IPVC Academic Calendar

The academic calendar at Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo (IPVC), located in Portugal, typically follows a two-semester structure, common among European higher education institutions. The academic year generally begins in mid-September or early October for the fall semester and concludes in late January or early February. The spring semester usually starts in mid-February and runs through June, with final exams often extending into early July. IPVC incorporates breaks for major holidays such as Christmas and Easter, aligning with national traditions, and may offer shorter intensive modules or summer courses for specific programs, providing flexibility for students.

• Fall Semester Start: Mid-September 2025 (typically around September 15–20), marking the beginning of classes for most programs.
• Christmas Break: Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 (approximately December 20–January 5), coinciding with national holidays.
• Fall Semester Exams: Late January to early February 2026, concluding the first semester.
• Spring Semester Start: Mid-February 2026 (around February 15), resuming academic activities.
• Easter Break: Early to mid-April 2026 (aligned with Easter week), offering a short pause in classes.
• Spring Semester Exams: June to early July 2026, followed by summer break for most students.

• First Phase Application Deadline: Late June to early July 2025 (typically around June 25–July 10), for national and EU students via the centralized admission system.
• Second Phase Application Deadline: Mid-August 2025 (approximately August 10–20), for remaining spots after the first phase.
• International Student Application Deadline: Early May 2025 (often around May 1–15), allowing time for visa processing and additional documentation.
• Admission Results Notification: Late July to early September 2025, depending on the application phase, with earlier notifications for international applicants.
• Enrollment Deadline: Mid-September 2025, coinciding with the start of the academic year.

The academic calendar at IPVC aligns closely with Portugal’s national education framework, incorporating public holidays and cultural observances such as Carnival and Easter into its scheduling. This structure offers predictability for both domestic and international students, though the early application deadlines for non-EU students reflect the need for additional processing time. IPVC’s semester-based system also provides some flexibility, with potential summer modules catering to diverse academic needs. Students are encouraged to monitor official announcements, as specific dates may vary slightly year to year based on institutional or regional adjustments.