The organisation of the academic year in Europe 2020/21.
Date: 2020-10-20
Institutions: European Education and Culture Executive Agency
Subjects: EU Member State, education policy, examination, organisation of teaching, planning of the school year

The Organisation

of  the Academic Year

in Europe
2020/21

Eurydice – Facts and Figures

Education and 
Training

The Organisation of 

the Academic Year 

in Europe 

2020/21 

Eurydice – Facts and Figures

Education 
and Training 

This  document  is  published  by  the  Education,  Audiovisual  and  Culture  Executive  Agency  (EACEA, 
Education and Youth Policy Analysis). 

Please cite this publication as: 

European Commission/EACEA/Eurydice, 2020. The Organisation of the Academic Year in Europe – 
2020/21. Eurydice Facts and Figures. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. 

ISBN 978-92-9484-342-5 

ISSN 2443-5317 

doi:10.2797/22158 

EC-AI-20-001-EN-N 

Text completed in September 2020. 

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2020 

© Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, 2020 

Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. 

Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency 
Education and Youth Policy Analysis 
Avenue du Bourget 1 (J-70 – Unit A6)  
B-1049 Brussels
E-mail: eacea-eurydice@ec.europa.eu
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice

AUSTRIA 

Type of programme: Public universities 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year / 
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods 

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activities and holiday periods 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

The  academic  year  consists  of 
the  winter 
semester,  the  summer  semester  and  the  periods 
during  which  no  courses  are  held.  Christmas 
(2 weeks),  semester  holidays  (February),  Easter 
(2 weeks); summer holidays (July to September); 
no more detailed information available. All holiday 
periods are set by the university’s senate. 

No  centrally  set  dates  but  most  of  examinations 
are  carried  out  in  January,  March,  June  and 
October. 

30 September 2021 

26 October 2020 
1 November 2020 
8 December 2020 
25-26 December 2020
1 January 2021
6 January 2021
5 April 2021
1 May 2021
13 May 2021
24 May 2021
3 June 2021
15 August 2021

Number of periods of teaching activity: 2 

Length  of  periods:  about  4 months  winter 
semester, about 4 months summer semester. 

AUSTRIA (CONTINUED) 

Type  of  programme:  Fachhochschulen  (universities  of  applied  sciences):  bachelor-
programmes, master-programmes  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year / 
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Dates or periods 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Starts  generally 
between 1 September and 10 October. 

All  periods  of  teaching  activities  and  holidays  are 
fixed by the institutions. Usually teaching activities 
last  15-20  weeks  (usually  15 weeks  for  full-time 
programmes, 18-20 weeks for degree-programmes 
especially designed for working professionals). 
Usually  there  are:  Christmas  holidays  (around 
2 weeks),  Easter  holidays  (1-2 weeks)  and  the 
periods between the semesters. 

Examinations 

Institutions are free to fix examination dates. 

End of the academic year 

Institutions are autonomous. The academic year 
usually ends at the date the new one begins.  

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of periods of teaching activity: 2 

26 October 2020 
1 November 2020 
8 December 2020 
25-26 December 2020
1 January 2021
6 January 2021
5 April 2021
1 May 2021
13 May 2021
24 May 2021
3 June 2021
15 August 2021

Length  of  semesters  is  fixed  by  institutions 
autonomously  and  may  vary 
from  degree 
programme to degree programme even within the 
same institution. 
The  University  of  Applied  Studies  Act  does  not 
regulate the duration of 'semesters'. 
Winter semester: from 4 to 6 months 
Summer semester: from 4 to 6 months 

AUSTRIA (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: Pädagogische Hochschulen (university colleges of teacher education): 
bachelor-programmes, master-programmes  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

The  academic  year  consists  of 
the  winter 
semester, the summer semester and the periods 
during  which  courses  are  not  held  (so-called 
'lecture-free' time). 
The study commissions may enact further/detailed 
regulations concerning the beginning and the end 
of a semester as well as concerning the ‘lecture-
free time’. (see § 36 Hochschulgesetz 2005 idgF) 

The study commissions may enact further/detailed 
regulations concerning the beginning and the end 
of a semester as well as concerning the ‘lecture-
free time’. (see § 36 Hochschulgesetz 2005 idgF) 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of periods of teaching activity: 2 

Christmas:  about  2 weeks,  semester  holidays: 
3 to  5  weeks,  Easter  (Saturday  before  Palm 
Sunday  until  Tuesday  after  Easter);  summer 
holidays (about 1 July – 30 September 2021). 
There is a certain amount of autonomy in deciding 
upon the lecture-free time (for example: semester 
holidays  may  be  mainly  in  February  from  3  to  5 
weeks; set by the respective study commission). 

Winter semester: 4 months  
Summer semester: 4 months 

 
BELGIUM – FLEMISH COMMUNITY 

Type of programme: All types  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activities (1st semester)* 

Holidays 

Examinations*  

Teaching activities (2nd semester)* 

Examinations* 

Dates or periods  

At  the  earliest  1 September  and  at  the  latest  1 October. 
Occurs generally between mid-September and 1 October. 

From  the  beginning  of  the  academic  year  until  the  end 
of the week before the Christmas holidays 
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

until Saturday 19 December 2020 

There is an autumn holiday of one week for the students 
of some institutions of higher education only 
-  Academic year 2020/21: from Monday 2 November 

until Sunday 8 November 2020 

Two weeks around Christmas and New Year 
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

from Monday 21 December 2020 until 
Sunday 3 January 2021 

3-4 weeks in January  
-  Examinations academic year 2020/21:  
from Monday 4 January 2021 until  
Saturday 30 January 2021 

Followed  by  one  week  without  class  between  the  first 
and the second semester 
-  Class-free week academic year 2020/21:  
from Monday 1 February 2021 until  
Sunday 6 February 2021 

Academic year 2020/21: Monday 8 February 2021 until 
Saturday 22 May 2021 

There is a spring holiday of one week for the students of 
some institutions of higher education only 
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

from Monday 15 February until  
Sunday 21 February 2021 

There is an Easter holiday break of two weeks. 
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

from Monday 5 April 2021 until  
Sunday 18 April 2021 

Last week of May until the end of the last week of June 
or the 1st week of July 
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

from Monday 24 May 2021 until  
Saturday 3 July 2021 or Saturday 4 July 2021 (may 
vary depending on institution of higher education) 

BELGIUM – FLEMISH COMMUNITY (CONTINUED) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2019/20 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Holidays* 

Examinations* 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

From  the  beginning  (1st  or  2nd  week)  of  July  until  the 
start of the subsequent academic year 
-  Start holidays academic year 2020/21:  

Monday 5 July 2021 (may vary depending on 
institution of higher education)  

From  mid-August  until  the  end  of  the  second  or  third 
week of September  
-  Academic year 2020/21:  

from Monday 16 August 2021 until  
Saturday 18 September 2021(may vary depending 
on institution of higher education) 

The day before the start of the new academic year. For 
most  students  the  academic  year  ends  de  facto  after 
the last examination. 

-  1  and  2  November  2020  (All  Saints'  Day  and  All 

Souls' Day) 

-  11 November 2020 (Armistice Day) 
-  15  November  2020  (King’s  Day)  (holiday  for  some 

institutions of higher education only)  

-  1 January 2021 (New Year) 
-  4 April 2021 (Easter) 
-  5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
-  1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
-  13 May 2021 (Ascension Day)  
-  24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 
-  11 July 2021 (Flemish Holiday)  
-  21 July 2021 (National Holiday) 
-  15 August 2021 (Assumption Day)  
Note  that  when  a  holiday  takes  place  on  a  Thursday 
some institutions of higher education are closed on the 
following Friday as well. This depends on the institution 
in question.  

Length of intervals:  
Teaching activities last 12-13 weeks 

* Individual institutions of higher education can deviate from the concrete dates mentioned here. 

 
BELGIUM – FRENCH COMMUNITY 

Type of programme: All programmes (ISCED 5A, 5B and 6) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

The  legal  act  of  7  November  2013  fixes  annually  the 
beginning and end of each four-month term. 
The academic year is a one-year period beginning on 
14 September 2020.  
teaching  activities  begin  around 
In  practice, 
14 September 
to 
in  most 
encourage student and staff mobility within the French 
Community,  the  government  may  lay  down  further 
conditions when determining this academic calendar.  
(Relative) institutional autonomy 

institutions. 

In  order 

The first term starts on 14 September 2020; the second 
on 1 February 2021; the third on 1 July 2021.  
The  two  first  terms  include  at  least  12 weeks  of 
teaching activity. 
For  purposes  of  curricular  organisation,  each  of  the 
three  four-month  terms  includes  assessment  and 
holiday periods. 
Institutional autonomy 

(with 

Curricular  activities 
to  an  academic 
leading 
qualification  in  the  first  or  second  cycle  are  spread 
over  the  first  two  four-month  terms  in  the  academic 
year 
forms  of 
the  exception  of  certain 
assessment  or  professional  integration  activity).  Each 
of  these  first  two  terms  involves  at  least  12 weeks  of 
activity  and  may  not  exceed  four  months.  A  period  of 
assessment occurs at the end of each term. 
The  third  term  includes  assessment  periods  (as  well 
as professional integration or personal project activity). 
Institutional autonomy 

End of the academic year 

13 September of the next year  

Holidays 

Winter holidays: 21 December 2020 – 1 January 2021 
Spring holidays: 5-16 April 2021 
Summer holidays: 7 weeks after the first session 

 
 
 
BELGIUM – FRENCH COMMUNITY (CONTINUED) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 3 

Legal public holidays for the 2020/21 academic year are: 
11 November 2020 (1918 Armistice Day) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
24 May 2021 (Pentecost) 
The  authorities  of  higher  education  institutions  may 
determine additional holidays. 
Teaching and assessment activities except professional 
induction, excursions, visits and internships do not take 
place on Sundays nor official public holidays. 
If  public  holidays  fall  on  a  Saturday  or  a  Sunday,  no 
replacement is foreseen. 

Length  of  intervals:  no  longer  than  4 months  (each  of 
the first two four-month terms involves at least 12 weeks 
of activity and is no longer than four months).  
As  regards  the  number  of  intervals,  it  should  be  noted 
that  examinations  may  have  been  marked  and  passed 
at the end of the first two terms. 

 
 
 
 
BELGIUM – GERMAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITY 

Type of programme: ISCED 6  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

First semester 

1 September 2020 
The relevant legislation states that the government fixes 
the date of the beginning of the academic year between 
1 September and 15 September. 

Teaching activity 

Autumn holiday 

Teaching activity 

Christmas holiday 

Examinations 

Teaching activity 

Carnival holiday 

Teaching activity 

Easter holiday 

Teaching activity 

Lecture free period 

Examinations 

1 September – 2 November 2020 

2 November – 6 November 2020 

7 November – 20 December 2020 

21 December 2020 – 1 January 2021 

January 2021 

Second semester 

Mid-January – End February 2021 

15-19 February 2021 

March – April 2021 

6-16 April 2021 

20 April – 29 May 2021 

1-5 June 2021 

8-26 June 2021 

End of the academic year 

The relevant legislation states that the government fixes 
the end of the academic year on the first Friday in July 
at the latest. 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

1 November 2020 
11 November 2020 
15 November 2020 
24-26 December 2020  
1 January 2021 
5 April 2021 
1 May 2021 
13 May 2021 
24 May 2021 

Length of intervals:  
September to mid-January 
Mid-January to the end of June 

 
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 

Type of programme: ISCED 6 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods 

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity 

Winter holidays 

Examinations 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Examinations 

Summer holidays 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

5 October 2020 – 15 January 2021 

15-25 January 2021 

25 January – 5 February 2021 

25 January – 26 July 2021 

1-30 April 2021 

14-25 June 2021 

27 July – 30 August 2021 

30 August – 24 September 2021 

30 September 2021 

Republic holidays: 

25 November 2020 (Statehood Day) 
1-2 January 2021 (New Year)  
1 March 2021 (Independence Day) 
1-2 May 2021 (International Labour Day) 

Religious holidays:  

25 December 2020 (Catholic Christmas) 
7 January 2021 (Orthodox Christmas) 
27 March 2021 (Pesah) 
4 April 2021 (Catholic Easter) 
2 May 2021 (Orthodox Easter) 
13 May 2021 (Eid Al-Fitr) 
20 July 2021 (Eid Al-Adha) 

Number of intervals: 

2 (semesters) 

Additional notes 

Religious holidays are celebrated depending on the religious community. Holidays which are dated on non-
working days are not taken into account.  

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – REPUBLIKA SRPSKA 

Type of programme: ISCED 6 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods 

Beginning of the academic year 

5 October 2020 

Teaching activity 

Winter holidays 

Examinations 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Examinations 

Summer holidays 

Examinations 

5 October 2020 – 30 January 2021 

1-10 January 2021 

25 January – 6 March  2021 

22 February – 6 June 2021 

19 April – 5 May 2021 

14 June – 9 July 2021 

12 July – 20 August 2021 

1 September – 24 September 2021 

End of the academic year 

4 October 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Republic holidays: 
21 November 2021 (Day of establishing of General 
Framework Agreement for Peace) 
1-2 January 2021 (New Year ) 
1-2 May 2021 (International Labour Day) 
9 May 2021 (Day of victory over fascism) 
Religious holidays:  
25 December 2020 (Catholic Christmas) 
4 April 2021 (Catholic Easter)  
2 May 2021 (Orthodox Easter) 

Number of intervals: 

2 (semesters) 

Additional notes 

Religious holidays are celebrated depending on the religious community. Holidays which are dated on non-
working days are not taken into account.  

 
BULGARIA 

Type of programme: All types and programmes 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information (beginning of 
the academic year / teaching 
activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Dates or periods 

1 October is assumed as the official start of the new 
academic  year.  However,  due  to  the  autonomy  of 
higher  education  institutions  (HEIs),  starting  dates 
vary from one institution to another. 

The  academic  year  consists  of  two  semesters 
(winter  and  summer).  However, 
length  of 
teaching  activity  (lectures  and  practical  trainings) 
differs  from  one  HEI  to  another  due  to  their 
autonomy.  

the 

Examinations  dates,  holidays 
the 
officially  announced  public  and  religious  holidays) 
are determined at institutional level. 

(other 

than 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

level,  however, 

The  examination  dates  are  determined  at 
institutional 
they  are  usually 
scheduled  within  the  period  starting  from  mid-
January  to  mid-February  at  the  latest  (end  of  the 
winter  semester),  and  within  the  period  from  mid-
June to mid-July.  

Students  who  fail  to  take  or  pass  an  exam  on  the 
date  within  the  indicated  period,  are  supposed  to 
take/re-take the exam usually in early September. 

HEIs are autonomous. The academic year generally 
ends between end-June and mid-July. 

Certain  dates  are  regarded  as  official  holidays 
(religious, national, public): 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

22 September 2020 
24 December 2020 
3 March 2021 
1 May 2021 
6 May 2021 
24-25 May 2021

Number of intervals: 2 

Students  have  a  break  for  about  2 weeks  for 
Christmas and Easter holidays. Each HEI celebrates 
the  day  of  its  patron,  on  which  teaching  activity  is 
not carried out. 

Length  of  intervals:  15-16  weeks  on  average  of 
teaching activity 

CROATIA 

Type of programme: ISCED 5-7 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates 

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity 

Winter holidays 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Summer holidays 

Examinations resits 

1 October – 23 December 2020 

24 December 2020 – 6 January 2021 

7-22 January 2021 

25 January – 19 February 2021 

22 February – 4 June 2021 

7 June – 9 July 2021 

12 July – 27 August 2021 

30 August – 30 September 2021 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional /national/religious holidays) 

8 October 2020 (Independence Day) 
1 November 2020 (All Saints Day) 
18 November 2020 (Remembrance Day for the 
Victims of the Homeland War and Remembrance 
Day for the Victims of Vukovar and Skabrnja) 
25 December 2020 (Christmas Day) 
26 December 2020 (Saint Stephen’s Day) 
1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
6 January 2021 (Epiphany) 
4 April 2021 (Easter) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
1 May 2021 (International Labour Day) 
30 May 2021 (Statehood Day) 
3 June 2021 (Corpus Christi) 
22 June 2021 (Anti-Fascist Struggle Day) 

Number of intervals:  

2 (semesters) 

Additional notes 
Although different universities in Croatia (nine public universities in total) – and individual faculties and schools in 
some  universities  –  are  fully  autonomous  in  deciding  on  their  own  individual  academic  calendar,  the  calendar 
provided  above  is  the  actual  calendar  for  the  largest  Croatian  university,  University  of  Zagreb,  and  is  the  most 
common template. 
Teaching activity in the first (‘winter’) semester of the academic year generally starts at the end of the September 
or beginning of October. All faculties traditionally have a two-week Christmas and New Year break in the last week 
of December and first week of January. After this break, the teaching activity of the first semester is resumed and 
it goes on until late January. The winter exam session generally takes place between the end of January and mid- 
or end of February. Teaching activity in the second ('summer') semester begins in late February and lasts until late 
May  or  early  June.  The  summer  exam  session  takes  place  from  mid-June  to  mid-July,  followed  by  a  summer 
break until late August, when the autumn exam session is scheduled. It ends mid or late September. 
Article  80  of  the  Act  on  Scientific  Activity  and  Higher  Education  (Zakon  o  znanstvenoj  djelatnosti  i  visokom 
obrazovanju,  Official  Gazette,  123/2003,  198/2003,  105/2004,  174/2004,  02/2007,  46/2007,  45/2009,  63/2011, 
94/2013,  139/2013,  101/2014,  60/2015,  131/2017)  stipulates  that  the  academic  year  starts  on  1  October  of  the 
current year and ends on 30 September the following calendar year. Teaching activity starts between 1 September 
and  1 October  and  it  cannot  start  before  1 September  for  the  academic  year  in  question.  Teaching  activity  is 
organized in semesters or trimesters according to the steering documents (statute) of higher education institutions. 

 
 
CYPRUS 

Type of programme: University level (Public Universities) 

1.  University of Cyprus (UCY) 
2.  Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) 
3.  Open University of Cyprus (OUC) * 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and vacation periods 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates 

Public Universities in Cyprus are autonomous as regards to their 
modus  operandi.  Their  schedules  are  determined  by 
the 
Universities 
themselves.  The  academic  year  usually  starts 
between 1 and 15 September. At the University of Cyprus and the 
Cyprus  University  of  Technology,  which  are  both  Public 
Universities, classes start on 7 September 2020. 
Public  Universities  determine  all  periods  of  teaching  activity,  as 
well as holidays.  
Holiday  periods  for  the  academic  year  2020/21  at  Public 
Universities take place as follows: 
24 December 2020 – 7January 2021 (Christmas vacations, at the 
end of the autumn semester) 
26  April  –  5  May  2021  (Easter  vacations,  before  the  end  of  the 
spring semester) 
Summer session (in case is offered) starts in early June and lasts 
for 7 weeks. 
Final  examinations'  periods  and  schedule  are determined by  the 
Universities  themselves,  whereas  midterm  examination  dates 
may  be  set  by  faculty  or  faculty  and  students  jointly.  Only  final 
examination  periods  appear  on  the  academic  calendar  and  take 
place at the end of each semester.  
The  dates  of  the  final  examination  periods  at  the  University  of 
Cyprus for the academic year 2020/21 are listed below:  
9-23 December 2020 for autumn semester 
13-27 May 2021 for spring semester 
The dates of the final examination periods at Cyprus University of 
Technology for the academic year 2020/21 are listed below:  
9-23 December 2020 for autumn semester 
10-26 May 2021 for spring semester 
At the Open University of Cyprus for the academic year 2020/21 
final examinations  take place between 6-24 May 2021.  
The academic year traditionally ends at the end of July 2021 for 
all Universities of Cyprus. 
1 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
28 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
24-26 December 2020 (Christmas Holidays) 
1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
6 January 2021 (Epiphany Day) 
15 March 2021 (Beginning of Lent- Green Monday) 
25 March 2021 (National Day) 
1 April 2021 (National Day) 
30 April – 3 May 2021 (Easter Holidays) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
21 June 2021 (Holy Spirit Monday) 
15 August 2021(Assumption of Virgin Mary) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: Semesters 

* Additional note 
Please note that the Open University of Cyprus is an open type university and students study at their own pace and time via long distance 
methods. Due to the non-traditional nature of the University, its academic calendar may slightly vary from the academic calendars of other 
University Institutions in Cyprus. 

CYPRUS (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: University level (Private Universities) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and vacation periods 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates 

Private  Universities  in  Cyprus  are  autonomous  as  regards  to 
their  modus  operandi  and  their  schedules  are  determined  by 
the  Universities  themselves.  The  beginning  of  the  academic 
year  usually  occurs  between  15  and  30  September.  Classes 
start at the end of September or early October. 

Universities  determine  all  periods  of  teaching  activity  and 
holidays. 
Holiday  periods  at  Private  Universities  for  the  academic  year 
2020/21 take place as follows: 
24 December 2020 – 7 January 2021 (Christmas) 
24 April – 7 May 2021 (Easter) 
Summer session starts in early June and lasts for 7 weeks. 
Some Universities may offer summer session II, which starts at 
mid-July and lasts for 6 weeks. 

Final  examinations’  periods  and  schedule  are  determined  by 
the  Universities  themselves,  whereas  midterm  examination 
dates  may  be  set  by  faculty  or  faculty  and  students  jointly. 
Final  examination  periods  at  Private  Universities  occur  at  the 
end of each semester: after the Christmas vacation for the first 
semester and the last fortnight of May for the spring semester. 
For  the  summer  session,  examination  period  occurs  between 
16 and 21 July 2021.  

The academic  year traditionally ends at the end of July for all 
universities. 

1 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
28 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
24-26 December 2020 (Christmas Holidays) 
1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
6 January 2021 (Epiphany Day) 
15 March 2021 (Beginning of Lent- Green Monday) 
25 March 2021 (National Day) 
1 April 2021 (National Day) 
30 April – 3 May 2021(Easter Holidays) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
21 June 2021 (Holy Spirit Monday) 
15 August 2021 (Assumption of Virgin Mary) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: Semesters 

Additional note 
Please note that the dates in the academic calendar for each institution may vary slightly depending on the institution. 

CYPRUS (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: Non-university level (Public and Private Institutions of Higher Education) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Vacation Periods 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Examinations 

Dates 

The beginning of the academic year is usually within the month 
of September. The Institutions of Higher Education are obliged 
by their internal regulations, as specified by the Law, to publish 
an academic calendar. 

Classes  start  in  September  or  within  the  first  two  weeks  of 
October and continue until the end of December or mid-January 
in the first academic semester. 

Classes start within the last two weeks of January or within the 
first  fortnight  of  February  and  finish  at  the  end  of  May  or  the 
beginning of June for the second academic semester. 

Summer session (Intensive courses): Starts mid-June and lasts 
for 7 to 9 weeks. 

At  the  end  of  the  autumn  semester  the  Institutions  have 
Christmas vacations (usually a 2-week holiday), and before the 
end of the spring semester they have Easter vacations (usually 
a  2-week  holiday).  Vacation  periods  may  slightly  vary 
depending on the Institution. 

1 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
28 October 2020 (National Holiday) 
24-26 December 2020 (Christmas Holidays) 
1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
6 January 2021 (Epiphany Day) 
15 March 2021 (Beginning of Lent- Green Monday) 
25 March 2021 (National Day) 
1 April 2021 (National Day) 
30 April – 3 May 2021(Easter Holidays) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
15 June 2021 (Holy Spirit Monday) 
15 August 2021 (Assumption of Virgin Mary) 

Final examinations' periods and schedule are set by Institutions, 
whereas,  midterm  examinations  may  be  set  by  faculty  and 
students  jointly.  Only  final  examination  periods  appear  on  the 
academic  calendar  and  these  occur  at  the  end  of  each 
semester (15th week of teaching activity) and at the end of the 
summer session (7th or 9th week of teaching activity). 

End of the academic year 

Number of intervals: 2 

31 August 2021 

Length of interval: Semesters 

Additional notes 
Non-University  Institutions  are  obliged  by  the  relevant  Law,  to  include  their  academic  calendar  (exact  dates  of 
classes, examination periods, vacation periods, holidays) in their internal regulation and prospectuses, and they are 
required to adhere to it. The majority of non-University Institutions in Cyprus use the semester mode of study as it is 
illustrated in the table. 
Total number of academic days: 14 weeks for public universities and private universities as well.  
Total  number  of  public  holidays:  Christmas  Holidays  2  weeks  (the  24th  of  December  the  first  day),  Easter  holidays 
2 weeks (the 30th of April the first day), 8 occasional/national holidays. 

CZECH REPUBLIC 

Type of programme: ISCED 6-8 (higher education institutions – vysoké školy) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  The  academic  year 
usually begins during September or early October. 

All periods of teaching activity and holidays are fixed 
by institutions in internal regulations. 

Examination  periods  are  fixed  by  institutions  in 
internal regulations. 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  The  academic  year 
ends on the day before the new one begins. 

The following dates are regarded as public holidays 
by all institutions: 
28 September 2020 
28 October 2020 
17 November 2020 
24-26 December 2020 (26 falls on Saturday) 
1 January 2021 
2 and 5 April 2021 
1 May 2021 (Saturday) 
8 May 2021 (Saturday) 
5 July 2021 
6 July 2021 

Number of intervals: most often two 

Length of intervals: around a half a year 

The beginning and end of the academic year, teaching activity, holidays, and examination periods and therefore 
the total number of academic days and holidays vary depending on universities. 

 
 
 
CZECH REPUBLIC (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: ISCED 655 (tertiary professional schools – vyšší odborné školy) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

Dates or periods  

1 September 2020  (the  beginning  of  the  teaching 
period is set by the school head in accordance with 
the accredited educational programme). 

The  exact  dates  of  teaching  activity  are  set  by  the 
school  head  in  accordance  with  the  educational 
programme, the period of teaching must be 40 weeks 
per  academic  year  (32  for  teaching  at  school,  6 for 
self  study  and  examinations  and  2  weeks  of  time 
reserve). 
The  exact  days  of  holidays  are  set  by  the  school 
head  in  accordance  with  the  accredited  educational 
programme. At least 4 weeks are set for holidays.  

The  exact  days  are  set  by  the  school  head  in 
accordance  with 
the  accredited  educational 
programme. 

End of the academic year 

31 August 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

The following dates are regarded as public holidays 
by all institutions: 
28 September 2020 
28 October 2020 
17 November 2020 
24-26 December 2020 (26 falls on Saturday) 
1 January 2021 
2 and 5 April 2021 
1 May 2021 (Saturday) 
8 May 2021 (Saturday) 
5 July 2021 
6 July 2021) 

Length of intervals: 5 months (153 days) and 
7 months (212 days) 

Additional notes 
The  exact  dates  are  set  by  the  school  head,  therefore  the  total  number  of  school  days  and  holidays  vary 
depending on schools. 

 
 
DENMARK 

Type of programme: Long-cycle higher education (universities) (ISCED 5, 6 and 7) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

The  universities  are  autonomous.  The  academic 
year  at  long-cycle  higher  education  institutions 
(universities) 
two 
semesters and begins typically:  
1) Early September (autumn semester)  
2) Early February (spring semester)  

is  normally  divided 

into 

fix  all  periods  of 

The  universities 
teaching 
activities  and  holidays  themselves.  The  typical 
duration of teaching activities is: 
1) Early September – mid-December 
2) Early February – mid-May 

The  universities  fix  the  dates  of  examinations 
autonomously,  but  generally 
the  examination 
period is:  
Fall  Semester:  typically  December  and  three 
weeks in January 
Spring Semester: mid- and  end of May and three 
weeks in June 
Re-examinations are mainly placed in August before 
the start of a new academic year.  

The  academic  year  runs  from  1 September  and 
ends  31 August,  but  normally  with  holidays/ 
periods  with  no  teaching  between  30 June  and 
31 August. 

23  December  2020  –  1  January  2021  (both  days 
included) 
1-5 April 2021 
30 April 2021 
13 May 2021 
24 May 2021 
5 June 2021 

Number of intervals: 2* 

Length of intervals: approx. 4/5 months 

Additional notes 
Short  cycle  and  medium-cycle  higher  education:  there  is  no  specific  information  on  the  academic  calendar 
available  for  short  cycle  and  medium-cycle  higher  education  programmes.  Like  the  universities,  the  institutions 
themselves decide how to structure the academic year. The academic calendar, however, is quite similar to that 
of the universities, outlined above. 
* Some university programmes run with four intervals instead of two.  

 
 
ESTONIA 

Type of programme: All types 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Holiday 

Examinations 

Teaching activity 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Generally  takes 
place between the last week of August and the 
first week of September. 

All periods of teaching activity and holidays are 
fixed  by  institutions.  The  autumn  semester 
generally lasts until 20 December. 

Generally  takes  place  between  20 December 
and 1 January. 

Generally  take  place  between  2 January  and 
20 January. 

The  spring  semester  generally  begins  a  week 
after the examinations are over. 

Between the last week of June and the first week 
of July 

24-26 December 2020 (Christmas) 
1 January 2021 (New Yearʼs Day) 
24 February 2021 (Independence Day) 
2 April 2021 (Good Friday)  
1 May 2021 (May Day) 
23 June 2021 (Victory Day) 
24 June 2021 (St Johnʼs Day) 
20 August 2021 (Independence Restoration Day) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals (semesters):  
ca. 4.5 months 

 
 
 
FINLAND 

Type of programme: Universities of Applied Sciences and universities 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 August 2020 

First semester – Teaching activity 

Second semester – Teaching activity  

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 2020/21 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Fixed by each faculty,  
between the beginning of August 2020 and  
31 December 2020 

Fixed by each faculty,  
between 1 January and 31 July 2021 

Fixed by the teachers 

31 July 2021 

31 October 2020 (All Saints Day) 

6 December 2020 (Independence Day) 

24 December 2020 (Christmas Eve) (partly) 

25 December 2020 (Christmas Day) 

26 December 2020 (Boxing Day) 

1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 

6 January 2021 (Epiphany)  

2 April 2021 (Good Friday) 

4 April 2021 (Easter Day) 

5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 

1 May 2021 (May Day) 

13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 

19 June 2021 (Midsummer Eve) (partly)  

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 5 to 7 months 

 
 
FRANCE 

Type of programme: University studies 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays  

Examinations  

End of the academic year  

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Institutional  autonomy.  Almost  everywhere  the 
and 
is 
period 
15 October. 

1 September 

between 

All  periods  of  teaching  activity  and  holiday  are 
fixed  by  institutions,  which  however  comply 
with the following calendar: All Saint’s Holidays 
in  autumn,  holidays  at  the  end-of-year  festive 
season (one or often two weeks), as well as in 
February  (generally  one  week)  and  Easter 
holidays in spring (one or two weeks). 

Examination  periods  are  entirely  at 
discretion of university managing bodies. 

the 

No  precise  date.  Institutional  autonomy.  In 
practice, the academic year ends after the final 
examination,  in  June  or  at  the  beginning  of 
July. 

The following dates are regarded as public 
holidays by all institutions1: 
1 November 2020 (All Saints' Day)  
11 November 2020 (1918 Armistice Day) 
25 December 2020 (Christmas)  
1 January 2021 (New Year)  
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
8 May 2021 (end of WWII in Europe) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 
14 July 2021 (National holiday)  
15 August 2021 (Assumption Day)  

1  

Information  on additional holidays  which  are specific  to  the  area  Alsace  and  Moselle  or to  French  overseas 
territories can be found here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2405 

  
 
                                                      
FRANCE (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: Non-university studies (courses to prepare for competitive selection for 
the grandes écoles, higher 'technician' sections, grandes écoles and other higher 'schools') 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays  

Examinations  

End of the academic year  

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Institutional  autonomy,  although  all  institutions 
open at the beginning of September or later in the 
same month. 

All  periods  of  teaching  activity  and  holiday  are 
fixed  by  institutions,  which  however  comply  with 
the  following  calendar:  All  Saint’s  Holidays  in 
autumn;  holidays  between  Christmas  and  New 
Year's  Day;  often  one  week  in  February;  Easter 
holidays in spring (one or two weeks). 

Examination  periods  are  entirely  at  the  discretion 
of the managing bodies of institutions. 

No  precise  date. 
In 
practice,  the  academic  year  ends  after  the  final 
examination, in June or at the beginning of July. 

Institutional  autonomy. 

The following dates are regarded as public 
holidays by all institutions2: 
1 November 2020 (All Saints' Day)  
11 November 2020 (1918 Armistice Day) 
25 December 2020 (Christmas)  
1 January 2021 (New Year)  
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
8 May 2021 (end of WWII in Europe) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 
14 July 2021 (National holiday)  
15 August 2021 (Assumption Day) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 4-5 months 

2  

Information  on additional holidays  which  are specific  to  the  area  Alsace  and  Moselle  or to  French  overseas 
territories can be found here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2405 

 
                                                      
GERMANY  

Type of programme: ISCED 6 (partly), ISCED 7 

The Organisation of the Academic Year Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year / 
teaching activity / holidays / examinations 
/ end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity winter semester 

Holiday 

Teaching activity winter semester 

First week of October to first week of 
November 2020 – second to third week of 
December 2020 

Third to fourth week of December 2020 – 
first week of January 2021 

First to second week of January 2021 – 
third week of January to fourth week of 
February 2021 

End of winter semester 

Beginning of summer semester 

31 March 2021 

1 April 2021 

Teaching activity summer semester 

First to second week of April 2021 –  
first to third week of July 2021 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays  
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

3 October 2020 (German Unity Day) 

2 April 2021 (Good Friday) 

5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 

1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 

13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 

24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 

+ holiday depending on the Land 

Number of intervals: 3  

2 semesters, one of five months, one of four 
months 

intervals:  10 days  close 

Length  of 
to 
Christmas, 1 month after the winter semester, 
two months after the summer semester 

 
 
 
 
GREECE 

Type of programme: ISCED 6 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates 

Beginning of the academic year 

1 September 2020 

Teaching activity (1st or winter semester) 

Holiday 

Teaching activity (1st or winter semester) 

Examinations 

Teaching activity (2nd or spring semester) 

Holidays 

Teaching activity (2nd or spring semester) 

Examinations 

Holidays 

Re-examinations 

the  beginning  of 

From 
in 
September – approximately within the second fortnight 
of September – until 23 December 2020 

the  winter  semester 

2 weeks 
24 December 2020 – 7 January 2021 (Christmas holidays) 

8  January  2021  until  the  beginning  of  the  winter 
semester  exams,  set  approximately  in  mid-January 
2021 

Winter  semester  exams  begin  approximately  in  mid-
January  2021  and  last  for  three  weeks  until  the 
beginning of February 2021 

Spring  semester  begins  after  the  end  of  the  winter 
semester exams – approximately in mid-February 2021 

2 weeks 
13-26 April 2021 (Easter holidays) 

The period after Easter holidays until the beginning of 
spring  semester  exams  –  approximately  beginning  of 
June 2021 

Spring  semester  exams  take  place  in  June 2021  and 
last for three weeks 

From  the  end  of  the  June  exams  until  those  of 
September 2021 

1  September  until  the  beginning  of  the  new  winter 
the  second 
semester,  set  approximately  within 
fortnight of September 2021 

End of the academic year 

31 August 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional / national / religious holidays) 

28 October 2020 (National holiday) 
17 November 2020 (National holiday) 
30 January 2021 (Religious holiday) 
15 March 2021 (Religious holiday) 
25 March 2021 (National holiday) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
21 June 2021 (Religious holiday) 

GREECE (CONTINUED) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Number of intervals: 3 

Dates 

Length  of  intervals:  two  weeks  at  Christmas;  two 
weeks  at  Easter;  summer  holidays  from  the  end  of 
June exams until those of September 

1st (winter) semester 
Beginning:  September  of  each  calendar  year 
(approximately  within 
fortnight  of 
September 2020) 

the  second 

2nd (spring) semester 
Beginning: after the end of winter semester exams 
(approximately mid-February 2021) 

End:  until  the  final  day  of  the  winter  semester  exams 
(approximately beginning of February 2021)  

End:  until  the  final  day  of  the  spring  semester  exams 
(it varies for each institution) 

Additional notes 
The academic year begins on 1 September each year and ends on 31 August of the following year (1 September 
2020 – 31 August 2021). Teaching activities are divided into two semesters. 
Higher  Education  Institutions  (HEIs)  in  Greece  are  autonomous  as  regards  to  their  modus  operandi.  The  exact 
dates for the beginning and end of each semester are defined by the HEI's Senate or Board. Only in exceptional 
cases is the semester’s extension allowed in order to cover the necessary teaching weekly hours of a module, but 
in  no  case  can  this  extension  be  more  than  two  weeks.  The  internal  regulation  of  the  institution  regulates  the 
arrangements of the study programme. 
Each  semester  includes  at  least  13  weeks  of  teaching.  The  end  of  each  semester  marks  the  beginning  of  the 
exam period. During the period of exams, no teaching activity is taking place, so that students can take part in the 
exams.  Students  may  be  reassessed  in  the  modules  of  both  semesters  before  the  beginning  of  the  winter 
semester, during September. Students, who have certified dyslexia before their entry to the HEI, can be examined 
orally. 
Students  who  have  completed  full-time  attendance,  meaning  they  have  attended  the  necessary  number  of 
semesters leading to a degree, have the opportunity to take part in the exams at any semester, either winter or 
spring. This means that they can be examined in any course they choose regardless if it is taught in the winter or 
spring semester. 
The total academic days and the total number of holidays cannot be estimated because the exact dates for the 
beginning  and  end  of  each  semester  are  determined  by  each  HEI's  Senate  or  Board.  Hence,  dates  in  the 
academic calendar may vary slightly depending on the institution. 

 
 
 
HUNGARY 

Type of programme: All types of programmes 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Autumn term 

Teaching activity 

Exam period 

(Holiday) 

Spring term 

Teaching activity 

Exam period 

(Holiday) 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Usually between 1 and 10 September 
Institutional autonomy (see Additional notes 1, 2) 

From  the  beginning  of  September  until  the  end  of 
January 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

From early or mid-September until mid-December 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

From mid-December until the end of January 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

In  addition  to  national/public/church  holidays,  holiday 
periods vary greatly (see Additional note 3). 

From the beginning of February until the end of June 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

From the beginning of February until mid-May 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

From mid-May until the end of June 
The exact dates are fixed by institutions.  

In spring term, there is usually one week around Easter.  
Institutional autonomy (see Additional note 3). 

Ends around late June 
The exact date is fixed by the institutions.  

23 October 2020 (The Day of the Hungarian Revolution 
of 1956) 
1 November (Sunday) 2020 (All-Saints’ Day)  
24-25-26 December 2020 (Christmas)  
1 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
15 March 2021 (The Day of the Hungarian Revolution 
of 1848) 
2 April and 5 April 2021 (Easter) 
1 May (Saturday) 2021 (Labour Day) 
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday)  

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 5 months (see Additional note 4) 

 
 
HUNGARY (CONTINUED) 

Additional notes 
(1)  Higher  education  institutions  (HEIs)  in  Hungary are usually open  all  year  around  for  students,  who  can  use 
libraries, computer  rooms and  other  facilities  of  the  HEI,  except  on  Sundays,  on  state  and  church holidays. 
(Most of the HEIs are also closed between Christmas and New Year, and in August.) 

(2)  The  Act  on  Higher  Education  only  stipulates  that  the  academic  year  lasts  10 months  and  one  term  lasts 
5 months. The organisation of the academic year is within the competence of HEIs. It is usually determined by 
the Senate and based on the proposal of the head of the HEI. The organisation of the academic year does 
not vary from one type of programme to the next within the same institution. 

(3)  Holidays and non-teaching days: the study and examination regulations of HEIs specify the number of days 
that the head of the HEI may rule to be a non-teaching day for students of the entire HEI above the official 
public  and  church  holidays.  This  number  is  usually  not  more  than  five days.  The  same  regulation  also 
contains the number of days that the head of the faculty may also rule as non-teaching days for the students 
of a particular faculty. This is usually not more than five days. 

(4)  Number of intervals: the academic year in Hungary consists of two terms, an autumn term (őszi félév) and a 

spring term (tavaszi félév).  

 
 
 
 
ICELAND 

Type of programme: ISCED 6A  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Holidays 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Institutions  are  autonomous.  The  beginning  of  the 
academic year is generally latter half of August. 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Teaching  activity 
generally starts between 15 August and 5 September 
and  ends  on  30 November.  Some  institutions  have 
summer sessions that last from May to August. 

Institutions are autonomous. 
Examinations  generally 
2 and 20 December. 

take  place  between  

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Normally  between  
19 December – 4 January and Easter, in 2021 from 
1 April to 5 April 2021, both days included. 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Teaching  activity 
generally starts around 7 January and ends end-April 
or early May 2021. 

Institutions are autonomous. Examinations generally 
take place between 24 April and 10 May. 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  No  precise  date.  The 
academic  year  ends  de 
last 
examination.  

facto  after 

the 

24 December 2020 
25 December 2020 
26 December 2020 
1 January 2021 
1 April 2021 
2 April 2021 
4 April 2021 
5 April 2021 
22 April 2021 
1 May 2021 
13 May 2021 
23 May 2021 
24 May 2021 
(Public holidays outside the school year:)  
17 June 2021 
2 August 2021 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 13 weeks 

 
IRELAND  

Type of programme: All types  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Holiday 

Examinations 

Holiday 

Teaching activity 

Holidays  

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Number of intervals: 2-3 

Dates or periods 

Universities, Technological Universities and Institutes of 
Technology are autonomous institutions and start dates 
may vary, but in general, for 2020/21 the academic year 
starts the week beginning Monday 28 September. 

the  week 
Teaching  activity  commences  during 
beginning Monday 28 September to the end of January. 
The  semester  is  generally  a  period  of  15 weeks,  which 
normally  includes  12 weeks  teaching.  All  periods  of 
teaching  activity  and  holidays  are  individually  fixed  by 
each University or Institute. 

Bank Holiday Monday 26 October 2020 

Examinations  commence  early  January  2021.  Each 
University or Institute manages this separately. 

Dates from 23 December 2020 (Christmas break) 

Teaching  activity  commences  at 
the  beginning  of 
February to mid May 2021. The semester is generally a 
period  of  15 weeks,  which  normally  includes  12 weeks 
teaching.  All  periods  of  teaching  activity  and  holidays 
are individually fixed by each University or Institute. 

St Patrick’s Day – 17 March 2021  
Good Friday – 2 April 2021  
Easter Monday – 5 April 2021 
May Bank Holiday Monday – 3 May 2021 

Usually 2 weeks (11-12 working days) in May.  
Each University or Institute manages this separately. 

Universities  and 
Institutes  of  Technology  are 
autonomous bodies. For Universities, the academic year 
generally  ends  at  the  date  the  new  one  begins.  For 
Institutes  of  Technology,  the  academic  year  generally 
ends in June. 

Length of intervals: term = 2-3 months,  
semester = 4-5 months. 

Additional notes 
The HEIs are autonomous institutions and are free to set their own academic year teaching activity, examination 
dates and holidays. It is therefore not possible to be specific on actual dates for these.  
Due to Covid 19, start dates are later than usual and term dates may be subject to change. 

ITALY 

Type of programme: All types  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 (1) 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

First semester – Teaching activity 

1 October – 23 December 2020 

Examinations (first session) 

January – February 2021 

Second semester – Teaching activity 

1 March – 31 May 2021 

Examinations (second session) 

Examinations (third sessions) 

June – July 2021 

September 2021 

Admission tests and entrance examinations (2) 

September 2021 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

1 November 2020 
8 December 2020 
23 December 2020 – 6 January 2021 
Easter (1 week) 
25 April 2021 
1 May 2021 
2 June 2021 

Length of intervals: semesters  
(October – December 2020 and  
March – May 2021) 

(1)  The  definition  of  the  beginning  and  end  of  the  academic  year,  the  organization  of  learning  activities  in 
semesters  and  the  calendar  of  examinations  are  left  to  the  autonomous  decision  of  the  HEIs.  The 
information included in the table on these three issues should be considered indicative of the national trend. 
(2)  Entrance  test  are  foreseen  by  the  legislation.  Medicine,  veterinary,  architecture,  health  professions  are 
foreseen  in  September.  According  to  the  principle  of  autonomy  of  HEIs,  each  university  can  promote 
additional entrance test to assess the preparation of students at the beginning of their studies.  

 
 
                                                      
LATVIA 

Type of programme: All types 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Registration/enrolment period 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Each year the Cabinet of Ministers determines the 
initial  time  for  the  registration  and  admission  of 
entrants  in  the  first  year  after  the  acquisition  of 
upper secondary education. For the year 2020, it 
is 1 July.  
Candidates  who  have  acquired  secondary 
education  abroad  and  do  not  apply  for  studies  in 
state-funded  study  places  or  study  programmes 
where  the  number  of  students  is  determined, 
higher  education  institutions  and  colleges  may 
start to register and enrol as of 29 April 2020. 
Higher  education 
institutions  autonomously 
determine  the  registration  and  admission  periods 
for Master level and Doctoral level programmes.  

Occurs  generally  in  the  first  week  of  September, 
but  may  differ  among  institutions  which  are 
autonomous. 

Institutions  fix  periods  of  teaching  activity  and 
holidays.  Teaching  activity  usually  is  organised 
from September to December and from February 
to May. 
Full-time studies correspond to 40 weeks per year 
and not less than 40 academic hours per week.  
Higher  education  institutions  in  cooperation  with 
their stakeholders from employment organisations 
autonomously  determine  the  practical  training 
placements (internships) periods for their students. 
As regards the holidays, there is usually one week 
around  Christmas/New  Year  and  another  one  at 
Easter. 

Institutions  fix  periods  of  examinations.  Usually 
examinations  proceed  after  the  teaching  activity 
period  and  take  place  in  January/February  and 
June/July. 

The  academic  year  generally  ends  after  the  last 
examination of spring or summer semester. 

18 November 2020 (Proclamation of the Republic 
of Latvia) 
24-26 December 2020 (Christmas) 
10-13 April 2021 (Easter) 
1  May  2021  (Convocation  of  the  Constituent 
Assembly of the Republic of Latvia; Labour Day) 
4  May  2021  (Restoration  of  Independence  of  the 
Republic of Latvia) 

 
LATVIA (CONTINUED) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2019/20 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Number of intervals: 2 semesters 

Length of intervals: in accordance with the Law on 
Institutions  of  Higher  Education,  academic  year 
consists  of  40 national  credit  points.  One  credit 
point corresponds to one week of studies. Thus the 
academic  year  lasts  40 weeks.  The  length  of 
intervals  is  not  specified,  but  normally  they  are 
divided  in  two  equal  parts  –  2 semesters  (of 
20 weeks each). 

Additional notes 
When  the  specific  holidays  of  18  November  (Proclamation of  the  Republic  of  Latvia)  and  4 May  (Restoration  of 
Independence of the Republic of Latvia) fall on Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is transferred to the next working 
day. 
Useful information for prospective incoming students is available at The International Student Guide to Education 
and Study in Latvia.  

 
 
 
 
LIECHTENSTEIN 

Type of programme: ISCED 6/7/8 Academic (public sector – Universität Liechtenstein) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

The organisation of the academic year is within autonomy of the higher education institutions.  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 September 2020 

Winter semester 

1 September 2020 – 31 January 2021 

Teaching activity for new students / Introductory 
weeks 

1-4 September 2020 

Teaching activity for continuing students 

7 September – 19 December 2020 

Christmas holidays 

Examination weeks  

Summer semester 

Teaching activity 

Easter holidays 

Examination weeks 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

21 December 2020 – 4 January 2021 

4-22 January 2021 

1 February – 31 August 2021 

8 February – 29 May 2021 

2-11 April 2021 

7-27 June 2021 

31 August 2021 

8 September 2020 
1 November 2020 
8 December 2020 
2 February 2021 
16 February 2021 
19 March 2021 
5 April 2021 
1 May 2021 
13 May 2021 
24 May 2021 
3 June 2021 
15 August 2021 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 26 weeks 

 
LITHUANIA 

Type of programme: All types, full-time studies  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity  

Examinations* 

Holidays 

Professional practice period 

End of the academic year 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  As  a  rule  the  beginning  of 
the  academic  year  is  1 September.  Due  to  COVID19 
caused delay in Matura exams the academic year for the 
first-cycle  students  and  students  of  integrated  studies 
(first  year  students 
the 
14 September  2020.  However, 
the  date  varies 
considerably among the institutions (from 31 August 2020 
to 14 September 2020).  

in  some  HEIs)  starts  on 

Institutions are autonomous.  
Each  semester  usually  covers  20 weeks.  Typically, 
16 weeks  per  semester  are  dedicated  for  teaching 
activities (lectures, practical work etc., including 1 week 
for  self-study).  The  last four  weeks  within  are  allocated 
to  an  examination  session**.  In  some  institutions,  the 
semester  may  last  longer  (up  to  22 weeks)***.  Due  to 
COVID19,  the  courses  are  accelerated  in  the  autumn 
semester of 2020 in some HEIs. In most institutions, the 
spring semester starts at the beginning of February.  
Typically,  the  autumn  semester  starts  on  1  September 
2020, he spring semester starts on 1 February 2020. 

Typically,  the  last  two  to  four  weeks  of  each  semester 
are allocated to examination sessions.  
The total number of school/academic days dedicated for 
exams  and  the  starting  date  of  the  exam  sessions 
varies considerably among institutions.  

Institutions are autonomous.  
All  institutions  have  Christmas  holidays  usually  from 
24 December to the beginning of January. The length of 
Christmas holidays is 1 to 2 weeks. 
The  winter  break  begins  at  the  end  of  the  autumn 
semester,  right  after  the  winter  examination  session 
(usually the end of January/beginning of February) and 
lasts 1 week.  
Most institutions have Easter holidays usually lasting for 
1 week in the spring semester.  
Summer  holidays  usually  start  after  the  end  of  the 
spring  semester  and  last  maximum  2 months,  normally 
between 1 July and 31 August. 
However,  the  occurrence  and  the  length  of  holidays 
may vary considerably. 

During  summer  holidays  (July-August),  some  students 
have a training course, which lasts 2-3 weeks.  
Institutions are autonomous.  
As a rule, the academic year ends on 31 August. 

 
LITHUANIA (CONTINUED) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2019/20 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Certain  dates  are  regarded  as  public  holidays  by  all 
institutions:  
1-2 November 2020 
24-26 December 2020 
1 January 2021 
16 February 2021 
11 March 2021 
5 April 2021 
1 May 2021 
24 June 2021 
6 July 2021 
15 August 2021 
Some dates may coincide with the winter/spring holiday 
period. 

Length of intervals: around five months 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 semesters 
(autumn and spring semesters)  

Additional notes 

* In some cases, students sit examinations or pass the test upon completion of the course unit and thus have no 
special examination period. 

** Autumn exam session in some HEIs may occur before Christmas.  

*** Excluding holidays. 

 
LUXEMBOURG 

Type of programme: All types, all programmes 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

14 September 2020 

Winter semester 

Christmas holidays 

Revision  

Examinations 

14 September 2020 – 6 February 2021 

21 December 2020 – 3 January 2021 

4-10 January 2021 

11 January – 6 February 2021 

Winter break between semesters 

8-14 February 2021 

Summer semester 

Easter holidays 

Revision  

Examinations 

15 February – 19 September 2021 

5-11 April 2021 

31 May – 6 June 2021 

7 June – 3 July 2021 

Summer break between semesters 

5 July – 19 September 2021 

End of the academic year 

19 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

1 November 2020 (All Saints' Day) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
9 May 2021 (Europe Day) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 
23 June 2021 (National Holiday) 
15 August 2021 (Assumption) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 6 months 

Additional notes 

Total number of academic days: 117 days (weekends, examination and revision periods not included) 

Total number of holidays: 34 days (the summer break not included) 

 
 
 
MALTA 

Type of programme: Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of Academic Year – Semester I 

1 September 2020 

Induction week for all students  

Beginning of semester 1 

Campus Day 

No lectures 

Graduation Ceremonies – Level 5 & 6 

Graduation Ceremonies – Level 4 

Christmas Recess 

Continuation of semester 1 

Graduation ceremonies – Levels 1, 2 & 3 

End of semester 1 

Beginning of Semester II 

No lectures 

Easter recess 

Continuation of semester 2 

End of Semester II 

Summer Recess  

Public holidays falling on week days 
(occasional / national / religious holidays) 

12-16 October 2020 

19 October 2020 

12-16 October 2020 

2 November 2020 

December 2020 

January 2021 

21 December 2020 – 1 January 2021 

4 January 2021 

February 2021 

29 January 2021 

1 February 2021 

15 February 2021 

1-9 April 2021 

12 April 2021 

12 April 2021 

13 July – 31 August 2021 

8 September 2020 
21 September 2020 
8 December 2020 
10 February 2021 
19 March 2021 
31 March 2021 
7 June 2021 
29 June 2021 

There is a total of 168 academic days starting from 19 October 2020 till 12 July 2021. These include examination 
days. Total number of holidays is 24 during this period.  

 
 
 
MALTA (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: University of Malta 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of Semester 1  

Opening Ceremony 

Continuing students – Monday 12 October 2020 
For Year 1 students – Monday 19 October 2020 
Friday 16 October 2020 

On-line enrolment for 2020/21 

October/November 

Registration for study-units by students admitted 
in October 2020 

End of July 

Add/drop period – adding or cancelling study-units 
previously registered for 

Monday 12 October 2020 –  
Friday 16 October 2020 

Christmas Recess 

21 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021 

Continuation of semester 1 and Revision Week 

Monday 4 January 2021 – Friday 29 January 2021 

Examinations (Semester I) 

Beginning of semester 2 

Monday 1 February 2021 –  
Friday 19 February 2021 

Monday 22 February 2021 

Add/drop period- adding or cancelling study-units 
previously registered for 

Monday 15 February 2021–  
Friday 19 February 2021 

Easter Recess 

Continuation of semester 2 

Examinations Semester II 

End of Second Semester 

Monday 29 March 2021 – Friday 9 April 2021 

Monday 12 April 2021 

Saturday 5 June 2021 – 
Wednesday 6 July 2021 

Wednesday 6 July 2021 

Summer Semester (for postgraduate courses 
spread over 3 semesters) 

Tuesday 8 June 2021–  
Thursday 30 September 2021 

Summer Recess (within the summer semester) 

Monday 2 August 2021– Friday 13 August 2021 

Supplementary Examinations 

Public holidays falling on a week day 
(occasional / national / religious holidays) 

Wednesday 1 September 2021–  
Friday 17 September 2021 

Tuesday 8 December 2020 
Wednesday 10 February 2021 
Friday 19 March 2021 
Wednesday 31 March 2021 
Friday 2 April 2021 
Monday 7 June 2021 

Additional notes 
For first year students there is a total of 129 academic days while for continuing students there are 134 days, both 
of these over 2 semesters excluding examination periods. Total number of holidays during this period is 23. 
For postgraduate coursed spreading over 3 semesters, the total number of possible academic days is 184 days 
and total number of holidays is 34. 

 
 
 
MONTENEGRO 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Dates or periods  

28 September 2020 
(31 August – 27 September 2020 examination term 
will be organized) 

Teaching activity 

28 September 2020 – 10 January 2021 

Christmas/New Year holidays 

1-2 January 2021 
6-8 January 2021 

Examinations 

11 January – 14 February 2021 

Break between the semesters 

No break this year. 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

15 February – 30 May 2021 

31 May – 4 July 2021 

18 July 2021 

1-2 January 2021 (New Year’s Day) 
1-2 May 2021 (International Labour Day) 
21-22 May 2021 (Independence Day) 
13-14 July 2021 (Statehood Day) 

Additional notes 
Total number of teaching days is 143 (this number relates to teaching days only). Total number of working days 
which includes teaching days + examination days + final weeks of study year + enrolment and preparation days is 
221. 
Faculty units are obligated to organize one day of classes for the purpose of compensation on 4-5 January.  
In accordance with Law on National and Other Holidays (Official Gazette of the Republic of Montenegro, 27/2007 
and Official Gazette of Montenegro, no. 36/2013), national holidays in Montenegro include: 21 May (Independence 
Day) and 13 July (Statehood Day). 
Holidays in Montenegro are also: 1 January – New Year and 1 May – Labour Day.  
National and other holidays are celebrated for two days, on the day of the holiday and the day that follows.  
Holidays are non-working days. 
If a holiday falls on Sunday, the following two days are non-working days. 
If the second day of the holiday falls on Sunday, the following first day is a non-working day. 
Religious holidays are non-working days.  
In accordance with the Law on Higher Education (Official Gazette of Montenegro, no 44/14, 47/15, 40/16 and 42/17 
and 71/17, 55/18, 3/19), the examination terms take place in January, June and September. Examination terms 
have two set of examination dates. A student who does not pass an exam at the first examination date is entitled 
to take it at the second examination date of the same examination term. 
Dates for the organisation of exams are determined by the academic calendar for an academic year passed by an 
institution in compliance with its statute.  
Source: Eurydice. 

 
 
 
THE NETHERLANDS  

Type of programme: ISCED 6 and 7 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 September 2020 

Teaching activity and holidays  

Examinations 

All  periods  of  teaching  activity  and  holidays  are 
fixed by institutions.*  

Institutions  are  entirely  free  to  fix  examination 
dates.  

End of the academic year 

31 August 2021 

Public holidays  
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

25 and 26 December 2020 (Christmas Days)  
31 December 2020 (New Year’s Eve) 
1 January 2021 (New Year's Day) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
27 April 2021 (King’s Birthday) 
5 May 2021 (Liberation Day) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day)  
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 

Number of intervals: 
Free for institutions to decide. 

Length of intervals:  
Free for institutions to decide. 

Additional notes 
Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), article 1.1/definitions, k.: academic year: the period which starts on 
1 September and ends on 31 August of the following year. 
The academic year can be divided into a semester or a trimester. Institutions are free to decide how many weeks 
are used to teach and how many weeks are used for the exams. 
During  the  period  of  examinations,  teaching  activity  usually  stops,  so  that  students  can  work  and  learn  for  the 
exams.  
Some courses also start during the course of the academic year, on 1 February. 
* The only thing that has been determined is the number of ECTS in higher education. 

Training 

Duration 

Associate degree HBO (higher professional education) 

2 years 

Bachelor HBO (higher professional education) 

Bachelor WO (university) 

Master HBO/WO 

4 years 

3 years 

ECTS 

120 ECTS 

240 ECTS 

180 ECTS 

At least 1 year 

At least 60 ECTS 

School days and holidays 2020/21 
There are no legal regulations for the number of teaching hours (/school days) in higher education. Universities 
and institutions  for  higher  professional education  can  decide  for  themselves  how  they  organize teaching.  There 
are  some  agreements  made  on  the  course  load.  The  course  load  for  an  academic  year  is  60 ECTS  (this  is 
equivalent to 1 680 hours of study). 
There are no legal regulations for the number of holidays in higher education. There are also no mandatory dates 
for  the  summer  holidays  and  no  recommended  dates  for  other  holidays.  This  means  that  schools/institutions 
themselves determine the holidays.  

NORTH MACEDONIA 

Type of programme: All types 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity 

Christmas/New Year holidays 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

5 October 2020 – 15 January 2021  

1-7 January 2021 

8-15 January 2021 

18 January – 6 February 2021 

Break between the semesters 

16 January – 14 February 2021 

Teaching activity 

Spring/Easter holiday  

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

15 February – 29 April 2021 

30 April – 3 May 2021 

4-28 May 2021 

31 May – 27 June 2021 
20 August – 17 September 2021 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

8 September 2020 (Independence day) 
11 October 2020 (Uprising day) 
23 October 2020 (Day of the revolutionary 
struggle) 
8 December 2020 (St. Clement day) 
1 January 2021 (New Year) 
7 January 2021 (Ortodox Christmas) 
30 April – 3 May 2021(Orthodox Easter) 
1 May 2021 (Labour day) 
13 May 2021 Ramadan 
24 May 2021 (St. Cyril and Methodius) 
2 August 2021 (Republic day) 

Additional note  
The data refer for the largest state university representing as a leader in the higher education in North Macedonia. 
The universities have guaranteed institutional autonomy by the Constitution of North Macedonia and therefore their 
academic calendars may vary up to one month from the stated data. 

 
NORWAY 

Type of programme: All types 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Dates or periods  

Higher  Education 
autonomous. Generally mid-August. 

Institutions 

(HEIs) 

are 

HEIs are autonomous, with the exception of public 
holidays, see below. 

Examinations 

HEIs are autonomous.  

End of the academic year 

HEIs  are  autonomous.  The  academic  year 
generally ends by mid-June. 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Christmas holidays 
(22 December 2020 – 2 January 2021) 
Easter holidays (6-13 April 2021) 
1 May 2021 (Labour Day) 
17 May 2021 (National Day) 
21 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
31 May 2021 (White Monday) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 4-5 months 

 
POLAND 

Type of programme: All types 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity 

Christmas holidays 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Break between the semesters 

Teaching activity 

Easter holiday  

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Dates or periods  

Institutions are autonomous. Usually the beginning 
of October  
(e.g. University of Warsaw (UoW): 1 October 2020). 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Usually  between  the 
beginning  of  October  and 
third  week  of 
December  
(e.g. UoW: 2 October – 22 December 2020). 

the 

Institutions are autonomous.  
(e.g. UoW: 23 December 2020 – 6 January 2021). 

Institutions are autonomous.  
Usually January (e.g. UoW: 7-27 January 2021). 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Usually  two  weeks  at 
the end of January/beginning of February    
(e.g. UoW: 28 January – 10 February 2021). 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Usually  one  week  in 
February  
(e.g. UoW: 11-17 February 2021) 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Usually  between  the 
third week of February and Easter  
(e.g. UoW: 18 February – 31 March 2021) 

Institutions are autonomous.  
Easter Monday and a few extra days are free  
(e.g. UoW: 1-6 April 2021). 

Institutions are autonomous.  
Usually between Easter and summer examinations  
(e.g. UoW: 7 April – 13 June 2021). 

Institutions are autonomous. Usually the last two 
weeks of June (e.g. UoW: 14 June – 4 July 2021). 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Usually  the  end  of 
September (e.g. UoW: 30 September 2021). 

1, 11 November 2020 
1-3 May 2021 
3 June 2021 

Additional notes 
HEIs often organise Students’ Days (typically 1-2 days) called Juwenalia with concerts, performances and other 
artistic and cultural events. These are additional days off for students set by the rector of the institution (e.g. UoW: 
7-8 May 2021).  

 
 
 
 
PORTUGAL 

Type of programme: University and polytechnic 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Periods of teaching activity and holiday periods 

Dates or periods  

Higher  education 
institutions  (universities  and 
polytechnic  institutes)  are  autonomous.  Generally, 
the  year  begins  between  15 September  and 
15 October.  

Institutions  are  autonomous  and  fix  all  periods  of 
teaching activity and holidays. 
Typically,  1st  semester  goes  from  the  second  or 
third  week  of  September  to  the  second  or  third 
week  of  December;  2nd  semester  starts  in  the 
second  week  of  February  and  ends  in  the  end  of 
May. 
The  2nd  semester  has  a 
four  days 
interruption  for  Carnival  (end  of  February)  and  a 
one week interruption for Easter (mid-April) 

two 

to 

Examination periods 

End of the academic year 

Public/religious holidays 

The  teaching  department,  teachers  and  students 
are  entirely  free  to  fix  examination  dates  jointly. 
Normally there are two examinations periods:  
•  1st: between the end of December and the first 

week of February; 

•  2nd:  between  the  beginning  of  June  and  the 

end of July. 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  The  academic  year 
generally ends on 31 July. 

5 October 2020 
1 December 2020 
8 December 2020 
1 January 2021 
2 April 2021 
3 June 2021 
10 June 2021 

Number of intervals: 1 or 2 (more frequently the year 
is divided in two semesters or three-month terms) 

Length  of  intervals:  around  1-2 weeks  (maximum 
3 weeks) 

 
ROMANIA 

Type of programme: All  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 semesters 

According  to  the  Law  of  the  National  Education 
(Law 1/2011  with  subsequent  completions),  the 
university  year  usually  begins  on  the  first  working 
day of October; it includes two semesters and ends 
on 30 September in the next calendar year. 

(HEI) 

education 

institutions 

The academic year consists of two semesters.  
Higher 
are 
autonomous.  They  fix  all  periods  of  teaching 
activity, exams and holidays.  
The  length  of  the  teaching  activity  (lectures  and 
practice trainings) differs from one HEI to another.  
Examinations  dates  and  holidays  (other  than  the 
officially  announced  public  and  religious  holidays) 
are determined at institutional level.  

The  examination  dates  are  determined  at 
institutional  level.  Teachers  and  students  are  free 
to 
the 
examination sessions established by institutions.  

for  examinations  within 

the  dates 

fix 

Institutions are autonomous.  
Generally, at the end of September. 

30 november 2020 
1 December 2020 
30 April 2021 
1 June 2021 

Length  of 
3 weeks (examinations) each semester 

intervals:  14  weeks 

(teaching)  +  

Additional notes 
1.  As a rule, a semester lasts 14 weeks of teaching activities usually followed by minimum 3 weeks of exams. 
2.  HEI's  are  free  to  decide  on  the  inside  structure  of  the  academic  year,  which  is  approved  by  the  University 

Senate. 

3.  Teaching activity stops during the periods of examinations. 
4.  When assigning the transferable study credits, a period of at least 17 weeks is taken into consideration. 

 
 
 
 
ROMANIA (CONTINUED) 

Example of the structure of academic year [Babes-Bolyai University Cluj – Napoca]:  

First Semester:  

Teaching activity: 28.09.2020 - 18.12.2020 (12 weeks) 
Winter holidays: 21.12.2020 - 03.01.2021 (2 weeks) 
Teaching activity: 04.01.2021 - 15.01.2021 (2 weeks) 
Exams: 18.01.2021 - 07.02.2021 (3 weeks) 
Holidays: 08.02.2021 - 14.02.2021 (1 week) 

Second Semester:  

Teaching activity: 22.02.2021 - 30.04.2021 (10 weeks) 
Easter holidays: 03.05.2021 - 09.05.2021 (1 week) 
Teaching activity: 10.05.2021 - 04.06.2021 (4 weeks) 
Exams: 07.06.2021 - 27.06.2021 (3 weeks) 
Holidays: 28.06.2021 - 04.07.2021 (1 week) 

Re-examination sessions (for those students who failed in previous sessions):  
15.02.2021 - 21.02.2021 (1 week) and 05.07.2021 - 11.07.2021 (1 week) 

Practice period (where applicable):  

12.07.2021 - 23.07.2021 (2 weeks) 

Holidays: 26.07.2021 - 26.09.2021 (9 weeks) 

References: 
https://www.ubbcluj.ro/ro/studenti/files/invatamant/Structura_anului_2020-2021_Ro.pdf 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SERBIA 

Type of programme: ISCED 6 and 7 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information  
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates 

Beginning of the academic year 

Beginning of October (1 October 2020) 

1st semester / teaching activity  

2nd semester / teaching activity  

Examinations 

Holiday 

From the beginning of October  
(usually between 1 October 2020 and 15 January 2021) 

Usually from the end of February until the end of May 
(usually between 17 February and 31 May 2021) 

HEIs  determine 
the  number  of 
the  dates  and 
examination periods during the academic year, usually 
4  to  6 examination  periods,  taking  place  between 
semesters and prior to the end of the academic year, 
after summer holidays.  
The most common exam periods are: 
•  January-February (15 Jan to 18 Feb) 
•  April (first half of April) 
•  June (the whole month) 
•  September (the whole month) – beginning of October  

Summer  holiday  is  usually  between  the  end  of  July 
and  the  end  of  August  (usually  between  22  July  and 
26 August 2021) 

End of the academic year 

Usually 30 September 

Public holidays 
(occasional /national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

•  11 November 2020 – national holiday  
•  1-2 January 2021 – New Year holiday 
•  7 January 2021 – religious holiday (Christmas for 

Orthodox Christians) 

•  15-16-17 February 2021 – national holiday  
•  30 April - 3 May 2021 – religious holiday (Easter 

for Orthodox Christians) 

•  1-2 May 2021 – International Workers' Day 
2 semesters 
Length of intervals: 15 weeks per interval 

Additional notes 
The  academic  calendars  are  determined  each  year  at  institutional  level,  meaning  that  HEIs  may  have  different 
calendars  during  the  same  academic  year.  For  this  reason,  the  information  about  dates/periods  can  only  be 
approximate and is given by comparing calendars of different HEIs from previous years and by extracting the most 
common dates. Moreover, majority of the HEIs do not have their academic calendars available on their webpages 
at the moment of filling in the current update, so calendars from previous years and common practices were used 
to generate expected and approximate calendar for the next academic year.  
According to the Law on HE, article 79, the academic calendar is comprised of 30 working weeks. 
There are 6 non-working public holidays in Serbia that are listed above. 

 
 
SLOVAKIA 

Type of programme: All 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

End of the academic year 

1 September 2020 

31 August 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

following  dates  are  regarded  as  public 

The 
holidays by all institutions:  
1 September 2020  
15 September 2020 
1 November 2020 
17 November 2020 
24-26 December 2020  
1 January 2021  
6 January 2021 
2 and 5 April 2021 (Easter) 
1 May 2021 
8 May 2021 
5 July 2021 
29 August 2021 

Number of intervals: 2  

Length of intervals: 4 to 5 months 

Additional notes 
Following the Higher Education Act (Act No. 131/2002 on Higher Education and on Changes and Supplements to 
Some Acts): 
The academic year begins on 1 September of the current year and ends on 31 August of the next year. 
Study in one academic year may be divided into two semesters or three trimesters. The specific division of study 
(teaching activity and holidays) is determined for every higher education institution in its Statute. 
The Bachelor study, Master study, Engineer study and Doctoral study start at the beginning of the first semester or 
the first trimester of the academic year. PhD study may also start at the beginning of the second semester or the 
second trimester, or the third trimester of the academic year. 
Higher education institutions decide on the organisation of the study in line with the Study Order. Academic senate 
of the university should approve the Study Order. 

 
 
 
SLOVENIA 

Type of programme: ISCED level 6 and 7 (universities; higher professional education institutions) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Teaching activity – winter semester 

15 weeks on average 

Winter examinations during winter holidays period 

4 weeks in January and February 

Teaching activity – summer semester 

15 weeks on average 

Spring examinations 

Summer holidays 

Autumn examinations 

4 to 6 weeks in June and July 

1 month on average (15 July to 15 August) 

Around 4 weeks from mid-August to end of September  

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

31 October 2020 (Reformation Day) 
1 November 2020 (Day in Remembrance of the Dead)  
25 December 2020 (Christmas)  
26 December 2020 (Independence and Unity Day)  
1 and 2 January 2021 (New Year’s Days) 
8 February 2021 (Prešeren Day – Slovenian Cultural 
Holiday) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
27 April 2021 (Day of Uprising Against Occupation) 
1 and 2 May 2021 (May Day Holiday) 
25 June 2021 (Statehood Day)  
15 August 2021 (Assumption Day) 
+ University day(s) 
+ Students' day(s)  

Number of intervals: 2 semesters 

Interval: around 15 weeks 

Additional note  
The organisation of an academic year is in the autonomy of higher education institutions. The data above apply to 
the most common arrangements. 

 
 
 
SLOVENIA (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: ISCED level 5 (short-cycle higher vocational colleges) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

1 October 2020 

Dates or periods  

Teaching activity  

Examinations 

34  weeks;  institutions  specify  periods  of  teaching 
activities. 

Institutions specify examinations at will in compliance 
with the Rules issued by the Minister (*). 

End of the academic year 

30 September 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals  
Teaching activity: 2 semesters 
Examination activity: 3 periods 

31 October 2020 (Reformation Day) 
1 November 2020 (Day in Remembrance of the Dead)  
25 December 2020 (Christmas) 
26 December 2020 (Independence and Unity Day)  
1 and 2 January 2021 (New Year’s Days) 
8 February 2021 (Prešeren Day – Slovenian Cultural 
Holiday) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
27 April 2021 (Day of Uprising Against Occupation) 
1 and 2 May 2021 (May Day Holiday) 
25 June 2021 (Statehood Day)  
15 August 2021 (Assumption Day) 

Intervals:  
Teaching activity: around 12 weeks 
1 semester  (around  10 weeks)  aimed  at  practical 
work, only 
Examination activity: in the autonomy of colleges 

Additional notes 
The  beginning  and  the  end of  an  academic  year  are  specified  by  law.  An  academic  year  encompasses  no  less 
than 34 weeks of organised study work and 37 to 42 weeks of study load for students. Higher vocational colleges 
have considerable flexibility in planning and structuring their year.  
*  As  specified  by  the  Assessment  of  knowledge  in  higher  vocational  colleges  Rules  (2009),  higher  vocational 
colleges  organise  no  less  than  3 periods  of  examination  per  academic  year,  i.e.  within  30 days  after  each 
semester (winter, spring) and in August and September as well. 

 
 
 
SPAIN 

Type of programme: University tertiary education (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 (1, 2, 3) 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year / 
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods 

Beginning of the academic year 

Date still needs to be set in most universities. 

Beginning of the teaching activity 

Teaching activity 

Examinations 

Bachelors: between 1 September and 5 October 2020. 
Master’s  or  PhD  degrees:  it  ranges  from  the  last  week  of 
September to the first week of November. 

● Half of the universities continue their teaching activity after
Christmas  until  13 January  at  the  soonest  (Aragón),  and
until 26 February at the latest (Andalucía).

● Those  finishing  their  teaching  activity  before  Christmas
holidays do so on 2 December at the soonest (Comunidad
Foral  de  Navarra),  and  23  December  at  the  latest,  for
almost all of them.

●

●

The  period  for  examinations  can  take  between  1  and
4 weeks, depending on the Autonomous Community.
The  earliest  starting  date  is  4  December  (Comunidad
Foral de Navarra), and the latest ending date is 6 March
(Andalucía).
Particular features: 
●

In Castilla y León, Galicia and Castilla-La Mancha neither
the dates nor the duration of their examinations are set in
their academic calendars because they will be set by the
faculties.
There  is  a  third  extra  call  in  November  (3-13)  in
Extremadura.

●

Total number: Christmas holidays 

Teaching activity 

Total number: Easter holidays 

Between  14  and  20  days,  starting  21  December  and  ending 
10 January.  

Between the end of the first examination period and between 
mid-May and the end of June: the average is mid-May (from 
7 to 27 May).  
Particular features: 
Comunidad  Foral  de  Navarra  has  the  earliest  starting  and 
ending  dates,  11  February  and  30  April.  The  latest  ending 
date is 2 July (Andalucía).  

Between  4  and  10  days,  the  earliest  starting  date  being 
26 March in Andalucía (Universidad de Córdoba) and Castilla 
y  León,  and  the  latest  ending  day,  12  April,  in  Comunitat 
Valenciana. 

SPAIN (CONTINUED) 
Type of programme: University tertiary education (Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 (1, 2, 3) 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Examinations 

Extraordinary examinations 

Total number: Summer holidays 

Dates or periods 

About  1 month  between  the  beginning  of  May  and  the 
beginning  of  June.  Comunidad  Foral  de  Navarra  is  the  first 
one  to  start  (3  May,)  and  Andalucía,  the  latest  one  to  finish 
(17 July). 

1.  Those  universities  scheduling  extraordinary  exams  in 
June start 4 June at the soonest, and 5 July at the latest, 
and spend between one week (Cantabria) and 4 and a half 
weeks at the most (Galicia). 

2.  Those  examining  in  September  allocate  no  more  than 

12 days at the beginning of September 2021. 

Between  the  end  of June/July  examinations  and  the  start  of 
the  extraordinary  examinations  in  September,  if  any,  or  the 
start of the academic year 2021/22.  

End of the academic year 

Date still needs to be set in most universities. 

Total number: Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays)  

6  days  plus  some  additional  ones  that  each  university  may 
establish (4).  

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: approximately 4 months. 

Additional notes 

(1) Data presented above represent a sampling of the most populated universities from each Autonomous Community, 
except  for  Andalucía  and  Comunidad  de  Madrid,  where  two  universities  are chosen.  This  is  the  list  of  the  Universities 
depicted: 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Andalucía - Universidad de Córdoba and Universidad de Sevilla. 
Aragón - Universidad de Zaragoza. 
Principado de Asturias - Universidad de Oviedo. 
Canarias - Universidad de La Laguna.  
Cantabria - Universidad de Cantabria. 
Castilla-La Mancha - Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha.  
Castilla y León - Universidad de Salamanca.  
Cataluña - Universitat de Barcelona.  
Comunidad Valenciana - Universitat de València.  
Extremadura - Universidad de Extremadura.  
Galicia - Universidad de Santiago de Compostela.  
Illes Balears - Universitat de les Illes Balears. 
La Rioja - Universidad de La Rioja. 
Región de Murcia - Universidad de Murcia.  
Comunidad de Madrid - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Universidad Complutense de Madrid. 
Comunidad Foral de Navarra - Universidad de Navarra.  
País Vasco - Universidad del País Vasco.  

(2) Universities have full autonomy to set up their own academic calendar. Therefore, the number of weeks of teaching 
activity and holidays vary from one university to another, even between those in the same Autonomous Community.  
(3) Total number of academic days in university: each university has competence over the design and organisation of the 
academic year, which must be included in their statutes. 
(4) During the year, there are 14 public holidays, out of which 8 are common throughout the whole country, 4 are specific 
of the different Autonomous Communities and 2 additional ones are decided at the local level. Out of those 8 days, 3 are 
allocated in Christmas holidays and 2 of them, in Easter holidays; besides, 15 August is out of the academic calendar and 
2 days fall on a weekend. This turns out in the total number of public holidays being actually 6 per Autonomous Community 
and two additional days off that may be set by universities and faculties. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
SPAIN (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: Non-university tertiary education: Advanced specific vocational training 
and specialised education (Advanced artistic studies and Advanced sport education) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 (1) 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Beginning of the teaching activity 

Teaching activity 

Holidays 

Examinations 

Extraordinary examinations 

Dates or periods 

the 

the  beginning  of  September  and 

1 September 2020 
Between 
beginning of October (2). 
From mid-September and the beginning of October to 
a period between the end of May and the end of July.  
Christmas: At least 2 weeks between 21 December 
2020 and 8 January 2021. 
Easter: Between 5 and 12 days in the period between 
26 March and 12 April 2021. 
Summer: 12 to 16 weeks, ranging from between the 
end  of  May  and  the  beginning  of  September  or  the 
beginning of October. 
Public  holidays:  6  days  plus  some  additional  days 
that each school may establish (3).  
Particular feature: 
In  the  Autonomous  Community  of  Cantabria,  the 
school  calendar  follows  a  special  pattern  that  differs 
from  the  rest  of  the  country.  There  is  a  break  of  one 
week  in  November  (2-6  Nov)  and  another  break  of 
3 days in February (15-17 Feb). Easter and Christmas 
are similar to the rest of the Autonomous Communities. 
Schools  are  allowed  to  choose  a  certain  number  of 
days off, depending on the Autonomous Community. 
●  School  year  organised 
into  3 periods  of 
examinations:  before  Christmas  holidays,  before 
Easter  holidays  and  before  summer  holidays. 
Schools  are  free  to  fix  examination  dates  within 
those periods. 
year 

●  School 

2 intervals: 

organised 

into 

examinations take place after each interval. 
●  Advanced vocational training studies arrange their 
examination  periods  after  each  training  cycle,  so 
some  of  the  final  exams  start  in  March  and  may 
continue until June, and some start in June.  

●  Depending  on  the  type  of  program  and  on  the 
Autonomous  Community,  exams  can  take  place 
during June and the first week of July.  

●  There  could  also  be  a  period  of  extraordinary 
first  week  of 

foreseen 

the 

in 

examinations 
September.  

End of the academic year 
Number of intervals: 3 (4) 

31 August 2021. 
Length of intervals: approximately 3 months. 

●  There 

is  also 

the  case  of  extraordinary 
examinations periods in December (end of the 1st 
interval), combined with one call in June (end of 
the 3rd interval).  

 
 
SPAIN (CONTINUED) 

Additional notes 
(1)  A great variety of dates can be observed in Advanced specific vocational training, where there are different 

training cycles, each of them with different examination dates. 

(2)  Depending on the type of programme and on the Autonomous Community, the starting date of the teaching 
activity  may  range  from  4  September  to  13  October.  The  number  of  school  days  depends  on  the  specific 
regulations of each programme, which establish the total length and the total amount of hours corresponding 
to each programme.  

(3)  During the year there are 14 public holidays, out of which 8 are common throughout the whole country, 4 are 
specific of the different Autonomous Communities and 2 additional ones are decided at the local level. Out of 
those 8 days, 3 are allocated in Christmas holidays and 2 of them, in Easter holidays; besides, 15 August is 
out of the academic calendar. This turns out in the total number of public holidays being 6. 
In the Autonomous Communities of Illes Balears, Extremadura, Cataluña, Navarra, Canarias, País Vasco and 
Región de Murcia, either both or just the 2nd year of Advanced artistic studies or the Advanced drama studies 
may be organised into 2 intervals.  

(4) 

Total number 
Total  number  of  school  days  in  non-university  tertiary  education:  generally,  the  duration  of  the  school  year 
comprises a minimum of 175 days. 

 
 
 
 
SWEDEN 

Type of programme: All 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activities and holidays 

Examinations 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Higher  Education 
are 
autonomous.  Generally  between  end  of  August  – 
beginning of September. 

Institutions 

(HEIs) 

Fixed by each faculty 

Fixed by the teachers 

Generally ends at the end of May or beginning of 
June.  During  June-September,  most  HEIs  offer 
single subject courses of 7.5-10 ECTS credits. 

Approximately 3 weeks around Christmas 
Several days around Easter including Good Friday 
(2  April  2021)  and  Easter  Monday  (5 April  2021), 
Labour  Day  (1  May  2021),  around  Ascension  Day 
(13 May 2021) and National Day (6 June 2021) 

Number of intervals: 2 

Length of intervals: 4-5 months (around 20 weeks) 

Additional notes 
As  stated  above,  HEIs  are  autonomous  and  the  total  number  of  academic  days  or  holidays  are  not  centrally 
regulated.   

 
SWITZERLAND 

Type  of  programme:  Universities,  universities  of  applied  sciences,  universities  of  teacher 
education (ISCED 6 and 7) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

1 August 2020 

Teaching activities and holiday periods 

The academic year consists of an autumn semester, a 
spring semester and periods during which no courses 
are held. 

Teaching activity autumn semester  

14 September – 18 December 2020 

Teaching activity spring semester 

22 February – 4 June 2021 

Examinations 

Universities  and  universities  of  teacher  education  fix 
the  periods  of  examinations  autonomously.  Usually 
they take place within 1 to 3 weeks before the end of a 
semester. 
At 
the 
the  universities  of  applied  sciences, 
examinations  usually  take  place  at  the  end  of  the 
teaching period. For that reason, their teaching activity 
period  usually  lasts  about  two  weeks  longer  than 
indicated above. 

End of the academic year 

31 July 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Number of intervals: 2 

25 December 2020 (Christmas Day) 
26 December 2020 (Boxing Day) 
1 January 2021 (New Year's Day) 
2 April 2021 (Good Friday) 
5 April 2021 (Easter Monday) 
13 May 2021 (Ascension Day) 
24 May 2021 (Whit Monday) 
1 August 2021 (National Day) 
Depending  on  the  canton  of  location,  each  university 
has additional single holidays. 

Length  of 
universities  of 
(universities of applied sciences) 

intervals:  2 x 14  weeks 

(universities, 
teacher  education),  2 x 16  weeks 

 
 
 
 
SWITZERLAND (CONTINUED) 

Type of programme: Colleges of professional education and training (ISCED 6) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations / 
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity and holidays 

Dates or periods  

Institutions are autonomous. Usually the academic 
year starts between August and October. 

The  institutions  fix  all  periods  of  teaching  activity 
and holidays. Usually teaching activities consist of 
two  semesters  starting  between  August  and 
October and between January and April.  
The institutions autonomously fix the holidays.  

Examinations 

Institutions are free to fix examination dates. 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  The  academic  year 
usually ends at the beginning of summer holidays.  

Public  holidays  depend  on  the  canton  of  location 
of the institutions. Usually their holiday periods are 
similar to those of secondary education.  

Number of intervals: 2 

Institutions fix the length of intervals autonomously.  

 
 
 
 
TURKEY 

Type of programme: All (ISCED 5, 6 and 7) 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity  

Holidays 
(semester/national/religious holidays) 

Examinations 

End of the academic year  

Universities  are  autonomous.  The  autumn 
semester begins generally in September (this year 
it  was  declared  that  semester  would  begin  in 
October  due  to  COVID  19)  or  October  and  the 
spring semester in February. 

Universities are free to determine their own periods 
of teaching activity. As a rule, each academic year 
is  composed  of  two  semesters  which  include  at 
least  14 weeks.  Universities  may  offer  summer 
schools  for  those  who  fail  classes  during  regular 
semesters and who would like to take classes from 
next academic semester.  

The  dates  of  the  semester  breaks  are  freely  fixed 
by  the  universities.  The  duration  of  the  semester 
breaks is at least 2 weeks.  
National and religious holidays are as follows: 
29 October 2020 (1 day – Republic Day) 
1 January 2021 (1 day – New year holiday) 
23 April 2021 (1 day – Children's Day) 
12-15 May 2021 (3 days – Ramadan holiday) 
19 May 2021 (1 day – Youth and Sport Day) 

Each  university  fixes  its  own  examination  dates. 
The number of mid-term exams is decided either by 
the  university  senate,  or  by  the  board  of  each 
faculty. In addition to the  mid-term exams, there is 
a final exam for each particular course at the end of 
each  semester.  The  final  exams  generally  start 
either  right  after  or  one  week  after  the  end  of  the 
semester. It takes 2-3 on average. Those who take 
classes  annually  take  one  or  two  midterms  and  a 
final exam a year.  

Universities  are  autonomous.  Generally  autumn 
the  spring 
semester  ends 
semester  in  May  or  June.  Summer  semesters  last 
from the end of June until mid-August.  

in  December  and 

Number  of  intervals:  2  semesters  (autumn  and 
spring) 

Length  of  intervals:  14 weeks  per  semester  (at 
least) 

The total number of school/academic days varies from one university to another. The total number of 
public/religious holidays is 7 days in 2020/21 academic year. 

UNITED KINGDOM – ENGLAND, WALES AND NORTHERN IRELAND 

Type of programme: Undergraduate (ISCED 6 first cycle). 

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year / 
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Beginning of the standard academic year 

3 August 2020 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of teaching activity 

End of teaching activity 

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous, 
but the first term or semester typically starts in mid-
late September/early October. 

HEIs  are  autonomous,  but  the  final  term/semester 
typically ends in early-mid June. 

End of the standard academic year 

30 July 2021 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Vacations 

Number of intervals (periods): 3 (terms) or  
2 (semesters) 

3 May 2021 – early May bank holiday  
31 May 2021 – Spring bank holiday 
HEIs are normally closed on public holidays which 
fall in term time.  

As  well  as  the  long  summer  vacation,  there  are 
typically vacations of two to four weeks at Christmas 
and Easter.  

Length of intervals (periods): 
3 terms, typically of around 6-8 to 11-12 weeks (with 
the  shortest),  or 
the  post-Easter 
term  being 
2 semesters, typically of around 15 weeks. 

 
UNITED KINGDOM – SCOTLAND 

Type of programme: All ISCED 5  

The Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education – 2020/21 

Type of information 
(beginning of the academic year /  
teaching activity / holidays / examinations /  
end of the academic year) 

Dates or periods  

Beginning of the academic year 

Teaching activity, holidays and examination periods 

End of the academic year 

Public holidays 
(occasional/national/religious holidays) 

Institutions  are  autonomous.  Some  institutions  will 
follow  the  traditional  academic  calendar  and  will 
generally start some time in September or October. 
However,  others  have  adopted  different  patterns 
where  students  can  start  at  different  times  during 
the year e.g. January.  

All periods of teaching activity, holidays and exams 
are fixed by institutions. 

Institutions  are  autonomous  and  dates  will  vary 
depending  on  when  the  student  has  started  the 
year.  The 
traditional  academic  calendar  ends 
May/June.  

All  periods  of  teaching  activity  and  holidays  are 
fixed  by  institutions.  However,  certain  dates,  such 
as  25-26  December,  1-2  January  will  be  regarded 
as public holidays by all institutions.  

Number of intervals: n/a 
Institutions are fully autonomous in this respect. 

Length of intervals: n/a 
Institutions are fully autonomous in this respect. 

Additional notes 
Under The Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992, higher education institutions have autonomy. They 
decide  how  to  divide  the  academic  year,  when  and  how  many  holidays  to  have,  when  and  how  exam  periods 
should be organised. Traditionally, higher education institutions have started in September/October and finished 
in May/June. Holidays during the year would be at Christmas and Easter (for approx. a month each) and exams 
would be at the end of the final term. However, many HEIs have moved to a semester system where the year is 
split into separate teaching blocks with shorter holidays during the year and exam periods twice yearly. Under this 
system students can start the year at different times e.g. in September or in January. There is no fixed number of 
academic days or academic holidays. 

 
 
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

EDUCATION,  AUDIOVISUAL  AND CULTURE 
EXECUTIVE  AGENCY 

EDUCATION  AND YOUTH POLICY  ANALYSIS 

Avenue du Bourget 1 (J-70 – Unit A7) 
B-1049 Brussels 
(http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice) 

Coordination  

Gisèle De Lel 

Layout and graphics 

Patrice Brel 

Cover 

Virginia Giovannelli 

 
 
 
 
 
 
T h e   O r g a n i s a t i o n   o f   t h e   A c a d e m i c   Y e a r   i n   E u r o p e  –   2 0 2 0/ 2 1  

EURYDICE NATIONAL UNITS  

ALBANIA 

Eurydice Unit  
European Integration and Projects Department 
Ministry of Education and Sport 
Rruga e Durrësit, Nr. 23 
1001 Tiranë 

AUSTRIA 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle 
Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und 
Forschung 
Abt. Bildungsstatistik und –monitoring 
Minoritenplatz 5 
1010 Wien 

BELGIUM 

Unité Eurydice de la Communauté française 
Ministère de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles 
Direction des relations internationales 
Boulevard Léopold II, 44 – Bureau 6A/001 
1080 Bruxelles 

Eurydice Vlaanderen 
Departement Onderwijs en Vorming/ 
Afdeling Strategische Beleidsondersteuning 
Hendrik Consciencegebouw 7C10 
Koning Albert II-laan 15 
1210 Brussel 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle der Deutschsprachigen 
Gemeinschaft 
Ministerium der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft 
Fachbereich Ausbildung und Unterrichtsorganisation 
Gospertstraße 1 
4700 Eupen  

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 

Ministry of Civil Affairs 
Education Sector 
Trg BiH 3 
71000 Sarajevo 

BULGARIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Human Resource Development Centre 
Education Research and Planning Unit 
15, Graf Ignatiev Str.  
1000 Sofia 

CROATIA 

Agency for Mobility and EU Programmes 
Frankopanska 26 
10000 Zagreb 

CYPRUS 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education and Culture 
Kimonos and Thoukydidou 
1434 Nicosia 

CZECHIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Czech National Agency for International Education 
Dům zahraniční spolupráce 
Na Poříčí 1035/4 
110 00 Praha 1 

DENMARK 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Children and Education 
Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education  
Bredgade 43 
1260 København K 

ESTONIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Analysis Department 
Ministry of Education and Research 
Munga 18 
50088 Tartu 

FINLAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Finnish National Agency for Education 
P.O. Box 380 
00531 Helsinki 

FRANCE 

Unité française d’Eurydice 
Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et des 
sports (MENJS) 
Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et 
de l'Innovation (MESRI) 
Direction de l’évaluation, de la prospective et de la 
performance (DEPP) 
Mission aux relations européennes et internationales 
(MIREI) 
61-65, rue Dutot  
75732 Paris Cedex 15 

GERMANY 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle des Bundes 
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)  
Heinrich-Konen Str. 1  
53227 Bonn 

Eurydice-Informationsstelle der Länder im Sekretariat der 
Kultusministerkonferenz 
Taubenstraße 10 
10117 Berlin 

GREECE 
Hellenic Eurydice Unit 
Directorate for European and International Affairs 
Directorate-General for International and European Affairs, 
Hellenic Diaspora and Intercultural Education  
Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs 
37 Andrea Papandreou Street (Office 2172) 
15180 Amarousion (Attiki) 

HUNGARY 

Hungarian Eurydice Unit 
Educational Authority 
19-21 Maros Str. 
1122 Budapest 

ICELAND 

Eurydice Unit 
The Directorate of Education 
Víkurhvarfi 3 
203 Kópavogur  

 
 
 
 
 
IRELAND 

NORTH MACEDONIA 

A c k n o w l e d g e m e n t s  

Eurydice Unit 
Department of Education and Skills (DES) 
International Section 
Marlborough Street 
Dublin 1 – DO1 RC96 

ITALY 

Unità italiana di Eurydice 
Istituto Nazionale di Documentazione, Innovazione e 
Ricerca Educativa (INDIRE) 
Agenzia Erasmus+ 
Via C. Lombroso 6/15 
50134 Firenze 

LATVIA 

Eurydice Unit 
State Education Development Agency 
Vaļņu street 1 (5th floor) 
1050 Riga 

LIECHTENSTEIN 

Informationsstelle Eurydice 
Schulamt des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 
Austrasse 79 
Postfach 684 
9490 Vaduz 

LITHUANIA 

Eurydice Unit 
National Agency for Education 
M. Katkaus Str. 44,  
LT-09217 Vilnius 

LUXEMBOURG 

Unité nationale d'Eurydice  
ANEFORE ASBL  
eduPôle Walferdange 
Bâtiment 03 - étage 01 
Route de Diekirch 
7220 Walferdange 

MALTA 

Eurydice National Unit 
Directorate for Research, Lifelong Learning and 
Employability 
Ministry for Education and Employment 
Great Siege Road 
Floriana VLT 2000 

MONTENEGRO 

Eurydice Unit 
Vaka Djurovica bb 
81000 Podgorica  

NETHERLANDS 

Eurydice Nederland 
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap  
Directie Internationaal Beleid  
Rijnstraat 50  
2500 BJ Den Haag  

National Eurydice Unit 
National Agency for European Educational Programmes 
and Mobility 
Boulevard Kuzman Josifovski Pitu, No. 17 
1000 Skopje 

NORWAY 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education and Research 
Kirkegata 18  
P.O. Box 8119 Dep. 
0032 Oslo 

POLAND 

Polish Eurydice Unit 
Foundation for the Development of the Education System 
Aleje Jerozolimskie 142A 
02-305 Warszawa 

PORTUGAL 

Unidade Portuguesa da Rede Eurydice (UPRE) 
Direção-Geral de Estatísticas da Educação  
Av. 24 de Julho, 134 
1399-054 Lisboa 

ROMANIA 

Eurydice Unit  
National Agency for Community Programmes in the Field of 
Education and Vocational Training 
Universitatea Politehnică București 
Biblioteca Centrală 
Splaiul Independenței, nr. 313 
Sector 6  
060042 București 

SERBIA 

Eurydice Unit Serbia 
Foundation Tempus 
Ruze Jovanovic 27a 
11000 Belgrade 

SLOVAKIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Slovak Academic Association for International Cooperation 
Krížkova 9 
811 04 Bratislava  

SLOVENIA 

Eurydice Unit 
Ministry of Education, Science and Sport 
Department of Educational Development and Quality 
Masarykova 16 
1000 Ljubljana 

SPAIN 

Eurydice España-REDIE 
Instituto Nacional de Evaluación Educativa (INEE) 
Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional 
Paseo del Prado, 28 
28014 Madrid 

T h e   O r g a n i s a t i o n   o f   t h e   A c a d e m i c   Y e a r   i n   E u r o p e  –   2 0 2 0/ 2 1  

SWEDEN 

Eurydice Unit 
Universitets- och högskolerådet/ 
Box 4030 
171 04 Solna 

SWITZERLAND 

Eurydice Unit 
Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) 
Speichergasse 6 
3001 Bern 

TURKEY  

Eurydice Unit  
MEB, Strateji Geliştirme Başkanlığı (SGB) 
Eurydice Türkiye Birimi, Merkez Bina 4. Kat 
B-Blok Bakanlıklar 
06648 Ankara 

UNITED KINGDOM 

Eurydice Unit for England, Wales and Northern Ireland  
Department for Education (DfE) 
Sanctuary Buildings 
Great Smith Street 
London SW1P 3BT 

Eurydice Unit Scotland 
Learning Directorate 
Scottish Government 
2-C North  
Victoria Quay  
Edinburgh EH6 6QQ 

 
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The Organisation of the Academic Year in Europe – 2020/21

The academic calendar contains national data on how the academic year is structured
(beginning of the academic year, term times, holidays and examination periods).
Differences between university and non‐university study programmes are also
highlighted. The information is available for 37 countries.

The Eurydice network’s task is to understand and explain how Europe’s different
education systems are organised and how they work. The network provides
descriptions of national education systems, comparative studies devoted to specific
topics, indicators and statistics. All Eurydice publications are available free of charge on
the Eurydice website or in print upon request. Through its work, Eurydice aims to
promote understanding, cooperation, trust and mobility at European and international
levels. The network consists of national units located in European countries and is
coordinated by the EU Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency. For more
information about Eurydice, see http://ec.europa.eu/eurydice.

ISBN 978-92-9484-342-5
doi:10.2797/22158