Duration of studies

Normative durations of degrees
Common principles applied at the University of Helsinki
Extension of the duration of studies as provided by law
Extension of the duration of studies on the basis of application
Application form and study plan
Loss of the right to pursue studies

Normative durations of degrees

According to the amendment to the Universities Act, those students of the Faculty of Science who were granted the right to pursue both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees should complete these degrees in five years. However, such students have the right to exceed the normative duration of degrees defined in the Act by two years. Thus they may take a total of seven years to complete their degrees.

In addition, the Faculty of Science has students who have been granted the right to pursue only a Master of Science degree. The normative duration of degree study for such students is two years, but they have the right to exceed this time by two years. Thus they may take a total of four years to complete their Master’s degree.

The duration of study shall not include the absence of a maximum of four terms for which the student has registered as a non-attending student.

According to the Universities Act, absences due to voluntary military service or conscription, or maternity, paternity or parental leave shall not be included in the duration of studies.

These stipulations apply only to students who were granted the right to pursue a basic degree on or after 1 August 2005.

Common principles applied at the University of Helsinki

At the University of Helsinki, the application of the amendment to the Universities Act concerning the normative duration of degree studies is stipulated by a Decision of the Rector (Decision No. 133/2008, dated 3 June 2008). The University aims to ensure that as many students as possible will complete their degrees within the above target durations, or at least within the normative duration of degree study allowed by law. The Rector’s Decision includes the following principles:

• The duration of study shall not include the absence of a maximum of four terms due to voluntary military service or conscription, or maternity, paternity or parental leave for which the student has registered as a non-attending student. The student need not inform the University of the reason for the absence.
• A discontinuance of studies for a minimum of one year, required by employment authorities, shall be considered equivalent to registration for non-attendance.
• Should the student fail to register for attendance or non-attendance, this term or these terms shall be included in the duration of his or her studies.
• Should the registration status (attending/non-attending) of the student change during the course of a term, the registration status valid on the last date of the term in question shall determine the registration status for the entire term.

The Oodi student information system maintained by the Student Register indicates the expiry date of the right to study for each student, determined on the basis of the amendment to the Universities Act. Students may monitor the validity of their right to study in WebOodi. The data is updated automatically every 24 hours. The expiry date of the right to study is either 31 July or 31 December.

The University of Helsinki Student Services will inform students in writing of the expiration of their right to study at the University.

Extension of the duration of studies as provided by law

Absences due to voluntary military service or conscription, or maternity, paternity or parental leave shall not be included in the duration of studies. If the student’s studies have been delayed due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, he or she must inform Student Services of the reasons for and duration of the delay. When submitting this information, the student must also present supporting documentation in order to be granted an extension to his or her right to study. The administrators at Student Services will record the necessary information in the Oodi system.

The student him- or herself is always responsible for registering at the University as an attending or non-attending student.

Extension of the duration of studies on the basis of application

The University may grant an extension to the duration of studies for students who have not completed their studies within the normative time for the completion of degrees,  provided that they present a goal-oriented and feasible plan for completion of their studies. When granting an extension of the duration of studies, consideration shall be given to previous extensions, if any.

The extension will always be for a fixed period of time, a minimum of one term and maximum of four terms.

The student must address his or her application for an extension of the right to study to the Faculty of Science and submit it to the Faculty Office. The application must contain at least the following documents:

• A personal study plan approved by the student’s supervisor or the academic advisor of the major subject       
• An itemised list of all studies that need to be completed for the degree and a timetable for completion of these studies and the degree
• A description of the student’s life situation, if he or she requests consideration of personal reasons given in the application, plus supporting documents (such as medical or equivalent certificates)

Application form (PDF)
Study plan (PDF)

When applying more than once for an extension to the duration of studies, the student must include in the application a report of his or her study progress during the previous extension and present reasons why his or her studies have not progressed according to plan. An extension of the duration of studies cannot be granted if the student’s studies have progressed considerably more slowly than originally planned and the student is not able to present an acceptable reason for the slow progress.

When granting an extension, consideration shall be given to the student’s personal life situation, including factors such as:

• Illness or a difficult life situation
• Societal activity during the studies
• Participation in an international student or trainee exchange
• Systematic training in top-level sports
• Parenting or caring for a family member
• Gainful employment
• Participation in the activities of the academic community

Students should submit their applications for an extension to the duration of their studies well before the expiration of their right to study. If the right to study expires at the end of the spring term (31 July), the application must be submitted by mid-May. If the right to study expires at the end of the autumn term (31 December), the application must be submitted by mid-November.

The decision on granting an extension to the duration of studies is made by the Dean. The extension will always be for a fixed period of time, a minimum of one term and a maximum of four terms. If the student applies for an extension to the normative duration of studies on the basis of the provisions of the amendment to the Universities Act concerning the normative duration of degree studies, he or she will no longer fall under the scope of the Etappi study progress monitoring system.

The Faculty Office will record information in the Oodi system on the duration of the extension.  

The student him- or herself is always responsible for registering at the University as an attending or non-attending student.

Loss of the right to pursue studies

According to the amendment to the Universities Act concerning the normative duration of degree studies, students who have not completed their studies within the normative duration of studies or within the extension granted for the completion of studies shall lose their right to pursue studies. If such a student wishes to continue his or her studies later, he or she must apply for readmission into the University.