The university provides education during the autumn and spring semesters. Education has been divided into period and there are four periods per academic year. The official academic year starts on 1 August and ends on 31 July.
Courses may include teaching over several periods. There may also be teaching outside the periods but never during the Christmas or Easter holidays. In accordance with the university rules of procedure, the results of a study attainment shall be published no later than three (3) weeks after the attainment, in the university’s electronic student and study register and on a notice board. These deadlines do not apply to times when teaching is not organised in accordance with the Rector’s decisions (Christmas and Easter holidays), or to the period from 15 June to 15 August.
There will be no teaching or tutoring during the opening ceremony, after 12 noon during sports afternoons, after 12 noon during the anniversary ceremony or on 30 April. The opening ceremony is open to everyone.
Teaching period in 2024-25: Autumn Semester 2024: 2 Sept – 13 Dec and Spring Semester 2025: 7 Jan – 31 May
| Academic year | 1 August 2023 - 31 July 2024 | 1 August 2024 - 31 July 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, current students | 1 May - 15 September 2023 | 1 June 2024 - 15 September 2024 |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students | 1 May - 18 August 2023 in Oili 1 May - 15 September 2023 in person | The registration period starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 23 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September. |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students, study rights starting in the spring semester | No later than 15 January 2024 | The registration period ends 15 January. |
| Registration for spring term only, current students | 1 December 2023 - 15 January 2024 | 1 November 2024 – 15 January 2025 |
| Opening ceremony of the academic year | 7 September 2023 in Joensuu | 5 September 2024 in Kuopio |
| Periods (used in some study fields) | ||
| Autumn semester, 1st period | 1 September - 20 October 2023 | 2 September - 25 October 2024 |
| Autumn semester, 2nd period | 23 October - 13 December 2023 | 28 October - 13 December 2024 |
| Spring semester, 3rd period | 8 January - 15 March 2024 | 7 January - 14 March 2025 |
| Spring semester, 4th period | 18 March - 31 May 2024 | 17 March - 31 May 2025 |
| Orientation for new students | 1 and 4 - 6 September 2023 and 3 October 2023 | 2 - 6 September and 1 October 2024 |
| Orientation for new international students | 1 and 4 - 5 September 2023 8 - 10 January 2024 | 2 - 4 September 2024 7 - 9 January 2025 |
| Christmas break | 14 December 2023 - 5 January 2024 | 16 December 2024 - 3 January 2025 |
| Easter break | 28 March - 3 April 2024 | 17 - 23 April 2025 |
| Sports day starting 12.15 p.m. | 4 October 2023 13 February 2024 | 2 October 2024 25 February 2025 |
| Climate Afternoon 12 - 16 | ||
| Summer School |
Teaching will not be arranged during the opening ceremony, sports day, climate afternoon and 1st of May Eve (30 April).
Sports afternoons
Upcoming sports afternoons:
- 1 Mar 2022, 5 Oct 2022,
- 21 Feb 2023 4 Oct 2023,
- 13 Feb 2024 and 2 Oct 2024.