As a student at Newcastle University, there’s a lot you need to keep track of, from exam dates to activities you can take part in. Here are all the calendar activities for students you need to note down.
This blog will cover 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 dates. We’ll keep this updated with relevant information.
Undergraduate:
The undergraduate academic year is organised into three terms. Major holidays (Christmas and Easter) occur between terms. The undergraduate academic year is also organised into two semesters.
- Semester one includes: one week of induction and registration, 12 teaching weeks and two examination weeks
- Semester two includes: 12 teaching weeks and three examination weeks
Postgraduate:
The postgraduate academic year is organised within the general framework of three terms and three semesters, with a dissertation undertaken entirely or in part during the semester three period from June to August.
2019/2020
|
Term |
Start date |
End date |
|
Autumn |
Monday 23 September 2019 |
Friday 13 December 2019 |
|
Spring |
Monday 6 January 2020 |
Friday 27 March 2020 |
|
Summer |
Monday 27 April 2020 |
Friday 12 June 2020 |
|
Semester |
Start date |
End date |
|
One |
Monday 23rd September 2019 |
Friday 24th 2020 |
|
Two |
Monday 27th January 2020 |
Friday 12 June 2020 |
|
Three |
Monday 15 June 2020 |
Friday 18 September 2020 |
2020/21
|
Term |
Start date |
End date |
|
Autumn |
Monday 28 September 2020 |
Friday 18 December 2020 |
|
Spring |
Monday 11 January 2021 |
Friday 26 March 2021 |
|
Summer |
Monday 26 April 2021 |
Friday 18 June 2021 |
|
Semester |
Start date |
End date |
|
One |
Monday 28 September 2020 |
Friday 29 January 2021 |
|
Two |
Monday 1 February 2021 |
Friday 18 June 2021 |
|
Three |
Monday 21 June 2021 |
Friday 17 September 2021 |
You can read more about our term and semester dates here.
Non-standard study periods
Some programmes offered at our campuses, as well as some programmes that are delivered at Newcastle, have term dates that are different from those given above. In these cases, students will be notified of term dates separately.
Exam dates
Further information on examination and resit periods is available on the Student Progress website. You are required to make yourself available for exams at all times during all three of the exam periods.
You should, therefore bear the dates of these periods in mind, especially when making arrangements for vacation employment and any overseas travel. We can't accept individual requests regarding the timing of exams.
University closure dates
The University will be closed on the following days in the current academic year:
- Wednesday 1st January (New Year's Day)
- Friday 10 April (Good Friday)
- Monday 13 April (Easter Monday)
- Friday 8 May (May Day Bank Holiday - moved to mark the 75th anniversary of VE day)
- Monday 25 May (Spring Bank Holiday)
- Monday 31 August (Late Summer Bank Holiday)
Notable events and dates for 2020
January 25th - Chinese New Year - Visit Chinatown and celebrate the Year of the Rat with dancers and a traditional Chinese Dragon.
February 14th - Valentine’s Day
February 25th - Shrove Tuesday - Experience Pancake Day and make delicious sweet treats with your flatmates.
March 9th - Holi - Celebrate this colourful festival with bright coloured powder and dancing. Newcastle University's Hindu and Sikh (HAS) Society presents to you the Festival of Colours and everybody’s welcome.
March 17th - St Patrick’s Day
March 22nd - Mothering Sunday - You can call your family using a free video call app like Skype and celebrate with your loved ones.
April 12th - Easter Sunday
April 24th - the start of Ramadan
May 24th - Eid ul Fitr
June 21st - Father’s Day
July 31st - Eid ul Adha
October 31st - Halloween - Dress-up in scary costumes and watch horror films with friends. You can learn more about this tradition here.
November 5th - Guy Fawkes Day - Bonfire Night is a fun evening filled with fireworks and popular foods like toffee apples. In Newcastle and the surrounding areas, there will usually be organised bonfires you can attend with friends. You can learn more about it here.
November 14th - Diwali
December 24th - Christmas Eve - During the Christmas time you can visit the markets and watch the tree light up in the city centre.
December 25th - Christmas Day
December 31st - New Year’s Eve - Bring in the new year and watch the countdown.
University timetable
Once registered on your programme, you can access a personalised timetable through the Student Portal which also has information on moving around campus, managing your library and print accounts and finding places for private study.
You can also view modules, programmes and individual timetables and there's guidance and short videos on how to use the portal.
If your degree programme has an optional component, your personal or stage tutors will advise you on the best module options to suit your particular academic interests.
Find out more about what student life would be like in Newcastle. In the run-up to the new academic year, we've created this handy blog to give you an insight into what you can expect this year.