SHU Academic Calendar

Sheffield Hallam University, located in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, operates on a two-semester academic calendar, typical of many British universities. The academic year generally begins in late September or early October and concludes in late May or early June. The first semester runs from autumn to winter, with a break for the Christmas holidays, while the second semester spans from January to late spring or early summer, often including an Easter break. This structure allows for a balanced distribution of coursework and assessments, with exams typically held at the end of each semester. A notable feature of Sheffield Hallam’s calendar is its alignment with the UK academic system, incorporating bank holidays and providing flexibility for modular courses that may have varying start and end dates depending on the program.

• Autumn Semester Start: Late September 2025 (typically around September 22–29). This marks the beginning of the academic year with induction and welcome week activities.
• Christmas Break: Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 (approximately December 15–January 5). A holiday period with no classes or assessments.
• Spring Semester Start: Mid-January 2026 (around January 12–19). Classes resume after the winter break.
• Easter Break: Late March to mid-April 2026 (approximately March 30–April 13). A two-week break aligned with UK public holidays.
• End of Academic Year/Exams: Late May to early June 2026 (typically May 25–June 5). Final assessments and exams conclude the year for most undergraduate programs.

• UCAS Application Opening: Early September 2025 (around September 3). The application cycle begins for the 2026 entry through the UK’s centralized UCAS system.
• UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline: Late January 2026 (typically January 31). Applications submitted by this date are given equal consideration for most courses.
• Decision Notification: March to May 2026. Applicants are usually notified of decisions within this period, depending on the course and application date.
• Confirmation Deadline: Early June 2026 (around June 8). Deadline to accept offers and confirm places after receiving decisions.
• Clearing Opens: Early July 2026 (typically July 5). For students who did not receive offers or meet conditions, Clearing provides additional opportunities to secure a place.

The academic calendar at Sheffield Hallam University aligns closely with national norms for UK higher education, ensuring consistency with other institutions and accommodating public holidays such as Christmas and Easter. This structure offers predictability for both domestic and international students, with breaks providing opportunities for travel or rest. Additionally, the university’s use of the UCAS system for admissions ensures a standardized process, though international students may need to account for visa application timelines alongside these dates. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on typical UK university schedules, they reflect standard practices and provide a reliable guide for planning.