Important dates for the academic year

Teaching periods and registration schedules.

Uniarts Helsinki’s academic year

The university’s academic year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July.

Teaching periods 2023-2024

In the 2023-2024 academic year, instruction is given between 7 August 2023 and 20 June 2024. 

What’s happening2023–2024
Joint studies/ summer studies7 – 27 August 2023
Teaching period 128 August – 15 October 2023
Uniarts Helsinki’s opening ceremony of the academic year22 September 2023
No contact teaching16 – 22 October 2023
Teaching period 223 October – 21 December 2023
No contact teaching22 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
Teaching period 38 January – 18 February 2024
No contact teaching19 – 25 February 2024
Teaching period 426 February – 5 May 2024
No contact teaching28 March – 3 April 2024
Teaching period 5, joint studies/ summer studies6 May – 20 June 2024
Uniarts’ joint orientation for the new students25 August 2024

Uniarts Helsinki’s period for joint studies

The weeks are reserved primarily for the Uniarts Helsinki’s joint studies and mobility studies offered by the academies. The period is dedicated to joint studies and productions that are intended for all students of the Uniarts Helsinki’s academies, as well as – in special cases – for academy-specific courses such as orientation studies. There may also be special intensive courses in theory and languages and other special courses during these weeks.

Joint studies of the Uniarts Helsinki can also be organised during other times, but the period for joint studies is specifically reserved for these studies so that students have an equal opportunity to participate in them.

Breaks in contact teaching

During the break weeks, students can study and practise independently, for example get ready for performances, exhibitions or exams, or complete written assignments and write their theses.

There is a break in contact teaching at Easter, which begins on Thursday before Easter and ends on Wednesday after Easter.

Exceptions can be made if the academies and the Open Campus want to arrange classes during these weeks. No teaching is arranged on national holidays. Doctoral education, Open University instruction, master classes, special classes, and summer courses can also be scheduled for other times.

Registration for the academic year

The registration period for the 2024-2025 academic year is between 2 May and 12 August 2024. The registration period for the Spring term 2025 is between 1 December 2024 and 7 January 2025.

Registration for courses

Uniarts Helsinki’s course selection can be found in the Study Guide.

General exam dates 2023-2024

Some course examinations can be completed on the general exam dates. You can read about the available course completion methods in the course descriptions in the Study Guide.  

Literature examinations for the Sibelius Academy’s church music and pedagogical studies can also sometimes be substituted with literature essays. You can request the essay assignments by emailing siba.opintopalvelut@uniarts.fi.  

General exam dates (Helsinki) 

Autumn term 2023

  • Sat 9 September 2023 (registration by 30 August 2023 )
  • Sat 7 October 2023 (registration by 27 September 2023)
  • Sat 11 November 2023 (registration by 1 November 2023)
  • Sat 9 December 2023 (registration by 29 November 2023)

Spring term 2024

  • Sat 13 January 2024 (registration by 3 January 2024)
  • Sat 10 February 2024 (registration by 31 January 2024)
  • Sat 9 March 2024 (registration by 28 February 2024)
  • Sat 13 April 2024 (registration by 3 April 2024)
  • Sat 11 May 2024 (registration by 2 May 2024)

Summer exam dates 2024

  • Sat 8 June 2024 (registration by 17 May 2024)
  • Sat 10 August 2024 (registration by 17 May 2024)

How to register for an examination (Helsinki) 

Students must register for an examination no later than 10 days before the examination. Registrations done after the deadline will not be processed. If you miss the deadline, contact the person in charge of the examination and ask them if you can still participate in the examination.  

You can register for examinations taking place in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 here. 

Once the registration period has ended, staff from the academic affairs will contact you and provide you with instructions for participating in the examination.   

On the day of examination (Helsinki) 

Examinations are held in the Auditorium of the Helsinki Music Centre (H1112), the visiting address is Töölönlahdenkatu 16 C. The doors will open at 9:00. Examinations start at 9:15 and end at 13:15. Students are not allowed to leave the auditorium earlier than 30 minutes after the start of the examination. Students must show their student card or ID card in the examination as proof of identity and attendance. A student who has registered as a non-attending student cannot participate in an examination.  

The doors to the Helsinki Music Centre Auditorium are locked, which is why students who do not study at the Sibelius Academy are picked up from the lobby on the Töölönlahdenkatu side of the building at 09:05 and then escorted to the Auditorium.  

Remote maturity tests (Helsinki) 

Some maturity tests can be completed remotely. When you complete a maturity test remotely, you will be sent the maturity test assignment by email on the day of the examination. You have 4 hours to complete the maturity test on your own computer, and when you are done, you return the assignment as an email attachment.   

How to register for a remote maturity test 

You can request the remote maturity by emailing siba.opintopalvelut@uniarts.fi. Please write your teacher’s or supervisor’s name in your email.

General exam dates and remote maturity tests (Kuopio) 

Some course examinations can be completed on the general exam dates. You can read about the available course completion methods in the course descriptions in the Study Guide.  

Literature examinations for theological studies consist of independent studies and essay assignments. The assignments are sent on the day of the examination by email, and students are also informed of the essay deadline at the same time. You can find the set literature for theological courses in the course descriptions provided in the Study Guide.  

Maturity tests, too, are completed remotely. When you complete a maturity test remotely, you will be sent the maturity test assignment by email. You have 4 hours to complete the maturity test on your own computer, and when you are done, you return the assignment as an email attachment.   

Autumn term 2023

  • Fri 22 September 2023 (registration by 12 September 2023)
  • Fri 27 October 2023 (registration by 17 October 2023)
  • Fri 24 November 2023 (registration by 14 November 2023)
  • Fri 8 December 2023 (registration by 28 November 2023)

Spring term 2024

  • Fri 26 January 2024 (registration by 16 January 2024)
  • Fri 23 February 2024 (registration by 13 February 2024)
  • Fri 22 March 2024 (registration by 12 March 2024)
  • Fri 19 April 2024 (registration by 9 April 2024)
  • Fri 3 May 2024 (registration by 23 April 2024)

How to register for an examination and a remote maturity test (Kuopio)   

Students must register for an examination no later than 10 days before the examination by filling a registration form

General exam dates (Seinäjoki) 

Some course examinations can be completed on the general exam dates. You can read about the available course completion methods in the course descriptions in the Study Guide

Academic year 2023-2024

General exams will be held in general once a month. The exact dates will be published later.

How to register for an examination (Seinäjoki)   

Students must register for examinations by the deadlines listed in the parentheses using the examination service provided by the University Consortium of Seinäjoki. 

Additional schedule for the Academy of Fine Arts 2023-2024

Autumn 2023

– Orientation week for new students: week 34
– Autumn semester instruction: weeks 35-41 and 43-51
– Week free of instruction: week 42
– Registration for spring semester 2024 courses/instruction: 15.11.2023-19.1.2024
– The last day during the autumn term to fill in the application for a degree certificate: 1st December 2023
– Graduation ceremony: 15th December 2023

Spring 2024

– Orientation week for new students: week 2
– Spring semester instruction: weeks 2-7 and 9-24
– Week free of instruction: week 8, Easter holiday 28.3.-3.4.2024
– Registration for autumn semester 2024 courses/instruction:  15.5.-6.9.2024
– The last day during the spring term to fill in the application for a degree certificate: 24th May 2024
– Graduation ceremony: 6th June 2024

Additional schedule for the Sibelius Academy 2023-2024

Opening of the academic year 

The opening event for the 2023-2024 academic year will be held on 4 September 2023 on the Kuopio campus and on 22 September 2023 on the Helsinki campus. 

General information concerning teaching schedules

In principle, instruction is provided from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The instruction of the Junior Academy will be provided mostly on Saturdays.

The teaching hour is 45 minutes and the room is booked for it for 60 minutes. Group tuition will start 15 past, if the teacher doesn’t give other information. The teaching times of the individual tuition will be agreed between teacher and student.

Autumn term 2023

In principle, group instruction is provided in weeks 36-51. The last day of teaching during the autumn term is Thurdsay, 21 December 2023 (week 51).

Spring term 2024 

In principle, group instruction is provided in weeks 2-17.  

Breaks in contact teaching

The weeks 42, 52-1 and 8 will be break weeks in contact teaching. There is also a break in contact teaching at Easter, which begins on Thursday before Easter and ends on Wednesday after Easter (28 March – 3 April 2024). Regular contact teaching (group or individual tuition) should not be organized provided on these weeks.

The fixed class reservations will not be valid during the break weeks 42, 8 and 52-1 or during the Easter holiday.

Summer instruction

Summer instruction can be provided on weeks 32-25 and 18-25.

Additional schedule for the Theatre Academy 2023-2024

Autumn 2023
Period 1
What’s happeningAutumn 2023
Period 2
What’s happening
14–18 AugJoint studies 1 NovRegistration for spring courses begins
14 Aug
1.15 pm
Orientation/info session part 1 for new bachelor’s students (master’s students are also welcome to participate), the event is in Finnish with Swedish interpretation30 NovRegistration for spring courses ends
21–25 AugJoint studies 7 DecAalto Arts mobility courses for spring 2024 will be published. Registration in December.
23 AugOrientation session for new international students and exchange students, the event is in English 11-15 DecJoint studies, language studies
25 AugRegistration for autumn courses ends two weeks before course starting but no later than 25 Aug15 Dec
2 pm
Conferment ceremony (Publiikki)
25 AugUniarts Helsinki’s joint orientation for new students 18-20 DecJoint studies, language studies
28 AugTeaching begins (with the exception of BA 1 year students)
28 Aug
1 pm
Orientation for new students: Introduction to the services for artistic activities 
29 AugOrientation for new master’s students: Camp 
22 Sep
2 pm
Opening of Uniarts Helsinki’s academic year 
29 SepRegistration deadline for production teams (spring 2024) 
29 SepDeadline for approving students’ personal study plans (PSP) for the 2023-2024 academic year  
9 Oct
9 am – 12 pm
Orientation/info session part 2 for new bachelor’s students (master’s students are also welcome to participate), the event is in Finnish with Swedish interpretation
10–13 OctOrientation for new bachelor’s students: Camp 
16–20 OctNo contact teaching  
Spring 2024
Period 3
What’s happeningSpring 2024
Period 4
What’s happening
19–23 FebNo contact teaching  28 March – 3 AprThere will be no teaching at Easter with the exception of possible productions.
29 Apr – 5 MayProgrammes do not provide teaching after week 18
?Uniarts Helsinki’s joint orientation follow-up for new students
6-10 MayLanguage studies
13-24 MayLanguage studies and joint studies
27 May – 7 JuneJoint studies
3 JuneAalto Arts mobility courses for autumn 2025 will be published
10-14 JuneJoint studies
14 JuneConferment ceremony (Publiikki)

Additional schedule for the Theatre Academy 2024-2025

Autumn 2024
Period 1
What’s happeningAutumn 2024
Period 2
What’s happening
5.-23.8.Joint studies4.11.9-12 TeaK community day
19.8.
Uniarts Helsinki as a learning environment: OPS24 common orientation for new students13.12.Conferment ceremony (Publiikki) at 1 pm
21.8.Info for new international degree students at the Sörnäinen campus (TBC)TeaK students’ application for international exchange or internship: Erasmus application period for academic year 2025-26: 2.12.24-31.1.25.
26.8.Teaching begins (with the exception of BA 1 year students and separately agreed courses)
27.8.Camp school for new master’s students
12.9.Opening ceremony of Uniarts Helsinki’s academic year at the Töölö campus starting at 3 pm
30.9.PSP approval dl
Application for TeaK students for international exchange or internship: Norteas network application for short exchange: May and October for the following semester.
7.10.Uniarts Helsinki as a learning environment: joint orientation for new students in accordance with OPS24
9.-11.10.Uniarts Helsinki as a learning environment: TeaK section according to OPS24
10.10. ipUniarts Helsinki as a learning environment TTP info included in the TeaK section, which new MA students also participate in
14.-18.10.No contact teaching 
Spring 2025
Period 3
What’s happeningSpring 2025
Period 4
What’s happening
17.-21.2.No contact teaching 3.3.13-18 TeaK community day
17.-23.4.There will be no teaching on Easter Thu 17.4.- Wed 23.4.2025. With the exception of productions and other possible teaching Thu 17.4., Tue-Wed 22.-23.4.
week 18Teaching in all programs ends on week 18.
Application for TeaK students for international exchange or internship: Norteas network application for short exchange: May and October for the following semester.
6.-10.5.Intensive courses in general studies (languages, art, work and sustainability)
13.5.-13.6.Joint studies, in exceptional cases programme teaching and intensive courses of general studies (languages, art, work and sustainability)
13.6.Conferment ceremony (Publiikki) at 1 pm

Teaching periods 2024-2025 and 2025-2026

In the 2024-2025 academic year, instruction is given between 5 August 2024 and 13 June 2025. 

In the 2025-2026 academic year, instruction is given between 4 August 2025 and 12 June 2026. 

What’s happening2024–20252025-2026
Joint studies/ summer studies5 – 25 August 20244 – 24 August 2026
Teaching period 126 August – 11 October 202425 August – 10 October 2025
Uniarts Helsinki’s opening ceremony of the academic year12 September 2024
No contact teaching14 – 20 October 202413 – 19 October 2025
Teaching period 221 October – 20 December 202420 October – 19 December 2025
No contact teaching23 December 2024 – 6 January 202522 December 2025 – 6 January 2026
Teaching period 37 January – 14 February 20257 January – 13 February 2026
No contact teaching17 – 23 February 202516 – 22 February 2026
Teaching period 424 February – 2 May 202523 February – 30 April 2026
No contact teaching17 – 23 April 20252 – 8 April 2026
Teaching period 5, joint studies/ summer studies5 May – 13 June 20254 May – 12 June 2026
Uniarts’ joint orientation for the new students19 August 2024 and 7 October 202419 August 2025 and 6 October 2025

Uniarts Helsinki’s period for joint studies

The weeks are reserved primarily for the Uniarts Helsinki’s joint studies and mobility studies offered by the academies. The period is dedicated to joint studies and productions that are intended for all students of the Uniarts Helsinki’s academies, as well as – in special cases – for academy-specific courses such as orientation studies. There may also be special intensive courses in theory and languages during these weeks.

Joint studies of the Uniarts Helsinki can also be organised during other times, but the period for joint studies is specifically reserved for these studies so that students have an equal opportunity to participate in them.

Breaks in contact teaching

During the break weeks, students can study and practise independently, for example get ready for performances, exhibitions or exams, or complete written assignments and write their theses.

There is a break in contact teaching at Easter, which begins on Thursday before Easter and ends on Wednesday after Easter.

No teaching is arranged on national holidays.

The dean of the Academy and the director of the Open Campus can make exceptions to the above-mentioned teaching hours, which are necessarily required by the curricula, for a justified reason.

General exam dates 2024-2025

Some course examinations can be completed on the general exam dates. You can read about the available course completion methods in the course descriptions in the Study Guide.  

Literature examinations for the Sibelius Academy’s church music and pedagogical studies can also sometimes be substituted with literature essays. You can request the essay assignments by emailing siba.opintopalvelut@uniarts.fi.  

General exam dates (Helsinki) 

Autumn term 2024

  • Sat 7 September 2024 (registration by 28 August 2024)
  • Sat 5 October 2024 (registration by 25 September 2024)
  • Sat 9 November 2024 (registration by 30 October 2024)
  • Sat 7 December 2024 (registration by 27 November 2024)

Spring term 2025

  • Sat 11 January 2025 (registration by 2 January 2025)
  • Sat 8 February 2025 (registration by 29 January 2025)
  • Sat 8 March 2025 (registration by 26 February 2025)
  • Sat 5 April 2025 (registration by 26 March 2025)
  • Sat 3 May 2025 (registration by 23 April 2025)

Summer exam dates 2025

  • Sat 7 June 2025 (registration by 16 May 2025)
  • Sat 9 August 2025 (registration by 16 May 2025)

How to register for an examination (Helsinki) 

Students must register for an examination no later than 10 days before the examination. Registrations done after the deadline will not be processed. If you miss the deadline, contact the person in charge of the examination and ask them if you can still participate in the examination.   

Once the registration period has ended, staff from the academic affairs will contact you and provide you with instructions for participating in the examination.   

On the day of examination (Helsinki) 

Examinations are held in the Auditorium of the Helsinki Music Centre (H1112), the visiting address is Töölönlahdenkatu 16 C. The doors will open at 9:00. Examinations start at 9:15 and end at 13:15. Students are not allowed to leave the auditorium earlier than 30 minutes after the start of the examination. Students must show their student card or ID card in the examination as proof of identity and attendance. A student who has registered as a non-attending student cannot participate in an examination.  

The doors to the Helsinki Music Centre Auditorium are locked, which is why students who do not study at the Sibelius Academy are picked up from the lobby on the Töölönlahdenkatu side of the building at 09:05 and then escorted to the Auditorium.  

Remote maturity tests (Helsinki) 

Some maturity tests can be completed remotely. When you complete a maturity test remotely, you will be sent the maturity test assignment by email on the day of the examination. You have 4 hours to complete the maturity test on your own computer, and when you are done, you return the assignment as an email attachment.   

How to register for a remote maturity test 

You can request the remote maturity by emailing siba.opintopalvelut@uniarts.fi. Please write your teacher’s or supervisor’s name in your email.

Additional schedule for the Sibelius Academy 2024-2025

General information concerning teaching schedules

The teaching times will be published in the Study Guide. In principle, instruction is provided from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. The instruction of the Junior Academy will be provided also on Saturdays. The teaching hour is 45 minutes and the room booking for tuition starts on the hour. The teaching times of the individual tuition will be agreed between teacher and student.

Teaching schedules of the academic year 2024-2025

Instruction is provided between 26 August 2024 and 4 May 2025.

The fixed class room reservations for tuition will not be valid during the break weeks 42, 8 or during the Christmas and Easter holidays. The times of the Christmas and Easter holidays are mentioned in the rector’s decision on Teaching periods 2024-2025. Other than regular contact teaching can be provided during the break weeks.

The joint studies of the University of the Arts will be provided in August and May. Regular group tuition should not be organised during the joint studies’ weeks. Orchestra periods, intensive courses, project studies and individual tuition can be organised also during the joint studies’ weeks.

More information

Academy of Fine Arts: kuva.opintotoimisto@uniarts.fi

Sibelius Academy: siba.opintopalvelut@uniarts.fi

Theatre Academy: teak.opintoneuvonta@uniarts.fi