Studies in Summer

Studies completed in the summer 2012 are still done according to the curricula of 2011-2012, including those completed in August 2012. Please note that one can still complete course units through book exams based on the old curricula until the end of autumn semester 2012. This arrangement will support students in completing unfinished study modules.

Studying is also possible in the summer, despite the fact that no actual classes or lectures are organised during the summer months.  At summer, course units can be completed as general examinations by electronic exams or some schools may organise set examination days for pen-and-paper exams. You can also contact the teacher for a personal agreement to complete a course unit not organised during summer as an electronic or a set-day-examination.

Those eligible for the Finnish student financial aid (opintotuki), can apply for the aid for studying in the summer, too.

Electronic Exams during the Summer

Electronic exams can also be taken during the summer. Exams organised centrally at the university are carried out as electronic exams (please see the Electronic exam service for further information). You can make an exam reservation at a time that suits you and complete the exam in a room designed for taking electronic exams. The examination room opening times are available on the front page of the Electronic exam service.

Many of the course units listed on the page Available exams are likely to be available as electronic exams during the summer, too. If the course unit you are looking for is not listed on the page, please contact the School responsible for the unit.

A Checklist for Studying in the Summer

1. Cancelling an exam. If you know you will not be attending an electronic exam you have already reserved, please cancel your exam reservation as soon as possible so that the exam time becomes available for other students. Reservations for electronic exams can be cancelled in the Electronic exam service prior to the time of the exam.
2. The end of August is very busy in the Electronic exam service. It is worth noting that the last weeks of August are very busy in the Electronic exam service. Therefore it makes sense to complete exams earlier rather than later during the summer, since it may be next to impossible to make a reservation in the last weeks of the summer.
3. Exam results. During the summer, getting your exam results may take longer than usual.
   It is also worth noting that even though you will receive the results of an electronic exam via email, the credits may not necessarily show in NettiOpsu right away, since the result must be entered onto your record separately in the School responsible for the unit.

Traditional Pen-and-paper Exams Organised by the Schools in the Summer

Not all exams are suitable for taking through the electronic exam service. If they choose to, the Schools can also organise traditional pen-and-paper exams in the summer. Information on these exams is available in NettiOpsu or on the School website or notice board.

Personal Agreements for Studies in Summer

It is possible to take exams outside the summer exam lists through a special agreement with the teacher. In additon to exams on set books some teachers also accept essays during the summer. If you wish to complete course units outside the summer exam lists, you should contact the teacher responsible for the unit well in advance in order to agree on essays or other methods of independent study. The curricula guides provide information on independent study methods.

The easiest way to look for suitable course units is to use the defined Google search box in the curricula guides. Words such as essay and project that are used to describe course units are useful entries here. The most common method of independent study is the essay, and therefore it is a good idea to define the search by, for example, including the name of the subject or school concerned in the entry to make the viewing of the search results easier.