Right to study and target times to complete the degree

Duration of study right

You have to complete your degree during the duration of your study right. Study right usually starts from the beginning of the semester following the application period where you have been selected, i.e. either from 1 August or from 1 January onwards.

Please note that the duration of study right is different from the target completion time of your studies. The target completion time of your studies depends on the extent of your degree. 

The target completion times of bachelor's degrees are:

• The extent of the degree is 210 credits -> the target completion time is 3,5 years
• The extent of the degree is 240 credits -> the target completion time is 4 years
• The extent of the degree is 270 credits -> the target completion time is 4,5 years

The target completion times of master’s degrees are:

• The extent of the degree is 60 credits -> the target completion time is 1 year or 1,5 years, depending on your degree programme
• The extent of the degree is 90 credits -> the target completion time is 1,5 years or 2 years, depending on your degree programme

The maximum study credit scope of the degree outlined above may be exceeded due to the extent of an individual course if it does not affect the target completion time.

Duration of study right = target completion time + statutory extension time (1 year). You must complete your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree within a year after the target completion time of your studies, i.e. during the extended duration of your study right after a granted extension.

If you complete top-up studies or acquire additional qualifications, a separately set target completion time will be assigned at admission. These degrees also have to be completed in at least a year after the target completion time of the studies.

If you cannot graduate during the target completion time of your studies, you must apply for a statutory extension during your final semester, at the latest by 30 November or 31 May. After the statutory extension, it is still possible to apply for discretionary extension. More information about extensions and how to apply:

Time limit for degree completion

Right to be absent

First-year students can only register as absent on statutory grounds (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 325/2015 § 29-30):

• to complete Finnish national service in accordance with the Conscription Act (1438/2007), Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women (194/1995)
• need child care leave in connection with child birth or adoption (53/2022)
• if unable to begin the studies due to an illness or disability.

Please note, however, that absence due to illness or disability will use your absence periods (see below). More information about the right to register absent for the first year:

Register as a new student

As a continuing student, you can register as absent during your studies for a maximum of two (2) semesters. This absence does not count towards duration of your study right, i.e. your estimated graduation date will be pushed forward accordingly. As a continuing student, you can also register as absent for a statutory reason. Statutory reasons are completing national service in accordance with the Conscription Act (1438/2007), Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007) or Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women (194/1995) or being on maternity, paternity or parental leave. The period of absence is not counted into the total duration of studies. Statutory absence does not consume duration of your study right or periods of absence.

More information about reporting absences:

Enrolment for the academic year

Note! During the statutory extension period, it is possible to register as absent. However, it is not possible to register as absent during the discretionary extension period.

Transfer students

If you are a transfer student, the duration of your study right includes the attendance and non-attendance periods you have used in the previous university of applied sciences.

Professional teacher education

In professional teacher education you have to complete your studies during the duration of your study right, which is three (3) years.

Registration for the first academic year is primarily as attendance, but you can register as absent for a statutory reason (see above). As a continuing student, you can register as absent during your studies for a maximum of two (2) semesters. This absence does not count towards duration of your study right, i.e. your estimated graduation date will be pushed forward accordingly.

If you are unable to complete your studies during the duration of your study right, you can apply for an extension of one (1) semester for your studies. More information about the extension time for professional teacher education:

Time limit for degree completion

Further information and advice

If you have any questions about your study right, please contact TAMK Service Point.

If you are a tuition fee paying student and you have questions about your study right, please contact tuitionfees.tamk [at] tuni.fi (tuitionfees[dot]tamk[at]tuni[dot]fi).