The Savonlinna Department of Teacher Education is situated close to the centre of the town on one of the most beautiful campuses in Finland. The hilltop site has a fine view over Lake Pihlajavesi, the breeding ground of the rare Saimaa ringed seal. Olavinlinna Castle, the venue of the annual Opera Festival, can be seen in the distance.

The School of Translation Studies, the Savonlinna site of the Continuing Education Centre, the Finnish University Network for Tourism Studies and a University Practice School - a primary school where students from the Department of Teacher Education do their teaching practice, are also situated on the campus.

The Department of Teacher Education is part of the Faculty of Education of the University of Joensuu. Multidisciplinary research into education, training, learning and learning environments is an essential part of the work of the college.

The operating principle of the Department of Teacher Education is to train ethically reponsible teachers with an interest in culture and sustainable development who are able to reflect on and develop their own work and to carry out research supporting these aims.