Reform of the degree structure at the University of Helsinki

Teaching periods

General principles applying to teaching periods

On 1 August 2005, the University of Helsinki introduced a new academic year consisting of four teaching periods. Both the autumn and the spring terms are made up of two seven-week periods. The fourth period includes an eighth calendar week on account of Easter. Between the two periods in each of the two terms is a one-week interval. This new system will not affect the instruction offered during the summer. A course may extend over several periods if that is justified by the nature of the subject or the learning process. In such cases, the nature of the one-week interval between periods will be determined according to the needs of the course. Faculty examinations, examinations on set texts and some special courses may also be held outside the teaching periods. The University Rector will decide the start and end dates of the teaching periods. Provided there is good reason to do so, he may grant a faculty an exemption from the regular system of teaching periods.

Application of the system of teaching periods

The students study both during and outside the teaching periods. Only some of the work that students complete each year in order to gain the required 60 ECTS credits thus takes place during the teaching periods. The system of teaching periods ensures that students may flexibly incorporate studies in another faculty into their degree programme without taking more time to graduate. The guiding principle is that the end-of-course examinations of courses that last for one teaching period will be held during that same period. Moreover, if a course extends over several teaching periods, no teaching will be given during the week-long break between these periods. The decision to adopt a system of teaching periods will not restrict how and when the faculties and departments may provide individual guidance. The new teaching periods are to be introduced flexibly. When applying the decision on the adoption of a system of teaching periods, the special characteristics of each discipline and the scheduling of courses are taken into account in order to ensure that the target duration of the degree programmes (3+2 years) is not exceeded. The purpose of the one-week break is to schedule teaching and studies so that both teachers and students may prepare for the following teaching period. It also provides a pause between the intensive periods, which will prove useful from the point of view of both the quality of learning and regenerating strength. The week should signal a complete break from teaching. Teachers will thus have time to assess their students’ learning outcomes or to plan the following period’s teaching, while students may use the week to catch up on studies or seminar work and for other independent study. The faculties and departments may provide individual guidance and hold faculty examinations, placements tests, orientation courses, special courses, etc., outside the teaching periods (during the week-long break between the teaching periods, around the turn of the year and in the summer). However, the faculties and departments cannot offer compulsory courses outside the teaching periods if these courses are not offered during the teaching periods as well. Students may study independently outside the teaching periods.