Duration of degree studies

The duration of bachelor's and master's degree studies is limited. Registration for non-attendance is not included in the duration of studies.

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There are target times for completing a bachelor's and master's degree, within which you must complete your studies. You can check on Sisu how much study time you have left. Please ensure that you register for each academic year as this will affect the length of your study period. The study time for completing a doctoral degree is not limited.

Sections 40–42 of the Universities Act (558/2009) include provisions on the normative duration of studies for bachelor's and master's degrees and the duration of the right to study. The provisions apply to students who have begun their studies on 1 August 2005 and thereafter.

Target completion times for degrees

Section 40 of the Universities Act defines the target completion times for bachelor's and master's degrees.

  • Bachelor's degree: 3 academic years
  • Master's degree, except for the Master's degree in psychology: 2 academic years
  • Master's degree in psychology: 2,5 academic years

The target times are degree-specific.

Total duration of studies

According to Section 42 of the Universities Act,

  • A student enrolled for both bachelor's and master's degrees is entitled to complete their degrees within a maximum of two years longer than the combined target time (7 academic years).
  • A student admitted to study only for a bachelor's degree is entitled to complete the degree in a maximum of one year longer than the target time (4 academic years).
  • A student admitted to study only for a master's degree is entitled to complete the degree in a maximum of two years longer than the target time (4 academic years).

Period of study for a transfer student

According to Section 41 of the Universities Act, the right of a transfer student to complete a degree is determined by the study right awarded on transfer. The period of time spent in attendance and non-attendance in the previous university also counts towards the time required to complete the new degree. This does not apply to students who started their studies before the academic year 2005-2006.

Registration for non-attendance

According to Section 41 of the Universities Act, duration of studies does not include absences resulting from the completion of services in accordance with the Conscription Act, the Non-Military Service Act or the Act on Women’s Voluntary Military Service; furthermore, the duration of studies does not includeparental leaves.

In addition, the duration of studies is not affected by an absence of a maximum of two terms (four terms for students who have begun their studies before 1 August 2005) for which the student has registered for non-attendance in accordance with Section 39 of the Universities Act.

NB! If a student registers for attendance despite having a statutory reason for non-attendance, their study time will be consumed.

Annual registration and duration of studies

Degree students must register at the University for each academic year for either attendance or non-attendance. Exchange students will be registered automatically based on the information given in Mobility-Online.

Registration of continuing bachelor's and master's degree students

All bachelor's and master's degree students must register for attendance or non-attendance each academic year.

Applying for an extension of study time

If the completion time of your studies is expiring and you need additional time for completing your degree, you may apply for an extension to the duration of studies or notify Student Services of a statutory reason for your absence.