UAE announces academic calendar for higher education institutions for 2026-2027

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced the academic calendar for higher education institutions for the 2026-2027 academic year. This calendar is designed to encompass all public and private universities and colleges across the nation.

Institutions will commence the academic year on August 31, 2026. The fall semester is set to conclude on December 18, 2026, followed by a two-week winter break from December 21, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

The spring semester will begin on January 4, 2027, and will include a one-week spring break from April 5 to April 9, 2027. This semester will wrap up on May 14, 2027.

Additionally, a summer semester is scheduled to run from May 24, 2027, to July 2, 2027. The entire academic year will officially conclude on July 2, 2027.

While the calendar provides a structured framework, higher education institutions will have a degree of flexibility to adjust the start and end dates of their academic terms to align with their specific program requirements.