Term dates
We are open throughout the year, with events and activities taking place over the summer and during vacations.
The academic year dates below are for all students, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research, although the exact dates and assessment periods that apply to you will depend on your course. Masters and PhD students are engaged in study throughout the full academic year.
You can check the term, semester and assessment period dates that apply to you by contacting your school or by logging on to Canvas. If you're an international student and considering working during your studies, see our information for Tier 4 students.
You will need to attend during assessment periods if you have examinations and/or submissions of assessment due to the School Office. Assessment information is published on your study pages on Sussex Direct. Please note that examinations in the assessment periods may be scheduled during evenings, on Saturdays and bank holidays.
2018/19 academic year dates
| Arrival Weekend | New Undergraduates attend | Sat 15 Sep 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Freshers' induction | Mon 17 Sep 2018 | |
| Autumn Term |
Teaching starts | Mon 24 Sep 2018 |
| Teaching finishes | Fri 14 Dec 2018 | |
| Christmas vacation | Sat 15 Dec 2018 – Sun 6 Jan 2019 | |
| Private study period | Private study | Mon 7 Jan - Wed 9 Jan 2019 |
| Mid-year assessment period starts | Attendance only if required |
Thu 10 Jan 2019 |
| Mid-year assessment period ends | Attendance only if required |
Fri 25 Jan 2019 |
| Winter Graduation | Wed 23 - Fri 25 Jan 2019 | |
| Inter-session week | Sat 26 Jan - Sun 3 Feb 2019 | |
| Spring Term |
Teaching starts | Mon 4 Feb 2019 |
| Teaching finishes | Fri 10 May 2019 | |
| Easter teaching break and Spring Vacation | Sat 13 Apr – Sun 28 Apr 2019 | |
| Private study period | Private study | Mon 13 - Wed 15 May 2019 |
| Summer Term | ||
| Year-end assessment period starts |
Thur 16 May 2019 | |
| Year-end assessment period ends |
Fri 14 Jun 2019 | |
| Summer vacation | Sat 15 Jun 2019 | |
| Summer Graduation | Mon 22 - Fri 26 Jul 2019 | |
| Summer vacation assessment period | Attendance only if required |
Mon 19 Aug - Fri 6 Sep 2019 |
2019/20 academic year dates
| Arrival Weekend | Sat 21 Sep 2019 - Sun 22 Sep 2019 | |
| Autumn term begins | Mon 23 Sep 2019 | |
| Welcome Week | Mon 23 Sep 2019 - Fri 27 Sep 2019 | |
| Semester One |
Semester One begins | Mon 30 Sep 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching begins | Mon 30 Sep 2019 | |
| Teaching ends | Fri 13 Dec 2019 | |
| Autumn term ends | Fri 13 Dec 2019 | |
| Winter vacation | Sat 14 Dec 2019 - Sun 5 Jan 2020 | |
| Spring term begins | Mon 6 Jan 2020 | |
| Semester one assessment period begins | Mon 6 Jan 2020 | |
| Semester one assessment period ends | Sat 18 Jan 2020 | |
| Semester One ends | Sat 18 Jan 2020 | |
| Intersemester week | Mon 20 Jan 2020 - Fri 24 Jan 2020 | |
| Winter graduation | Wed 22 Jan 2020 - Fri 24 Jan 2020 | |
| Semester Two |
Semester Two begins | Mon 27 Jan 2020 |
| Teaching begins | Mon 27 Jan 2020 | |
| Spring term ends | Fri 27 March 2020 | |
| Spring vacation | Sat 28 March 2020 - Sun 19 April 2020 | |
| Summer term begins | Mon 20 April 2020 | |
| Teaching resumes | Mon 20 April 2020 | |
| Teaching ends | Fri 1 May 2020 | |
| Revision week | Mon 4 May 2020 - Fri 8 May 2020 | |
| Semester two assessment period begins | Mon 11 May 2020 | |
| Semester two assessment period ends* | Sat 6 June 2020 | |
| Summer term ends | Sat 6 June 2020 | |
| Semester Two ends | Sat 6 June 2020 | |
| Summer vacation | Sun 7 Jun 2020 - Sun 20 Sept 2020 | |
| Summer graduation | Mon 20 July 2020 - Fri 24 July 2020 | |
| Summer vacation assessment period (TBC) | Mon 17 Aug 2020 - Sat 22 Aug 2020 |
* 1-6 June 2020 may be used for resit assessments.
Graduation dates
| 2018-19 | 2019-20 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Winter graduation |
23-25 January 2019 |
22-24 January 2020 |
|
Summer graduation |
22-26 July 2019 |
20-24 July 2020 |
Minimum service days
There are a number of minimum service days. These usually coincide with national holidays and UK bank holidays, when most campus facilities are closed.
Our 24-hour IT facilities, residences and 24-hour security continue to operate throughout the year.
| 2018-19 | |
|---|---|
| 24 December 2018 | Minimum service day |
| 25 December 2018 | Christmas Day bank holiday |
| 26 December 2018 | Boxing Day bank holiday |
| 27 December 2018 | Minimum service day |
| 28 December 2018 | Minimum service day |
| 31 December 2018 | Minimum service day |
| 1 January 2019 | New Year’s Day bank holiday |
| 18 April 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 19 April 2019 | Good Friday public holiday |
| 22 April 2019 | Easter Monday public holiday |
| 23 April 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 6 May 2019 | Early May bank holiday |
| 27 May 2019 | Spring bank holiday |
| 26 August 2019 | Summer bank holiday |
| 2019-20 | |
|---|---|
| 24 December 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 25 December 2019 | Christmas Day bank holiday |
| 26 December 2019 | Boxing Day bank holiday |
| 27 December 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 30 December 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 31 December 2019 | Minimum service day |
| 1 January 2020 | New Year’s Day bank holiday |
| 9 April 2020 | Minimum service day |
| 10 April 2020 | Good Friday public holiday |
| 13 April 2020 | Easter Monday public holiday |
| 14 April 2020 | Minimum service day |
| 4 May 2020 | Early May bank holiday |
| 25 May 2020 | Spring bank holiday |
| 31 August 2020 | Summer bank holiday |