Key dates
If you’re applying for the Study Abroad Programme at The University of Manchester, you should make a note of the key dates taking place both before and during your time here.
Application deadlines
The deadlines for the receipt of applications depend on the period of study for which you are applying:
- Full academic year (September - June): 1 June
- Fall semester (September - January): 1 June
- Spring semester (January - June): 1 November
As a rule, examinations normally take place during the last three weeks of the semester.
Orientation dates
To help you make the most of your time in Manchester, all students are strongly encouraged to attend our orientation course.
Semester dates
New undergraduate and foundation year students |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
5 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
11 January 2021 |
Revision period – non-teaching period |
11–17 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
18-29 January 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
31 January 2021 |
Break – non-teaching period |
1–7 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
Returning undergraduate students |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
5 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
11 January 2021 |
Revision period – non-teaching period |
11–17 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
18–29 January 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
31 January 2021 |
Break – non-teaching period |
1–7 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
Postgraduate taught students (new and returning) |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
26 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
4 January 2021 |
Semester 1 teaching continues |
4–22 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
25 January–5 February 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
5 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
New undergraduate and foundation year students |
University welcome week and induction programme |
21 September 2020 |
School and programme induction activities |
28 September 2020 |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
5 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
10 January 2021 |
Revision period – non-teaching period |
11–17 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
18-29 January 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
31 January 2021 |
Break – non-teaching period |
1–7 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
Returning undergraduate students |
Welcome back week with School and programme level introductions |
28 September 2020 |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
5 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
10 January 2021 |
Revision period – non-teaching period |
11–17 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
18–29 January 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
31 January 2021 |
Break – non-teaching period |
1–7 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
Postgraduate taught students (new and returning) |
University welcome and induction programme |
5 and 12 October 2020 |
School and programme induction activities |
19 October 2020 |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
26 October 2020 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
21 December 2020 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
3 January 2021 |
Semester 1 teaching continues |
4–22 January 2021 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
25 January–5 February 2021 |
Semester 1 ends |
5 February 2021 |
Semester 2 starts |
8 February 2021 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
29 March 2021 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
11 April 2021 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
19 May–9 June 2021 |
Semester 2 ends |
11 June 2021 |
2021/22 academic year
The two tables below show the key dates for:
New undergraduate and postgraduate taught students |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
27 September 2021 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
20 December 2021 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
2 January 2022 |
Semester 1 assessment and exams |
17–28 January 2022 |
Semester 1 ends |
30 January 2022 |
Welcome to Semester 2 activities – non-teaching period |
31 January–6 February 2022 |
Semester 2 starts |
7 February 2022 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
11 April 2022 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
24 April 2022 |
Semester 2 assessment and exams |
23 May–12 June 2022 |
Semester 2 ends |
12 June 2022 |
Returning students |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
27 September 2021 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
20 December 2021 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
2 January 2022 |
Semester 1 assessment and exams |
17–28 January 2022 |
Semester 1 ends |
30 January 2022 |
Welcome to Semester 2 activities – non-teaching period |
31 January–7 February 2022 |
Semester 2 starts |
7 February 2022 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
11 April 2022 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
24 April 2022 |
Semester 2 assessment and exams |
23 May–12 June 2022 |
Semester 2 ends |
12 June 2022 |
New undergraduate and postgraduate taught students |
Online induction |
13 September 2021 |
University and programme induction |
20 September 2021 |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
27 September 2021 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
20 December 2021 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
2 January 2022 |
Self-directed study/assessment preparation – non-teaching period |
3–16 January 2022 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
17–28 January 2022 |
Semester 1 ends |
30 January 2022 |
Welcome to Semester 2 activities – non-teaching period |
31 January–7 February 2022 |
Semester 2 starts |
7 February 2022 |
Prep for study/fieldwork/project – non-teaching period |
4 April 2022 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
11 April 2022 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
24 April 2022 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
23 May–10 June 2022 |
Semester 2 ends |
12 June 2022 |
Returning students |
Welcome back and induction |
20 September 2021 |
Semester 1 teaching starts |
27 September 2021 |
Christmas break starts – non-teaching period |
20 December 2021 |
Christmas break ends – non-teaching period |
2 January 2022 |
Self-directed study/assessment preparation – non-teaching period |
3–17 January 2022 |
Semester 1 assessments and exams |
17–28 January 2022 |
Semester 1 ends |
30 January 2022 |
Welcome to Semester 2 activities – non-teaching period |
31 January–7 February 2022 |
Semester 2 starts |
7 February 2022 |
Prep for study/fieldwork/project – non-teaching period |
4 April 2022 |
Easter break starts – non-teaching period |
11 April 2022 |
Easter break ends – non-teaching period |
24 April 2022 |
Semester 2 assessments and exams |
23 May–10 June 2022 |
Semester 2 ends |
12 June 2022 |