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.

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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
  
  2027–2028

• Academic 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
  
  2028–2029

• Academic 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.

Written by

Haneen Dajani

Haneen Dajani is special correspondent in Abu Dhabi with over 15 years of reporting experience. She’s also a passionate athlete, full Ironman finisher, and mountaineer who loves to embark on unusual challenges.