UK University Term Dates 2026/2027
Verified academic calendars, semester dates, and reading weeks for Oxford, Cambridge, and major UK Russell Group and modern universities.
University of Oxford
Sunday 11 October 2026
to Saturday 5 December 2026
Full Term: 8 teaching weeks
Sunday 17 January 2027
to Saturday 13 March 2027
Full Term: 8 teaching weeks
Sunday 25 April 2027
to Saturday 19 June 2027
Full Term: 8 teaching weeks & final exams
Reading Weeks: None (Oxford operates intensive 8-week terms without mid-term reading weeks)
University of Cambridge
Tuesday 6 October 2026
to Friday 4 December 2026
Full Term: 80 days
Tuesday 19 January 2027
to Friday 19 March 2027
Full Term: 80 days
Tuesday 27 April 2027
to Friday 18 June 2027
Tripos exam period
Reading Weeks: None (8-week concentrated teaching periods)
Manchester Metropolitan University (Man Met)
Monday 21 September 2026
to Friday 18 December 2026
Induction week starts 14 Sept
Monday 11 January 2027
to Friday 26 March 2027
Spring term concludes before Easter
Monday 19 April 2027
to Friday 11 June 2027
Final examinations and degree grading
Reading Weeks: Autumn Reading Week: Week 6 (early November); Spring Reading Week: mid-February
University of Brighton
Monday 28 September 2026
to Friday 18 December 2026
Welcome week: 21–25 Sept
Monday 11 January 2027
to Friday 26 March 2027
3-week Easter vacation
Monday 19 April 2027
to Friday 11 June 2027
Assessment and dissertation hand-ins
Reading Weeks: Consolidated study weeks scheduled across late October and February
University of Nottingham
Monday 21 September 2026
to Saturday 23 January 2027
Includes Christmas break 19 Dec – 10 Jan
Monday 25 January 2027
to Friday 18 June 2027
Includes Easter break 27 Mar – 25 Apr
Reading Weeks: Department-specific reading weeks in mid-November and March
Oxford Brookes University
Monday 21 September 2026
to Friday 18 December 2026
Exam week: January 2027
Monday 25 January 2027
to Friday 21 May 2027
Spring vacation: 29 March – 16 April 2027
Reading Weeks: Week 7 of Semester 1 and Week 7 of Semester 2
Frequently Asked Questions: University Terms
What is the difference between Semester and Term?
Most modern UK universities operate on a two-semester system (Autumn and Spring, typically 12–15 weeks each with winter exams in January). Traditional collegiate universities like Oxford and Cambridge operate a three-term system (Michaelmas, Hilary/Lent, Trinity/Easter) lasting 8 concentrated weeks each.
Can university students travel during reading weeks?
Yes. Unlike compulsory school pupils under the DfE framework, university students are independent adults and face no statutory local council fines. However, tutors routinely schedule mid-term coursework deadlines immediately following reading week.