Longer breaks, clearer plans for UAE university students in new academic calendar
University students are set to benefit from longer, more predictable New Year breaks and clearer summer schedules after UAE authorities approved a unified academic calendar for higher education institutions over the next three years.The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has signed off on a three-year academic calendar covering 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029, standardising semester timelines and holiday periods across federal and private universities nationwide.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.For students, the most noticeable change will be consistent winter breaks running from late December into early January, making it easier to plan travel, family time and seasonal work around the New Year — traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in the UAE.Why it matters to studentsBeyond longer end-of-year breaks, the new structure introduces clearer semester boundaries and fixed summer windows, helping students better plan:Internships and work placementsOverseas travel or exchange programmesProfessional courses and certificationsGraduation timelinesSummer semesters will run for six weeks, offering flexibility for students who want to accelerate their studies or balance academic commitments with employment.Who the calendar applies toThe calendar applies to all UAE-based federal and private higher education institutions, while international branch campuses may continue aligning their academic year start and end dates with their parent universities abroad.Universities will still have limited flexibility to:Adjust the start and end of the academic yearOrganise summer semestersShift the start of breaks by up to one week, without changing the overall holiday durationKey dates students should know2026–2027Academic year starts: 31 August 2026Winter break: 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027Classes resume: 4 January 2027Spring break: 5–9 April 2027Summer semester: 24 May – 2 July 2027Academic year ends: 2 July 20272027–2028Academic year starts: 30 August 2027Winter break: 20–31 December 2027Classes resume: 3 January 2028Spring break: 27–31 March 2028Summer semester: 22 May – 30 June 2028Academic year ends: 30 June 20282028–2029Academic year starts: 28 August 2028Winter break: 18–29 December 2028Classes resume: 2 January 2029Spring break: 26–30 March 2029Summer semester: 21 May – 29 June 2029Academic year ends: 29 June 2029Teaching weeks at a glanceEach academic year will include:16 teaching weeks in the first semester17 teaching weeks in the second semesterSix teaching weeks in the summer semesterOfficial holidays and scheduled breaks are excluded from teaching weeks.Education officials say the unified structure is designed to create a more balanced academic experience, giving students greater certainty when planning their academic, professional and personal commitments.UAE schools warn against missing days between Eid Al Etihad and winter breakUAE: Festive week begins in Indian schools as some students prepare for CBSE exams
University students are set to benefit from longer, more predictable New Year breaks and clearer summer schedules after UAE authorities approved a unified academic calendar for higher education institutions over the next three years.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has signed off on a three-year academic calendar covering 2026–2027, 2027–2028 and 2028–2029, standardising semester timelines and holiday periods across federal and private universities nationwide.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
For students, the most noticeable change will be consistent winter breaks running from late December into early January, making it easier to plan travel, family time and seasonal work around the New Year — traditionally one of the busiest travel periods in the UAE.
Why it matters to students
Beyond longer end-of-year breaks, the new structure introduces clearer semester boundaries and fixed summer windows, helping students better plan:
Internships and work placements
Overseas travel or exchange programmes
Professional courses and certifications
Graduation timelines
Summer semesters will run for six weeks, offering flexibility for students who want to accelerate their studies or balance academic commitments with employment.
Who the calendar applies to
The calendar applies to all UAE-based federal and private higher education institutions, while international branch campuses may continue aligning their academic year start and end dates with their parent universities abroad.
Universities will still have limited flexibility to:
Adjust the start and end of the academic year
Organise summer semesters
Shift the start of breaks by up to one week, without changing the overall holiday duration
Key dates students should know
2026–2027
Academic year starts: 31 August 2026
Winter break: 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027
Classes resume: 4 January 2027
Spring break: 5–9 April 2027
Summer semester: 24 May – 2 July 2027
Academic year ends: 2 July 2027
2027–2028Academic year starts: 30 August 2027
Winter break: 20–31 December 2027
Classes resume: 3 January 2028
Spring break: 27–31 March 2028
Summer semester: 22 May – 30 June 2028
Academic year ends: 30 June 2028
2028–2029Academic year starts: 28 August 2028
Winter break: 18–29 December 2028
Classes resume: 2 January 2029
Spring break: 26–30 March 2029
Summer semester: 21 May – 29 June 2029
Academic year ends: 29 June 2029
Teaching weeks at a glance
Each academic year will include:
16 teaching weeks in the first semester
17 teaching weeks in the second semester
Six teaching weeks in the summer semester
Official holidays and scheduled breaks are excluded from teaching weeks.
Education officials say the unified structure is designed to create a more balanced academic experience, giving students greater certainty when planning their academic, professional and personal commitments.
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