SSEES Academic Calendar

The School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) at University College London (UCL) follows a structured academic calendar typical of UK universities, operating on a three-term system: Autumn, Spring, and Summer Terms. The academic year generally begins in late September or early October and concludes in June, with each term lasting approximately 10-11 weeks. Unique to UCL, including SSEES, is the incorporation of reading weeks—mid-term breaks within the Autumn and Spring Terms—designed to allow students time for independent study and research. Major breaks include a winter closure in December and a spring break around Easter, aligning with national holidays in the UK.

• Autumn Term Start: Late September 2025 (typically around September 22-29), marking the beginning of the academic year with induction activities for new students.
• Autumn Term End: Mid-December 2025 (around December 12-19), followed by a winter break over Christmas and New Year.
• Spring Term Start: Early January 2026 (typically January 5-12), resuming with lectures and seminars.
• Spring Term End: Late March or early April 2026 (around March 27-April 3), leading into the Easter break.
• Summer Term Start: Late April 2026 (around April 20-27), focusing on revision and assessments.
• Summer Term End: Early June 2026 (around June 5-12), concluding with exams and graduation ceremonies for finalists.

• UCAS Application Opening: Early September 2025 (typically September 1-5), when applications for undergraduate programs begin.
• UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline: Late January 2026 (typically January 31), the primary deadline for most UK and international applicants to ensure equal consideration.
• Decision Notification: March to April 2026, with most offers or rejections communicated by early May for applications submitted by the January deadline.
• Confirmation Deadline: Early May 2026 (around May 5-10), for applicants to accept offers as their firm or insurance choice.
• Clearing Opens: Early July 2026 (typically July 5), for students who did not receive offers or meet conditions, including international applicants.

The academic calendar at SSEES, as part of UCL, aligns closely with standard UK university schedules, reflecting national holidays such as Christmas and Easter, which are integrated into term breaks. This structure offers predictability for both domestic and international students, with reading weeks providing additional flexibility for managing coursework or travel. For international students, the early start in September allows ample time to settle in before classes begin, while the admissions timeline through UCAS ensures a standardized process. Note that specific dates for the 2025-2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on typical UCL patterns, as exact calendars may not yet be published.