Attention applicants: One study right rule is changing student admissions

Finnish legislation (344/2026) amending the Universities Act (558/2009) entered force on 1 August 2026 to introduce a ‘one study right’ rule at Finnish higher education institutions. According to the change, a student’s acceptance of a new right to study towards a degree will cause their existing right(s) to study, if any, to terminate in cases where the newly accepted right is at or above the level of the existing right(s). The rule applies to application rounds that began after 1 August 2026 for students whose studies begin on or after 1 January 2027.

The rule applies only to rights to study at Finnish higher education institutions. The new provision does not mean that a student’s earlier right(s) to study automatically terminated when the amendment entered force, but only at such time as the student gives their binding acceptance to an offer of a new student place (i.e. a new right to study). In the latter case, the termination also applies retroactively to any right(s) to study acquired before the legalisation entered force.

The aim of the legislative change is to increase the number of available student places, enabling more people without a degree to complete one.

Students are advised to plan their admissions applications carefully and review which of their current rights would cease if they are offered and accept a new student place. It is still possible to change fields of study and complete more than one degree; the change only prevents students from completing multiple degrees at the same time. For example, if you apply to graduate by 31 December 2026 and you have a new right to study that begins on 1 January 2027, you will be able to graduate as normal. 

The ‘one study right’ rule does not apply to:

• Doctoral or licentiate degrees at universities
  • Degrees arranged as commissioned education
  • Joint and double degrees arranged through international cooperation
  • Degrees from National Defence University or Police University College.

Further information from Aalto University Student Guide and Studyinfo.