Remote access to university services

The University has online services and resources whose use is restricted to the University network for licensing and security reasons. These include, for example, the databases and electronic journals provided by the library, the home and group directories, and some of SAP’s functions.

If you wish to use these services from a device that is not on the University network, you need to establish a secure connection between the device and the University server. The most common technology for establishing such a connection is VPN. A valid University username is required to use a VPN connection.

Several of the University’s online services, such as Flamma, Moodle and email and other Microsoft 365 services, can be accessed from any network without a VPN connection. 

This landing page includes the most important instructions related to remote access to university services. You can find more help from this instructions site by using, for example, the search. 

If you cannot solve the problem with the instructions, don’t hesitate to contact the IT Helpdesk.

Would you like to access your group or home directory from outside the University? Read the instructions on using group and home directories in separate instructions.

Would you like to access the library’s e-resources remotely? Read the library’s e-resources instructions on the library’s website.

EduVPN is a modern and secure VPN connection. It is the recommended way to connect to the University network from external networks.

• eduVPN is installed automatically on the University’s Windows, Mac and Cubbli computers, as well as on iOS devices.
• Read about using eduVPN in separate instructions
• You can download eduVPN onto your home computer by following the instructions on the eduVPN page.
• Using eduVPN in Cubbli (Cubbli wiki)
• The app can be downloaded onto mobile devices via the relevant app store (Apple Store / Google Play).

On Windows laptops centrally administered by the University, you can also use the AoVPN (Always on VPN) connection. 

• AoVPN starts automatically when the device is connected to the internet and is not simultaneously connected to a University of Helsinki network (wired network, eduroam or eduVPN).
• When you use AoVPN, some of the network traffic does not go through the University’s network. Only traffic to the University of Helsinki runs through the AoVPN user tunnel.
• Read more about the AoVPN connection in separate instructions.

NB! Please use the EduVPN allroute connection if you need access to the University Library’s materials or other materials or systems that require all data traffic to pass through a VPN connection.

The University of Helsinki uses a remote desktop (VDI environment) used with Omnissa Horizon Client client software. You can run all programs on the remote desktop just as you would on a conventional university workstation.

• Further details on remote desktops are provided in separate instructions.
• The client software required has already been installed on University computers. If necessary, you can also install it on your own home computer from https://vdi.helsinki.fi
• For occasional use, there is no need to install a separate remote desktop client software, as you can access the remote desktop via your web browser at https://vdi.helsinki.fi
• The connection to the remote desktop is automatically secured. You do not need a separate VPN connection when using the remote desktop.

You can access your home directory and group directory through a VPN connection while outside the university.

• Read more about home directory with remote access in Student’s digital skills
• Remote access to home directory instructions for Windows
• Remote access to group directory from your home computer (Windows)
• Remote access to home and group directory (Mac)
• Remote access to the home and group directories on a Cubbli computer (Cubbli wiki)

Read Helpdesk’s tips on working remotely in separate instructions.

Information on remote access to the University of Helsinki’s services is also provided in the Student's Digital Skills learning material.