| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2025 | National public holiday marking the start of the year; university closed, ideal for rest before academic preparations. |
| 🇦🇺 | Australia Day Holiday | 27 January 2025 | Observed holiday for Australia Day; affects all students and staff with a day off for national celebrations. |
| 📅 | Semester 1 Orientation Week Begins | 17 February 2025 | Week for new students to acclimate, attend workshops, and meet faculty; crucial for international arrivals. |
| 📚 | Semester 1 Classes Start | 24 February 2025 | Official start of teaching for Semester 1; students begin courses and tutorials. |
| 🏙️ | Canberra Day Holiday | 10 March 2025 | Local holiday in ACT; university activities paused for community events. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday Holiday | 18 April 2025 | Part of Easter break; time for reflection and family. |
| 🐰 | Easter Monday Holiday | 21 April 2025 | Continuation of Easter observances; extended break for students. |
| 🕊️ | Anzac Day Holiday | 25 April 2025 | Commemoration of military service; dawn services common in Canberra. |
| 🛑 | Semester 1 Teaching Ends | 30 May 2025 | Conclusion of classes; preparation for exams begins. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Examination Period | 9 June 2025 | Main exam window; affects all enrolled students. |
| 👑 | King's Birthday Holiday | 9 June 2025 | Public holiday; may overlap with study periods. |
| 🏖️ | Mid-Year Break Begins | 30 June 2025 | Break between semesters for travel and rest. |
| 👋 | Semester 2 Orientation | 21 July 2025 | Orientation for mid-year entrants. |
| 🏫 | Semester 2 Classes Start | 28 July 2025 | Commencement of second semester teaching. |
| 👷 | Labour Day Holiday | 6 October 2025 | ACT public holiday celebrating workers' rights. |
| 📆 | Semester 2 Teaching Ends | 31 October 2025 | End of classes for the year. |
| 🧠 | Semester 2 Examination Period | 10 November 2025 | Final exams before summer break. |
| 🎓 | Graduation Ceremonies | 15 December 2025 | Celebration for completing students. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day Holiday | 25 December 2025 | Festive holiday; university closed. |
| 🎁 | Boxing Day Holiday | 26 December 2025 | Post-Christmas relaxation day. |
Are you planning on applying to ANU next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at ANU. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📝 | Domestic Undergraduate Applications Open | 1 August 2025 | Start of application period for Australian students via UAC or direct. |
| 🌍 | International Undergraduate Applications Deadline | 30 November 2025 | Final date for overseas applicants for Semester 1 entry. |
| 🏆 | Scholarship Applications Close | 15 December 2025 | Deadline for merit-based scholarships. |
| 📊 | ATAR Release Date | 18 December 2025 | Australian Tertiary Admission Rank results released. |
| 📬 | Main Round Offers | 15 January 2026 | Primary offers for domestic undergraduate places. |
| 🎓 | Postgraduate Applications Deadline | 31 January 2026 | Closing for most master's programs. |
| 👏 | Orientation for New Admits | 16 February 2026 | Welcome events for accepted students. |
| 🗓️ | Enrollment Deadline | 20 February 2026 | Last day to accept offers and enroll. |
| 🔄 | Mid-Year Applications Open | 1 March 2026 | For Semester 2 entry. |
| ✈️ | International Postgraduate Deadline | 31 May 2026 | For overseas graduate applicants. |
| ✅ | Mid-Year Offers Released | 15 June 2026 | Admissions decisions for July intake. |
| 📋 | Final Enrollment for Mid-Year | 20 July 2026 | Deadline to confirm places. |
The Australian National University (ANU) academic calendar is meticulously structured to support a vibrant learning environment in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. As Australia's premier research institution, ANU operates on a semester system with two main teaching periods, supplemented by summer and winter sessions for flexibility. This setup aligns with the southern hemisphere's seasons, ensuring that academic activities harmonize with national holidays and local traditions. For instance, the calendar incorporates public holidays like Australia Day and Anzac Day, which hold significant cultural importance and provide students with opportunities to engage in national commemorations. The calendar's design reflects ANU's commitment to academic excellence, balancing rigorous coursework with necessary breaks to prevent burnout. Historically, ANU's calendar has evolved to accommodate growing international student populations, incorporating considerations for diverse cultural observances. Compared to other Australian universities, ANU's calendar offers extended research periods, ideal for its strong emphasis on postgraduate studies. Students benefit from this structure by planning their academic journeys effectively, while faculty can align research grants and publications with term timelines. International students find the calendar helpful for coordinating travel back home during longer breaks. To get insights from peers, check out Rate My Professor for professor reviews that can aid in course selection based on teaching styles during different semesters.
At ANU, semesters are designed to provide a balanced pace for learning and assessment. The first semester typically begins in late summer, allowing students to settle into the academic year amid Canberra's mild weather. This period is crucial for class planning, where students select courses that align with their degree requirements and career goals. Tips for effective planning include reviewing prerequisites early and consulting academic advisors. ANU's calendar supports this by offering orientation weeks filled with workshops on time management and study skills. Ratings from Rate My Professor can be invaluable here, helping students choose professors known for engaging lectures or fair grading. The second semester follows a mid-year break, refreshing students for intensive studies leading into end-of-year assessments. International students often use this structure to plan part-time work or internships, ensuring they meet visa requirements. Overall, ANU's approach fosters a supportive environment for academic success.
Exam periods at ANU are strategically placed at the end of each semester to allow ample preparation time. These schedules typically include a study week before finals, giving students space to review materials without the pressure of ongoing classes. Preparation tips include forming study groups and utilizing ANU's extensive library resources. Faculty often provide revision sessions, and past exam papers are available for practice. The calendar's design minimizes conflicts with major holidays, ensuring focused study time. For those seeking professor-specific advice, Rate My Professor offers reviews on exam styles and difficulty levels.
ANU's academic calendar integrates key Australian holidays, providing essential breaks for rest and cultural participation. Holidays like Australia Day allow students to explore national identity through events in Canberra, while Anzac Day offers reflection on historical significance. Easter breaks coincide with autumn, ideal for short trips or family time. The mid-year break is perfect for travel, with many students heading to coastal areas or international destinations. Spring breaks, though not formally named as such, align with warmer weather for outdoor activities. Planning tips include booking travel early and checking for university events during these periods. These breaks are vital for mental health, allowing recharge before intense academic phases. International students appreciate how the calendar aligns with global holidays, facilitating home visits.
Faculty at ANU follow a work schedule tied to the academic calendar, with deadlines for grant submissions and paper reviews often aligning with semester starts. This structure helps in managing teaching loads alongside research commitments. Staff benefit from clear timelines for professional development activities.
ANU emphasizes faculty meetings at key calendar points for curriculum planning and grading discussions. Staff are encouraged to explore job opportunities via Higher Ed Jobs. We invite employees to rate their employer on our platform to share experiences.
ANU maintains archives of past calendars, showing patterns like consistent semester lengths. Future calendars continue this tradition, adapting to emerging needs like online learning integrations.
Major events like orientation and commencement are highlights of the ANU calendar. Invite students to rate professors or view results to enhance event experiences.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Holiday | 1 January 2026 | Start of the year with university closure. |
| 🇦🇺 | Australia Day Holiday | 26 January 2026 | National day of celebration. |
| 📅 | Semester 1 Orientation Week | 16 February 2026 | Welcoming new students. |
| 📚 | Semester 1 Classes Begin | 23 February 2026 | Teaching commences. |
| 🏙️ | Canberra Day Holiday | 9 March 2026 | Local ACT holiday. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday Holiday | 3 April 2026 | Easter observance. |
| 🐰 | Easter Monday Holiday | 6 April 2026 | Extended Easter break. |
| 🕊️ | Anzac Day Holiday | 25 April 2026 | Remembrance day. |
| 🛑 | Semester 1 Ends | 29 May 2026 | Teaching conclusion. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Exams | 8 June 2026 | Examination period. |
| 👑 | King's Birthday Holiday | 8 June 2026 | Monarch's birthday observance. |
| 🏖️ | Mid-Year Break | 29 June 2026 | Inter-semester rest. |
| 👋 | Semester 2 Orientation | 20 July 2026 | Mid-year welcome. |
| 🏫 | Semester 2 Starts | 27 July 2026 | Second semester begins. |
| 👷 | Labour Day Holiday | 5 October 2026 | Workers' holiday. |
| 📆 | Semester 2 Ends | 30 October 2026 | Teaching wraps up. |
| 🧠 | Semester 2 Exams | 9 November 2026 | Final assessments. |
| 🎓 | Graduation | 14 December 2026 | Degree conferrals. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Holiday festivities. |
| 🎁 | Boxing Day | 26 December 2026 | Relaxation day. |
