For new University staff and students

This guide includes the most important instructions related to the use of information technology for new University staff and students. 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.

The IT instructions of the University of Helsinki are mainly available on this instructions site, which is open to everyone. Please note that the instructions often include a short quick guide and longer instructions with images. Some instructions also include video tutorials. The instructions are on different tabs of the same site.

To access some of the instructions, you have to log into Flamma, the University’s intranet. You can log into Flamma when you have a University user account.

A user account is almost always required for using the University’s different IT systems. All University staff and students should hold some type of a user account. Applications for user accounts should be submitted to the University of Helsinki’s IT Center.

• You can get a user account with this application form
• Instructions for filling in the application

You can find out more about user accounts on the User accounts landing page.

Different services require a user account and a username in a specific format.

• You can log in to nearly all university services using the standard format: username (for example, rkeskiva)
• eduroam credentials: username@helsinki.fi (for example, rkeskiva@helsinki.fi) 
• Microsoft 365 services: username@ad.helsinki.fi (for example, rkeskiva@ad.helsinki.fi)

NB! Your email will be in the format firstname.surname@helsinki.fi (for example raimo.keski-vaanto@helsinki.fi)

Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is used for logging into some University services.

An email address ending in helsinki.fi is connected to the username of each University student and member of staff. You can read your email with any email application or through the browser-based Outlook Web App (OWA).

Your email will be in the format firstname.surname@helsinki.fi (for example raimo.keski-vaanto@helsinki.fi)

Microsoft 365 is the electronic service package for University staff and students, which includes email, calendar and many other useful services for working and studying at the University.

The email works in the browser in the address https://www.helsinki.fi/office365

• Wireless networks landing page
• Also learn how to turn your phone into a mobile hotspot

• Remote work landing page
• OpenVPN connections at the University
• Always on VPN (AoVPN) has been installed on all computers in the University’s central administration
• Virtual desktops (VDI)

Remote access to databases

Some services, such as e-papers and article databases are only available when used on a computer connected to the university network. It is also possible to utilize these services from home by connecting your computer to the university network using the VPN software. All you need is a connection to the internet and a university username.

For more information on the University of Helsinki's e-resources and using them can be found in the Student's digital skills study materials, in the section on information retrieval.

Read more from Library's instructions about using collections.

You create a remote connection from your home computer to your University home directory.
More detailed information on storing and sharing information is provided in separate instructions.

• Remote access to home directory (Windows 10)
• Remote access to home directory (Mac)
• Using your home directory on your home computer (Cubbli-wiki, available in English)

You also create a connection to a group disk space

• Remote access to group disk space (Windows 10)
• Remote access to group disk space (Mac)
• Remote access to group disk space (Cubbli-wiki, available in English)

You can participate in online meetings by using the Teams or Zoom application.

• Instructions on how to use Teams
• Instructions on how to use Zoom
• Participating in a Zoom meeting
• Zoom checklist for meeting organisers
• Zoom: Webinar and Large Meeting functions

• Printing landing page
• Instructions on how to use multi-function printers

Software to the University computer

• On the University’s Windows computer, you can install software yourself from the Software Center. 
• On the University’s Mac computer, you can install software yourself from the Managed Software Center. 
• On the University’s Cubbli computer, you can install software yourself from Cubbli's own installation packages (Cubbli User Documentation Wiki, only in English)

Software to home computer

The IT center has acquired extended licences for many software suites in use at the university, also covering use on the students' own computers. The programs intended for home use may be downloaded through software distribution. The software is only intended for use by the staff and students of the University of Helsinki.

Passing these programs or parts of them to people outside of the University of Helsinki is strictly forbidden!

• The students and staff members who have adopted Microsoft 365 receive Office applications free-of-charge, or, in more detail, the  M365 Apps for Enterprise package, including the applications’ installation rights for their own devices (5 devices). For instructions on how to set  up Microsoft 365, see this page.
• University staff and students can purchase F-Secure’s products for home use at a discount. 

Additional information on the purchase, licences and possible home use rights of applications and software is available on Flamma (requires logging in).

Your supervisor probably has the equipment and tools you require for your work ready. However, here are some purchase instructions:

• How to purchase a computer (in Flamma, requires logging in).
• How to purchase a phone (in Flamma, requires logging in).

The IT Center provides information on changes and renewals of IT services in all its normal communication channels:

• In Flamma messages
• In Viva Engage’s (previously Yammer) Tietotekniikan vertaistuki channel
  • Tip: you can subscribe to channel post notifications as emails
• In the News column of the frontpage of the IT Helpdesk website
• On the IT_HelsinkiUni account on X (formerly Twitter)

Make a habit of regularly following one of the above-mentioned channels. These channels also offer a plentiful amount of other IT-related information that will boost your working.

• Also follow the info screens at the campuses
• You can check the service status of IT Services on the status site at status.helsinki.fi

You can find IT instructions on this IT Helpdesk instructions site. The instructions site is available 24/7 without logging in.

User support is available via the IT Helpdesk service. Read the more detailed instructions on how to contact the IT Helpdesk.

Student’s digital skills
In the University’s IT Services, you can get to know learning materials open to all. The material not only includes an extensive report on the University of Helsinki’s IT environment but also useful facts in layperson’s terms on the use of computers, information security and the basic principles of information retrieval.

Further information is available at blogs.helsinki.fi/opiskelijan-digitaidot/

The Studies service
The Studies service brings the student’s most important tools, contents and services into one place. The Studies service allows you to, for example, follow the University’s communications, search for available courses and search for instructions to support your studies. On the My Studies site, you can see your own timetable and, if you want to, you can order the contents of the My Studies calendar to your own electronic calendar. The Services and tools menu allows you to quickly access other university systems and services as well.

The Studies service is available at studies.helsinki.fi.

Status.helsinki.fi
You can see the status of the University’s IT services on the status.helsinki.fi site. The site informs you of upcoming and current service breaks that may also affect your work.