The academic year at German universities is divided into winter semester and summer semester.

Winter semester:     1^st October - 31^st March

Summer semester:  1^st April - 30^th September

Each semester is divided into lecture and lecture free periods. The dates of lecture period as well as holidays vary from semester to semester. Exams are usually taken in the first weeks of the lecture free period:

Summer semester 2021:       

• Lecture period: 12^th April 2021 - 23^rd July 2021

Winter semester 2021/2022:

 Lecture period: 11^th October 2021 - 4^th February 2022

Holidays: 24^th May 2021 (Pentecost/Whitsun) and 23^rd December 2021 - 6^th January 2022 (Christmas holidays)

See also (in german): Current dates and deadlines.

Public holidays in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany: