IT facilities and devices for studying

The University of Helsinki provides various IT teaching and working facilities for students and staff, as well as devices to support studies and research. The workstations contain all the software commonly used at the University. You can access the computers using your University of Helsinki user ID.

At the University campuses, you will find seven Laptop Lenders and several docking screens and desktop computers. You can borrow a laptop for up to 8 hours from the Laptop Lender. You can connect either your own computer or a laptop borrowed from the Laptop Lender to the docking screen. In addition to these, the University also has powerful desktop computers to support your studies.

You can find most of the IT equipment you need for studying in the campus libraries and in Learning Centre Aleksandria. You can also use some of the IT facilities outside regular opening hours with the Student Access Control Service.

IT facilities and devices on campuses

At the university's docking workstations, you'll find a display with a keyboard and mouse attached.

You can connect either your own computer or a laptop borrowed from the Laptop Lender to the docking screen.

If your laptop has a USB-C connector, you can connect the docking screen to your computer using the USB-C cable. This gives you access to the keyboard and mouse connected to the display. In addition, the display will charge your computer.

If your laptop doesn't have a USB-C port, you can connect the display to your computer using the HDMI cable. In this case, you only have access to the display and not to any additional devices attached to it. If you also want to use the keyboard and mouse, you can remove them from the display and connect them to your computer. However, remember to plug the keyboard and mouse back into the docking screen when you leave. This way they will serve the next user.

You can find docking screens in the following places:

City Centre
  • Kaisa House, 2nd floor
  • Learning Centre Aleksandria, 3th and 4th floor
    • Also available outside regular opening hours through the the Student Access Control Service
Kumpula
  • Coming to Kumpula Campus Library
Meilahti
  • Terkko Health Hub
    • Computer class on the 1st floor
    • Meilahti Campus Library, 2nd floor
Viikki
  • Biocentre 3
    • Space 1801
      • You can find the space by turning left from the main doors and passing the lobby service desk on the left
      • Available outside regular opening hours through the Student Access Control Service
  • Info Centre
    • Viikki Campus Library, 2nd floor

The IT Centre's new Laptop Lenders serve the university's degree students and staff on all campuses. From the Laptop Lender you can borrow a laptop for 1, 4 or 8 hours for either the same or the next day.

The laptops in the Laptop Lenders are shared laptops and have the same software as the desktop computers available for students. You can install more software on computers using the Software Center.

The laptops operate in the university buildings within the coverage area of the wireless helsinkiuni network. You can reserve a laptop in the Laptop Lender online service.

You will find Laptop Lenders at the following locations:

City Centre Campus
  • Aleksandria, 1st floor
  • Kaisa House, 3th fl, opposite the customer service
  • Porthania, 1st floor, near the toilets
Kumpula
  • Physicum, behind the lobby (1st floor) near lecture room D101
Meilahti
  • Terkko Health Hub, 2nd floor
Viikki
  • Forest Sciences Building, Near the key service point of the A-Building
  • In addition, the IT Centre's pilot Laptop Lender is located on the 1st fl in the Info Centre
    • Requires registration and activation of an ID card the first time you use it

University of Helsinki students and staff can use the shared workstations with their user IDs. The computers are available in all library locations and computer classes, as well as in the hallways of some buildings.

In room 3007 (3rd floor) of Kaisa House, students can work on graphic design projects on designer computers with Adobe CC All Apps (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Corel Graphics Suite and Corel Paint Shop Pro installed.

You can install more software on computers using the Software Center.

You are required to observe the IT Centre terms of use when using the computers. In case of IT-related problems, please contact the IT Centre Helpdesk.

City Centre
  • Kaisa House
    • 2nd floor
    • 3rd floor, room 3007 (designer-computers)
Kumpula
  • Chemicum
    • From the B-wing corridor
  • Exactum
    • From the DK wing in rooms DK107 and DK108 (basement floor).
      • Available outside normal opening hours via the Student Access Service
  • Physicum
    • Campus Library, 1st floor
Meilahti
  • Terkko Health Hub
    • Computer class on the 1st floor
    • Meilahti Campus Library, 2nd floor
Viikki
  • Bio Centre 3
    • Space 1801
      • You can find the space by turning left from the main doors and passing the lobby service desk on the left
      • Available outside regular opening hours through the Student Access Control Service
  • Info Centre
    • Viikki Campus Library, 2nd floor

University of Helsinki campuses have IT facilities for teaching purposes, with workstations for both teachers and students. The workstations in the teaching facilities maintained by the IT Center contain all of the general software used at the university. 

The personnel responsible for timetabling will book teaching facilities when they create timetables. If teaching facilities are needed for purposes other than teaching, the organizer of the event must request the booking in OptimePortal site. If you need special software in your class, please contact the administration personnel of the classrooms (helpdesk@helsinki.fi) at least four weeks before your class.

You can find IT classrooms in the following locations:

City Centre
  • Metsätalo
    • 4th floor, space ATK19 (B425)
  • Soc&Kom
    • 1st floor, space 110
Viikki
  • Bio Centre 1
    • 1st floor, space 1401C
      • Access to this space is via Learning Centre 1401

Classrooms are available to students when they are not reserved for teaching purposes.

There is an ID point at the customer service desk in each of the Library's locations. ID Point authentication is used when dealing with the Helpdesk concerning issues that require strong authentication.

After identification, you will receive an ID Point code which is single-use and valid for 24 hours. The code can be used for the services requiring identification, for example to access the Helpdesk call centre or to authenticate to self-service tools.

Unitube studios provide a quiet space for recording audio and visual material with high-quality equipment. They are designed, for example, for making educational videos. The studios can be booked only by University of Helsinki Staff members. Students are welcome to use the studios if it has been booked by their teacher or any other staff member. 

  • City Centre Campus. Kaisa House, room 2015
  • Kumpula Campus, Exactum, room DK118
  • Viikki Campus, Infocentre, room 2026

The University of Helsinki currently has podcast equipment in two locations for staff to use on their own. One is located in the Unitube studio at the Viikki Info Centre Korona (room 2026, 2nd fl) and the other in the Kaisa House's podcast room 6021. 

Where can I get help with IT services?

The IT Helpdesk provides user support for all University of Helsinki members on university's IT services, essential software and information systems. You can contact the IT Helpdesk via chat, phone and email. If you need help quickly, preferably use the chat. For urgent matters, you can also call. If it's not urgent, use email.