The academic year starts on August 15th and ends on the same day the following year, and is divided into two semesters, an autumn and spring semester.
The autumn semester normally begins at the end of August and the spring semester at the beginning of January. Course starts may vary between different study programmes.
Course schedules are usually available one month before the start of each semester. You can see your course schedule and when courses start in Ugla.
Vacation periods
- Christmas vacation begins on December 20th and ends on January 2nd, both days included
- Easter vacation starts on the Wednesday before Easter and ends on the Tuesday in the week after Easter, both days included
- No classes are scheduled on the “First Day of Summer”, May 1st and December 1st
Autumn semester 2020
24-28 August |
Orientation for first-year students and start of teaching |
15 September |
Confirmation of registration for autumn semester courses |
20 September |
Final publication of autumn semester examination schedule |
23-24 September |
RMF conference |
25 September |
Student Union Day, no classes from 11:40 |
1 October |
The track of those who have not confirmed enrollment in fall semester courses is closed |
2 October |
Continuous assessment day |
15 October |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
30 October |
Continuous assessment day |
5 November |
Final day for withdrawing from autumn semester courses/examinations |
13 November |
Continuous assessment day |
15 November - 1 December |
Open for postgraduate applications |
16 November |
Teaching survey and course evaluation |
1 December |
Icelandic Independence Day - no classes |
30 November -16 December |
Autumn semester examination period |
18 December |
Christmas vacation begins |
Spring semester 2021
4-11 January |
Make-up and resit examination period for autumn semester |
20 January |
Confirmation of registration for spring semester courses and notification of graduation in June |
30 January |
Final publication of spring semester examination schedule |
1 February |
The track of those who have not confirmed enrollment in spring semester courses is closed |
12 February |
Continuous assessment day |
15 February |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
1-25 March |
Registration for courses in the school year 2021-2022 |
1 March |
Open for applications
|
5 March |
Continuous assessment day |
26 March |
Continuous assessment day |
1 April |
Closing date for applications from students outside the EEA |
1 April |
Final day to register for graduation |
1 April |
Final day for withdrawing from spring semester courses / examinations |
31 March- 6 April |
Easter holidays |
9 April |
Teaching survey and course evaluation |
22 April |
First Day of Summer, no classes |
23 April-7 May |
Spring semester examination period |
25 May-1 June |
Make-up and resit examinations for spring and autumn semesters |
5 June |
Closing date for registration of incoming first-year students |
11 and 12 June |
Graduation ceremony |
* Students who do not complete their studies in time for the official graduation in June can receive their graduation papers on the 15th of October or the 15th of February. In order for this to occur, a request for graduation must have been received before the 1st day of those specific months, given that all graduation documents are in place.
Autumn semester 2021
15 August |
Beginning of the academic calender |
23-27 August |
Orientation for first-year students and start of teaching |
15 September |
Confirmation of registration for autumn semester courses |
17 September |
Student Union Day, no classes from 11:40 |
20 September |
Final publication of autumn semester examination schedule |
20 September |
The track of those who have not confirmed enrollment in fall semester courses is closed |
20 September |
Continuous assessment day |
1 October |
Final day to apply for support regarding special assistance in studies and during exams |
1 October |
Final day to register for graduation on the 15th October |
1 October |
Continuous assessment day |
15 October |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
22 October |
Continuous assessment day |
5 November |
Final day for withdrawing from autumn semester courses/examinations |
12 November |
Continuous assessment day |
15 November - 1 December |
Open for postgraduate applications |
15 November |
Course evaluation |
30 November - 14 December |
Autumn semester examination period |
17 December - 2 January |
Christmas vacation |
* Students who do not complete their studies in time for the official graduation in June can receive their graduation papers on the 15th of October or the 15th of February. In order for this to occur, a request for graduation must have been received before the 1st day of those specific months, given that all graduation documents are in place.
Spring semester 2022
3-10 January |
Make-up and resit examination period for autumn semester |
20 January |
Confirmation of registration for spring semester courses |
24 January |
The track of those who have not confirmed enrollment in spring semester courses is closed |
31 January |
Final publication of spring semester examination schedule |
1 February |
Final day to register for graduation on the 15th February |
15 February |
Delivery of graduation papers* |
18 February |
Continuous assessment day |
1-25 March |
Registration for courses in the next school year |
1 March |
Final day to apply for support regarding special assistance in studies and during exams |
March |
Open for applications** |
11 March |
Continuous assessment day |
1 April |
Continuous assessment day |
1 April |
Final day for withdrawing from spring semester courses / examinations |
1 April |
Closing date for applications from students outside the EEA |
11 April |
Course evaluation |
13-19 April |
Easter holidays |
21 April |
First Day of Summer, no classes |
28 April - 12 May |
Spring semester examination period |
1 May |
Final day to register for graduation in June |
27 May - 3 June |
Make-up and resit examinations for spring semesters |
5 June |
Closing date for registration of incoming first-year students |
10 and 11 June |
Graduation ceremony |
* Students who do not complete their studies in time for the official graduation in June can receive their graduation papers on the 15th of October or the 15th of February. In order for this to occur, a request for graduation must have been received before the 1st day of those specific months, given that all graduation documents are in place.
**Application deadline may vary on programmes