Academic calendar
Last modified: 17.04.2026
PrintTeaching schedule
The university offers education during the autumn and spring semesters. Each academic year is divided into four teaching periods. The official academic year starts on 1 August and ends on 31 July.
Courses may extend over more than one teaching period. Teaching may also take place outside the defined periods but never during the Christmas or Easter holidays.
According to the university’s rules of procedure, the results of a study attainment must be published in the university’s electronic student and study register within three (3) weeks of completion. This deadline does not apply during periods when teaching is not organised under the Rector’s decisions (Christmas and Easter holidays) or during the period from 15 June to 15 August.
There is no teaching or tutoring during the opening ceremony, after 12:00 noon on sports afternoons, after 12:00 noon on the anniversary day, or on 30 April. The opening ceremony is open to everyone.
Semester dates in 2025-26
Autumn Semester 2025: 1 Sept – 12 Dec 2025
Spring Semester 2026: 7 Jan – 29 May 2026
Semester dates in 2026-27
Autumn Semester 2025: 1 Sept – 11 Dec 2026
Spring Semester 2026: 7 Jan – 28 May 2027
| Academic year | 1 August 2025 - 31 July 2026 | 1 August 2026 - 31 July 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Registration, current students | 1 June 2025 - 15 September 2026 | 1 June 2026 - 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 22 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September. | The registration period starts on 1 June 2026. Online registration ends on 21 August and registration in person on campus ends on 15 September 2026 |
| Registration, new Bachelor's and Master's students, study rights starting in the spring semester | 1 November 2025 - 15 January 2026 | 1 November 2026 - 15 January 2027 |
| Registration for spring term only, current students | 1 November 2025 - 15 January 2026 | 1 November 2026 - 15 January 2027 |
| Opening ceremony of the academic year | 4 September 2025 in Joensuu | 3 September 2026 in Kuopio |
| Periods (used in some study fields) | ||
| Autumn semester, 1st period | 1 September - 24 October 2025 | 1 September - 23 October 2026 |
| Autumn semester, 2nd period | 27 October - 12 December 2025 | 26 October - 11 December 2026 |
| Spring semester, 3rd period | 7 January - 13 March 2026 | 7 January - 12 March 027 |
| Spring semester, 4th period | 16 March - 29 May 2026 | 15 March - 28 May 2027 |
| Orientation for new students | 1 - 5 September 2025 | - Pre-orientation info sessions for new students on 06 August and 13 August 2026 - Orientation for new students in a separately defined manner in August 2026 - Information Market for New Students 02 September 2026 - Wellbeing Day 29 September 2026 |
| Orientation for new international students | 1 - 3 September 2025 7 - 9 January 2026 | - Pre arrival webinar at the beginning of June 2026 - Centralized orientation 24-25 August 2026 and 07–08 January and 11 January 2027 - Information Market for New Students 02 September 2026 - Wellbeing Day 29 September 2026 |
| Christmas break | 15 December 2025 - 6 January 2026 | 14 December 2026 - 6 January 2027 |
| Easter break | 2 - 8 April 2026 | 25 March – 31 March 2027 |
| Sports day starting 12.15 p.m. | 1 October 2025 17 February 2026 | 30 September 2026 16 February 2027 |