Ministry Of Higher Education Introduces New Academic Calendar For University Year 2025-2026

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has introduced a revised academic calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. This change, approved by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, affects all public and private higher education institutions in the UAE. The aim is to enhance the national education system through a more flexible and consistent schedule.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, highlighted the Ministry's dedication to improving the higher education system. He stated: "This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs. The changes mark a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students’ well-being, community engagement and personal growth."

The new academic calendar will commence on 25 August 2025 for all UAE-based higher education institutions. Major holidays will now align with school calendars, including a four-week winter break from 8 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Classes will resume on 5 January 2026. Additionally, there will be a two-week spring break from 16 to 29 March 2026, with classes resuming on 30 March 2026.

This revised schedule aims to support students' learning and wellbeing by offering a clearer structure. The academic year will conclude on 3 July 2025. Institutions must adhere to these unified start and end dates unless they are international universities following their home country’s calendar.

The mandate provides flexibility for universities in setting their academic year start date based on program requirements. It also allows adjustments to holiday dates by up to one week before or after specified dates, as long as the holiday duration remains unchanged. This flexibility ensures that institutions can cater to specific academic programs and specialisations.

This strategic move aligns with national efforts to advance higher education by providing a high-quality experience tailored to students' academic and personal needs. It underscores MoHESR’s commitment to creating an integrated learning environment that empowers students for future challenges.

The new structure is part of broader objectives under the ‘Year of Community’ initiative aimed at fostering family cohesion through balanced study and break periods. By aligning major holidays with school calendars, it supports both family life and student engagement in community activities.

Overall, these changes reflect MoHESR’s dedication to advancing educational standards while preparing students for national development roles requiring diverse skills and creativity across essential fields.

With inputs from WAM