Uljas Pulkkis was studying mathematics and musicology at Helsinki University in 1994 when he started taking private composition lessions with Tapani Länsiö and Harri Vuori (until 1997). He went on to further his composition studies at the Sibelius Academy with Tapani Länsiö, Paavo Heininen and Tapio Nevanlinna (until 2002). He participated in master classes with Magnus Lindberg, Jouni Kaipainen and Esa-Pekka Salonen (Porvoo, Finland).

He has won an Honorary prize at the Kuopio composition competition 1997 (4 sånger i dikter av Gösta Ågren), 2nd prize at the Society of Finnish Composers’ Uussävel competition 1997 (Octet), 3rd prize at the International Gustav Mahler Competition 1999 (Duett für Eine), Honorary prize at the Kuopio composition competition 2000 (Vigor). In 2001 he won the International Rostrum of Composers 2001 (Enchanted Garden). In 1997 he received a composing grant from the Pro Musica Foundation and in 2002 he was awarded at the Society of Finnish Composers’ Uussävel competition 2002 (Djinni).

Uljas Pulkkis is an active member in the Ears Open! society’s with various projects and concerts. He took part in the Ung Nordisk Musik (UNM) festival in Oslo in 1998 and participated in the Torino Biennale, Italy, in 2000, as a guest invited by the Universal Edition.