# Academic year structure

**Source**: https://semester-dates.ed.ac.uk/structure
**Parent**: https://semester-dates.ed.ac.uk/

The University's academic year is divided into two semesters.

This structure was agreed by Senate in June 2009. The scheduling of innovative learning week was agreed by Senate in June 2010, and the current structure has been in place since 2011/12.

- Semester 1
  - 1 induction week
  - 5 teaching weeks (block 1)
  - 6 teaching weeks (block 2)
  - approximately 1 revision week\*
  - approximately 2 exam weeks\*
  - Total: 15 weeks
- Winter vacation
  - approximately 3 weeks\*
- Semester 2
  - 5 teaching weeks (block 3)
  - 1 flexible learning week
  - 6 teaching weeks (block 4)
  - (Spring vacation - two weeks)
  - 1 revision week
  - 4 exam weeks
  - Total: 17 weeks (excluding spring vacation)
- Summer vacation
  - 15 weeks
  - Students on most postgraduate taught programmes will undertake a dissertation or research project during this period.

\* Please refer to individual year calendars for specific revision, exam and winter vacation dates.

## Academic year governance

The Academic Policy and Regulations Committee confirms dates for academic years at least one year in advance.

[Academ](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[ic](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations) [Po](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[l](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[icy](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations) [and](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations) [R](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[eg](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[ulat](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[ion](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)[s](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations) [Committee](https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/academic-services/committees/academic-policy-regulations)

This article was published on
2024-10-29