You’re planning your next academic year, trying to work out when you can actually book that trip home, wondering if you’ll survive another exam season, and desperately need to know when these mythical “reading weeks” actually happen. Whether you’re an international student navigating UK university life for the first time or a returning student trying to plan around work commitments, understanding the UK academic calendars 2025-26 is absolutely essential for your success and sanity.
Let me walk you through exactly how the UK academic calendars 2025-26 actually work, when you’ll be sitting exams, what reading weeks truly involve, and how to plan your year without the stress of last-minute surprises.
How Do UK Academic Calendars 2025-26 Actually Work?
The UK academic calendars 2025-26 run from Monday 1 September 2025 through Monday 31 August 2026, following a two-semester structure. Most UK universities kick off with Welcome Week around 22-26 September 2025, with teaching formally commencing on Monday 29 September 2025.
Semester 1 runs from late September through mid-December 2025, giving you approximately 12 weeks of teaching. You’ll then break for Christmas (22 December 2025 – 16 January 2026), return briefly for your first exam period in mid-January 2026, and then roll straight into Semester 2.
Semester 2 typically begins in late January or early February 2026, depending on your institution, and continues through to May. Your main exam period hits in May-June 2026, and then—if you’re an undergraduate—you’ll have a proper summer break. Postgraduate taught students, however, will be working through summer on dissertations until late August or September.
Institutions vary by several weeks. For example, LSE’s Semester 1 exams run from 7-16 January 2026 while Manchester schedules theirs for 15-30 January 2026. Small differences can completely derail your holiday plans if you’re not checking your own university’s specific dates.
Key Dates at a Glance
- Welcome Week: 22-26 Sept 2025 (Orientation, registration, settling in)
- Semester 1 Teaching: 29 Sept – 12 Dec 2025 (Includes Semester 1 reading week)
- Semester 1 Reading Week: 3-7 Nov 2025 (Most institutions; Cambridge has none)
- Christmas Break: 22 Dec 2025 – 16 Jan 2026
- Semester 1 Exams: Approximately 7-31 Jan 2026 (varies by institution)
- Semester 2 Teaching: Late Jan/Early Feb – May 2026 (Includes Semester 2 reading week)
- Semester 2 Reading Week: Approximately mid-Feb 2026 (Timing varies by institution)
- Easter Break: 30 Mar – 17 Apr 2026
- Semester 2 Exams: Approximately 27 Apr – 12 Jun 2026 (varies by institution)
- Summer Resit/Assessment: Approximately late July – end of August 2026
What Are Reading Weeks in UK Universities?
Reading weeks — also called consolidation weeks, study weeks, or “swotting weeks” — are structured breaks from scheduled teaching designed for independent academic work. During these weeks, you won’t have lectures, seminars, or tutorials but are expected to catch up on readings, coursework, research, and revision.
For Semester 1, most institutions observe a reading week from 3-7 November 2025, although some, such as Cambridge, do not have traditional reading weeks. Semester 2 typically features a reading week around mid-February 2026, with exact dates varying by institution.
Note for international students: Reading weeks are considered part of semester time for Student visa purposes, so you must remain in the UK and engaged with your programme during these periods.
When Are the Main Exam Periods?
UK universities typically operate three exam diets per academic year:
- Semester 1 Exams (January 2026): These exams usually take place immediately after the Christmas break, compressed into a period of 10-20 days.
- Semester 2 Exams (May-June 2026): This period is longer and more spread out, offering slightly more breathing room between exams.
- Summer Assessment/Resit Exams (August 2026): For students who fail modules or require deferred assessments. This period can vary from 2 to 4 weeks depending on the institution.
Planning Around These Dates
Effective planning is essential. Key planning milestones include:
- By 31 October 2025: Resolve any potential conflicts (e.g. religious observances) that might clash with exam dates.
- November 2025: Apply for any exam accessibility arrangements if needed.
- December 2025: Review your Semester 1 exam timetable as soon as it’s published and raise any issues promptly.
- February 2026: Reapply for Semester 2 exam accessibility arrangements if required.
- March 2026: Check your Semester 2 exam timetable immediately upon release for any scheduling conflicts.
For postgraduate students, note that while undergraduates enjoy a summer break, taught postgraduates often work through the summer on dissertations, which may extend into late August or early September.
University Holiday Periods
Understanding when the campus is officially closed is crucial for accommodation and budgeting:
- Christmas Break: 22 Dec 2025 – 16 Jan 2026, with campus closures typically from 24 Dec to 2 Jan.
- Easter Break: 30 Mar – 17 Apr 2026, including closures on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
- Summer Break: For undergraduates, generally from mid-June to late August/early September; facilities operate on reduced hours.
Final Considerations
The key to a stress-free academic year is to know your institution’s specific dates and plan meticulously. Always download your official academic calendar, check departmental variations, and build in buffers to accommodate unexpected changes.
Strategic planning around these dates can be the difference between a manageable year and a chaotic one. Prepare ahead, stay informed, and make sure you’re compliant with visa requirements if you’re an international student.
Do all UK universities have reading weeks in 2025-26?
No, not all UK universities offer reading weeks. Some institutions, like Cambridge and Oxford, do not have traditional mid-term reading weeks but operate under different systems with shorter teaching blocks and longer breaks between terms. Always check your specific programme handbook for accurate details.
Can I travel abroad during reading weeks while on a UK Student visa?
Technically, no. Reading weeks are considered part of semester time, and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regulations require international students to remain in the UK and engaged in their studies during these periods. If travel is necessary due to genuine emergencies, you must inform your university’s international student office and obtain written approval.
What happens if I have two exams scheduled on the same day?
Universities aim to avoid scheduling more than two exams on the same day. If you do end up with two exams, this is generally considered acceptable though challenging. In cases of three or more same-day exams, universities typically reschedule to ensure adequate rest. Always check your exam timetable promptly and contact the exam office if there are any conflicts.
When exactly should I book flights home for Christmas or summer 2026?
For Christmas, it is safest to wait until your Semester 1 exam timetable is published in December 2025, as some exams may run late into January. For summer, undergraduate students can usually book after mid-June, but postgraduate taught students should confirm their dissertation submission deadlines before planning travel. Always include a buffer period for any unforeseen delays.
What are resit exams and when do they happen in 2025-26?
Resit exams, also referred to as summer assessments or retrieval exams, are offered to students who have failed modules or require deferred assessments due to mitigating circumstances. For the 2025-26 academic year, these typically take place between late July and early September 2026. You must remain available throughout the entire resit period, even if your personal timetable indicates otherwise.
