Academic calendar and teaching periods

The academic year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. Teaching is offered during periods determined by the university.

Table of contents

Academic year

The academic year begins on 1 August and ends on 31 July. The autumn semester begins on 1 August and ends on 31 December. The spring semester begins on 1 January and ends on 31 July.

Teaching periods for the academic years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027

Teaching is offered during periods determined by the university. At the University of Jyväskylä, they are: 

  Academic year 2025-2026 Academic year 2026-2027
1st period

1.8. - 26.10.2025

  • orientation for degree students starts 25.8.
  • orientation for exchange students starts 26.8.
  • teaching starts 1.9.

1.8. - 25.10.2026

  • orientation for degree students starts 24.8.
  • orientation for exchange students starts 25.8.
  • teaching starts 31.8.
2nd period

27.10. - 31.12.2025

  • teaching ends 19.12.

26.10. - 31.12.2026

  • teaching ends 18.12.
3rd period

1.1. - 15.3.2026

  • orientation for exchange students starts 5.1.
  • teaching starts 8.1.

1.1. - 21.3.2027

  • orientation for exchange students starts 7.1.
  • teaching starts 11.1.
4th period

16.3. - 24.5.2026

  • teaching ends 24.5.

22.3. - 30.5.2027

  • teaching ends 30.5.
Easter break 30.3. - 6.4.2026 22. - 29.3.2027
Summer period (as a rule, does not apply to exchange students)

27.5. - 31.7.2026

  • teaching ends 30.6.

31.5 - 31.7.2027

  • teaching ends 30.6.

Please note that degree students are expected to arrive to Jyväskylä in time to participate to the entire orientation week. 

Organising teaching should be avoided during the university's opening ceremony.

When faculties and other institutions compile their curriculum, they should pay special attention to ensure that teaching begins on the specified dates, continues into December during the autumn semester, and continues into May during the spring semester.

Important information for exchange students

If you are an incoming exchange student and applying for a grant, please note that the orientation for exchange students is organised before teaching starts, and that courses and exams end latest on the final day of teaching for the semester/academic year to which you have been admitted to (unless agreed otherwise). As a rule, summer period does not apply to exchange students.

If you are attending a MOVI language course in mid-August, your exchange period starts on the first day of contact-teaching.

Exchange students are recommended to arrive on the previous working day before the orientation. Here are the recommended arrival dates:

  • Academic year 2025-2026: 25 August 2025 in the autumn semester, and 2 January 2026 in the spring semester.
  • Academic year 2026-2027: 24 August 2026 in the autumn semester, and 5 January 2027 in the spring semester.

Annual registration and duration of studies

Degree students must register at the University for each academic year for either attendance or non-attendance. Exchange students will be registered automatically based on the information given in Mobility-Online.