One study right rule
The amendments enter force on 1 August 2026. The rule will be applied for the first time in the joint application procedure of autumn 2026, in which students are selected for studies beginning in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new rule enter into force?
The amendments enter into force on 1 August 2026. The rule will be applied for the first time in the joint application procedure of autumn 2026, in which students are selected for studies beginning in 2027. The provisions of the rule are not retroactive: If a student has multiple rights to study when the law enters into force, they do not need to give them up.
Which study rights does the rule apply to?
The provisions of the rule apply to bachelor’s and master's degrees at a university as well as bachelor’s and master's degrees at a university of applied science.
Excluded from the rule are university doctoral degrees, degrees earned through commissioned education, international joint and double degrees, and National Defence University and Police University College degrees.
TERMINATION OF A RIGHT TO STUDY AND CHANGING FIELDS
How is an old right to study terminated? Do I need to contact my other higher education institution?
No. The institution automatically receives information about the study rights that are to be terminated.
Will changing fields become more difficult?
The change does not prevent changing fields; it only prevents completing multiple degrees at the same time.
Can I complete only one degree in the future?
You can still complete multiple degrees. They simply must be completed one at a time, not simultaneously.
I have a right to study towards Master of Science (Architecture), and I am planning to apply also for studies towards a Master of Arts (Art and Design) with a major in Interior Architecture. Can I take studies for both of these degrees at the same time?
No. Beginning 1 January 2027, it will no longer be possible to use a right to study for one degree while keeping an old right to study if both rights are for a master's degree.
How am I to know which of my rights to study will terminate?
Studyinfo.fi will show you which of your rights to study will terminate when you are accepting a student place.
I accepted a new student place. Can I still cancel my acceptance and keep my old right to study?
No. The decision to accept a study place – and thereby terminate previous rights to study – is binding and cannot be changed afterwards.
How long will my old right to study remain valid?
Your old right to study will be valid up until and through the day before your new right to study begins.
APPLYING FOR A NEW EDUCATION
Will my existing right to study terminate if I apply to a new programme at the same level as my old programme?
No. Applying by itself does not terminate an existing right to study. It will terminate only if you bindingly accept a new offer of a student place.
I have been conditionally admitted to university. Will my old right to study be terminated even if I am not finally admitted?
No, it will not be terminated. Updating an existing study right to ‘terminated’ status occurs only once the applicant’s admission has been confirmed.
I am applying through the transfer application procedure. Will my old right to study terminate if I receive a transfer to a different higher education institution?
Yes, all other rights to study at the same or lower level as the one in the transfer procedure will be terminated. The transfer application procedure falls under the scope of the rule (i.e. the one study right rule, as referred to in Studyinfo.fi).
EFFECTS ON EXISTING RIGHTS TO STUDY
I have several rights to study towards the same level of degree. Will they be terminated automatically even if I am not applying for admission anywhere?
No. Existing study rights are terminated only when the student accepts the offer of a new study place.
The provisions are not retroactive: if a student has multiple study rights when the law enters into force, they do not need to give them up. The new provisions do not automatically terminate a student's existing study rights. A student's previous study rights will only be terminated when they accept a new study place after the legislation has entered into force. This also applies to study rights that were granted before the legislation entered into force.
GRADUATION AND A NEW RIGHT TO STUDY
I have applied to graduate, and my graduation date is set for 31 July. My new right to study begins the very next day, 1 August. Does this make my graduation problematic?
No. Even though your graduation is under a right to study that was terminated as of 1 August, the degree can still be entered into the student register, as that can be done retroactively.
With my current right to study, I plan to graduate sometime in January 2027. My new right to study will begin on 1 January 2027. Is this possible under the new rule?
No, it is not. Your current right to study will terminate on 31 December 2026; therefore, graduating with it will no longer be possible in or later than January 2027.
Who do I ask about which of my rights to study will end if I accept a new offer of a student place?
In questions about the scope of the rule, contact Aalto’s Student Services or any other higher education institution where you are planning to apply for admission.
In questions about graduation, contact the Student Services team related to your own degree programme.
If you do apply to another institution, get in touch with them if you have further questions.
ENROLMENT FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR AND TERMINATION OF A RIGHT TO STUDY
If you have applied for a new right to study and are still awaiting a decision, it is advisable not to enrol for the academic year under your previous right to study.
If you have received a new offer of a student place at university and you accept it, you do not need to enrol for the academic year under your old right to study.
If you did not receive an offer of a student place, you may still enrol for the academic year under your existing right to study.
I had already enrolled for the academic year under my previous right to study, but then afterwards I accepted a new right to study. How can I get a refund for my payment of the student union membership fee?
Contact us at Student Services: opiskelijapalvelut@aalto.fi. We will advise you about how to obtain a refund.
TUITION FEE
I have already paid the tuition fee for next academic year but I also accepted new study right. How do I get refunded?
Contact tuitionfees@aalto.fi . You will get instructions how to apply for refund of the tuition fee.
STUDY ATTAINMENTS
What happens to the studies I took and completed (i.e. my study attainments) under my old right to study?
Credits for study attainments under a terminating right to study will remain in the student register of the higher education institution where you had the right to study. You can apply to have those studies put into your new degree through a credit transfer.
Contact information
process owner Pia Lahti
project manager Kati Voutilainen