The following list shows the different holiday periods for each level of study. Full dates are at the bottom of the page.
The University closure for Christmas and New Year applies to all students, regardless of what they are studying.
Contact your School Office if you have any queries about semester dates for your programme.
For previous semester dates please see the PDFs at the bottom of the webpage.
Holiday periods for each level of study
- Undergraduate (UG) Students (for example MA, BSc, BEng)
-
- Winter Break
- Spring Break
- Summer after term has ended until term resumes in September
The 4-month visa period after a UG student’s official course end date (as shown on the CAS) is outside term-time.
- Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Students (for example MSc, MBA, MLitt, LLM)
-
- Winter Break
- Spring Break
PGT students are not classed as being on holiday over the summer because they are still engaging in their studies. They are only permitted to do a work placement if it is an integral and assessed part of the course.
The 4-month visa period after a PGT student’s official course end date (as shown on the CAS) is outside term-time.
- Postgraduate Research (PGR) Students (for example PhD)
-
- Winter break
Postgraduate research programmes run for the full academic year, so students do not follow the standard vacation periods.
PhD students can request an authorised holiday absence from their School. The maximum period permitted is 60 days in any rolling 12-month period. This absence must not impact on the student’s ability to complete their PhD on time.
PhD students who are writing-up their thesis, waiting for their viva or completing corrections following their viva, are still classed as engaging in their studies.
- Visa Regulations
-
If you have a Student/Tier 4 visa which gives you permission to work 20 hours per week during term-time (as shown on your BRP), you are permitted to work full-time during the University’s official holiday periods for your programme/level of study. There are some restrictions. Further information can be found on the UKCISA: UK Council for International Student Affairs web pages at: UKCISA - international student advice and guidance - Student work
Students on a Visit or Short-term Study visa are prohibited from working.
There are no restrictions on work for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who have been granted pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
If you have any queries about work permission, these should be sent to: student.international@abdn.ac.uk
The University of Aberdeen does not restrict students from travel during official holiday periods.
Term Dates for 2023-2024
- Students for all First Degrees (except MBChB and BDS) and for Taught Postgraduate Programmes (unless otherwise specified)
-
FIRST HALF-SESSION
SECOND HALF-SESSION
Term Opens
Monday 11 September 2023
Term opens
Monday 15 January 20241
Teaching commences
Monday 18 September 2023
Teaching commences
Monday 22 January 2024
Term Closes
Friday 15 December 2023
Spring break commences
Monday 1 April 2024
Spring break ends*
Friday 19 April 2024
Term Closes
Friday 17 May 2024
1Students studying on the UG Medical Sciences degrees will commence their Honours projects w/c 8 January 2024
- Students studying at the University’s Campus in Qatar
-
FIRST HALF-SESSION
SECOND HALF-SESSION
Term Opens
Sunday 10 September 2023
Term opens
Sunday 14 January 2024
Teaching commences
Sunday 17 September 2023
Teaching commences
Sunday 21 January 2024
Term Closes
Thursday 14 December 2023
Spring break commences
Sunday 31 March 2024
Spring break ends*
Thursday 18 April 2024
Term Closes
Thursday 16 May 2024
- Students for the Degrees of MBChB
-
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
THIRD YEAR
Winter Term Opens
Monday 11 September 2023
Monday 11 September 2023
Monday 11 September 2023
Winter Term Closes
Friday 15 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Spring Term Opens
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Spring Term Closes
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
Summer Term Opens
Monday 22 April 2024
Monday 15 April 2024
Monday 6 May 2024
Summer Term Closes
Friday 10 May 2024
Friday 7 June 2024
Friday 19 July 2024
FOURTH YEAR
FIFTH YEAR
Winter Term Opens
Monday 7 August 2023
Monday 14 August 2023
Winter Term Closes
Friday 22 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Spring Term Opens
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Spring Term Closes
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 26 April 2024
Summer Term Opens
Monday 15 April 2024
Monday 29 April 2024
Summer Term Closes
Friday 28 June 2024
Friday 2 June 2024
- Students for the Degree of BDS
-
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
THIRD YEAR
FOURTH YEAR
Winter Term Opens
Monday 4 September 2023
Monday 28 August 2023
Monday 28 August 2023
Monday 28 August 2023
Winter Term Closes
Friday 15 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
Spring Term Opens
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Monday 8 January 2024
Spring Term Closes
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 29 March 2024
Friday 29 March 2024
Summer Term Opens
Monday 8 April 2024
Monday 8 April 2024
Monday 8 April 2024
Monday 8 April 2024
Summer Term Closes
Friday 7 July 2024
Friday 7 July 2024
Friday 7 July 2024
Friday 26 May 2024
- Students for the MSc in Physician Associate Studies
-
FIRST YEAR
SECOND YEAR
Term 1 Opens
Monday 9 January 2023
Term 1 Opens
Monday 21 November 2022
Term 1 Closes
Friday 31 March 2023
Term 1 Closes
Friday 31 March 2023
Term 2 Opens
Mon 10 April 2023
Term 2 Opens
Monday 17 April 2023
Term 2 Closes
Friday 14 July 2023
Term 2 Closes
Friday 11 August 2023
Term 3 Opens
Monday 31 July 2023
Term 3 Opens
Monday 21 August 2023
Term 3 Closes
Friday 20 October 2023
Term 3 Closes
Friday 1 December 2023
Placement Preparation
Monday 6 November 2023 – Friday 12 November 2023
- Students for the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (Primary and Secondary)
-
Winter Term Opens
Monday 14 August 2023
Winter Term Closes
Friday 15 December 2023
Spring Term Opens
Monday 8 January 2024
Spring Term Closes
Thursday 28 March 2024
Summer Term Opens
Monday 15 April 2024
Summer Term Closes
Friday 31 May 2024
- Students for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Childhood Practice
-
Winter Term Opens
Monday 28 August 2023
Winter Term Closes
Monday 8 January 2024
Spring Term Opens
Wednesday 10 January 2024
Spring Term Closes
Friday 24 May 2024
Term Dates for 2024 - 2025
- Students for all First Degrees (except MBChB and BDS) and for Taught Postgraduate Programmes (unless otherwise specified)
-
TERM 1
Term Opens
Monday 16 September 2024
Teaching Commences
Monday 23 September 2024
Term Closes
Friday 20 December 2024
TERM 2
Term Opens
Monday 20 January 2025
Teaching Commences
Monday 27 January 2025
Spring Break Commences
Monday 24 March 2025
Spring Break Ends
Friday 11 April 2025
Term Closes
Friday 16 May 2025
TERM 3 (PGT)
Term Opens
Monday 9 June 2025
Teaching Commences
Monday 9 June 2025
Term Closes
Friday 29 August 2025
- Students studying at the University’s Campus in Qatar
-
TERM 1
Term Opens
Sunday 15 September 2024
Teaching Commences
Sunday 22 September 2024
Term Closes
Thursday 19 December 2024
TERM 2
Term Opens
Sunday 19 January 2025
Teaching Commences
Sunday 26 January 2025
Spring Break Commences
Sunday 23 March 2025
Spring Break Ends
Thursday 10 April 2025
Term Closes
Thursday 15 May 2025
TERM 3 (PGT)
Term Opens
Sunday 8 June 2025
Teaching Commences
Sunday 8 June 2025
Term Closes
Thursday 28 August 2025