Studying
Studying in Finland
may differ considerably from the way of studying in your home country. Generally
Finnish universities encourage students to independent study and critical
thinking. The
Finnish system also has a strong emphasis on the use of literature as a source
of information.
In most study fields
students are usually free to plan the progress of their studies.
The
independent nature of university studies in Finland
requires perseverance and initiative from the students. Students are expected to
take responsibility of the planning and progress of their studies themselves. Of
course study counsellors are happy to help students to plan their studies.
Also the
relationship between students and lecturers is usually quite informal and
students can approach academic staff without formalities.
Academic calendar
Academic year is officially
divided into two semesters:
Instruction usually
begins in mid-September ends in mid-May. Exact starting and ending dates of
instruction vary considerably from field to field. Students studying Medicine
should note that teaching in this field may begin
already
in the beginning of
August.
In many departments
courses are not spread over the whole semester. Thus, the actual starting and
ending date of studies depends on the field of study and the courses taken.
The summer holiday
begins at the start of June (although usually most of the students leave during
May) and ends in the beginning of September. Although there is no summer term,
some departments arrange examinations, the libraries are open, and the
restaurants/cafeterias are open in the summer.
There are no official exam periods. Exams
may be held anytime during the semester.
Academic year 2008 - 2009
| |
Autumn term 2008 |
Spring term 2009 |
| Orientation |
9 - 12 September |
13 - 15 January |
| Classes begin |
August/
Mid-September* |
Mid-January |
|
Christmas/Easter break |
20 Dec 2008 - 11 Jan 2009 |
9 - 15 April |
|
Most classes
end |
19 December |
31 May |
Academic year 2009-2010
|
|
Autumn semester 2009 |
Spring semester 2010 |
|
Orientation week |
8-11
September 2009 |
12-14 January 2010 |
|
Classes begin |
Early September |
Early January |
|
Christmas / Easter break |
19 Dec 2009- 10 Jan 2010 |
1-7 April 2010 |
|
Official end of the semester |
18 December 2009 |
31 May 2010 |
* in some study
fields (ie. Medicine) teaching may start already in August. However, instruction
in most fields begins in mid-September. Please note that the starting and ending
dates of instruction varies considerably from field to field. Always check the
exact dates with your Departmental Coordinator / Programme Coordinator.
Updated on
9.4.2009/AK
|
