When does the Dutch academic year start?

The Dutch academic year typically starts on 1 September. However, most universities hold an orientation or introduction week in late August. Some master's programmes may have different start dates.

How long is the Christmas break at Dutch universities?

The Christmas/winter break is typically around two weeks, from approximately 22 December to 2 January. Some universities add collective days off around this period. Exact dates vary by institution.

When are exam periods in the Netherlands?

This depends on your university's system. Many use a period/block system with 7 weeks of teaching followed by 1 week of exams. Others have dedicated exam windows in January/February and June/July, with a summer resit window.

Can I take holidays during the semester?

Exam dates are fixed and non-negotiable. While lecture attendance may not always be mandatory, you'll miss crucial content. Plan holidays during official breaks only.

King's Day (Koningsdag) on 27 April celebrates the Dutch King's birthday. It's a national holiday with street parties and festivals. All universities are closed.

Do all Dutch universities follow the same calendar?

No. While the general structure is similar (two semesters, September to June), exact dates for teaching periods, exam weeks, and holidays differ. Some use a block system while others follow a traditional semester model.

Academic Year Overview

Dutch Academic Calendar 2025–2026

Semester dates, public holidays, exam periods, and breaks — everything you need to plan your year at a Dutch university.

Typical Semester Dates

Most Dutch universities follow this general structure — but always confirm with your specific institution

Semester 1

1 September 2025 – 30 January 2026

Semester 2

2 February 2026 – 26 June 2026

Summer Break

29 June – 28 August 2026

Orientation Week

Orientation / introduction weeks often happen in late August, right before teaching starts.

National Public Holidays

Universities are closed on these days — no lectures, no exams

🎄

Christmas Day

25 December 2025

🎄

Boxing Day

26 December 2025

🎆

New Year's Day

1 January 2026

✝️

Good Friday

3 April 2026

🐣

Easter Sunday & Monday

5–6 April 2026

🧡

King's Day

27 April 2026

🇳🇱

Liberation Day

5 May 2026

☁️

Ascension Day

14 May 2026

🕊️

Whit Sunday & Monday

24–25 May 2026

Winter / Christmas Break

The longest break during the academic year

Typically 22 December – 2 January

About two weeks off over the holiday period

📅 UvA Example

UvA lists no teaching or exams from 22 Dec 2025 to 2 Jan 2026.

⚠️ Collective Days Off

Some universities add extra closure days around holidays (these vary by institution). UvA, for instance, lists additional collective days off in May.

Exam Periods & Resits

Two common exam structures at Dutch universities

Period / Block System

With an exam week at the end of each block

Erasmus School of Economics describes five blocks, each 8 weeks (7 teaching + 1 exam)
Many bachelor resits are scheduled in July

Multiple Exam Moments + Summer Resits

Erasmus ESHCC calendar example

Late Oct / early Nov 2025: study/exams weeks
Late Jan 2026: study / exams week
Late Mar / early Apr 2026: study / exams week (around Good Friday / Easter)
Late Jun to mid Jul 2026: resit period
Mid Jul to late Aug 2026: education-free / summer period

Note

Exact timing depends on your university and programme, but the overall "shape" is very typical across Dutch universities.

Planning Tips for International Students

Smart scheduling advice to make the most of your year

Arrive in time for late-August orientation

If your programme offers it, orientation is helpful for registration, scheduling, and meeting classmates.

Avoid booking long trips during exam periods

Avoid booking long trips in January, late May/June, and July until you know your exam / resit dates.

King's Day & Ascension Day affect schedules

Holidays like King's Day and Ascension Day can affect teaching schedules and campus services. Some universities also add closure days.

Need Help Planning Your Academic Year?

When you shortlist programmes, always check the programme-specific academic calendar (some faculties use different blocks, exam windows, or internship periods). Tell StudyPath your target university and programme, and we can map out a realistic arrival date, housing timeline, and "no-travel" exam windows for 2025–2026.

Map out your realistic arrival date
Plan your housing timeline
Identify "no-travel" exam windows for your programme

Frequently Asked Questions

Classes start in early September. Orientation/introduction weeks often happen in late August, right before teaching starts.

Many universities pause teaching around late December and early January. For example, UvA lists no teaching or exams from 22 Dec 2025 to 2 Jan 2026.

There are two common patterns. Some programmes run in blocks where the last week is reserved for exams (e.g. Erasmus School of Economics describes five blocks, each 8 weeks with 7 teaching + 1 exam). Others have multiple exam moments across the year plus a big resit window in summer.

Not all Dutch universities follow one national timetable, but most share a very similar rhythm: classes start in early September, there is a winter/Christmas break, teaching continues into late June, and July–August is mainly for resits, thesis work, and summer break.