Academic Year and Teaching Periods at the University of Turku
The academic year at the University of Turku begins on August 1 and ends on the last day of July the following year. The autumn semester begins on August 1 and ends on December 31, while the spring semester begins on January 1 and ends on July 31.
Teaching at the university is divided into four teaching periods: two in the autumn semester and two in the spring semester. In addition, there is one summer period. The periods begin and end at the same time in all faculties. The autumn and spring semesters are of different lengths, so the periods within the semesters also differ in length. In the Faculty of Medicine, teaching may begin before the official start of the period and end after the official end of the period.
The opening ceremony of the academic year and the eve of May Day are observed as days free of teaching.
Teaching Periods
2025–2026
- I: August 1, 2025 – October 26, 2025 (main teaching and study period 8 weeks, starting September 1, 2025)
- II: October 27, 2025 – December 21, 2025
- III: January 12, 2026 – March 15, 2026
- IV: March 16, 2026 – May 24, 2026
- Summer period: May 25, 2026 – July 31, 2026
2026–2027
- I: August 1, 2026 – October 25, 2026 (main teaching and study period 8 weeks, starting August 31, 2026)
- II: October 26, 2026 – December 20, 2026
- III: January 11, 2027 – March 14, 2027
- IV: March 15, 2027 – May 23, 2027
- Summer period: May 24, 2027 – July 31, 2027
The summer period may contain teaching when it is appropriate. The summer period includes summer exams or other types of summer studies. Additionally, in August of the following academic year, summer studies, orientation courses for new students, and minor subject exams may be organized.
Contact teaching is organized during the period, and teaching always begins at the start of the period. Contact teaching does not have to cover the whole period. Students should be able to complete a course in the period when it is offered. If an exam is part of the course, the first opportunity to take the exam must also fall within the same period. Additional exam opportunities may be scheduled outside the teaching period.
If necessary, the contact teaching required for a course may last longer than a single period.