- Most universities divide the academic year into two, three, or four terms.
- Each term includes a teaching period, exams or assessments, and breaks.
- Academic calendars, start and end dates, and credit systems vary worldwide, so your workload, exam schedule, and holidays will depend on where you study.
How many semesters are there in a year? That depends on how the academic year is structured, which can vary by country and university. The three most common systems you’ll come across are the semester (two terms), trimester (three terms), and quarter (four terms) systems.
In this article, we’ll break down academic year structures around the world so you know what to expect and how to organise your workload, holiday, and study schedule.
Terms/semesters in the academic year
First things first: in many places, the words “term” and “semester” are used interchangeably. So when someone says “three semesters,” they usually mean three separate study periods within the academic year.
You’ll come across semester, trimester, and quarter system structures when researching university academic calendars. Their main differences are:
- The semester system has two main teaching periods, each usually lasting around 14-16 weeks.
- In a trimester system, the academic year is divided into three terms, which are often around 10-13 weeks.
- The quarter system splits the academic year into four shorter terms, each typically lasting about 10 weeks.
Typical academic year start and end dates by region
Academic year structures depend a lot on the country. For example, many European and North American universities begin their academic year in September to align with the end of summer, while Australia and New Zealand start in February, as they’re in the Southern Hemisphere, where seasons are reversed.
Here are some typical start and end dates in different countries:
Country | Typical start month | Typical end month | Notes |
United States | August - September | May - June | Universities may use semester, trimester, or quarter systems. |
Canada | September | April - May | Some universities offer an optional summer semester for students who want to speed up their studies. |
United Kingdom | September - October | June - July | Many universities have two or three terms. |
Germany | October | September | Germany has a winter and a summer term, both including several weeks of breaks. |
France | September - October | May - June | There are often two terms with multiple breaks. |
Belgium | September - October | June | French and Dutch-speaking communities may have different rules. |
Japan | April | March | A two-semester structure is the most common. |
China | September | June - July | Two semesters: Autumn and Spring. |
South Korea | March | February | Two semesters: Summer and Winter. |
Australia | February | November | Southern Hemisphere schedule |
New Zealand | February | November | Southern Hemisphere schedule |
How many credits do you need each academic year?
In every university programme, you need to earn a set number of credits each term and each academic year. How credits are calculated depends on the country.
Credits per academic year in the ECTS
Most European countries use the European Credit System (ECTS). In the ECTS, you complete 60 credits per academic year, which usually means 30 credits per semester. One ECTS credit represents roughly 25 to 30 hours of total student workload, including lectures, seminars, independent study, assignments, and exam preparation.
Credits per semester in the credit hour system
In the United States, South Korea, and some parts of Canada, universities usually use the credit hour system. In this system, you earn credits based on the number of lectures you complete per semester.
The exact number of credits you need per semester depends on the country. For example, in the US, one credit hour is typically the equivalent of one hour of teaching time. Full-time undergraduate students normally take around 12 to 15 credit hours per semester, adding up to about 24 to 30 credits per academic year. A typical four-year Bachelor’s degree requires around 120 credit hours in total.
Credits per academic year in the CATS
In the United Kingdom, most universities use the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS). In this system, a full academic year is equal to 120 credits, with 60 credits per semester. Individual modules are often worth 15 or 30 credits and run for one semester.
Credits per academic year in the Australian credit system
In the Australian university credit system, most subjects are worth 6 to 8 credits. For a Bachelor’s degree, you’d need to take 144 credits, and for a postgraduate degree, you’d need 96.
Exams and holidays during the academic year
No matter how many semesters there are in your university, the academic calendar is usually organised this way:
- 1. Teaching period (including lectures, lab work, and seminars).
- 2. Assessment and exam period
- 3. Break
After the break, you return to campus for the next semester. The academic year usually ends with the summer holidays, which are the longest break of the year.
Throughout the year, there will also be public holidays. Depending on the country you’re studying in, some of the following public holidays will shape your schedule:
- Christmas
- New Year
- Easter
- Bank holidays
- Thanksgiving
- Lunar New Year
- Eid al-Fitr
- Diwali
- Independence Days
Planning around the academic year as an international student
Universities often publish semester start and end dates in advance. As an international student, you can use this information to plan your studies, work, and personal life. Here’s what you can do:
Note important dates
Mark semester start and end dates, exam periods, online registration deadlines, course selection windows, assignment submissions, public holidays, breaks, and travel dates. Don’t forget resit or supplementary exam periods in case you might need them.
Plan revision periods
Use breaks wisely for exam prep or assignments, especially if your course has heavy exams or continuous assessments.
Align your internships with the longest breaks
Summer holidays are usually the most practical time for full-time internships, as it’s longer. That said, securing a summer internships can be competitive, so start preparing your application in advance to make sure you have enough time.
If your programme allows it, you can also consider shorter work placements during winter or spring breaks.
Check study permit limits
If you want to work part-time while studying, make sure you understand your study permit or visa conditions. For example, the UK allows international students to work up to 20 hours during term time.
Check your university’s career services or international student office to find on-campus or local part-time jobs, and plan your work schedule around lectures, labs, and exam periods.
Choose your travel dates carefully
Avoid booking trips during teaching and exam periods. Check your academic calendar and mark all assessment deadlines, exams, and mandatory sessions before planning any travel. Many students choose to travel during summer time as it’s a longer holiday.
Checklist for planning around the academic year structure
Whether your school follows a semester, trimester, or quarter system, always make sure you know:
- Term start and end dates (so you can plan your study schedule, travel, and work)
- Orientation or other important dates during term time
- Exam periods (including midterms, finals, and any resit opportunities)
- Breaks (reading weeks, winter/spring breaks, and summer holidays)
- Assignment deadlines (when essays, lab reports, and projects are due)
- Course registration deadlines
Staying on top of these dates makes it easier to plan your studies, internships, travel, and personal life.
