This page explains how the duration of your studies is determined and what affects it. The time limits described below apply to you if you are studying a Bachelor’s of a Master’s degree and your study right started on or after 1 August 2005. If your study right was granted before 1 August 2005, your study time is not limited.
You can check the start and end dates of your study right in Peppi.
Normative duration and maximum study time
Your maximum study time consists of the normative duration of your degree plus additional time. The table below shows the times for each degree. The academic year starts on 1.8. and end on 31.7. and is divided in two terms.
| Degree | Normative duration | Additional time | Maximum total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 3 years | + 1 year | 4 years |
| Master’s degree | 2 years | + 2 years | 4 years |
| Master of Psychology | 2.5 years | + 2 years | 4.5 years |
| Bachelor’s + Master’s degree combination | 5 years | + 2 years | 7 years |
| Psychology (Bachelor’s + Master’s) | 5.5 years | + 2 years | 7.5 years |
| Bachelor and Licentiate of Medicine | 6 years | + 2 years | 8 years |
| Bachelor and Licentiate of Dentistry | 5.5 years | + 2 years | 7.5 years |
If you are studying for a Bachelor’s degree, you have the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the normative duration of study by a maximum of one year (3 + 1 years).
If you are studying for a Master’s degree, you have the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the normative duration of study by a maximum of two years (2 + 2 years).
If you are studying study right combination (Bachelor’s and Master’s degree), you have the right to complete the degree in a time exceeding the normative duration of study by a maximum of two years (5 + 2 years.
Exceptions to these rules occur, if you are studying psychology, medicine or dentistry.
What counts as study time?
Your study time is shown in Peppi and is updated based on your registration information.
The following are counted in your study time:
- terms during which you are registered as present (i.e. you are studying normally)
- other absence (not for statutory reasons) that exceeds two academic terms
- terms during which you have not registered at all (failure to fulfil the registration obligation)
- any terms during an extended study right – including absence for statutory reasons (absence for statutory reasons does not extend your study right further once you are on extended time)
The following are not counted in your study time:
- statutory absence on legal grounds (see below)
- other absence of no more than two academic terms, provided you have registered as absent (four academic terms, if your study right started before 1 August 2015).
Statutory absence
- service under the Conscription Act, the Non-Military Service Act or the Women’s Voluntary Military Service Act
- maternity, paternity or parental leave due to a child’s birth or adoption
To have a statutory absence saved in the student register, submit the relevant document to the Student and Learning Services’ Customer Service.
Please note: During your first year of studies, you can register as absent only on legal grounds.
Read more about statutory absence.
Other absence
If you register as absent for other reasons, up to two academic terms of this absence will not be counted towards your study time. Any other absence beyond two terms will be counted towards your study time.
“Other absence” means any absence that is not based on statutory reasons as described above.