The decision references Appendix 1. This refers to the instructions for applying for an extension to a right to study on this Kamu page.

590/00.00.02/2023

Decision 5/2023

28.02.2023

Normative duration of studies and extension to the right to study

Time limits for degree completion at the University of Eastern Finland

The Universities Act (558/2009) regulates the time limits for the completion of degrees, the duration of the right to study and the extension to the right to study (Sections 40–41, 42–43). Students admitted on or after 01 August 2005 to study for a first-cycle (bachelor’s) or a second-cycle (master’s) degree have time limits for the completion of their degrees. This decision specifies the provisions of the Universities Act and the provisions of the Degree Regulations of the University of Eastern Finland (Sections 16-17) on the right to study.

These instructions are applied to degree education. They can also be applied to other education and training, however, the instructions are not applicable to commissioned education.

Normative duration of studies and the right to study

• First-cycle degree (bachelor’s degree): three academic years. A student admitted to study for only the first-cycle degree has the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the aggregate normative duration of study by a maximum of one academic year (3 + 1 years).
• First-cycle and second-cycle degree (bachelor’s and master’s degree): the combined normative duration is five academic years, except for the Master’s Degree of Psychology five and a half academic years. A student admitted to study both the first-cycle and the second-cycle degree has the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the aggregate normative duration of study by a maximum of two academic years (5 + 2 years).
• Second-cycle degree (master’s degree): two academic years. Exceptions to this are the Master’s Degree of Psychology with the right to study two and a half academic years, the Licentiate Degree of Dentistry with the right to study five and a half academic years and the Licentiate Degree of Medicine with the right to study six academic years. A student admitted to study for only the second-cycle degree has the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the aggregate normative duration of study by a maximum of two academic years (2 +2 years, in psychology 2.5 + 2 years).

A student admitted to study for only the first-cycle degree has the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the aggregate normative duration of study by a maximum of one academic year (3 + 1 years). A student admitted to study for only the second-cycle degree has the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the aggregate normative duration of study by a maximum of two academic years (2 +2 years, in psychology 2.5 + 2 years).

Start date of studies

A student is considered to start completing her/his degree from the time when s/he receives a study place at the university.

Absences affecting the normative duration of studies

Statutory reasons for registering as absent: The period of completing a degree does not include absences due to voluntary military service or national defence duty, or taking maternity, paternity or parental leave in connection with the birth or adoption of a child. The student must provide the university with a certificate of these reasons for absence. However, childcare leave is not counted as a statutory reason for absence. In addition, absences due to illness are not counted as statutory absences, but they are taken into account if a student applies for an extension based on her/his study plan.

Statutory absence before 1.8.2016

If the statutory absence started before 01 August 2016, the completion time of the degree is extended based on a statutory reason according to the length of military service or maternity, paternity or parental leave, regardless of how many semesters overlap the absence period and whether the student has registered as present or absent.

Statutory absence on or after 1.8.2016

If the statutory absence started on or after 01 August 2016, the right to study is automatically extended only if the student has registered as absent for the semester and the statutory reason for absence has been entered in the student and study register based on the document(s) the student has submitted. In addition, the extension is calculated per semester from 01 August 2016 onwards.

Registration as being present/absent is only possible during registration periods. If the student has registered as present and the statutory reason becomes apparent thereafter, the registration status will not be changed, however, the statutory reason will be entered in the student and study register and the student may apply for an extension later to complete the degree.

Extension to complete studies based on other absences: Any other absence of up to four semesters in total (those who started their studies before 1.8.2015) or absences of up to two semesters in total (those who started their studies on or after 1.8.2015) for which the student has registered as absent are not counted in the normative duration of studies. The reason for the absence does not need to be reported to the university. Other absences longer than four semesters (studies started before 1.8.2015) or longer than two semesters in total (studies started on or after 1.8.2015) will be counted in the normative duration of studies.

Absence in the first year: After accepting and confirming a study place, the student may register as absent if s/he is performing military service, non-military service or women’s voluntary military service during the first study year or s/he is on maternity, paternity or parental leave, or s/he is not able to start studies due to illness or disability.

Transfer student: A transfer student’s right to complete the degree is determined on the degree obtained in the transfer and in accordance with the right to study. The periods of being present and/or absent that the student has used for studies before the transfer will be included in the normative duration of studies towards the new degree. If the student changes her/his major within the same degree, the time the student has already used in the previous major towards completing the degree will be counted in the new degree.

Student exchange: For the duration of studies abroad, students going on exchange must register as present at their home university, as they are completing studies included in the degree during their student exchange.

If the student neglects the mandatory registration, the time counted towards completing the degree will pass even during this time (i.e. consuming semesters as being present at the university). If the registration status changes in the middle of a semester, the registration status of a semester is determined by the status of the last day of that semester.

Extension to study right (additional time for completing a degree)

Extension for reasons specified in the Universities Act:

Reasons specified in the Universities Act extend the right to study. Statutory reasons include maternity, paternity and parental leave, as well as military service, voluntary military service or non-military service. However, the student must provide the university with a certificate of the reasons for absence. If the studies are still in progress after the statutory grounds for absence, the student must apply for an extension.

Extension for other reasons (grounds for granting an extension):

The Universities Act, Section 42, states the following:

The university grants an extension to the duration of studies on application to a student who has not finished his/her studies within the time period referred to in Section 41 provided that the student presents a goal-oriented and feasible plan for completing the studies. In the plan, the student must detail the studies to be completed and the timetable for completing the degree.

The duration of studies is extended if it is possible for the student, in consideration of the number and scope of completed and valid studies as well as the lacking studies and any prior decisions on extending their duration, to complete his/her studies in a reasonable period of time. When granting an extension to the duration of studies, the university shall consider the life situation of the student.

Student’s life situation and extension:

Life situation factors in favour of granting an extension include, for example, one’s own or a close relative’s illness or similar difficult life situation, social activity during studies, participation in international student exchange or traineeship, and systematic top-level sport. However, not all life situations create grounds for granting extension to the right to study, for examples, living in another locality, working during studies, completing a second degree, active hobby activities or renovating a home.

An acceptable reason must have a clear connection with the delay in studies. The more studies have been delayed, the more weighty and well-documented reasons are required for granting additional time for studies.

If the student has already been granted additional time for completing a degree, the progress of studies according to a personal study plan with the previous additional times will be taken into account.

Duration of the extension

An extension may be granted to give the opportunity to complete studies within a reasonable time, in relation to the scope of the degree and the studies missing from the degree. However, an extension cannot be granted for studies that are not part of the degree or studies that exceed the minimum scope of the degree.

Additional time for completing the degree is granted in academic semesters, for a minimum of one semester and a maximum of four semesters at a time. For the rest of the additional time, a new extension application is required.

The study plan must first aim at completing the first-cycle degree (bachelor’s degree), if the student holds the right to study for both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, and the bachelor’s degree is not completed at the end of the study period. A registration as absent with additional time does not extend the normative duration of studies, however, the registration as absent with additional time consumes study time. This also applies to absences for statutory reasons.

As a rule, the combined additional semesters cannot be longer than the normative duration for completing a degree (e.g. three academic years or five academic years).

Applying for an extension to the right to study

The student may apply for an extension to the normative duration of studies when the duration of studies is about to expire. It is advisable to apply for an extension only when s/he is able to study, i.e. the student actually has the opportunity and intention to study and complete the degree.

Any reasons related to the life situation must be presented in the appendices to the application for additional time, and any documents on the life situation in question must be attached to the application.

The application process is described in more detail in Appendix 1.

The decision on granting the extension is made by the dean of the faculty or by the person to whom the decision-making power in the matter has been delegated.

Cases where no extension is granted

• The student has no credits in the student and study register.
• The student has few credits and has not presented acceptable reasons for the delay.
• Studies have not progressed according to plan within the previous additional time and the student has not presented acceptable reasons for the delay.
• The student does not have a realistic graduation plan to complete the studies within a reasonable time.
• Studies in the study plan do not promote graduation.
• No additional time is granted for completing studies that exceed the scope of the degree when the student has already completed the studies required for the degree.

Losing the right to study

A student who has not completed her/his studies during the right to study or within the additional time, as well as a student who has not been granted an extension to complete her/his studies, loses the right to study.

If the student later wants to start or continue her/his studies, s/he must apply to the university for the right to reinstate the right to study.

The right to study is reinstated on the basis of statutory reasons for absence, in addition, the right to study may be reinstated if the student could be granted additional time for completing her/his degree. In this case, the restoration of the right to study shall be assessed under the conditions for granting the extension, and the student is required to present an updated study plan approved by the academic subject.

After the right to study has been restored, the student must complete her/his studies in accordance with the current curriculum. In this case, the studies s/he has previously completed may not be included in the degree. Similarly, the possible expiry times of studies following the current curriculum are observed. The student cannot apply for the restoration of her/his right to study for a degree programme that has been discontinued (and the transition period for the discontinuation has expired).

This decision will apply as of 01 August 2023. UEF Student and Learning Services may make technical and minor changes to the instructions in Appendix 1 that do not substantially affect the content of the instructions.

For more information on the decision, please contact Jonna Kosonen, Legal Specialist at UEF General Administration and Legal Affairs, and Satu Kouki, Head of Student Services at UEF Student and Learning Services.

Tapio Määttä

Academic Rector