Term dates and semesters

University Senate sets term and semester dates. 'Terms' refer to the time period when taught students are on campus. 'Semesters' refer to the teaching periods for taught modules. Doctoral researchers will find it useful to be aware of the dates below, but their research activity is not directly aligned to terms and semesters. Term Four is for postgraduate taught students only.

Term dates

Term and Year 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
Autumn term 29 Sept 2025
to 12 Dec 2025		 28 Sept 2026
to 18 Dec 2026		 27 Sept 2027
to 17 Dec 2027
Spring term 5 January 2026
to 20 March 2026		 11 January 2027
to 19 March 2027		 10 January 2028
to 31 March 2028
Summer term 13 April 2026
to 10 June 2026		 12 April 2027
to 9 June 2027		 24 April 2028
to 7 June 2028
Term four
(Postgraduate taught students only)		 11 June 2026
to 25 Sept 2026		 10 June 2027
to 24 Sept 2027		 8 June 2028
to 22 Sept 2028

Semester dates

For new students, a Welcome Week (which includes induction and registration activity) is held in the week prior to Semester 1 of each academic year. This Welcome Week commences one week before the formal start of the Semester.

Semester and Year 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
Semester 1 29 Sept 2025
to 30 Jan 2026		 28 Sept 2026
to 5 Feb 2027		 27 Sept 2027
to 4 Feb 2028
Semester 2 2 Feb 2026
to 10 June 2026		 8 Feb 2027
to 9 June 2027		 7 Feb 2028
to 7 June 2028
Semester 3
(Postgraduate taught students only)		 11 June 2026
to 25 Sept 2026		 10 June 2027
to 24 Sept 2027		 8 June 2028
to 22 Sept 2028

University closure dates

During the year, there are certain days when the University is closed. This means that staff will not be on campus, although some facilities (e.g. sports) will still be working as normal.

Christmas/New Year
 Wednesday 24 December 2025 to Thursday 1 January 2026
Easter
 Friday 3 April to Tuesday 7 April 2026
May Bank Holiday Monday 4 May 2026
Spring Bank Holiday Monday 25 May 2026
Summer Bank Holiday Monday 31 August and Tuesday 1 September 2026