The most important dates in a academic year

An academic year is divided into two semesters. As a result, each semester is six months. However, the lecture period, during which regular courses are held at the university, only lasts 15 weeks per semester and is interrupted by public holidays. The remaining weeks is the lecture-free period or during which no-regular-courses take place at university. Students like to refer to this time as the semester break. But: There's actually a lot to do: exams, internships, writing term papers.

Very, very important: You must re-register for the following semester on time, otherwise you may be de-registered ex officio.

...some may also be planning to change degree programmes. With regard to this, certain deadlines must also be met.

Winter semester 2025/2026

Start of winter semester: 1 October 2025
Lecture period: 13. October 2025 to 7 Februrary 2026
Interruption of lecture period: 20 December 2025 to 6 January 2026
End of winter semester: 31 March 2026

Re-registration deadline for summer semester 2026: 1. December 2025 to 31 January 2026

Summer semester 2026

Start of summer semester: 1 April 2026
Lecture period: 7. April 2026 to 18 July 2026
End of summer semester: 30 September 2026

Re-registration deadline for winter semester 2026/2027: 20 June 2026 to 31 July 2026