Academic calendar
The academic year at German universities is divided into winter semester and summer semester.
Winter semester: 1st October - 31st March
Summer semester: 1st April - 30th 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: 3rd April 2023 - 14th July 2023
Winter semester 2023/2024:
Lecture period: 9th October 2023 - 2nd February 2024
Holidays: 30th May 2023 (Pentecost/Whitsun) and 21st December 2023 - 5th January 2024 (Christmas holidays)
See also (in German): Current dates and deadlines.
Public holidays in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany:
Public holidays |
2023 |
2024 |
New Year's Day |
1st January |
1st January |
Carnival Monday |
20th February | 12th February |
Good Friday |
7th April |
29th March |
Easter Monday |
10th April |
1st April |
Labour Day |
1st May |
1st May |
Ascension Day |
18th May |
9th May |
Whit Monday |
29th May |
20th May |
Corpus Christi |
8th June |
30th May |
German reunification |
3rd October |
3rd October |
All Saints |
1st November |
1st November |
Christmas |
25th - 26th December |
25th - 26th December |