Applying for an extension of study right

If it looks like you won’t be able to finish your studies within the set time, you can apply for an extension in advance, as long as you meet the following conditions:

• If your study right ends on 31 July, you need to apply for the extension by the end of April.
• If your study right ends on 31 December, make sure to apply by the end of October.

As long as you submit your application by the deadline, it’ll be processed in time to make sure there’s no gap in your study right.

Study time can only be extended for studies that are directly related to your degree. When the university considers granting you more time, they also need to take your personal situation into account – you’ll need to provide reliable documents to support this.

The extended study period

Extensions are always given as full terms. The minimum extension you can get is one term, and the maximum is three terms. You can only get a three-term extension if you have more than 60 credits left to complete.

First extension: An extension is granted based on need, with a maximum of 3 terms (1.5 years).

The requirement for a granted extension is that you must complete at least 15 credits per term, and you should have no more than half of your degree left to complete (Bachelor: 90 credits, Master: 60 credits, Medicine: 180 credits, Dentistry: 165 credits).

Another requirement for the extension is that your studies must be planned to be finished within the extended period. Slower progress is allowed if you have approved reasons for it related to your personal situation. In such cases, your study period may likely need to be extended again. Your tutor will monitor your progress.

Second extension: An extension is granted based on the use of the first extension and the need, with a maximum of 2 terms (1 year).

An extension is granted if you have completed at least two-thirds of your degree (Bachelor: 120 credits, Master: 80 credits, Medicine: 240 credits, Dentistry: 220 credits). Slower progress is allowed as mentioned above. Your tutor will monitor your study progress.

Third and subsequent extension(s): An extension is granted for 1 term (6 months) only if either of the following (1. or 2.) applies.

1. Your studies have progressed as planned, and the remaining courses are in line with your original graduation plan. The remaining studies should be the thesis and courses directly related to it (for example, research studies, seminar studies, or the maturity test).
2. Grounds related to your personal life situation support granting the extended study period.

Any illness or other difficult circumstances in your life during your studies, participation in social activities, international exchange studies, a traineeship, or systematic elite sports training can support the decision to grant an extension. If your studies have progressed according to the original graduation plan, no further reporting is required.

If your studies have progressed more slowly than planned, you’ll need to revise your graduation plan. The revised plan will be assessed using the same criteria as the original one. If the only remaining requirement is applying your thesis, you must submit a report on its progress, and the progress of your thesis will be monitored based on the report. Additionally, the university may request a progress report from your thesis supervisor or consultant. A new extension cannot be granted if your studies have progressed significantly slower than intended in the original plan, and you have not provided a satisfactory reason for the delay.

• Transcript of records.
• An up-to-date personal study plan (PSP) specifying the courses to be completed within a given timeframe. The plan must be approved by your PSP advisor or your tutor/study counsellor.
• A statement explaining the reasons for any delays in completing your studies must also be attached to the application, along with any relevant documentation supporting these reasons (for example, a medical certificate). You can also add an informal explanation for the delay.
• The payment confirmation or receipt from your online banking service. If you have not yet paid the mandatory application fee (50 euros), please do so at https://edustore.oulu.fi. Note: If the payment is not made, the processing of your application will be delayed.

The decision on the extension is made by the Education Dean. The decision can be accessed through the eForms system. For information on how to rectify a negative decision regarding the extension of study right, please refer to the relevant guidelines.

If your right to study has already expired when you apply for the extension, or if you have not followed the application deadlines, a re-registration fee of 50 euros will apply.