Usually, in order to graduate during the scheduled final term, the thesis must be submitted approximately two months before the end of the term, around May/October. However, to ensure that tuition fee liable students can make use of their whole final term, they have the option to complete courses and submit their thesis until the very end of the term (31 July/31 December). This however means, due to the University's processing times, the graduation will take place only during the next term. Students must be registered as attending in order to graduate; therefore, the University has created the option to register as attending for an extra term by only paying the membership fee of HYY so that they are formally attending and can get their diploma.
This special right does not entitle the student to attend any courses or complete any studies, including working on their thesis, during the waived term.
Requirements to be granted this special right:
Students may take an aptitude test or present their dissertation during the additional term if it is required. Thesis supervisor(s) are not required to guide the student any longer than they would have without the student having this right. This means that if your faculty’s last thesis submission date for graduating in the spring term is in May, your thesis supervisor is not required to guide you after this date.
How to Apply:
- Please send an e-mail to international-studentinfo@helsinki.fi. requesting for the special right of an extra term by only paying the Student Union membership fee.
- Your degree programme and thesis supervisor will then be contacted to see if your plans to graduate and submit your thesis by the end of the ongoing term are realistic. International Student Advice must receive a positive decision from the degree programme in order to grant you the right.
- Once you have been granted the right, you will be sent instructions on how to pay the Student Union’s (HYY) membership fee.
If you are granted this right and your residence permit is expiring, please apply for an extension to your residence permit for studies for half a year.
Examples:
Student A is planning on graduating during the spring term, but realises they cannot submit their thesis on time for their programme's last submission date of the spring term. If the student misses this date, they will not graduate during the spring term. The student is able, however, to submit their thesis before the end of the spring term (31 July) and will also have completed all their courses by then.
-> The student is eligible for the right to register as attending for the autumn term by paying only the membership fee of the Student Union for the purpose of graduating.
Student B has completed all their courses but had not finished their thesis. They cannot submit their thesis on time for their programme's last submission date of the spring term but will also not be able to submit it by the end of the spring, 31 July.
-> The student will need to pay the tuition fee for the autumn term.
Student C has submitted their thesis and completed all their credits on time for their programme's last submission date of the spring term. They received their thesis score and wanted to make changes to their thesis for a higher score in the autumn term.
-> The student will need to pay the tuition fee for the autumn term.
Student D has completed all their courses and submitted their thesis before the 31st of December and was granted the right. The student then decided to request the suspension of the grading process to work on their thesis.
-> The student will lose their right and will need to pay the tuition fee for the Spring term.