VYY exists first and foremost to make your time at university as comfortable as possible. We advocate for students on campus and in Vaasa, as well as nationally. We make students’ voices heard and stand by you when going gets tough. Our Student Union is known for its community, and we cherish it e.g. by organizing various events and tutoring. A VYY membership also gives you access to a multitude of discounts and services both locally and nationally. 

All Student Union members are warmly welcome to participate in our activities! VYY has many opportunities for volunteering, from tutoring to the event team, from the Representative Council to the Executive Board and various projects. Follow the Come join us section on our website and our social media, if you want to get involved!

You can stay up to date on VYY’s activities by following us on Instagram and by subscribing to our newsletter. You can find our other socials listed below. Please remember that you can always contact our Executive Board or staff and visit our Service Office in the Konttori building on campus. 

VYY on Instagram
VYY on Kide.app
VYY on LinkedIn
Contact information for the Executive Board
Contact information for the Service Office

The tutor project is organized by the Student Union of the University of Vaasa, and its purpose is to offer new students a smooth transition to the academic community and create relationships to promote students’ wellbeing.

Tutor coordinators run the tutor project and organize implementation. In 2026, the tutor coordinator for students in Finnish degree programmes is Saana Sammalo, and the international degree and exchange students’ tutor coordinator is Aleksi Lumme. You can find the coordinators’ contact information on our website.

In 2026, the tutor project involves 18 tutor educators and 116 tutors. Educators help the coordinators and support our tutors. Tutors are in charge of tutoring new students, guiding them into university life, and integrating freshers into the student community.
 

Wellbeing or "hyvis" tutors

We also have special “hyvis” or wellbeing tutors, whose job is to ensure a safer space in all events of the tutor project. You can contact any tutor if there’s something on your mind, but our hyvis tutors have received training for situations where you need support or help in an uncomfortable situation. All wellbeing tutors have received training from VYY, and you can recognize them by the HYVIS text in their tutor shirt.

Every field has their own wellbeing tutor. Below are the 2026 international hyvis tutors.
 

Sports tutors

The tutor project also involves sports tutors, who are in charge of organizing physical activities. Sports tutors have put together a guide into the sports opportunities in Vaasa, and you will receive one at the start of the fall semester. If you have any questions about sports opportunities, you can ask the sports tutor in your field. 

Listed below are the sports tutors for 2026.

Get to know other freshers!

Your first weeks at University are full of events for connecting with your fellow students. Your tutor will send you the link to any possible message groups for freshers for connecting.

Fresher Fall events

We will publish a Kide.app event for all our Fresher Fall events. In Kide.app, you can find the time and place as well as other useful information. We also post information about events in our Instagram @ylioppilaskunta. You can get more information from your tutor and VYY’s newsletter.

Activities in the Student Union

There are various ways to get involved in the Student Union. You can join our projects, participate in advocacy as an administration student representative, or apply for the Executive Board, which is appointed towards the end of the year. We also hold Representative Council elections every two years, and every Student Union member can stand for election and vote. The next election will be in 2027. 

For more information about open positions and volunteer opportunities, visit the Come join us section of our website.

If you have any questions about participating in the Student Union, don’t hesitate to contact the Student Union’s Secretary General or Executive Board! They will gladly answer any questions you may have.

Clubs and associations on campus

The University of Vaasa campus and the Student Union are home to various clubs and associations. They offer sharp advocacy, free socialization, and interesting events. Participate in events or form your own association! For more information about organizations, reach out to the Board member responsible for them. 

Sports opportunities in Vaasa

The sport services at the University of Vaasa offer a wide selection of sports from the gym, pilates, group activities, cheerleading, and ballgames to ultimate. You can access sport services by purchasing the digital sport sticker. You can also get discounts for local hobby opportunities with the sport sticker.

Read more information about the sport services on the University of Vaasa’s website. 

The Vaasa region offers various sports opportunities from gyms to ballgames, dance, and climbing. If you’re more into spectator sports, you’re in luck, because several sports clubs operate in the area. At the start of the fall semester, sports tutors will hand out more information about sports venues. 

Vaasa is a great place for spending time outdoors. On the City of Vaasa’s website, you can find a comprehensive list of the area’s activities. 

Leisure activities in Vaasa

Vaasa is home to culture, nature, restaurants, and events. There’s something for everyone here. Don’t hesitate to ask tutors and other students for tips to find yourself an activity to balance your student life!

Get to know culture in the Vaasa region. 

Get to know Vaasa’s activities and nature sites.

Get to know Vaasa’s event calendar.

Organizations within VYY

Various diverse associations and clubs operate within VYY, among them student nations, sports teams, a theatre, and various other associations. They all organize loads of events and other activities for students. 

Get to know organizations within VYY on our website under Student organizations.

The student card

VYY uses the digital Slice student card. The card is free, and you can download the app from the app store on your phone. 

NOTE! New students get access to the student card on 1 August 2026 at the earliest. To activate the card, you need to register as attending and pay the Student Union membership fee. You can activate your student card once your information has been transferred to the University’s system. This can take up to a few days from payment. 

How to use the digital student card:

1. Download the Slice app from Google Play or App Store.
2. Go to slice.fi/vyy and order your student card by uploading your photograph and filling out your information. After a while, you will receive your login to your inbox. Remember to use your student e-mail!
3. ​Sign in with the information you received via e-mail. 
4. You can now use the digital student card. You don’t need a sticker or other verification from the Student Union. 

Finding your way on campus

Tutors will guide you on campus during your first days. Take a look at the map of the campus area on the University of Vaasa website. Finding the location of lecture halls and other rooms, install the Tuudo application from your phone's app store.

Leipis or the Leipätehdas sauna facilities

The Student Union rents out a sauna and meeting facility Leipis in the center of Vaasa. The Student Union rents the facilities to its members and organizations at a discount all year round. You can book Leipis through the reservation calendar on our website. You can host gatherings, sauna evenings, meetings, and parties of up to 30 guests at Leipis. The low cost means that renters must clean the space themselves. When everyone takes care of the facilities together and leave them in good condition, we have a space that students in the future can enjoy as well.

Student healthcare

This section applies to degree students.

The Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) is a foundation that offers healthcare services to students in higher education. The FSHS supports your health and wellbeing throughout your studies. They offer dental, general, and mental health care for you, if you are a degree student at a Finnish institution of higher education and have registered as attending.

The student healthcare fee is paid to Kela, and it covers all FSHS services for students. Healthcare reception at the FSHS is free of charge. The FSHS has service points all over Finnish cities with universities, and you can use the services of any of them during your studies. 

Read more on the FSHS’s new students’ page.