbox! The email will introduce you to your tutor(s) and include links to the most important Telegram groups. You’ll also receive the Freshman Guide, an information package introducing you to us at Optiem.

If you still have any questions, things you’re wondering about, or wishes regarding your studies, the guild, or anything else, feel free to contact your Freshman Coordinator Silja by email at fuksivastaava@optiem.fi or on Telegram at @missfux.

 

Checklist Before Your Studies Begin

  • Accept your study place and register as attending.
  • When registering, pay the OYY membership fee and the healthcare fee for higher education students.
  • Start looking for an apartment as soon as you receive your study place so you don’t get left without one. For example, you can apply for student housing in Oulu through PSOAS.
  • Apply to Kela for student financial aid (including the housing supplement) and a student loan.
  • Download the Tuudo app (among other things, your digital student card can be found there).
  • Check which public transport options you can use to get to the Linnanmaa Campus, and download the OSL app if necessary.
  • Read the Freshman Guide sent to your email
  • Get ready for the best year ever!

Silja Kilpi
Head of Freshmen Affairs

Sisu Mäkinen
Freshmen Associate

Studying in Oulu

  • The University of Oulu is located approximately 7 km from the city centre, so it’s worth considering the location when choosing where to live. Popular areas among students include the city centre, Linnanmaa, Alppila, Tuira, and Toppilansalmi.

  • Cycling is extremely popular in Oulu thanks to the flat terrain and excellent cycling infrastructure. We highly recommend getting a bicycle and a sturdy lock!
  • There are plenty of opportunities to stay active during your free time. Optiem has its own hobby groups and many enthusiastic members, so don’t hesitate to join in! Team sports can be played, for example, at Nallisport or the Linnanmaa Sports Hall. With a UniMove membership, you’ll receive substantial discounts at many sports facilities and have the chance to try a wide range of activities, such as Muay Thai, padel, and many others
  • Be sure to download the Tuudo app and activate your digital student card. It gives you discounts at many places around Oulu. For example, you can enjoy student-priced meals not only at the university restaurants but also at several restaurants around the city, including Pekuri in the city centre.

Useful links for finding an apartment:

PSOAS Sivakka Vuokraovi

The most important events of the freshman year

First meeting with fellow students and tutors before the start of your studies. Bring your happy self and an open mind to the university.

The best info bash of the fall, where the most important student organizations introduce themselves at Teekkaritalo. After the official part, even more awesome program to follow!

Joint official opening ceremony of the University of Oulu and OAMK. Organization fair at the university during the day, and in the evening an outdoor festival event with performers and a great atmosphere.

One of the best events of your freshman year, where team spirit is strengthened by going around hilarious/wild stations/checkpoints all around Oulu.

Relaxed get-together to meet your small-group leaders, study counselor, and personal tutors, as well as your new fellow students, of course. Pancake Evening is part of your studies and is alcohol-free.

Freshmen receive their freshman caps, which let them practice wearing the Teekkari cap. The general Cap Permit ends on the last day of September.

An event where freshmen are taught what it’s like to be at an academic dinner party, i.e. “sitsit.”

Freshmen compete against each other in groups in various “Teekkari” sports.

An evening of song where you learn Teekkari songs and perform your own songs with rewritten lyrics.

The highlight of the student year! A roughly week-long celebration you don’t want to miss! Wappu is crowned by the baptism of freshmen (“fuksiuitot”) and the early-morning capping ceremony.