Access control to self-study spaces

The University of Helsinki offers its degree students access to certain self-study spaces outside the regular opening hours of the buildings in the mornings, evenings and weekends. An access control tag is required for use outside opening hours.

Access control to the self-study spaces at the University of Helsinki was renewed during the spring and summer of 2025. The renewal introduced a new student access control service, which works within the university's central access control system. At the same time, the old night time access key service operated by the IT Centre is being phased out. Read more in the Studies Service bulletin.

The new and old access control systems are completely separate, so you will need to apply for a new access tag to use the new system. In the Learning Centre Aleksandria, only the new access tag will work. Instructions on how to apply for a new access tag.

Important dates
  • The IT Centre's old night time access key service will be available until 30 September 2025.
  • The old night key must be returned by 31 October 2026 at the latest if you want your deposit back.

The new access tag for students is a plastic card that can be shown to the reader to access certain self-study spaces outside regular opening hours.

When you register your access tag, the AVAIN portal will retrieve your data from Sisu and give you the access rights to the tag that you are granted. The majority of students will be granted basic access rights, but computer scientists, for example, will be granted additional access rights to Exactum space DK110.

If you lose your access tag

If you discover that your access tag has been lost or has fallen into the wrong hands, you must deactivate the tag yourself via the AVAIN portal (Your electronic keys -> Deactivate).

If you find your access tag after deactivating it, it can be reactivated. Activation is done by visiting the lobby service points in the university buildings or the key service points on the campuses.

If the tag is not returned or if it gets lost, the holder of the tag is obliged to pay the cost of the tag (€ 25) to the University of Helsinki.

Disruptions

  • It is advisable to report any threatening situations to the lobby staff during the building's opening hours.
  • Outside opening hours, please report urgent threatening situations to the police by calling the public emergency number 112.
  • You can also contact the University Security Service at 02941 44500 outside opening hours
  • If you have any problems or other issues, you can send an e-mail to turvallisuusvalvomo@helsinki.fi

The university's general self-study spaces with access control can be found on three campuses: The City Centre, Kumpula and Viikki.

Access-controlled self-study spaces are available with an access tag every day of the week from 7:00 am to 1:00 am.

City Centre

  • Learning Centre Aleksandria, Fabianinkatu 28
    • Entrance through the door in the courtyard of Fabianinkatu 26
    • The following spaces are not available outside normal opening hours:
      • community area on the 2nd floor, group study rooms, family room, resting room, sensory friendly room

Kumpula

  • Exactum, Pietari Kalmin katu 5
    • Spaces DK107 and DK108
    • Space DK110 for Computer Science students only
    • Access from the corner of Pietari Kalmin katu and Ernst Lindelöfin katu.

Viikki

  • Bio Centre 3, Viikinkaari 1
    • Space 1801
    • Access from a separate entrance, which can be found when you arrive at the main doors and look to the left.

As an access tag holder, you must comply with the rules for using the self-study spaces with access control. Your right to use these self-study spaces on your own outside of regular opening hours may be unilaterally denied if you, as an access tag holder, violate these or any other University rules of use.

  • When you are in the access controlled self-study spaces outside of the opening hours of the building, be prepared to prove your identity to the security guard or lobby staff with an official photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) and a student ID card. A personal access tag must also be presented on request.
  • The access tag may not be temporarily handed over to any other person.
  • The access tag must not be used to admit other persons to the University facilities. Each person enters with their own access tag. It is not enough to show the access tag to someone else when opening the door. If you are working in a group, each member of the group must have their own access tag.
  • The access tag must be returned when the studies end or if there is no longer a need to use the self-study spaces.
  • Be considerate of other users of the facilities.
  • It is forbidden to stay overnight, sleep or otherwise stay in the facilities. No personal belongings or other items may be stored on the premises.
  • The use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances on the premises is prohibited.
  • The instructions of the guards and lobby staff must be obeyed and you must behave in a proper manner towards them.

By activating your access tag, you agree to follow the rules of access control.