VYY exists first and foremost to make your time at university as smooth as possible. We advocate for students on campus, in Vaasa, and in Finland, and stand up for students when things get tough. Our Student Union is known for its strong sense of community, which we cherish and promote through various events and tutoring, to name a few. Additionally, VYY membership offers a wide range of national and local benefits and services. You can read more about our membership benefits on our website.

All members of the Student Union are welcome to join our activities. VYY has a wide range of roles for volunteers, such as tutoring, joining the event team, becoming a member of the Representative Council or the Executive Board, and taking part in various projects. Keep an eye on our website and social media to learn more about getting involved!

The best way to keep up to date with VYY’s activities is to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter. You can also find our other social media channels below. Feel free to contact the Executive Board or VYY’s staff, or visit our Service Office in the Konttori building on campus. 

VYY on Instagram
VYY on LinkedIn
VYY on Kide.app
Subscribe to VYY’s newsletter!

VYY’s tutor project creates social relationships that promote student wellbeing. 

The tutor coordinators are responsible for the overall management and implementation of the tutor project. In 2025, Casimir Timonen was responsible for coordinating tutoring for Finnish programmes, and Helen Rankaviita for international programmes. Helen also continues tutor coordination for international students starting in the spring semester of 2026. You can find the tutor coordinator’s contact information on our website.

In spring 2026, there are seven tutors involved in tutoring. Tutors are responsible for tutoring new students, guiding them into academic life, and ensuring that new students integrate into the student community. 

The tutor project also includes wellbeing tutors (“hyvis” tutors), whose role is to ensure a safer environment in every event of the tutor project. You can approach any tutor with concerns, but our wellbeing tutors are trained for situations where you need a listener or help with uncomfortable situations. All wellbeing or “hyvis” tutors have received training organized by the Student Union of the University of Vaasa VYY, and you can recognize them by the word HYVIS on their tutor shirts.

For the spring semester, we have two wellbeing tutors listed below.

Getting to know other freshers

Your first weeks are full of networking events. Before you begin your studies, it’s a good idea to join our WhatsApp group. You will get the link from your tutor! 

Information on fresher events

All fresher events will have their own Kide.app event page. There, you can find the time and place of the event, as well as other information you need to participate. 

For all of our spring events, make sure to follow us on Instagram @ylioppilaskunta. You can also get information on our events by subscribing to VYY’s newsletter. 

Sports in Vaasa

The University of Vaasa provides sport services for students. The diverse range of services includes e.g. gym, pilates, and other group exercises, cheerleading, and various ball sports. You can access the sport services by purchasing a digital sport sticker from the University online store. 

Vaasa also offers a wide range of sports facilities from gyms to ball courts, dancing, and climbing. There are many high-quality sports clubs in the area so spectators can also get their fair share of sports!

Vaasa is the perfect place for outdoor activities. The City of Vaasa’s website provides information on outdoor sports facilities in the area.

Student Card

As a VYY member, you are entitled to a digital Slice student card, which you can use to redeem thousands of valuable student benefits across Finland by our country’s largest student benefit service. 

Please note that new students starting in the spring semester can access the student card from 1 January onwards. To access the card, register for attendance and pay the Student Union membership fee. You can activate your student card once your information has been transferred to the university’s systems. This may take a few days after the payment of the membership fee.

How to set up a Slice student card?

1. Download the Slice app from Google Play or App Store.

2. Use your browser to visit slice.fi/vyy and order your digital student card by filling out the form with your information and photo. You will receive an e-mail shortly after. 

3. You can now log in to the Slice app with the login information received in the e-mail.

If you wish to have a plastic student card, you can order one online and pick it up from VYY’s Service Office. The plastic card costs 10 euros. 

You can find more information about both student cards on our website under Membership.

If you need to prove your student status before receiving your student card, you can do so by proving you have paid your membership fee. The easiest way is to print or save your payment confirmation or receipt when you pay your membership fee. If this is not possible, you can also take a screenshot of the payment in your online bank.

Finding your way around campus

Tutors will guide our new students around the campus during the first days. You might also want to take a look at the campus map on the University of Vaasa website. To find the location of study rooms and other facilities, you can install the Tuudo app from your phone’s app store.

Leipis or the Leipätehdas sauna facilities

The Student Union has a sauna and meeting facility Leipis, which is located in the center of Vaasa. The Student Union rents the facilities to its members and organizations at a lower price. 

You can book the Leipis sauna facilities through the calendar on our website. 

Leipis is the perfect space for events of up to 30 people from meetings and parties to graduations and casual hangouts. A condition of the affordable rent is that renters clean the space themselves. When everyone takes responsibility for keeping the space clean and tidy, it also serves student generations after us.

What is FSHS and how does it benefit me? 

(Note: This section applies to degree students only.)

The Finnish Student Healthcare Service FSHS is a foundation that provides healthcare services to students in higher education. FSHS supports your health and wellbeing throughout your studies. They provide oral, general, and mental health services to degree students in Finnish higher education institutions, and you are eligible for their services once you have registered as attending for the current semester.

FSHS does not charge fees for appointments. Instead, all FSHS services are covered by a healthcare fee for students in higher education. Students pay this fee to the social security institution Kela. 

FSHS has offices all over Finland in places that offer higher education. You can use the services of any office during your studies. Please note that some international degree students have been given different instructions regarding the healthcare fee. Always check up-to-date instructions on Kela’s website.

Read more on FSHS’s website for new students.

The Student Union is not the only organization operating in the academic community. We unite a wide range of organizations, associations, societies, and clubs whose activities are open to all members of the Student Union. You can get access to these activities by contacting the organizations directly. 

Read more about the organizations within VYY on our website under Student organizations.