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 2023-24: Autumn Semester 2023: 1 Sept – 13 Dec and Spring Semester 2024: 8 Jan – 31 May
| Academic year | 1 August 2022 - 31 July 2023 | 1 August 2023 - 31 July 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, current students | 2 May - 15 September 2022 | 1 May - 15 September 2023 |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students | 2 May - 19 August 2022 in Oili 2 May - 15 September 2022 in person | 1 May - 18 August 2023 in Oili 1 May - 15 September 2023 in person |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students, study rights starting in the spring semester | No later than 15 January 2023 | No later than 15 January 2024 |
| Registration for spring term only, current students | 1 December 2022 - 15 January 2023 | 1 December 2023 - 15 January 2024 |
| Opening ceremony of the academic year | 8 September 2022 in Kuopio | 7 September 2023 in Joensuu |
| Periods (used in some study fields) | ||
| Autumn semester, 1st period | 1 September - 21 October 2022 | 1 September - 20 October 2023 |
| Autumn semester, 2nd period | 24 October - 14 December 2022 | 23 October - 13 December 2023 |
| Spring semester, 3rd period | 9 January - 17 March 2023 | 8 January - 15 March 2024 |
| Spring semester, 4th period | 20 March - 31 May 2023 | 18 March - 31 May 2024 |
| Orientation for new students | 1 - 2 and 5 September 2022 | 1 and 4 - 6 September 2023 and 3 October 2023 |
| Orientation for new international students | 1 - 2 and 5 September 2022; 9 - 11 January 2023 | 1 and 4 - 5 September 2023 8 - 10 January 2024 |
| Christmas break | 15 December 2022 - 6 January 2023 | 14 December 2023 - 5 January 2024 |
| Easter break | 6 - 12 April 2023 | 28 March - 3 April 2024 |
| Sports day starting 12.15 p.m. | 5 October 2022; 21 February 2023 | 4 October 2023 13 February 2024 |
| 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.