Planning your academic year at De Montfort University (DMU) is essential whether you’re a new undergraduate, a returning postgraduate, or a student enrolled in the Education 2030 block system. The university year runs from September 2025 through June 2026, with carefully scheduled study blocks, assessment periods, and vacations that balance intensive learning with well-timed breaks.
Overview of the Academic Year
The 2025–2026 academic calendar at DMU is designed to provide flexibility while maintaining academic consistency across different programs.
- Education 2030 programmes operate through six study blocks spread over the academic year.
- Non-E2030 undergraduate and postgraduate courses continue with the traditional term or semester structure.
- The standard teaching year concludes on Friday 12 June 2026, followed by summer graduation ceremonies.
Let’s explore how the year unfolds for each study pattern.
Education 2030 Block Learning Calendar
DMU’s innovative Education 2030 framework divides learning into shorter, focused study blocks. Each block allows students to fully concentrate on one subject area at a time before moving on to the next.
Block 1 begins on Monday 22 September 2025, marking the official start of the academic year and induction activities. Over the next seven weeks, students dive deeply into their first module, followed by assessments before Block 2 begins in late November.
After a short winter break in December, students return in January 2026 for Block 3, which runs into March. The spring vacation provides a mid-year rest before Block 4 begins in early April.
Blocks 5 and 6 take students through to June 2026, wrapping up teaching and assessments before the long summer break.
Across the year, you can expect:
- Block 1: 22 Sept – early Nov 2025
- Block 2: mid-Nov – Dec 2025
- Winter vacation: late Dec – early Jan 2026
- Block 3: Jan – March 2026
- Block 4: April – May 2026
- Block 5: May – June 2026
- Block 6: continuing through early summer for specific programmes
Enhancement and revision weeks are built into each block for reflection, assessments, and optional study-support activities.
Undergraduate Non-E2030 Term Structure
For undergraduate programmes that do not follow the Education 2030 model, DMU continues to operate with three main academic terms.
- Term 1: Begins 22 September 2025 and continues through December.
- Term 2: Starts in early January 2026 and runs through March.
- Term 3: Resumes after the Easter vacation and concludes by June 2026.
Each term is separated by clearly defined holiday periods. The Christmas holiday typically runs for two to three weeks over late December – early January, while the Easter break gives students time to recharge before final assessments.
Postgraduate Semester Dates
For postgraduate students on traditional semester schedules:
- Semester 1: September 2025 – January 2026
- Semester 2: February – June 2026
- Some extended postgraduate or research courses also include Semester 3 (X) during the summer period, allowing for dissertation work, placements, or advanced modules.
This layout ensures postgraduate learners can focus on fewer subjects per semester while still benefiting from academic flexibility.
Key University Events and Breaks
DMU’s year includes several important non-teaching dates:
- Welcome & Induction Week: Held in mid-September before Block 1 / Term 1 begins, introducing new students to campus life, academic systems, and support services.
- Bank Holidays: The university observes all national UK bank holidays; these are non-teaching days.
- Enhancement Weeks: Scattered throughout the year, these allow students to attend workshops, gain employability skills, or prepare for assessments.
- Graduation Ceremonies: Take place shortly after 12 June 2026, celebrating the completion of the academic year.
Vacations and Public Holidays
DMU ensures regular rest periods to support wellbeing and work-life balance:
- Winter Vacation: Around 22 December 2025 – 5 January 2026
- Spring Vacation: Late March – early April 2026
- Summer Vacation: Begins after 12 June 2026 and extends to September 2026
The university also closes on national holidays such as Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and the August Bank Holiday.
Why the DMU Calendar Matters
DMU’s term structure is crafted to enhance student performance and adaptability. The block learning approach fosters deep learning, reduces multi-module stress, and provides more consistent feedback. Meanwhile, traditional semester and term frameworks continue to support diverse academic disciplines.
Students benefit from:
- Clearer timelines for coursework and assessment deadlines
- Predictable vacation and revision periods
- Opportunities to engage in internships or placements during breaks
- Flexibility to plan travel or part-time work
End of the Academic Year
The official end of the standard academic year is Friday 12 June 2026. After this, DMU celebrates graduation events and transitions into summer research, placements, or pre-sessional English programmes for new entrants.
Summary Table
| Category | Key Periods | Approximate Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Education 2030 Block 1 | Start of year | 22 Sept – early Nov 2025 |
| Education 2030 Block 2 | Pre-Christmas | Nov – Dec 2025 |
| Winter Vacation | Festive break | late Dec – early Jan 2026 |
| Education 2030 Block 3 | New Year block | Jan – March 2026 |
| Spring Vacation | Easter break | late March – early April 2026 |
| Education 2030 Blocks 4–6 | Final term | April – June 2026 |
| End of Academic Year | Graduation | 12 June 2026 |
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2026 De Montfort University term dates provide a clear rhythm to academic life — with structured study blocks, balanced vacation periods, and flexible options for every student type. Whether you’re a new undergraduate exploring campus for the first time or a postgraduate researcher finalising your dissertation, understanding these dates helps you stay organised and make the most of your DMU experience.