UAE Releases 2025–2026 Academic Calendar for All Universities University admissions in the UAE for the next academic year? The official calendar release is something most students, parents and staff at schools obviously tend to keep an eye out for, if not dread it come its time. The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has finally published the 2025–2026 academic calendar of UAE public and private universities. Here is the complete guide of the new schedule below.
Did you know? An aligned academic calendar helps institutions plan activities, admissions and fits into the global academic cycles, making it easier for students to pursue exchange programs and dual degrees.
So, when do classes start? What are the official breaks? In UAE do the private and public university calendars coincide at least in 2025–2026. In this guide, we will explore semester timelines, holidays, key differences and what it means for students, parents and international applicants.
Overview of the UAE Academic Calendar 2025–2026
The official UAE academic calendar 2025–2026 is also used in other universities within the UAE – whether public (state) or private. The academic year is split into two principal semesters with scheduled holiday break and test time
A concise list of dates of utmost significance follows:
- Academic Year Begins: Monday, August 25, 2025
- Winter Break: December 8, 2025 – January 4, 2026
- Second Semester Begins: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Spring Break: March 16 – March 29, 2026
- Academic Year Ends: July 3, 2026
The new UAE Higher Education schedule 2025 demands consistency, adding a quick definition for all to offer assistance.
Semester By Semester Breakdown: UAE University Calendar 2025
Regardless of your study timetable, commuting home, or internship scheduling being the order of the day, possessing the entire university calendar UAE 2025 is a must. Below is the semester by semester plan following official publication.
Note: The Islamic holidays such as Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha are based on moon sighting and their issuance will be done prior to date by UAE authorities.
First Semester
The first semester will be starting toward the end of August. The semester includes the key UAE semester start dates 2025 and also one of the nation's significant national holidays.
- Semester Start Date: Monday, August 25, 2025
- UAE National Day: 2nd - 3rd December 2025
- Winter Break: There is a long winter break from 8th December 2025 through 4th January 2026.
Second Semester (Spring 2026)
The second semester begins shortly after winter break and consists of a two-week spring break.
- Classes Resume: Monday, January 5, 2026
- Spring Break: March 16 - 29, 2026
- Closeout Academic Year: July 3, 2026
How is the UAE Ministry of Education Structuring the 2025 University Calendar?
The UAE Ministry of Education calendar, as executed by MoHESR, is one strategic step toward establishing a standard and more flexible system. It standardizes some key milestones but then gives institutions some amounts of flexibility.
- Each semester approximately covers 15 weeks of instruction plus an exam period.
- Flexibility: The core start and end dates for every institution are required. They can change an individual holiday date by up to a week but not lengthen the overall duration of the break.
- Alignment: This aligned format guarantees that the schedule for higher education is aligned with the school calendar. It will be simpler for households with young children to arrange their time and make breaks coincide together.
An important quote to consider
This new calendar reflects the commitment of the government in having a more student-centric education system. Said Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, "This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs.”
Differences Between Public & Private University Calendars in the UAE
Are the UAE public and private university calendars identical for 2025–2026?
Not exactly, but very close. The overall academic calendar is identical, but there are subtleties:
- Public (Federal) Universities: It is the word-for-word duty of institutions such as Zayed University and UAE University to work under the MoHESR calendar.
- Private Universities: The private university term dates UAE may have minor differences. Those with foreign connections might modify their schedules to accommodate their home country school year. For instance, a trimester-operating university might have different break schedules but retain national public holidays.
The accommodation allows all institutions to have their own curriculum needs within an orderly national framework.
What This Means for Students and Universities
The issuance of the new academic year UAE universities calendar makes more than dates—it makes choices throughout the landscape of higher education.
- For Students: The accuracy of semester commencement and end dates facilitates admissions and visa processing for new students. International students are also more able to plan travel and coordinate with countries.
- For Universities: The organized calendar permits colleges to solidify course timing, align faculty recruitment, and arrange campus services in advance.
A key Statistic: The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) reports that student numbers in Dubai's private sector higher education increased by a notable 20% in the 2024-25 academic year, while international students increased by an even more staggering 29%. This reflects the increasing demand for a definitively stated, one calendar to accommodate this diverse and changing student population.
UAE University Holiday Calendar 2025–2026
Following are some of the most important UAE public university holidays 2025 and academic breaks that will impact public as well as private universities.
Holiday | Start Date | End Date | Key Notes |
Winter Break | Dec 8, 2025 | Jan 4, 2026 | A four-week rest period. |
Spring Break | Mar 16, 2026 | Mar 29, 2026 | A two-week break |
UAE National Day | Dec 2, 2025 | Dec 3, 2025 | All institutions observe these dates. |
Eid Al Fitr | TBC | TBC | Exact dates announced based on moon sighting. |
Eid Al Adha | TBC | TBC | Exact dates announced based on moon sighting. |
FAQs
Start of the UAE academic year 2025-2026?
Most private and federal higher educational institutions in the UAE begin academic action on August 25, 2025.
What are the UAE university 2025 semester start and end dates?
The first semester begins on August 25, 2025, and the second semester begins on January 5, 2026. The academic year ends on July 3, 2026.
Is the 2025-2026 year of private schools or public schools in UAE determined?
In general, yes. They both are on the unified calendar but maybe with minor variations in their mid-term break or summer terms to accommodate their syllabus.
Is the UAE university academic year for 2025–2026 the same in weeks?
There are both semesters composed of 15–16 weeks of instructional classes with a total of 32 academic weeks, excluding summer recesses and additional summer sessions.
What are the UAE university exam timetables in 2025–2026?
Tests normally are at the end of every semester. Although there is no specific calendar with clear exam weeks, these will be in the last few weeks of every term, prior to breaks for holidays. Students need to verify their own university calendar for such dates.
Last Thoughts: Plan Ahead with the UAE Academic Calendar 2025–2026
The new academic calendar provides you with the framework that you require to plan with precision. From the uae semester start dates 2025 right down to public holidays and timetables for exams, the calendar provides you with a formal framework that is appropriate for academic continuity and for respect of culture. For program-by-program information in the most recent, it's always advisable to contact your institution directly.
26-05-2023
American University of Ras Al Khaimah 
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