University Key Date Exceptions for Postgraduate Students
The University teaching year follows a semester structure designed to support effective learning and course delivery. The key dates outline the semester structure for the academic year. More detailed, week by week information can be found on your Academic Year Planner 2026-27
There are specific exceptions for Postgraduate Students:
12 month postgraduate taught students – the summer is semester time. Postgraduate students may have teaching, assessment activities and/or a dissertation project taking place during the summer. Therefore, semester time commences from the start of semester 2 and continues until your official course end date, as per your certificate of enrolment with the exception of the 2-week vacation.
Student visa holders - By ’semester-time’ (the Home Office refers to this as ‘term-time’ as part of your Student visa conditions), we mean the official semester periods when you are expected to be on campus engaging with your programme. For all students, this is semester 1 and semester 2. For Postgraduate taught students this also includes the summer period from the end of semester 2 until your official course end date as stated on your certificate of enrolment, with the exception of the 2-week vacation.
Research students on full-time postgraduate research courses - are required to be in continuous attendance. Annual leave must be requested and authorised in line with the PGR Holiday Request process.
Important information
If you hold a Student visa to study in the UK, you are expected to be in the UK and attending all on campus activities during semester time. All study must be undertaken inside the UK, this includes online exams, and working on/submitting assessments and dissertations.
Mid-semester week does not apply to postgraduate students and is semester time.
Some programmes have start and end dates outside of the standard Academic Calendar. Details of these will be included in your programme-specific information.
International students who require further clarification and guidance around their specific vacation periods can access: