Semesters

The academic year is made up of two semesters - plus a summer semester for postgraduate taught students.

Exceptions: Some courses are structured differently, typically those which include professional placements - check with your department or school. If you are studying on a York Online programme, please see Online Learning Periods for the York Online academic year.

What is a semester?

You study three 20-credit modules each semester. The idea is that you begin, complete and are assessed on your teaching and learning within each semester. Each semester consists of:

  • One week for induction
  • 11 weeks of teaching
  • Four weeks for revision and assessment

Semesters guide

Download our semesters poster to plan your teaching, assessment and vacation weeks:

University of York semesters 2024/25 (PDF , 30kb)

Semester dates 2024/25

Attendance

You will be expected to be on campus for the 11 Teaching and Learning Weeks each semester and also whilst you are undertaking assessments. It is also highly recommended you attend during Freshers/Refreshers weeks as these contain key orientation events for all students.

You aren’t required to be on campus for the consolidation, vacation or revision weeks but University resources will continue to be available throughout the year. 

Taught postgraduate students also have a summer semester and are required to attend over the summer period.

Semester dates