University term and closure dates

The academic year is split into terms during which students are expected to engage with study. The length and pattern of the terms depend on the type of programme a student is following. The period between each of the terms is a vacation period and the University closes over the Christmas period.

On this page

• University term dates
• University closure dates
• KMMS term dates
• Archive term dates

Please ensure that you refer to the term dates for the appropriate course: Undergraduate and Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma, Postgraduate Taught, Postgraduate Research or courses with non standard study periods.

Academic years generally begin around September/October, however, how you will experience terms depends on when you start your course. A typical year consists of:

• September starters: Autumn term, Spring term, Summer term (plus Late Summer term for Postgraduate students)
• January starters: Spring term, Summer term, (Late Summer term for Postgraduate students), Autumn term.
• May starters: Summer term, (Late Summer term for Postgraduate students), Autumn term, Spring term.

University term dates

Postgraduate Research (PGR) term dates

Our expectations for postgraduate research students are that they study throughout the whole year, for at least 35 hours per week and take holiday (normally 30 days over the year) as agreed with their supervisor. There is only one term; the dates of the term coincide with the academic year as detailed in the above table.

PhD students studying in 2024/2025 have September, January and May start points only, at the start of the term commencing in that month. However, entry for research MA and MSc students studying in 2024/2025 will be the start of the Autumn term only.

Courses with non standard study periods

There may be some courses where the expected study periods do not coincide with the term dates set out above. In these cases, term dates will be confirmed separately.

Student registration period

All students will have a registration start date (which will be their first expected date of attendance on their course) and an end of registration date (which will be the last expected date of their attendance on their course). The registration date for all Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate Taught (PGT) students starting in September will be the Saturday of arrivals weekend (the weekend before welcome weekend). A student’s registration period may or may not coincide with term dates and may cover a number of years or only part of a year. During the registration period the student will be expected to study during the term dates applicable to their course and have vacation periods which are between their term dates.

University closure dates