When does the spring semester end in U.K. universities?

Question

A friend of mine is going to study abroad at the University of Kent at Canterbury and I need to know when the spring semester typically ends to plan a backpacking trip with her that summer. I know that final exams are a little different in the U.K., so I've felt confused about when the semester is over and students are free to go.

Answer 1

I work in a UK university, so you can believe me when I say the following....



The reason you're getting confused is probably that UK universities (perhaps with a small number of exceptions) don't operate a semester-based system. Each year consists of three terms which typically run roughly over:



October - December (Autumn or Michaelmas)

January - March (Spring or Lent)

April - June (Summer or Easter)



Exams of any real consequence take place during the end of the third term. So you might want to consider aiming for July rather than the end of any spring semester, although it depends a little on the university.



I've looked at the term dates for Kent and this year's are:

Autumn Term

25 September 2006 - 15 December 2006

Spring Term

8 January 2007 - 30 March 2007

Summer Term

30 April 2007 - 8 June 2007

so there's a one month break between the Spring and Summer terms but your friend may want to spend much of that time revising and preparing for examinations. Otherwise that might be an opportunity for you.



Failing that, any point after early June should work for you.



I hope that clears things up. The below link is to the term dates for Kent for the next decade.

Answer 2

the united kingdom unis have 3 words i think of, no longer 2 semesters. it would relies upon on the Uni and from 3 hundred and sixty 5 days to 3 hundred and sixty 5 days yet maximum commence around September-October. you do not get 0.5-term like in 6th form and under yet you do get longer Christmas/Easter/summer season vacations than you may in obligatory college

Answer 3

the spring semester normally ends before easter, but i was confirm the date before you make any plans, as it differs from university to university, and major to major, as a result i would most definitely confirm this.