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 2023:       

Lecture period: 3^rd April 2023 - 14^th July 2023

Winter semester 2023/2024:

Lecture period: 9^th October 2023 - 2^nd February 2024

Holidays: 30^th May 2023 (Pentecost/Whitsun) and 21^st December 2023 - 5^th January 2024 (Christmas holidays)

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

Public holidays in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany: