Registration for the academic year

According to the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, you may register as absent for statutory reasons during the first academic year if you: 

• are performing service under the Conscription Act (1438/2007), the Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or the Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women (194/1995) 

• need leave from your studies to care for your child in connection with the child’s birth or adoption

• are unable to begin your studies due to your own illness or disability 

Further information on documents required for first-year absence and how to submit them. 

You may register as absent for up to two semesters without a specific reason. The periods of absence do not need to be taken one after another. 

In addition, you may register as absent for specific statutory reasons without the absence being counted towards your study time. Statutory grounds for absence include completing service under the Conscription Act (1438/2007), the Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or the Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women (194/1995), as well as leave taken for the birth or adoption of a child.

If you have a statutory reason to register as absent: 

1. Register as absent during the registration period. 

2. Submit a document proving the statutory reason for your absence to Study Services by the end of the semester in question. An absence based on legal grounds cannot be added once the semester has already ended. 

Documents that can be used to prove a statutory reason for absence include: 

1. Military service under the Conscription Act (1438/2007), the Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or the Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women (194/1995): a call-up order for service 

2. Pregnancy leave, parental leave, or partial parental leave: a decision from Kela confirming pregnancy or parental allowance. If the decision is not yet available, a pregnancy certificate is accepted. Please note that home care leave (childcare leave) does not qualify as a statutory reason for absence. Equivalent certificates of statutory parental leave issued by authorities in other countries are also accepted. 

A student may be absent for up to two academic years in total based on the absence notification they submit. This time does not count toward the maximum duration of their studies. Military service, pregnancy or parental leave, childcare leave, and sick leave are all recorded as absences. You do not need to give a reason for your absence.

Fee-paying students cannot register for the academic year themselves in Peppi. 

At the beginning of studies, the Admissions Services handle the academic year registration. 
After the first academic year, registration is completed by Study Services once the tuition fee has been paid. 

Note: Registering as absent may affect the granting of a residence permit. 

If your situation changes during the academic year, you may change your registration status (present/absent) for the spring semester. 

You can make changes for the spring semester in November–December during the period specified in the academic year schedule. Please note the exceptions that apply to first‑year students. 

At the beginning of the semester, during a separately announced period, you may apply for a change to your registration status (present/absent) for a justified and weighty reason. 

Read more about applying for changes.