From September 2024 the University of Reading will operate an academic year based on two semesters. View your teaching, assessment and vacation periods by week.

What is a University of Reading semester?

A semester is a 15-week study block. Each semester contains:

• 12 weeks of teaching, including a mid-semester week for undergraduate students
• Three weeks of assessment

You will normally study three 20-credit modules in a semester, and most of your 20 credit modules are designed to be taught and assessed within one semester. Some modules are taught across the whole year.

You will be expected to be on campus for the 12 weeks of teaching each semester and whilst you are undertaking assessments. It is also highly recommended you attend Welcome Week as this provides key orientation events for all students. 

During mid-semester week undergraduates may have a variety of enhancement activities as part of your programme, including careers, placement and field trip activities, taking part in mini conferences and presentations, revision sessions and the opportunity to catch-up on reading and assessments.

This image illustrates the structure of the new semester, also see our key dates for the next academic year.

Exceptions

Some courses are structured differently, typically those which include professional placements – check with your School or Department.

 

Postgraduate students

Students on full-time postgraduate taught courses starting in either September or January do not have a Summer vacation period. You may have teaching, assessment activities and/or a dissertation project taking place through the Summer. Therefore, you are in term time from the start of the Semester 2 until your official course end date as per your certificate of enrolment.