| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Bank Holiday | 1 January 2025 | National bank holiday marking the start of the year, affecting all university operations and providing a day of rest for staff and students. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Examinations Begin | 13 January 2025approximate | Start of assessment period for first semester modules, crucial for students to demonstrate learning outcomes. |
| 🏁 | Semester 1 Ends | 24 January 2025 | Conclusion of the first semester, including final assessments and preparation for the next term. |
| 📚 | Semester 2 Begins | 27 January 2025 | Commencement of teaching for the second semester, with new modules and continued research activities. |
| ☘️ | St Patrick's Day Bank Holiday | 17 March 2025 | Celebration of Ireland's patron saint, a public holiday in Northern Ireland with university closures. |
| 🐰 | Easter Break Begins | 18 April 2025approximate | Start of the Easter vacation period, allowing time for rest and religious observances. |
| 🥚 | Easter Monday Bank Holiday | 21 April 2025 | Public holiday following Easter Sunday, extending the break for recovery and travel. |
| 🛑 | Semester 2 Teaching Ends | 2 May 2025approximate | End of lectures and seminars for the second semester, leading into revision time. |
| 🌷 | Early May Bank Holiday | 5 May 2025 | UK bank holiday, providing an additional day off during the pre-exam period. |
| 🧠 | Semester 2 Examinations Begin | 12 May 2025approximate | Formal assessment period for second semester courses. |
| 🏦 | Spring Bank Holiday | 26 May 2025 | Late May bank holiday, often during or near exam season. |
| 🎓 | Semester 2 Ends | 13 June 2025 | Official end of the academic year with final exams and graduations approaching. |
| ☀️ | Summer Vacation Begins | 16 June 2025approximate | Start of the long summer break for relaxation and internships. |
| 🏰 | Battle of the Boyne Bank Holiday | 14 July 2025 | Northern Ireland-specific holiday commemorating historical events. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Bank Holiday | 25 August 2025 | End-of-summer bank holiday before the new academic year. |
| 👋 | Orientation Week Begins | 15 September 2025approximate | Welcoming events for new and returning students. |
| 🗓️ | Semester 1 Begins | 22 September 2025 | Start of the new academic year with first semester teaching. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Break Begins | 19 December 2025approximate | Holiday period for Christmas and New Year celebrations. |
| 🎅 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2025 | Major holiday with university closure. |
| 🎁 | Boxing Day | 26 December 2025 | Post-Christmas bank holiday. |
Are you planning on applying to QUB next year? Then you need to know the important dates and deadlines for the admissions process at QUB. You can check them out below…
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 | UCAS Application Opens | 2 September 2025 | Start of the application cycle for undergraduate courses via UCAS. |
| ⚕️ | Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Deadline | 15 October 2025 | Early deadline for competitive courses like medicine. |
| 🗓️ | Equal Consideration Deadline | 29 January 2026 | Main deadline for most undergraduate applications to ensure equal consideration. |
| 🔄 | UCAS Extra Opens | 25 February 2026 | Opportunity for applicants without offers to apply to additional courses. |
| 📬 | Offer Decision Deadline | 7 May 2026 | Universities must respond to applications received by the January deadline. |
| ⬆️ | Adjustment Opens | 13 August 2026 | For students exceeding conditional offers to trade up. |
| 🏫 | Clearing Opens | 5 July 2026 | Process for filling remaining course places. |
| 📜 | A-Level Results Day | 13 August 2026 | Release of exam results, pivotal for confirmations. |
| ✅ | Confirmation Deadline | 20 August 2026 | Deadline for accepting offers post-results. |
| 🎓 | Postgraduate Application Deadline | 30 June 2026approximate | Varies by program, but general cutoff for taught masters. |
The academic calendar at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) is meticulously structured to support a vibrant learning environment in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. As a leading Russell Group university, QUB follows a semester-based system, typically divided into two main semesters with additional periods for assessments and breaks. This structure allows students to immerse themselves in rigorous academic pursuits while balancing personal and professional commitments. The calendar incorporates key UK holidays such as Christmas and Easter, aligning with national bank holidays to provide ample time for rest and family gatherings. Traditions at QUB include orientation weeks that foster community and academic induction events that set the tone for the year. Compared to other UK universities, QUB's calendar emphasizes research-intensive periods, reflecting its strong emphasis on innovation and global impact. For students, this means strategic planning around module registrations and project deadlines, while faculty benefit from aligned teaching and research cycles. International students appreciate the calendar's alignment with global academic norms, easing transitions. If you're navigating this, consider checking professor ratings on Rate My Professor to choose courses wisely. QUB's calendar also integrates with admissions cycles, ensuring prospective students can plan visits and applications effectively. Overall, it's designed to maximize productivity and well-being.
At Queen's University Belfast, semester dates are crafted to optimize learning and research opportunities. The academic year generally begins in the autumn, with the first semester focusing on foundational coursework and building momentum towards mid-year assessments. Class planning involves selecting modules that align with degree requirements, often requiring early registration to secure spots in popular courses. Students are encouraged to use the university's online portals for timetabling, ensuring no conflicts between lectures, seminars, and labs. Tips for effective planning include consulting academic advisors and reviewing past student feedback on platforms like Rate My Professor. This helps in gauging course difficulty and teaching quality. International students might find the calendar's structure similar to other European systems, aiding in adaptation. Faculty often rate the scheduling as efficient, allowing for balanced workloads. For those interested in higher ed careers, explore higher ed jobs at QUB.
Exam periods at QUB are strategically placed at the end of each semester, providing students with dedicated time for revision. Preparation tips include forming study groups, utilizing library resources, and attending review sessions. The university offers support through counseling and academic skills workshops to manage stress. Understanding the typical exam windows helps in pacing coursework throughout the term.
Queen's University Belfast incorporates UK-specific holidays like Christmas, Easter, and bank holidays into its calendar, offering breaks for rejuvenation. These periods are ideal for travel, with many students exploring Northern Ireland or returning home. Planning tips include booking accommodations early during Easter breaks, which often coincide with springtime. Unlike US universities, there's no Thanksgiving, but alternatives like reading weeks provide similar respite. For family coordination, align with these breaks to plan visits or holidays. International students can use this time to experience local traditions, enhancing their cultural immersion. Faculty appreciate these intervals for research advancement. If you're a staff member, rate your experience on Rate My College.
Faculty and staff at QUB follow a work schedule tied to the academic calendar, with deadlines for grading, curriculum planning, and committee meetings. This ensures smooth operations and timely student feedback. Tips for managing include using digital tools for task tracking.
Key notes for faculty include participation in departmental meetings and grading periods. QUB values staff input, and employees are invited to rate their employer on Rate My College. Explore job opportunities via lecturer jobs.
Historically, QUB's calendars have evolved to include more flexible learning options. Archives show patterns in holiday alignments, helping predict future structures. This insight aids long-term planning.
Major events like orientation and commencement are highlights. Students are invited to rate professors on Rate My Professor to share experiences.
| Event | Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 | New Year's Day Bank Holiday | 1 January 2026 | Kickoff to the year with a national holiday. |
| 📝 | Semester 1 Examinations Begin | 12 January 2026approximate | Assessment phase for first semester. |
| 🏁 | Semester 1 Ends | 23 January 2026 | Wrap-up of first term. |
| 📚 | Semester 2 Begins | 26 January 2026 | Launch of second semester activities. |
| ☘️ | St Patrick's Day Bank Holiday | 17 March 2026 | Irish heritage celebration. |
| ✝️ | Good Friday | 3 April 2026 | Start of Easter weekend. |
| 🥚 | Easter Monday Bank Holiday | 6 April 2026 | Extension of Easter break. |
| 🌷 | Early May Bank Holiday | 4 May 2026 | Spring bank holiday. |
| 🧠 | Semester 2 Examinations Begin | 11 May 2026approximate | Second semester assessments. |
| 🏦 | Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May 2026 | Late spring holiday. |
| 🎓 | Semester 2 Ends | 12 June 2026 | Academic year conclusion. |
| 🏰 | Battle of the Boyne Bank Holiday | 13 July 2026 | Historical commemoration. |
| 🏖️ | Summer Bank Holiday | 31 August 2026 | End-of-summer break. |
| 👋 | Orientation Week Begins | 14 September 2026approximate | New student welcome. |
| 🗓️ | Semester 1 Begins | 21 September 2026 | New year start. |
| 🎄 | Christmas Break Begins | 18 December 2026approximate | Festive season break. |
| 🎅 | Christmas Day | 25 December 2026 | Holiday celebration. |
| 🎁 | Boxing Day | 26 December 2026 | Post-Christmas day off. |
