Semester dates

Please note that the semester dates below relate to the general teaching and examination periods at the University.

The Royal Agricultural University is similar to the majority of other British universities and operates its academic delivery via semesters. Programmes are taught across two semesters. For most students, your course will be taught and assessed in each semester with an examination period towards the end of each semester.

The semester dates are shown below.

Current year 2025 - 2026

  • New student induction: 22 - 26 September 2025
  • New student induction: w/c 19 January for January starters

N.B Arrival of students with on-campus accommodation: Sunday 21 September 2025

Semester Start End Length
1 29 September 2025 19 December 2025 12 weeks
Christmas 20 December 2025 11 January 2026 3 weeks
1 continued 12 January 2026 18 January 2026 1 week
2 19 January 2026 27 March 2026 10 weeks
Easter 28 March 2026 12 April 2026 2 weeks
2 continued 13 April 2026 22 May 2026 6 weeks

Exam periods

  • Semester 1 exam period begins – Monday 12 January 2026
  • Semester 2 exam period begins – Monday 11 May 2026

Next year 2026-2027
  • New student induction: 21 - 25 September 2026
  • New student induction: w/c 18 January for January starters

N.B Arrival of students with on-campus accommodation: Sunday 20 September 2026

Semester Start End Length
1 28 September 2026 18 December 2026 12 weeks
Christmas 19 December 2026 10 January 2027 3 weeks
1 continued 11 January 2027 17 January 2027 1 week
2 18 January 2027 19 March 2027 9 weeks
Easter 20 March 2027 4 April 2027 2 weeks
2 continued 5 April 2027 21 May 2027 7 weeks

Exam periods

  • Semester 1 exam period begins – Monday 11 January 2027
  • Semester 2 exam period begins – Monday 10 May 2027

 

Previous year 2024 - 2025
  • New student induction: 23 - 27 September 2024
  • New student induction: w/c 20 January for January starters

N.B Arrival of students with on-campus accommodation: Sunday 22 September 2024

Semester Start End Length
1 30 September 2024 20 December 2024 12 weeks
Christmas 21 December 2024 12 January 2025 3 weeks
1 continued 13 January 2025 19 January 2025 1 week
2 20 January 2025 4 April 2025 11 weeks
Easter 5 April 2025 27 April 2025 3 weeks
2 continued 28 April 2025 30 May 2025 5 weeks

Exam periods

  • Semester 1 exam period begins – Monday 13 January 2025
  • Semester 2 exam period begins – Monday 19 May 2025