The University of Oxford Term Dates for 2025–2026 outline the structured rhythm of one of the world’s most historic academic institutions. While Oxford is known for its traditional eight-week teaching terms—Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity—the university also operates several extended schedules for its professionally oriented programmes. The upcoming 2025–26 academic year follows the classic Full Term framework for most undergraduate and postgraduate students, but programmes such as the MBA, MPP, and Clinical Medicine run on distinct timelines to accommodate intensive teaching, practical training, and continuous assessment. Below is the complete, updated, and clearly separated guide to Oxford’s academic dates for 2025–2026.
Standard Oxford Full Term Dates (Undergraduate + Most Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Oxford’s classic Full Term system consists of short yet academically demanding teaching periods. These dates apply to the majority of students across Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM subjects, as well as traditional postgraduate taught courses.
Michaelmas Term 2025
12 October 2025 – 6 December 2025
The start of the academic year, including departmental orientations, first-year induction activities, and the first round of tutorials.
Hilary Term 2026
18 January 2026 – 14 March 2026
Typically considered the most academically intensive phase, with major coursework deadlines and mid-year assessments.
Trinity Term 2026
26 April 2026 – 20 June 2026
The concluding term, including final examinations, end-of-year assessments, and major project submissions.
Programmes With Alternative or Extended Term Dates (2025–26)
Some of Oxford’s advanced professional degrees operate outside the standard eight-week structure. These courses require longer teaching periods due to applied learning, practical training, and continuous assessment formats.
Oxford MBA – Saïd Business School
The one-year Oxford MBA adopts an extended academic structure similar to global business school calendars. Teaching, project work, and applied learning run continuously across longer periods.
Michaelmas MBA Period
6 October 2025 – 12 December 2025
Focus on core subjects including leadership, analytics, and global business foundations, with team-based assignments and workshops.
Hilary MBA Period
12 January 2026 – 20 March 2026
Electives, case-based learning, cross-disciplinary modules, and consulting-style projects dominate this stage.
Trinity MBA Period
20 April 2026 – 3 July 2026
Dedicated to entrepreneurship labs, global opportunities, international projects, and final assessments.
Master of Public Policy (MPP) – Blavatnik School of Government
The MPP follows an extended academic format similar to the MBA due to its practical design, simulations, and policy consultancy components.
MPP Academic Periods 2025–26
- Michaelmas Period: Aligns with the extended MBA schedule
- Hilary Period: Follows the January–March extended timeline
- Trinity Period: Concludes in early July
Students undertake immersive policy exercises, writing workshops, and real-world consultancy tasks throughout these longer teaching periods.
Clinical Medicine – Second BM (Year 1)
Clinical Medicine has one of the longest and most demanding timetables at Oxford. Students engage in hospital-based learning, placements, and continuous practical training across extended periods.
Michaelmas Clinical Period 2025
8 September 2025 – 19 December 2025
Students begin significantly earlier than the rest of the university with introductory clinical training and rotational familiarisation.
Hilary Clinical Period 2026
5 January 2026 – 10 April 2026
Advanced rotations, specialist department training, and skills development dominate this phase.
Trinity Clinical Period 2026
20 April 2026 – 3 July 2026
Focused on consolidating clinical competencies, completing hospital placements, and preparing for progression.
Why Oxford Uses Different Academic Structures
Oxford retains traditional term dates for most programmes but extends them for courses requiring:
- High Intensity and Continuous Teaching
Business and medical subjects need more weekly teaching time than the short eight-week terms allow.
- Professional Training Requirements
Clinical work, consultancy projects, and skills-based modules require longer uninterrupted periods.
- International Academic Alignment
Degrees like the MBA align their schedules with global institutions to support international collaborations and placements.
- Continuous Assessment Models
Professional programmes often rely on practical evaluations rather than traditional end-of-term examinations.
How Students Should Use Term Dates for Planning
Because Oxford programmes differ widely in duration and structure, students should:
- Confirm department-specific calendars before making accommodation or travel plans
- Review course handbooks for examination, induction, and submission schedules
- Note that colleges may hold separate onboarding events
- Understand that academic deadlines may fall outside the standard Full Term dates
The university strongly advises consulting programme handbooks for the most precise schedule.
Conclusion
For 2025–2026, the University of Oxford maintains its classic Full Term structure for most undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. However, key professional programmes—such as the MBA, MPP, and Clinical Medicine—operate on extended academic periods that reflect their intensive, practice-based teaching models. Understanding these distinctions is essential for students preparing their academic workload, accommodation needs, visa planning, and annual commitments at Oxford.