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 2021-22: Autumn Semester 2021: 1 Sept – 14 Dec and Spring Semester 2022: 7 Jan – 31 May
| Academic year | 1 August 2020 - 31 July 2021 | 1 August 2021 - 31 July 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, current students | 2 May - 15 September 2020 | |
| Registration, new Master's students | ends 15 September 2020 | |
| Registration for spring term only, current students | 1 December 2020– 15 January 2021 | |
| Opening ceremony of the academic year | 3 September 2020 in Kuopio | 8 September 2021 in Joensuu |
| Periods (used in some study fields) | ||
| Autumn semester, 1st period | 1 September - 23 October 2020 | 1 September - 22 October 2021 |
| Autumn semester, 2nd period | 26 October - 15 December 2020 | 25 October - 14 December 2021 |
| Spring semester, 3rd period | 7 January - 19 March 2021 | 7 January - 18 March 2022 |
| Spring semester, 4th period | 22 March - 21 May 2021 | 21 March - 31 May 2022 |
| Orientation for new students | 2-4 September 2020, and 7, 8 and 11 January 2021 | 1-3 September 2021 |
| Orientation for new international students | 1-3 September 2021, and 7 and 10-11 January 2022 |
|
| Christmas break | 16 December 2020 - 6 January 2021 | 15 December 2021 - 6 January 2022 |
| Easter break | 1 - 7 April 2021 | 14 - 20 April 2022 |
| Sports day starting 12.15 p.m. | 7 October 2020, and spring 2021 CANCELED | 6 October 2021, and 1 March 2022 |
| Climate Afternoon 12 - 16 | 13 April 2021 | |
| Summer School | 9-20 August 2022 |
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:
- 7 Oct 2020,
- 16 Feb 2021, 6 Oct 2021,
- 1 Mar 2022, 5 Oct 2022,
- 21 Feb 2023 4 Oct 2023,
- 13 Feb 2024 and 2 Oct 2024.