Academic calendar
Last modified: 12.03.2025
PrintThe 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. 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 2024 - 31 July 2025 | 1 August 2025 - 31 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, current students | 1 June 2024 - 15 September 2024 | 1 June 2025 - 15 September 2026 |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students Programmes taught in English | The registration period starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 23 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September. | The registration period starts on 1 June. Online registration ends on 22 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 | The registration period ends 15 January. | 1 November 2025 - 15 January 2026 |
| Registration for spring term only, current students | 1 November 2024 – 15 January 2025 | 1 November 2025 - 15 January 2026 |
| Opening ceremony of the academic year | 5 September 2024 in Kuopio | 4 September 2025 in Joensuu |
| Periods (used in some study fields) | ||
| Autumn semester, 1st period | 2 September - 25 October 2024 | 1 September - 24 October 2025 |
| Autumn semester, 2nd period | 28 October - 13 December 2024 | 27 October - 12 December 2025 |
| Spring semester, 3rd period | 7 January - 14 March 2025 | 7 January - 13 March 2026 |
| Spring semester, 4th period | 17 March - 31 May 2025 | 16 March - 29 May 2026 |
| Orientation for new students | 2 - 6 September and 1 October 2024 | 1 - 5 September 2025 |
| Orientation for new international students | 2 - 4 September 2024 7 - 9 January 2025 | 1 - 3 September 2025 7 - 9 January 2026 |
| Christmas break | 16 December 2024 - 3 January 2025 | 15 December 2025 - 6 January 2026 |
| Easter break | 17 - 23 April 2025 | 2 - 8 April 2026 |
| Sports day starting 12.15 p.m. | 2 October 2024 25 February 2025 | 1 October 2025 17 February 2026 |
| Climate Afternoon 12 - 16 | ||
| Summer School |