UMinho Academic Calendar

Universidade do Minho, located in Portugal, follows a traditional European academic calendar structured into two main semesters: the fall semester and the spring semester. The fall semester typically begins in mid-September and runs through late January, encompassing lectures, assessments, and a holiday break around Christmas and New Year. The spring semester generally starts in early February and concludes in late June, with a short Easter break. This structure aligns with many Portuguese and European universities, ensuring compatibility for student exchanges and academic collaborations. Notably, Universidade do Minho incorporates intensive exam periods at the end of each semester, allowing students to focus on assessments before transitioning to breaks or the next term.

• Fall Semester Start: Mid-September 2025 (typically around September 15) - Orientation and classes begin.
• Christmas Break: December 20, 2025, to January 5, 2026 - University closure for holiday celebrations.
• Fall Semester Exams: Mid-January 2026 (approximately January 15–31) - Assessment period for fall courses.
• Spring Semester Start: Early February 2026 (around February 3) - Classes resume after winter break.
• Easter Break: Mid-April 2026 (typically one week around Easter Sunday) - Short holiday break.
• Spring Semester Exams: Late June 2026 (approximately June 15–30) - Final assessments and commencement events.

• First Phase Application Deadline: Late June 2025 (typically around June 25) - Initial application period for national and EU students via the centralized system.
• Second Phase Application Deadline: Mid-August 2025 (around August 10) - Additional opportunity for remaining spots.
• International Student Deadline: Early May 2025 (approximately May 1) - Specific deadline for non-EU applicants, with earlier submission recommended for visa processing.
• Admission Results Notification: Early September 2025 (typically first week) - Results for first-phase applicants; later notifications for subsequent phases.
• Enrollment Deadline: Mid-September 2025 (around September 10–15) - Final date to confirm enrollment and pay fees.

The academic calendar at Universidade do Minho aligns closely with Portugal’s national education framework, incorporating public holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and national days like June 10 (Portugal Day). This structure offers predictability for both domestic and international students, with semester breaks providing ample time for travel or personal commitments. For international students, the early admissions deadlines and structured enrollment periods facilitate visa applications and relocation planning. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on typical Portuguese university schedules, prospective students are encouraged to verify exact timelines through official university communications as the dates may vary slightly year to year.