The postgraduate studies of the above Master usually start in the autumn semester. The exact date, following a proposal from the Coordination Committee (CC), is set by the respective Program Study Committee (CC) and announced by the Master Director. In cases where there are special reasons, the CC can decide to start the Master at the beginning of the winter semester. The duration of studies leading to obtaining a MSc is four (4) semesters and cannot exceed eight (8) semesters. In exceptional cases (e.g. military service, serious illness), it is possible, after a justified request to the Master Director and a relevant recommendation of the CC and a decision of the PSC, not to count part of the time in the above-mentioned time limits.