The Semester System
Stirling runs two 15-week semesters, rather than the traditional three terms. Each semester has:
- A mid-semester break
- A reading/study block
- A two-week exam period at the end
The Autumn Semester typically runs from mid-September until just before Christmas. There's then an extended winter break of seven weeks. The Spring Semester usually runs from February to the end of May, followed by a 15-week break over the summer. It’s also possible to start your studies in the Spring Semester.
Academically, our eight-semester Honours programmes offer flexible entry for visiting, non-graduating study abroad students, who may study any course for which they have the appropriate academic background, regardless of the semester level or Department involved.
Session 2012/2013
| Autumn Semester | Monday 10 September 2012 - Monday 17 December 2012 |
| Teaching Starts: | Wednesday 12 September 2012 |
| Mid-semester break: | Monday 22 October 2012 - Friday 26 October 2012 (inclusive) |
| Teaching Ends: | Tuesday 27 November 2012 |
| Examination Period Begins: | Tuesday 4 December 2012 |
| Spring Semester: | Monday 11 February 2013 - Saturday 1 June 2013 |
| Teaching Starts: | Wednesday 13 February 2013 |
| Mid-semester break: | Friday 29 March 2013 - Friday 5 April 2013 (inclusive) |
| Teaching Ends: | Friday 3 May 2013 |
| Examination Period Begins: | Tuesday 14 May 2013 |
| Good Friday 29 March 2013, Easter Monday 01 April 2013 (no teaching) |
Session 2013/2014
| Autumn Semester | Monday 9 September 2013 - Monday 16 December 2013 |
| Teaching starts: | Monday 09 September 2013 |
| Mid-semester reading week: | Monday 21 October - Friday 25 October (inclusive) |
| Teaching Ends: | Friday 29 November 2013 |
| Examination Period Begins: | Thursday 5 December 2013 |
| Spring Semester | Monday 10 February 2014 - Saturday 31 May 2014 |
| Teaching starts: | Monday 10 February 2014 |
| Mid-semester reading week: | Monday 24 March - Friday 28 March |
| Teaching Ends: | Tuesday 6 May 2014 |
| Examination Period Begins: | Tuesday 13 May 2014 |
| Good Friday 18 April, Easter Monday 21 April (no teaching) |
Session 2014/2015
| Autumn Semester | Monday 15 September 2014 - Monday 22 December 2014 |
| Teaching Starts: | Wednesday 17 September 2014 |
| Mid-semester reading week: | Monday 27 October 2014 - Friday 31 October (inclusive) |
| Teaching Ends: | Tuesday 2 December 2014 |
| Examination Period Begins: | Tuesday 9 December 2014 |
| Spring Semester: | Monday 9 February 2015 - Saturday 30 May 2015 |
| Teaching Starts: | Wednesday 11 February 2015 |
| Mid-semester reading week: | Monday 30 March - Monday 6 April (inclusive) |
| Teaching Ends: | Monday 4 May 2015 |
| Examination Period Begins: | TBC |
| Good Friday 3 April, Easter Monday 6 April (no teaching) |
Session 2015/2016
Autumn Semester |
Monday 14 September 2015 - Monday 21 December 2015 |
Teaching Starts: |
Wednesday 16 September 2015 |
Mid-semester reading week: |
Monday 26 October - Friday 30 September (inclusive) |
Teaching Ends: |
Tuesday 1 December 2015 |
Examination Period Begins: |
TBC |
Spring Semester: |
Monday 8 February 2016 - Saturday 28 May 2016 |
Teaching Starts: |
Wednesday 10 February 2016 |
Mid-semester reading week: |
Friday 25 March - Friday 1 April (inclusive) |
Teaching Ends: |
Friday 29 April 2016 |
Examination Period Begins: |
TBC |
Good Friday 25 March, Easter Monday 28 March (no teaching) |
Variations to the session dates are approved from time to time by the Academic Council for particular programmes of study; where this applies, details are given in the programme descriptions or regulations. Some programmes involve attendance outside semesters.