Academic year and teaching periods

The academic year at the University of Helsinki runs from August 1 until July 31, the autumn term lasting from August 1 till the end of December and spring term from January 1 till the end of July. These are the official dates; the real teaching periods are explained below

Teaching periods

The Universityof Helsinki uses a system of teaching periods: this system is to encourage the students to plan their studies according to their own goals. Degrees constructed on an individual basis require that students be able to move smoothly between Faculties.

The academic year is divided into four seven-week teaching periods – each beginning and ending simultaneously throughout the University. There is a week's break between each of the periods. Teaching organised in the summer does not belong to the teaching periods. Examinations and special courses may, however, be arranged outside the teaching periods.

Teaching periods of the University of Helsinki during the academic year 2013-2014:

Autumn term, I period: 2.9.-20.10.
Break: 21.-27.10.
Autumn term, II period: 28.10.-15.12.
Spring term, III period: 13.1.-2.3.
Break: 3.-9.3.
Spring term, IV period: 10.3.-18.5.(Including the Easter break and a two-week intensive period.)

Please note that the Faculties of Law, Medicine, Biosciences, Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, and Behavioural Sciences do, either entirely or partly, apply different teaching periods than those generally applied at the University. More information can be found on respective Faculty pages.

Teaching periods 2014-2017

From the autumn term 2014 the teaching periods listed below apply to all Faculties except the Faculty of Medicine. Please check the exact dates for your Faculty's teaching from the Faculty.

Academic Year 2014-2015

Autumn term

• Intensive period 25.8.-31.8.
• I teaching period 1.9.-19.10.
• Examination and independent study week 20.10.-26.10.
• II teaching period 27.10.-14.12.
• Examination and independent study week 15.12.-21.12.

Spring term

• Intensive period 2.1.-11.1.
• III teaching period 12.1.-1.3.
• Examination and independent study week 2.3.-8.3.
• IV teaching period 9.3.-3.5.
• Examination and independent study week 4.5.-10.5.
• Intensive period 4.5.-31.5.

Academic Year 2015-2016

Autumn term

• Intensive period 24.8.-30.8.
• I teaching period 31.8.-18.10.
• Examination and independent study week 19.10.-25.10.
• II teaching period 26.10.-13.12.
• Examination and independent study week 14.12.-20.12.

Spring term

• Intensive period 2.1.-17.1.
• III teaching period 18.1.-6.3.
• Examination and independent study week 7.3.-13.3.
• IV teaching period 14.3.-8.5.
• Examination and independent study week 9.5.-15.5.
• Intensive period 9.5.-31.5.

Academic Year 2016-2017

Autumn term

• Intensive period 29.8.-4.9.
• I teaching period 5.9.-23.10.
• Examination and independent study week 24.10.-30.10.
• II teaching period 31.10.-18.12.
• Examination and independent study week 19.12.-23.12.

Spring term

• Intensive period 2.1.-15.1.
• III teaching period 16.1.-5.3.
• Examination and independent study week 6.3.-12.3.
• IV teaching period 13.3.-7.5.
• Examination and independent study week 8.5.-14.5.
• Intensive period 8.5.-31.5.

 

Updated July 31, 2013