Academic year dates
Find dates for the academic year, including teaching, consolidation and preparation weeks, vacation and assessment periods. Use these dates to plan your studies, work, and travel.
On this page
Who are these dates for?
These dates are for students whose programmes follow the University's standard academic year.
Some programmes have different schedules, particularly professional or vocational courses and the International Foundation Programme.
If you're unsure whether these dates apply to your programme, check with your school.
Looking for closure days or other University dates?
These academic year dates are for students.
For University closure days, bank holidays, and open days, see the Dates webpage.
Add dates to your personal calendar
Add academic year dates to your Outlook or mobile phone calendar to help you plan ahead.
Academic year timeline 2026/27
Use this timeline to see what happens during the academic year.
14 to 18 September 2026
Welcome Week
All taught students are expected on campus.
Learn about Welcome Week.
21 September to 11 December 2026
Teaching block 1 (TB1)
Teaching and assessment period.
Learn about teaching blocks.
26 to 30 October 2026
Consolidation Week
No regular teaching for most students, part-way through teaching block 1.
Learn about Consolidation Week.
7 to 11 December 2026
Assessment Preparation Week
No regular teaching for most students.
Learn about Assessment Preparation Week.
14 to 18 December 2026
Assessment period
Teaching block 1 assessments for most students.
Learn about assessment periods.
21 December 2026 to 8 January 2027
Winter vacation
No teaching for most students.
Find out what happens at the University during vacations.
11 to 15 January 2027
Preparation Week
No regular teaching for most students.
Learn about Preparation Week.
18 January to 30 April 2027
Teaching block 2 (TB2)
Teaching and assessment period.
Learn about teaching blocks.
22 to 26 February 2027
Consolidation Week
No regular teaching for most students, part-way through teaching block 2.
Learn about Consolidation Week.
22 March to 9 April 2027
Spring vacation
No teaching for most students.
Find out what happens at the University during vacations.
26 to 30 April 2027
Assessment Preparation Week
No regular teaching for most students.
Learn about Assessment Preparation Week.
4 to 21 May 2027
Assessment period
Teaching block 2 assessments for most students.
Learn about assessment periods.
Starts 31 May 2027
Summer vacation
Undergraduate teaching finishes.
Find out what happens at the University during vacations.
20 to 30 July 2027
Reassessment period
Learn about the reassessment period.
3 September 2027
Postgraduate taught (PGT) dissertation submission deadline
Welcome Week
Welcome Week is a week of events and activities at the start of the academic year. It helps new and returning students settle in before teaching begins.
What this means for you:
- All taught students are expected on campus during Welcome Week.
- You can attend events and activities to meet other students and get to know the University.
- Some activities are optional; others you must attend. Check with your school to find out which activities you must attend.
Teaching blocks
Teaching blocks are periods when teaching is scheduled.
What this means for you:
- Follow your programme's teaching timetable using the University of Bristol app.
- Plan your study time alongside your scheduled teaching.
- Check Blackboard and your University email for important messages.
- You may have coursework deadlines or timed assessments during a teaching block.
Consolidation Week
Consolidation weeks give you time to review what you've learned and support your work-life balance.
What this means for you:
- No scheduled teaching for most students. Check with your school whether you have any course-related activities to attend.
- Events, activities, and workshops still happen.
- University services (including libraries) remain open as usual.
You can use this time to:
- revise, work on coursework, or prepare for upcoming assessments
- take a break from studying and do activities you enjoy
- get to know other students or spend time with friends and family
- develop your skills by learning something new.
Preparation Week
This week gives you time to prepare for Teaching Block 2 and return to University life.
What this means for you:
- No scheduled teaching for most students. You may have coursework deadlines, timed assessments, or course-related activities. Check with your school if you have anything to attend.
- Events, activities, and workshops still happen.
- University services (including libraries) remain open as usual.
You can use this time to:
- review what you've learned
- do reading for Teaching Block 2
- attend activities, workshops and University events
- get to know other students and spend time with friends and family.
Assessment Preparation Week
Each teaching block includes an Assessment Preparation Week, where you have time to work on or prepare for assessments.
What this means for you:
- No scheduled teaching for most students. You may have coursework deadlines, timed assessments, or revision-related classes. Check with your school which activities you need to attend.
- Events, activities, and Study Skills workshops still happen during this time.
- University services (including libraries) remain open as usual.
You can use this time to:
- revise what you have learned
- work on coursework
- prepare for upcoming assessments.
Assessment and reassessment periods
Assessment periods are when many students have exams, coursework deadlines, and timed assessments.
What this means for you:
- Check your timetable in the University of Bristol app to find out what you need to attend. If you have any questions, contact your school.
- Check Blackboard and University emails for specific exam and assessment dates.
- If you need to retake an assessment, your school may schedule this during the reassessment period.
You can use this time to:
- revise what you've learned
- complete coursework
- prepare for assessments.
Vacations
Most students will not have scheduled teaching during University vacations.
Some students may have supervision, assessments, or other course-related activities. Check with your school whether you need to be available.
What this means for you:
- For most students, vacations are a time to rest, travel, and spend time away from teaching.
- Events, activities, and workshops still happen during this period.
- Most University services remain open during vacations, except on the University closure days.