Duration of the degree

The instruction belongs to the following themes

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 University has set a target schedule during which you should complete your degree. Check the remaining duration of your degree studies in Sisu. Instructions on how to check you personal information in Sisu can be found on the page Sisu instructions: My profile, credits and applications. The expiry date of the right to study is indicated also on the attendance certificate and on the transcript of studies.

Remember to register for the academic year, as neglecting to register shortens the duration of your degree. If you change your registration information in the middle of a term, the new expiry date will be updated into Sisu on the following day at the latest. The registration status for the term as a whole depends on the status on the last date of the term in question.

If your right to study expires before you complete your studies, please read the article If your right to study expires.

Target durations of degrees
Approved absences which do not shorten the duration of the degree

Target durations of degrees

The target duration for degree studies pertain to students who received their right to complete a degree on or after 1 August 2005.

The target duration is:

  • For a first-cycle degree (Bachelor’s) the target duration is three academic years. If your study right leads to a Bachelor's degree only, you may exceed the target duration with one year, which means that the maximum duration of your degree is four academic years.
  • For a First- and second-cycle degree (Bachelor’s and Master’s) the total target duration is five academic years, except for Psychology five and a half academic years and Veterinary medicine six academic years. If your study right includes the right to complete both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree, you may exceed the target duration with two years.
  • For a second-cycle degree (Master’s) the target duration is two academic years, except the degree Master of Psychology two and a half academic years, Licentiate of Dentistry five and a half academic years and Licentiate of Medicine six academic years. If your study right is for a second-cycle degree only, you may exceed the target duration with two years.

Approved absences which do not shorten the duration of the degree

The duration of degree studies does not include the following:

  • Absences due to statutory reasons, such as voluntary military or non-military service or conscription, or maternity, paternity or parental leave. Please note that absences due to statutory reasons that begin on or after 1 August 2016 will be included in the duration of degree studies unless you register as non-attending. In order to receive an extension to your study right, you must always submit a certificate of the statutory grounds of your absence to Student Services. The certificate must include the duration of the statutory reason for absence, and you may also submit it retrospectively just as long it is submitted before the expiry date of your right to study. Accepted certificates include Kela’s decisions on maternity, paternity or parental leave, other corresponding certificates of statutory parental leave provided by authorities of other countries, or a military passport or certificate of non-military service with start and end dates. However, if you later apply for an extension to your studies from the faculty, do mention such statutory reasons for your absence even if you registered as attending during the absence.
  • If your studies began prior to 1 August 2015, you are permitted other absences of a maximum of two academic years (four terms) for which you have registered as a non-attending student. The terms of absence need not be consecutive.
  • If your studies began on or after 1 August 2015, you are permitted other absences of a maximum of one academic year (two terms) for which you have registered as a non-attending student. The terms of absence need not be consecutive.

NOTE! If you have applied for extension for your study right, these rules are not valid. You will have to apply for extension again if the extension period runs out.