Planning your academic year around Edinburgh University holidays and term dates makes all the difference. Whether you’re tracking semester 1 dates, semester 2 dates, or simply need to know when Welcome Week begins, understanding the University of Edinburgh calendar helps you stay ahead.
From Christmas holidays to Easter holidays and the summer break, this complete guide covers everything you need—but always check with your school for program-specific updates.
Edinburgh University Holidays 2025/2026
The academic year 2025/26 follows the standard semester structure. Here are the confirmed Edinburgh University holidays and key dates for this period:
Semester 1 Dates 2025/26
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 15 September 2025 | Welcome Week |
| 22 September 2025 | Semester 1 starts / Teaching block 1 starts |
| 24 October 2025 | Teaching block 1 ends |
| 27 October 2025 | Teaching block 2 starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| 5 December 2025 | Teaching block 2 ends |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 22 December 2025 | Semester 1 ends |
| 23 December 2025 | Winter teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | University closed dates |
| 11 January 2026 | Winter teaching vacation ends |
Semester 2 Dates 2025/26
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 7-9 January 2026 | January Welcome |
| 12 January 2026 | Semester 2 starts / Teaching block 3 starts |
| 13 February 2026 | Teaching block 3 ends |
| 16-20 February 2026 | Flexible Learning Week |
| 23 February 2026 | Teaching block 4 starts |
| 3 April 2026 | Teaching block 4 ends |
| 6-17 April 2026 | Spring teaching vacation |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 22 May 2026 | Semester 2 ends |
| 25 May 2026 | Summer teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| TBC | Resit examinations |
Edinburgh University Holidays 2026/2027
Here are the confirmed Edinburgh University holidays and term dates for the 2026/2027 period:
Semester 1 Dates 2026/27
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 14 September 2026 | Welcome Week |
| 21 September 2026 | Semester 1 starts / Teaching block 1 starts |
| 23 October 2026 | Teaching block 1 ends |
| 26 October 2026 | Teaching block 2 starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| 4 December 2026 | Teaching block 2 ends |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 21 December 2026 | Semester 1 ends |
| 22 December 2026 | Winter teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | University closed dates |
| 10 January 2027 | Winter teaching vacation ends |
Semester 2 Dates 2026/27
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 6-8 January 2027 | January Welcome |
| 11 January 2027 | Semester 2 starts / Teaching block 3 starts |
| 12 February 2027 | Teaching block 3 ends |
| 15-19 February 2027 | Flexible Learning Week |
| 22 February 2027 | Teaching block 4 starts |
| 2 April 2027 | Teaching block 4 ends |
| 5-16 April 2027 | Spring teaching vacation |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 21 May 2027 | Semester 2 ends |
| 24 May 2027 | Summer teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| TBC | Resit examinations |
Read more: Stirling University Holidays
Edinburgh University Holidays 2027/2028
Here are the provisional Edinburgh University holidays and term dates for the 2026/2027 period. Final confirmation is usually released closer to the academic year.
Semester 1 Dates 2027/28
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13 September 2027 | Welcome Week |
| 20 September 2027 | Semester 1 starts / Teaching block 1 starts |
| 22 October 2027 | Teaching block 1 ends |
| 25 October 2027 | Teaching block 2 starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| 3 December 2027 | Teaching block 2 ends |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 21 December 2027 | Semester 1 ends |
| 22 December 2027 | Winter teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | University closed dates |
| 14 January 2028 | Winter teaching vacation ends |
Semester 2 Dates 2027/28
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12-14 January 2028 | January Welcome |
| 17 January 2028 | Semester 2 starts / Teaching block 3 starts |
| 18 February 2028 | Teaching block 3 ends |
| 21-25 February 2028 | Flexible Learning Week |
| 28 February 2028 | Teaching block 4 starts |
| 7 April 2028 | Teaching block 4 ends |
| 10-21 April 2028 | Spring teaching vacation |
| TBC | Revision period |
| TBC | Examination dates |
| 26 May 2028 | Semester 2 ends |
| 29 May 2028 | Summer teaching vacation starts |
| TBC | Graduation dates |
| TBC | Resit examinations |
Key Dates for Postgraduate Students
Postgraduate taught programmes follow a slightly different rhythm. Most PGT students undertake a dissertation period or research project during the summer teaching vacation. These PGT dissertation summer period deadlines are critical, so don’t assume they match undergraduate schedules.
Important considerations for postgraduate students:
-
Dissertation deadlines typically fall between August and September
-
Research project deadlines vary significantly by school
-
Non-standard academic years apply to some programmes (e.g., certain MSc, MBA, and medical programmes)
-
Always check with your school for programme-specific academic calendars
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Also Read: Edinburgh College Holidays
FAQs
Q1. Does Edinburgh University have a reading week?
Yes, the Flexible Learning Week (typically February) serves as a reading week, giving students time for independent study and coursework catch-up.
Q2. When is the University of Edinburgh closed?
The university closes over the Christmas period (dates TBC annually) and on all UK public holidays. Check official channels for exact closure dates.
Q3. Are semester dates the same for all students?
No. Postgraduate taught programmes and non-standard academic years may have different schedules. Always check with your school directly.
Q4. How many teaching weeks are in each semester?
Semester 1 has approximately 11 teaching weeks, while Semester 2 has around 12 teaching weeks, excluding vacation periods.
Q5. Where can I find the most accurate dates?
The official University of Edinburgh semester dates page is your best source. Always check with your school for programme-specific updates.
Planning with Edinburgh University holidays and term dates saves you from last-minute stress. Whether you’re tracking semester 1 dates, looking for semester 2 dates, or planning around teaching block dates, this guide covers academic years.
Official Link
