Changes to the approval of theses required for second-cycle degrees
On 17 April 2024, the University of Helsinki Board decided on an amendment to the approval of advanced studies theses under the Regulations on Degrees and the Protection of Students’ Rights. This decision will also change the timetable for thesis submission and the recording of completion dates.
From 1 August 2024, the dean – rather than the Faculty Council – will decide on the approval and grades of advanced studies theses. The date when you submitted your thesis for assessment in the E-thesis system will be recorded as the date of thesis completion.
For summer 2024, please note the important dates below at the Faculty of Medicine. Further information on the autumn term timetable will be provided in June as soon as the relevant decisions have been made.
- If you submit your advanced studies thesis for assessment by 4 June 2024, the dean will decide on its approval and grade on 27 August 2024. The thesis will be recorded as having been completed on the last day of the academic year on 31 July 2024 or, should you prefer it, 27 August 2024. You will be asked to choose one of the above dates.
- If you submit your advanced studies thesis for assessment between 5 June and 31 July 2024, the dean will decide on its approval and grade on 12 September 2024. However, the date when you submitted the thesis will be recorded as the completion date.
- The thesis submission dates for the autumn term will be published on the Instructions for Students website in June.
Effects of new thesis practices on graduation
If you wish to graduate during the 2023–2024 academic year, you must submit your thesis in the E-thesis system by 31 July 2024 and your graduation request through a degree programme code by the same date. Your graduation request will not be considered until your thesis has been approved, which means your degree will not be registered until September 2024 at the earliest.
Please consider this timetable when planning your graduation. We do not issue temporary certificates or statements on submitted theses or graduation requests. Please note that, as a rule, your supervisor is not obliged to supervise you in the summer. Contact them well in advance for permission to submit your thesis.
Please also note that healthcare professional graduates can work under student rights before their actual licensing for 30 days. Consequently, when pursuing a healthcare professional qualification, it is important for you to carefully determine the point at which you submit your graduation request. We do not recommend that you submit your graduation request on the same date as you submit your thesis because degrees cannot be registered within 30 days of thesis submission.
Please note that the time required to process graduation requests is longer than usual during the busy period at the end of the academic year in May and June, and that July is a holiday month. Requests submitted after 16 June 2024 and in July will likely be considered in August.
Medicine and dentistry: Please note that before submitting a graduation request in Sisu, you must submit the degree certificate request form relevant to your first year of study. Please submit this form by 16 June 2024 so your degree can be compiled and you can submit your graduation request in Sisu.
Good luck with finishing your thesis!