ULB Academic Calendar

The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), located in Brussels, Belgium, follows a structured academic calendar based on a two-semester system, typical of many European universities. The academic year generally begins in mid-September and concludes in late June or early July, with the first semester running from September to January and the second semester from February to June. This structure includes examination periods at the end of each semester, as well as breaks aligned with major holidays such as Christmas and Easter. A notable feature of ULB’s calendar is its alignment with Belgian public holidays and its provision for intensive exam retake sessions in late August or early September for students needing to complete coursework or improve grades.

• First Semester Start: Mid-September 2025 (typically around September 15) – Classes begin for all programs.
• Christmas Break: Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 (approximately December 20 to January 5) – University closure for holiday season.
• First Semester Exams: Mid-to-late January 2026 – Assessment period for fall courses.
• Second Semester Start: Early February 2026 (typically first week) – Spring term begins.
• Easter Break: Mid-April 2026 (approximately one to two weeks) – Break aligned with national holidays.
• Second Semester Exams: Late May to mid-June 2026 – Final assessments for spring courses.
• Resit Exam Period: Late August to early September 2026 – Opportunity for retakes or deferred exams.

• Application Opening for Undergraduate Programs: Early November 2024 (estimated) – Start of application period for the 2025–2026 cycle.
• Regular Decision Deadline: Late April 2025 (typically around April 30) – Final date for most EU and non-EU applicants to submit applications.
• International Student Deadline: Mid-February 2025 (estimated) – Earlier deadline for non-EU students requiring visas, with additional documentation needed.
• Admission Decisions Released: May to June 2025 – Notification period for most applicants, varying by program.
• Enrollment Confirmation Deadline: Early July 2025 (estimated) – Deadline to accept offers and pay enrollment fees.

The academic calendar at Université Libre de Bruxelles aligns closely with regional norms in Belgium and much of Europe, emphasizing structured semester breaks and holiday periods that correspond to national observances like Christmas and Easter. This scheduling offers predictability for both domestic and international students, facilitating travel and family planning. Additionally, the extended resit period in late summer provides flexibility for students to balance academic challenges. For international applicants, ULB’s admissions timeline accommodates visa processing needs with earlier deadlines for non-EU students, ensuring sufficient time for administrative preparations. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on typical patterns, prospective students are encouraged to verify exact deadlines through official university communications as they become available.