This is your academic year
When do you have classes, tests and the chance to resit exams? And when are those all-important holidays? You'll find all the major dates in your academic year below. So you know what to expect and can make plans for the year.
The academic calendar is a general overview. Your timetable and test weeks may differ depending on your study programme.
Download the academic calendar
Academic year 2026–2027
The academic year starts on 31 August 2026. The year is divided into four terms spread over two semesters. A semester is half an academic year and each term is approximately 9 to 10 weeks. For each term, you have classes and work on assignments and close the term with a week of tests.
Semester 1
Term 1: 31 August 2026 to 8 November 2026
Test week (T1): 2 November to 6 November 2026
Term 2: 9 November 2026 to 31 January 2027
Test week (T2): 18 January to 29 January 2027
Semester 2
Term 3: 1 February 2027 to 11 April 2027
Test week (T3): 5 April to 16 April 2027
Term 4: 12 April 2027 to 4 July 2027
Test week (T4): 28 June to 9 July 2027
Test week (T5): 12 July to 16 July 2027
General overview
Major dates for the academic year 2026–2027, such as national holidays, holidays, times when the campuses are closed and introduction weeks, are given below.
This is a general overview and your personal timetable may differ. You'll receive your personal timetable from your study programme.
10-8-2026 / 23-08-2026 | Pre-intro activities in Leeuwarden for international students
25-08-2026 / 28-08-2026 | StudyStartWeek (introduction week)
31-08-2026 | Start Academic Year (SAY)
19-10-2026 / 23-10-2026 | Autumn break
21-12-2026 / 01-01-2027 | Christmas holiday
25-12-2026 / 26-12-2026 | Christmas, buildings are closed
01-01-2027 | New Year's Day, buildings closed
08-02-2027 / 14-02-2027 | Spring holiday
26-03-2027 | Good Friday, buildings closed
29-03-2027 | Easter Monday, buildings closed
26-04-2027 / 02-05-2027 | May holiday
27-04-2027 | King's Day, building closed
05-05-2027 | Liberation Day
06-05-2027 / 07-05-2027 | Whitsun, buildings closed
17-05-2027 | Whit Monday, buildings closed
12-07-2027 / 20-08-2027 | Summer holiday
Academic year 2027–2028
24-08-2027 / 27-08-2027 | StudyStartWeek (introduction week)
30-08-2027 | Start Academic Year
Good to know
The academic calendar provides an overview of major dates. Your own calendar may differ depending on your programme.
Your timetable may be different
Tests may be planned at different times
Not all study programmes schedule tests for each of the test weeks
Always check your personal calendar and information provided by your study programme.
FAQs
This differs per study programme, but you usually get your timetable the week before a module starts. You can find your timetable in the YOS student app, and you'll need the class code your programme sent you.
No, this depends on the subjects you are taking and your degree programme's planning.
You need to register for tests within the given registration weeks.
See this page for more info about the StudyStartWeek
No, it's not compulsory to attend the StudyStartWeek, but it's definitely recommended.
It's a personal choice, but arriving in time for the StudyStartWeek is definitely recommended. And if you arrive earlier, there are plenty of pre-intro activities to join.
Mandatory attendance depends on your degree programme, so check with your programme what is expected.
You can contact Student Info with your questions, including during holidays. Send a text or email or call them directly. And check out our other FAQs
Check this info too
Check the StudyStartWeek
See what other events and activities you can go to