Academic Calendar

The following list shows the different holiday periods for each level of study. Full dates are at the bottom of the page.

The University closure for Christmas and New Year applies to all students, regardless of what they are studying.

Contact your School Office if you have any queries about semester dates for your programme.

For previous semester dates please see the PDFs at the bottom of the webpage.

Holiday periods for each level of study

Undergraduate (UG) Students (for example MA, BSc, BEng)

Winter Break (between Term 1 and 2 of the Term Dates below)
Spring Break (during Term 2, from the mid-Term close date to the date Spring break ends)
Summer after Term 2 has ended until term resumes in September

After an undergraduate student's official course end date (as shown on the CAS) they have completed their programme of study. The 4-month visa period after a UG student's official course end date (as shown on the CAS) is outside term-time.

Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Students (for example MSc, MBA, MLitt, LLM)

Winter Break (between Term 1 and 2 of the Term Dates below)
Spring Break (during Term 2, from the mid-Term close date to the date Spring break ends)
Some Schools require students to be engaged in studies in the period between Term 2 and Term 3 (PGT), that being weeks 43-45. Each School’s position is outlined here.

After a postgraduate student's official course end date (as shown on the CAS) they have completed their programme of study. The 4-month visa period after this official course end date (as shown on the CAS) is outside term-time.

PGT students are not classed as being on holiday over the summer because they are still engaging in their studies. They are only permitted to do a work placement if it is an integral and assessed part of the course.

To confirm, the following dates are not an official holiday period for PGT students who wish to work:

Term 3 is not a holiday period for PGT students
The period between the end of Term 3 and the programme end date is not considered an official holiday period
The period between the end of Term 3 and Term 1 is also not considered an official holiday period (for January start PGT students)

Postgraduate Research (PGR) Students (for example PhD)

Postgraduate research students get the University winter closure as vacation (between Term 1 and 2 of the Term Dates below).

Postgraduate research programmes run for the full academic year, so students do not follow the standard vacation periods.

PhD students can request an authorised holiday absence from their School. The maximum period permitted is 60 days in any rolling 12-month period. This absence must not impact on the student's ability to complete their PhD on time.

PhD students who are writing-up their thesis, waiting for their viva or completing corrections following their viva, are still classed as engaging in their studies.

Visa Regulations

If you have a Student/Tier 4 visa which gives you permission to work 20 hours per week during term-time (as shown on your BRP), you are permitted to work full-time during the University's official holiday periods for your programme/level of study. There are some restrictions. Further information can be found on the UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs web pages at:

Students on a Visit or Short-term Study visa are prohibited from working.

There are no restrictions on work for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have been granted pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

If you have any queries about work permission, these should be sent to: student.international@abdn.ac.uk

The 51cg does not restrict students from travel during official holiday periods.

Term Dates for 2026 - 2027

Students for all First Degrees (except MBChB and BDS) and for Taught Postgraduate Programmes (unless otherwise specified)

TERM 1		TERM 2		TERM 3 (PGT)
Term Opens	Monday 14 September 2026	Term opens	Monday 18 January 2027	Term Opens	Monday 7 June 2027
Teaching commences	Monday 21 September 2026	Teaching commences	Monday 25 January 2027	Teaching commences	Monday 7 June 2027
Term Closes	Friday 18 December 2026	Spring break commences	Monday 22 March 2027	Term Closes	Friday 27 August 2027
		Spring break ends*	Friday 9 April 2027
		Term Closes	Friday 14 May 2027

* The opening of Term 2 is subject to change.

** Programme Year 4 dates are subject to change, due to Applied Knowledge Test (external assessment) dates not yet available and ongoing curriculum review.

Students studying at the University's Campus in Qatar

Term 1		Term 2		Term 3 (PGT)
Term Opens	Sunday 13 September 2026	Term opens	Sunday 10 January 2027	Term Opens	Sunday 6 June 2027
Teaching commences	Sunday 20 September 2026	Teaching commences	Sunday 17 January 2027	Teaching commences	Sunday 6 June 2027
Term Closes	Thursday 17 December 2026	Spring break commences	Thursday 4 February 2027	Term Closes	Thursday 26 August 2027
		Spring break ends*	Sunday 14 March 2027
		Term Closes	Thursday 13 May 2027

Students Studying at the University's Campus in Mumbai

Term 1		Term 2		Term 3 (PGT)
Term Opens	Monday 7 September 2026	Term opens	Monday 18 January 2027	Term opens	Monday 7 June 2027
Teaching commences	Monday 14 September 2026	Teaching commences	Monday 25 January 2027	Teaching commences	Monday 7 June 2027
Diwali break Commences	Friday 6 November 2026	Spring break commences	Friday 19 March 2027	Term closes	Friday 27 August 2027
Teaching recommences	Monday 16 November 2026	Spring break ends	Friday 9 April 2027
Assessment diet commences	Saturday 5 December 2026	Assessment diet commences	Saturday 1 May 2027
Term closes	Friday 18 December 2026	Term closes	Friday 14 May 2027

Students for the Degrees of MBChB

	FIRST YEAR	SECOND YEAR	THIRD YEAR
Winter Term Opens	Monday 14 September 2026	Monday 7 September 2026	Monday 7 September 2026
Winter Term Closes	Friday 18 December 2026	Friday 11 December 2026	Monday 14 December 2026
Spring Term Opens	Tuesday 5 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027
Spring Term Closes	Friday 26 March 2027	Friday 26 March 2027	Friday 19 March 2027
Summer Term Opens	Monday 19 April 2027	Monday 12 April 2027	Monday 3 May 2027
Summer Term Closes	Friday 7 May 2027	Friday 4 June 2027	Friday 25 June 2027

	FOURTH YEAR	FIFTH YEAR
Winter Term Opens	Monday 3 August 2026	Monday 17 August 2026
Winter Term Closes	Friday 18 December 2026	Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term Opens	Monday 11 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027
Spring Term Closes	Friday 2 April 2027	Friday 30 April 2027
Summer Term Opens	Monday 19 April 2027	Monday 3 May 2027
Summer Term Closes	Friday 25 June 2027	Friday 28 May 2027

Students for the Degree of BDS

	FIRST YEAR	SECOND YEAR	THIRD YEAR	FOURTH YEAR
Winter Term Opens	Monday 31 August 2026	Monday 24 August 2026	Monday 24 August 2026	Monday 24 August 2026
Winter Term Closes	Friday 11 December 2026	Friday 11 December 2026	Friday 11 December 2026	Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term Opens	Tuesday 5 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027	Tuesday 5 January 2027
Spring Term Closes	Friday 26 March 2027	Friday 26 March 2027	Friday 26 March 2027	Friday 26 March 2027
Summer Term Opens	Monday 5 April 2027	Monday 5 April 2027	Monday 5 April 2027	Monday 5 April 2027
Summer Term Closes	Friday 2 July 2027	Friday 2 July 2027	Friday 2 July 2027	Friday 28 May 2027

Students for the MSc in Physician Associate Studies

FIRST YEAR		SECOND YEAR
Term 1 Opens	Monday 5 January 2026	Term 1 Opens	Monday 24 November 2025
Term 1 Closes	Friday 27 March 2026	Term 1 Closes	Friday 27 March 2026
Term 2 Opens	Monday 6 April 2026	Term 2 Opens	Monday 6 April 2026
Term 2 Closes	Friday 3 July 2026	Term 2 Closes	Friday 31 July 2026
Term 3 Opens	Monday 20 July 2026	Term 3 Opens	Monday 17 August 2026
Term 3 Closes	Friday 23 October 2026	Term 3 Closes	Friday 27 November 2026
Placement Preparation	Monday 9 November 2026

Students for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (Primary and Secondary)

Winter Term Opens	Monday 17 August 2026
Winter Term Closes	Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term Opens	Tuesday 5 January 2027
Spring Term Closes	Monday 29 March 2027
Summer Term Opens	Friday 9 April 2027
Summer Term Closes	Friday 28 May 2027

Students for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Childhood Practice

Winter Term Opens	Monday 24 August 2026
Winter Term Closes	Friday 18 December 2026
Spring Term Opens	Monday 25 January 2027
Spring Term Closes	Friday 28 May 2027

Students for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP)

Term 1 Opens	Monday 14 September 2026
Term 1 Closes	Friday 18 December 2026
Term 2 Opens	Monday 11 January 2027
Term 2 Closes	Friday 26 March 2027

Term Dates for 2027 - 2028

Students for all First Degrees (except MBChB and BDS) and for Taught Postgraduate Programmes (unless otherwise specified)

TERM 1
Term Opens	Monday 13 September 2027
Teaching Commences	Monday 20 September 2027
Term Closes	Friday 17 December 2027

TERM 2
Term Opens	Monday 17 January 2028
Teaching Commences	Monday 24 January 2028
Spring Break Commences	Monday 20 March 2028
Spring Break Ends	Friday 7 April 2028
Term Closes	Friday 12 May 2028

TERM 3 (PGT)
Term Opens	Monday 5 June 2028
Teaching Commences	Monday 5 June 2028
Term Closes	Friday 25 August 2028
Note: PGT Students are not considered to be on vacation during the summer period

Students studying at the University's Campus in Qatar

TERM 1
Term Opens	Sunday 12 September 2027
Teaching Commences	Sunday 19 September 2027
Term Closes	Thursday 16 December 2027

TERM 2
Term Opens	Sunday 9 January 2028
Teaching Commences	Sunday 16 January 2028
Spring Break Commences	Sunday 30 January 2028
Spring Break Ends	Sunday 5 March 2028
Break for Eid al-Adha commences	Sunday 7 May 2028
Break for Eid al-Adha ends	Sunday 14 May 2028
Term Closes	Thursday 18 May 2028

TERM 3 (PGT)
Term Opens	Sunday 4 June 2028
Teaching Commences	Sunday 4 June 2028
Term Closes	Thursday 24 August 2028

Students for the Degrees of MBChB

	FIRST YEAR	SECOND YEAR	THIRD YEAR
Term 1 Opens	Monday 13 September 2027	Monday 6 September 2027	Monday 6 September 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027	Friday 10 December 2027	Friday 10 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Wednesday 5 January 2028*	Wednesday 5 January 2028*	Wednesday 5 January 2028*
Term 2 Closes	Friday 24 March 2028	Friday 24 March 2028	Friday 17 March 2028
Term 3 Opens	Monday 17 April 2028	Monday 10 April 2028	Monday 1 May 2028
Term 3 Closes	Friday 12 May 2028	Friday 2 June 2028	Friday 30 June 2028

	FOURTH YEAR	FIFTH YEAR
Term 1 Opens	Monday 19 July 2027	Monday 16 August 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Wednesday 5 January 2028*	Wednesday 5 January 2028*
Term 2 Closes	Friday 30 March 2028	Friday 28 April 2028
Term 3 Opens	Monday 16 April 2028	Monday 1 May 2028
Term 3 Closes	Friday 30 June 2028	Friday 26 May 2028

Students for the Degree of BDS

	FIRST YEAR	SECOND YEAR	THIRD YEAR	FOURTH YEAR
Term 1 Opens	Monday 30 August 2027	Monday 23 August 2027	Monday 23 August 2027	Monday 23 August 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 10 December 2027	Friday 10 December 2027	Friday 10 December 2027	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Wednesday 5 January 2028	Wednesday 5 January 2028	Wednesday 5 January 2028	Wednesday 5 January 2028
Term 2 Closes	Friday 31 March 2028	Friday 31 March 2028	Friday 31 March 2028	Friday 31 March 2028
Term 3 Opens	Monday 10 April 2028	Monday 10 April 2028	Monday 10 April 2028	Monday 10 April 2028
Term 3 Closes	Friday 7 July 2028	Friday 7 July 2028	Friday 7 July 2028	Friday 26 May 2028

Students for the MSc in Physician Associate Studies

N.B. This programme is a January Start

FIRST YEAR		SECOND YEAR
Term 1 Opens	Monday 8 January 2024	Term 1 Opens
Term 1 Closes	Friday 29 March 2024	Term 1 Closes
Term 2 Opens	Monday 8 April 2024	Term 2 Opens
Term 2 Closes	Friday 5 July 2024	Term 2 Closes
Term 3 Opens	Monday 22 July 2024	Term 3 Opens
Term 3 Closes	Friday 25 October 2024	Term 3 Closes

Students for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (Primary and Secondary) and Bachelor of Music (Education) (Year 4 students only)

Term 1 Opens	Monday 16 August 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Tuesday 4 January 2028
Spring break commences	Monday 28 March 2028
Spring break ends	Friday 4 April 2028
Term 2 Closes	Friday 27 May 2028

Students for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Childhood Practice

Term 1 Opens	Monday 16 August 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Monday 10 January 2028
Term 2 Closes	Friday 26 May 2028

Students for the MSc in Person Centred Counselling and MSc / MPhil / DCouns in Counselling

Term 1 Opens	Monday 13 September 2027
Term 1 Teaching Commences	Monday 20 September 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Monday 17 January 2028
Term 2 Teaching Commences	Monday 24 January 2028
Term 2 Closes	Friday 12 May 2028

Students for the Teaching Qualification in Further Education

Term 1 Opens	Monday 30 August 2027
Term 1 Teaching Commences	Monday 6 September 2027
Term 2 Opens	Monday 17 January 2028
Term 2 Teaching Commences	Monday 24 January 2028

Students for the PGCert in Into Headship

Term 1 Opens	Monday 23 August 2027
Term 2 Opens	Monday 17 January 2027

Students for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP)

Term 1 Opens	Monday 13 September 2027
Term 1 Closes	Friday 17 December 2027
Term 2 Opens	Monday 10 January 2028
Term 2 Closes	Friday 24 March 2028

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