Official 2026 University Academic Calendar (England, Scotland, Wales, NI) and government/academic pages. All dates below are based on primary academic calendars from representative UK universities for the 2025/26 academic year, which includes the calendar year 2026 period. Individual university calendars may vary slightly; always confirm with your institution.
Introduction
An academic calendar is the formal schedule that universities publish to outline the structure of the academic year including term/semester start and end dates, official breaks (Christmas, Easter, Summer), orientations, and examination periods. For students, staff, parents, and planners, these dates are critical for scheduling travel, housing, internships, and study planning.
In the UK, universities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland follow broadly similar academic year structures (usually beginning in September and ending in June/July), but there are variations regionally as well as by institution and course type (undergraduate vs postgraduate).
This article lays out the 2026 calendar focusing on the calendar year portion of the 2025/26 academic year through to the end of summer 2026, and provides context on how regional differences manifest in practice.
Overview of UK Higher Education Structure
Before diving into specific dates, it’s important to understand the university academic year structure common across the UK:
Three‑Term vs Two‑Semester Systems
UK universities traditionally organize their academic year in one of two ways:
- Three‑Term System (e.g., Oxford, Cambridge):
Michaelmas, Lent/Hilary, and Easter/Trinity terms. These often have shorter teaching periods (e.g., 8 weeks) with gaps between. - Two‑Semester System (common among metropolitan universities):
Longer semesters (often around 12–13 weeks), with breaks between Autumn, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Regional Distinctions
While UK universities share overarching similarities, there are structural and cultural distinctions by region:
- England: Universities tend to follow the two‑semester model, with induction (freshers’) in September, Christmas break, Easter break, and exams in late spring/early summer.
- Scotland: A similar semester system exists, but some older universities or specific programs may maintain trimester components and historically long summer breaks.
- Wales: Academic calendars are broadly aligned with England’s, though specific term lengths and exam windows can vary.
- Northern Ireland: Terms follow a semester schedule akin to England/Wales, but local holiday observances (e.g., St Patrick’s Day) can influence non‑teaching periods.
Across all regions, postgraduate research students (PhDs, MRes) usually are expected to engage academically year‑round beyond these formal dates. Always refer to your university’s graduate school calendar for details.
International students should also check the UK ETA Rule 2026 for travel requirements during academic breaks.
2026 Academic Dates by Region
The following sections extract representative academic dates from official calendars. These represent standard teaching periods and official breaks during the 2025/26 academic year that span calendar year 2026.
England
Typical Term Structure (Sample Universities)
Most English universities (e.g., University of Manchester, University of Greenwich) operate three terms/semesters:
| Term | Typical Dates (2025/26) |
| Welcome/Induction | 15–22 Sept 2025 |
| Autumn (Semester 1) | 22 Sept – 12 Dec 2025 |
| Christmas Break | 22 Dec 2025 – 14 Jan 2026 |
| Spring (Semester 2) | 12 Jan – 2 Apr 2026 |
| Easter Break | 30 Mar – 12 Apr 2026 |
| Summer (Semester 3) | 20 Apr – 12 Jun 2026 |
Orientation/Induction: English universities commonly provide an Orientation Week or Welcome Week before the autumn term often mid‑September.
Detailed Example: University of Manchester
- Welcome Week: 22–28 Sept 2025
- Semester 1 Teaching: 29 Sept 2025 onwards
- Christmas Break: 22 Dec 2025 – 14 Jan 2026
- Semester 1 Assessments: 15–30 Jan 2026
- Semester 2 Teaching: From 2 Feb 2026
- Easter Break: 30 Mar – 12 Apr 2026
- Semester 2 Assessments: 18 May – 10 Jun 2026
- Summer Graduation: Jul 13–28 2026.
Notes on England Calendar
- Exam Windows: Most English universities hold assessments in January (Autumn/Spring crossover) and May–June for Spring/Summer content.
- Holiday Breaks: Christmas and Easter breaks are standard; additional half term breaks may occur in October/February depending on university.
Scotland
Scottish universities have comparable semester calendars, but can vary by institution and sometimes retain historical names or structures.
University of Edinburgh (Representative)
Based on Edinburgh’s standard semester structure:
| Semester | Dates (2025/26) |
| Semester 1 | 15 Sept – 19 Dec 2025 |
| Winter Break | 23 Dec 2025 – 9 Jan 2026 |
| Semester 2 | 12 Jan – 25 May 2026 |
- Welcome: Early–mid September 2025.
- Examinations: Typically during the final weeks of each semester; exam windows may run into late December and April/May.
- Summer Break: After 25 May 2026 until the next academic year’s start (from September 2026).
Other Scottish Universities
- University of Stirling: Autumn semester begins 15 Sept 2025, Spring semester early Jan 2026, and Summer semester teaching into July 2026 with resit exam opportunities in August.
- University of Strathclyde and Dundee: Similar semester structure Sem1 mid‑September to early December; Sem 2 late January to late spring.
Scottish Calendar Patterns
- Public Holidays: Scotland observes UK bank holidays but sometimes with region‑specific closures (e.g., 2 January).
- Orientation: Induction typically falls in early September, ahead of formal instruction.
Wales
Wales university calendars mirror those in England but may show variation in term lengths.
Example: University of South Wales
| Term | Dates (2025/26) |
| Autumn Term | 15 Sept – 19 Dec 2025 |
| Spring Term | 12 Jan – 20 Mar 2026 |
| Summer Term | 13 Apr – 29 May 2026 |
Notes on Welsh Universities
- Teaching Periods: Autumn term runs from mid‑September to mid/late December; Spring term is January–March; Summer term typically April–May/June.
- Holiday Breaks: Christmas closure and Easter break are standard.
- Exam Scheduling: Universities may attach formal exam periods at term end or separate weeks.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland universities have academic calendars similar to England/Wales but include local holiday observances.
Example: Ulster University
Based on Ulster’s published calendar:
- Autumn Semester: Teaching begins 22 Sept 2025, ends 12 Dec 2025.
- Christmas Vacation: 15 Dec 2025 – 2 Jan 2026.
- Examination Period: Early Jan 2026.
- Spring Semester: Begins 26 Jan 2026, with Easter Vacation starting 30 Mar 2026 – 10 Apr 2026.
- May Holidays & Examinations: Includes May bank holiday and non‑teaching days.
Notes on Northern Irish Calendar
- Local Holidays: St Patrick’s Day (17 March) may be observed as a closure day.
- Exam Windows: Structured around standard semester end and revision weeks.
Comparison Across Regions
To help visualise similarities and differences, below is a consolidated summary:
| Feature | England | Scotland | Wales | N. Ireland |
| Academic Year Start | Mid‑Sep | Mid‑Sep | Mid‑Sep | Late Sep |
| Autumn Term Ends | Mid/late Dec | Mid/Dec | Mid/Dec | Mid/Dec |
| Christmas Break | ~22 Dec – mid Jan | ~23 Dec – early Jan | Similar | Similar |
| Spring Term Ends | Mar/Apr | Apr/May | Mar | Mar/Apr |
| Easter Break | Generally matches UK holiday (Mar/Apr) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Summer Term Ends | May/Jun | May/Jun/Jul | May | May |
| Exams Windows | Late Dec, Jan, May–Jun | Similar | Similar | Similar |
| Induction Weeks | Sept | Sept | Sept | Sept |
Key Differences:
- Scottish universities may operate a more distinct trimester or multi‑block semester system, especially in older institutions (e.g., Edinburgh, Stirling).
- Northern Irish universities often align term structure with England but observe regional closures like St Patrick’s Day.
Families may also consider UK school holidays to coordinate childcare with university breaks.
Tips for Students & Families
Planning around the 2026 calendar:
Travel & Accommodation
- Book flights/home travel early for peak Christmas (Dec 22–Jan 4) and Easter holidays (Mar/Apr). Example: Remember to check UK public holidays to plan your travel around term breaks.
- Campus accommodation may remain open during breaks, but services (canteens, libraries) may have reduced hours.
Internships & Part‑Time Work
- Use summer months (June–August) for internships. Many employers align internships with UK university breaks.
Students can use a 2026 Life Planner (Printable + Digital) to map out term dates and personal commitments.
Exam Success
- Prepare early for January and May/June assessments these are peak exam periods across regions.
- Consult programme handbooks for course‑specific assessment windows.
Local Holidays
- In Scotland and Northern Ireland, be mindful of local bank holidays (e.g., 2 January closures, St Patrick’s Day).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the 2026 university academic year start in England?
Most universities begin mid‑September 2025 for the 2025/26 cycle, with 2026 academic activity focusing on January–June 2026 term activity. Official starts vary by institution, but core teaching resumes early January after Christmas.
Do Scottish universities start earlier than those in England?
No Scottish universities generally also start in mid‑September, with similar term lengths. Some specific programmes may begin in early September for orientation.
When is the summer break in 2026?
Summer break typically begins in late May or June 2026 and runs until the next academic year starts in September 2026.
Are exam periods part of term time?
Exams often occur at the end of semesters, sometimes overlapping with term breaks (e.g., January assessments). Always check your institution’s exam schedule.
Conclusion
The 2026 university academic calendar across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland follows broadly consistent patterns:
- September‑to‑December Autumn periods
- January restarting after Christmas
- Spring learning and Easter breaks
- Summer completion by May/June
Regional nuances such as national holidays, trimester vs semester models, and institutional calendars mean students should always consult their specific university’s official calendar. This guide gives a detailed, sourced framework to help students, families, and educators plan effectively around the 2026 academic year.
References
- Cambridge University 2025/26 term schedule.
- University of Manchester academic dates.
- Durham University 2025/26 calendar.
- Newcastle University term dates.
- University of Greenwich 2025–26 academic schedule.
- University of Edinburgh semester calendar.
- University of South Wales term dates.
- Ulster University academic calendar.
