UAE rolls out 3-year academic calendar for universities

The UAE has approved the academic calendar for the next three years, covering 2026 to 2029, for all public and private higher education institutions.

Making the announcement, the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research said the calendar provides "flexibility for institutions in determining start and end dates based on programme requirements".

• For the 2026–2027 academic year, classes will begin on August 31, 2026, with the school year ending on July 2, 2027.
  • The winter break will run from December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027, the spring break from April 5 to 9, 2027, and Summer semester from May 24, 2027, to July 2, 2027.
• The 2027–2028 academic year will start on August 30, 2027 and conclude on June 30, 2028.
  • The winter break is scheduled from December 20 to December 31, 2027, the spring break from March 22 to March 31, 2028, and Summer Semester from May 22 to June 30, 2028.
• The 2028–2029 academic year will commence on August 28, 2028, with the final school day set for June 29, 2029.
  • The winter break will run from December 18 to December 29, 2028, the spring break is set for March 26 to March 30, 2029, and Summer Semester from May 21 to June 29, 2029. 

The structure allocates 16 teaching weeks for the first semester, 17 for the second semester, and six for the summer semester, excluding official holidays and breaks from the total teaching weeks.

The new academic calendar ensures a balanced and well-structured academic framework that evenly distributes study periods and breaks, enhancing students’ learning and overall academic experience and supporting a broader vision to enhance the quality, stability, and efficiency of the higher education ecosystem.

The announcement comes after the UAE Ministry of Education also released the school calendar for the next three academic years.