Faculty of Social Sciences

Normative Duration of Studies

In 2005, the Universities Act was amended with regard to the normative duration of studies for university degrees, the duration of the right to study and extensions of this right (the university act 556/2005). These stipulations apply only to students who were granted the right to pursue a degree on or after 1 August 2005. At the University of Helsinki, the application of the amendment to the Universities Act concerning the normative duration of degree studies is stipulated by a Decision of the Rector (138/2008).

Duration of the Study Right

Those students who were granted the right to pursue both Bachelor and Master of Social Sciences degrees have the right to exceed the normative duration of degrees defined in the Act by two years. The students who have been granted the right to pursue only a Master of Social Sciences degree have the right to exceed this time by two years.

The duration of study is counted from the first term of the enrolment, i.e. from the term during which the student accepts the study place. The duration of study shall not include the absence of a maximum of four terms for which the student has registered as a non-attending student. The student need not inform the University of the reason for the absence. A discontinuance of studies for a minimum of one year, required by employment authorities, shall be considered equivalent to registration for non-attendance. Should the student fail to register for attendance or non-attendance, this term or these terms shall be included in the duration of his or her studies.
Should the registration status (attending/non-attending) of the student change during the course of a term, the registration status valid on the last date of the term in question shall determine the registration status for the entire term.

Students may monitor the validity of their right to study in WebOodi. In addition, the University of Helsinki Student Services will inform students in writing of the expiration of their right to study at the University.

Extension of the Duration of Studies

1) Extension of the Duration of the Studies as Provided by Law

According to the University Act, absences due to voluntary military service or conscription, or maternity, paternity or parental leave shall not be included in the duration of studies. If the student’s studies have been delayed due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, he or she must inform Student Services of the reasons for and duration of the delay. When submitting this information, the student must also present supporting documentation in order to be granted an extension to his or her right to study.

2) Extension of the Duration of Studies on the Basis of Application

The University may grant an extension to the duration of studies for students who have not completed their studies within the normative time for the completion of degrees, provided that they present a goal-oriented and feasible plan for completion of their studies. When granting an extension to the duration of studies, consideration shall be given to the student's personal life situation, including the factors such as:

- illness or a difficult life situation,
- societal activity during studies,
- participation in international student or trainee exchange,
- systematic training in top-level sports,
- parenting or caring for a family member
- gainful employment, and
- participation in the activities of the academic community.

The student must address his or her application for an extension of the right to study to the Faculty of Social Sciences and submit it to the Study Office of the Faculty (Unioninkatu 37, 1. floor). The application must contain at least the following documents:

- a list of the completed studies or study blocks and

- an itemised list of all studies that need to be completed for the degree

- a timetable for completion of these studies and the degree,

- an account of the reasons for the delay of studies,

- a description of the student’s life situation, if he or she requests consideration of personal reasons given in the application, plus supporting documents (such as medical or equivalent certificates).

When applying more than once for an extension to the duration of studies, the student must include in the application a report of his or her study progress during the previous extension and present reasons why his or her studies have not progressed according to plan. An extension to the duration of studies cannot be granted if the student’s studies have progressed considerably slower than originally planned and the student is not able to present an acceptable reason for the slow progress.

The extension can be granted for a maximum of two academic years. No extension can be granted if the remaining studies cannot be completed within the above-mentioned two academic years.

According to the decree on University Degrees (794/2004), the degree of Bachelor of Social Sciences consists of 180 credits, and the target duration of the degree is three years which allows students to complete an average of 60 credits each academic year. The degree of Master of Social Sciences consists of 120 credits and the target duration is two years which allows students to complete an averade of 60 credits each academic year.

Students should submit their applications for an extension to the duration of their studies well before the expiration of their right to study. These applications are processed in the Faculty on a continuous basis. The decision on granting an extension to the duration of studies is made by the Faculty within a month.

Loss of the right to pursue studies

According to the amendment to the Universities Act concerning the normative duration of degree studies, students who have not completed their studies within the normative duration of studies or within the extension granted for the completion of studies shall lose their right to pursue studies. If such a student wishes to continue his or her studies later, he or she must apply for readmission into the University.
A decision rejecting an application for an extension to the duration of studies will be accompanied by instructions for appealing to the administrative court as well as information on the related legal costs.