The academic year and teaching periods

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

The academic year begins every year on August 1st and ends July 31st. The autumn term begins on August 1st and ends on December 31st. The spring term begins on January 1st and ends on July 31st. Teaching is arranged during the teaching periods.

Exchange and visiting students are granted a study right within the academic year for certain dates depending on their studies and activities, thus the dates of the beginning and ending of your study right may not correspond with the dates above. You can check the dates of your student right from the exchange certificate you will receive from the International Exchange Services upon your acceptance to the University of Helsinki. You can find the exchange duration for students taking courses below. 

Teaching periods
Exchange duration
Teaching breaks and the summer term
Teachers' office hours

Teaching periods

The academic year is divided into four teaching periods, each of which lasts seven weeks. All except the degree programmes in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine follow this schedule. There are two periods in autumn term and two in spring term. For exact dates, see below.  Please check the teaching schedules from Sisu.

The academic year has three intensive periods: before the first and third teaching period and at the end of the fourth period. Intensive periods are intended to increase the amount of instruction offered according to the needs of the faculty and the students. Various orientation sessions, special or language courses or preparatory courses may be organized during the intensive periods.

Academic year 2025-2026

Autumn term 2025  Spring term 2026 
Intensive period 25 August – 31 August Intensive period 2 – 11 January
1st teaching period 1 September – 19 October 3rd teaching period 12 January – 1 March
Examination and study week 20 October - 26 October Examination and study week 2 March – 8 March
2nd teaching period 27 October – 14 December 4th teaching period 9 March – 3 May (Easter break 2  - 8 April)
Examination and study week 15 – 21 December Examination and study week 4 – 10 May
- Intensive period 4 May – 31 May

Academic year 2026–2027

Autumn term 2026  Spring term 2027 
Intensive period 24  - 30 August Intensive period 4 – 17 January
1st teaching period 31 August – 18 October 3rd teaching period 18 January – 7 March
Examination and study week 19 - 25 October Examination and study week 8 – 14 March
2nd teaching period 26 October – 13 December 4th teaching period 15 March – 9 May 
Examination and study week 14 – 20 December Examination and study week 10 – 16 May
- Intensive period 10 – 31 May

Teaching periods academic years 2026/2027 - 2031/2032 (Flamma, requires login)

 

Exchange duration

2024 - 2025

  • Autumn Semester: 27 August – 20 December 2024, including orientation period
  • Spring Semester: 8 January – 30 May 2025, including orientation period

2025 - 2026

  • Autumn Semester: 26 August – 19 December 2025, including orientation period
  • Spring Semester: 7 January – 29 May 2026, including orientation period

The exchange period includes a 2-3 days, mandatory orientation week.

Teaching breaks and the summer term

There is a one-week break in teaching after each period to allow students to prepare and take examinations.

There is a break of approximately four weeks in teaching at the turn of the year, between the second and third teaching periods. However, orientation studies or separate special or intensive courses may be organized during this break.

There is also a break in teaching during Spring term around Easter: three days before and three days after Easter Sunday (from Thursday to Wednesday).

The summer term begins after the fourth "examination and study week" and continues until the beginning of the intensive period in August. It is possible to study during the summer term, as well.

The main part of the summer teaching is organized by the University of Helsinki Open University. Open university courses are free of charge for attending Bachelor's and Master's degree students at the University of Helsinki. Please note that if you wish to participate in an open university summer course to raise the grade of a previously completed course, you need to pay the open university study fee for the summer course. In such a case, please contact the Open University before enrollment at avoin-student@helsinki.fi.

Faculty and degree program summer examinations, placement tests, thesis and study supervision, special and intensive courses and summer schools may also be organized during the summer term.

The opening ceremony of the academic year and the opening carnival are held in the afternoon on the first day of the first teaching period of the academic year. There is no teaching during this afternoon.

Teachers' office hours

Teachers have office hours during the academic year typically from the beginning of September until the end of May. The practices for office hours vary slightly between faculties and degree programmes.

Teachers are available for students every week between September 1st and May 31st except for the period around the new year. The office hour can be online, face-to-face or contact via phone, mail or email.

Students working on theses or dissertations can receive supervision between September 1st and May 31st. Your home faculty or degree programme will give further instructions on the availability of supervision during the summertime.