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Academic year and teaching periods

Academic year

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 2011-2012 are as follows:

Autumn term, I period: 5.9.-23.10.
Break: 24.-30.10.
Autumn term, II period: 31.10.-18.12.
Spring term, III period: 16.1.-4.3.
Break: 5.-11.3.
Spring term, IV period: 12.3.-20.5.(Including the Easter break and a two-week intensive period)

Teaching periods of the University of Helsinki during the academic year 2012-2013:

Autumn term, I period: 3.9.-21.10.
Break: 22.-28.10.
Autumn term, II period: 29.10.-16.12.
Spring term, III period: 14.1.-3.3.
Break: 4.-10.3.
Spring term, IV period: 11.3.-19.5. (Including the Easter break and a two-week intensive period.)

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.