Right to study and target times to complete the degree

The target time for the completion of a degree, or the normative study time for a degree, is  regulated in the Universities Act. Students admitted after 1 August 2005 to study for first-cycle (bachelor’s) or second-cycle (master’s) degrees have target times for the completion of the degree. You are obligated to keep track of the time remaining of your target time for completion of the degree.

The target times for the completion of the degree are:

• first-cycle university degree (Bachelor): 3 academic years
• second-cycle university degree (Master): 2 years, except for the master's degree in psychology, 2½ years
• Licentiate of Medicine: 6 years

Target times do not concern other students than those listed above.

Time for the completion of a degree starts when you accept the offered place in university.

A student admitted to take both a first-cycle (Bachelor) and a second-cycle (Master) university degree is entitled to an extension of no more than 2 years than the total target time for the completion of the degrees. (5+2 years)

A student admitted to study solely for a first-cycle degree (Bachelor) is entitled to an extension of no more than one year longer than the target time for the completion of the degree. (3+1 years)

A student admitted to study solely for a second-cycle degree (Master) is entitled to an extension of no more than 2 years longer than the target time for completion of the degree. (2+2 years)

A student admitted to study for the Licentiate of Medicine is entitled to an extension of no more than 2 years longer than the target time for completion of the degree. (6+2 years)

The following CONSUME time from that allowed for the completion of a degree:

• enrolling as ‘present', i.e. normal studying
• other absence exceeding 2 semesters: enrolments as ‘absent' (N.B. in rights to study already valid before 1 August 2015: other absence exceeding 4 semesters)
• semesters during which you have not enrolled as neither ‘present' nor ‘absent'

The following DO NOT CONSUME time from that allowed for completion of a degree:

• enrolling as ‘absent' due to voluntary military service or maternity, paternity or parental leave. The reason for absence is to be reported to the Student Affairs Office at the University Main Building.
• absence for other reasons. The maximum time allowed for such absences is 2 semesters (N.B. in study rights already valid before 1 August 2015: other absence exceeding 4 semesters). 

Other absences in excess of two semesters will reduce the time available for completion of the degree. Other absences include absences resulting from any other reason than voluntary military service or maternity, paternity or parental leave.

For doctoral students, the recommended time for the completion of the degree is four years. A more specific schedule will be agreed with the supervisor.