Cambridge Term Dates 2026–2027: Michaelmas, Lent and Easter Full Term Dates

The University of Cambridge academic year 2026–2027 runs from Thursday, 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, divided into three named terms — Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter.

Each term contains two distinct periods: a broader administrative “Term” and a shorter eight-week “Full Term” teaching window.

Cambridge Term Dates 2026–2027 at a Glance

The table below shows all six key date boundaries across Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter terms for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Dates are sourced from the official University of Cambridge academic calendar published at cam.ac.uk.

College-specific residence periods may extend slightly beyond Full Term on either side. Students should confirm arrival and departure dates directly with their college.

What Is the Difference Between “Term” and “Full Term” at Cambridge?

“Term” is the broader administrative period when the University is officially in session. “Full Term” is the eight-week teaching window within each term when lectures, supervisions, and tutorials take place. The two periods share the same calendar position but cover different date ranges.

This distinction is the single most misunderstood feature of the Cambridge academic calendar. Most competing pages list dates without explaining it. The gap matters practically for accommodation, visa compliance, and travel planning.

What Is “Term” at Cambridge?

Term is the full administrative period during which the University is considered to be in session. During Term, students and staff are formally part of the University community. University services, departments, and administrative functions operate on a Term calendar. Michaelmas Term 2026 spans Thursday, 1 October 2026 to Saturday, 19 December 2026 — a period of eleven weeks.

What Is “Full Term” at Cambridge?

Full Term is the eight-week period within each term when structured academic teaching occurs. Lectures, supervisions, college tutorials, and practicals are all scheduled within Full Term. Attendance during Full Term is effectively mandatory for undergraduates. Michaelmas Full Term 2026 runs Tuesday, 6 October 2026 to Friday, 4 December 2026.

Cambridge’s Full Terms are eight weeks long — significantly shorter than the 10–12 week teaching semesters used by most other UK universities. The intensity of contact hours within that window is correspondingly higher.

Why Does the Distinction Matter?

The practical implications of the Term versus Full Term divide affect multiple areas of student life.

• College accommodation availability typically maps to Full Term, not the full Term period. Students arriving before Full Term starts may need to arrange accommodation separately.
• Visa compliance for international students on a Student visa is governed by residency during Full Term. The requirement to be “in residence” at Cambridge relates to the Full Term teaching window.
• Travel and visit planning should prioritise Full Term dates. Students are free to travel between the start of Term and the start of Full Term, but lectures have not yet begun, nor is the University closed.
• Supervision schedules are arranged within Full Term. Supervisors and Directors of Studies base their contact schedules on Full Term weeks, referred to internally as “Week 1” through “Week 8.”

Michaelmas Term 2026 — Cambridge Autumn Term Dates

Michaelmas Term is the first term of the Cambridge academic year, beginning on Thursday, 1 October 2026. It is Cambridge’s equivalent of an autumn term and runs through December. “Michaelmas” refers to the Feast of St Michael and All Angels on 29 September, the traditional ecclesiastical date marking the beginning of the autumn quarter in medieval universities.

Key Michaelmas 2026 Dates

• Term starts: Thursday, 1 October 2026
• Full Term starts: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
• Full Term ends: Friday, 4 December 2026
• Term ends: Saturday, 19 December 2026
• Full Term length: 8 weeks (Week 1 to Week 8)

Freshers’ Week and Arrival for Michaelmas 2026

New undergraduate students — referred to at Cambridge as “freshers” — are expected to arrive at their college in the days immediately before Full Term begins on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. Most colleges expect freshers to arrive on Sunday, 4 October or Monday, 5 October 2026, depending on the college’s own induction schedule.

The period between Term start (Thursday, 1 October 2026) and Full Term start (Tuesday, 6 October 2026) is used for matriculation, registration, college induction events, and settling in. This is not a holiday period. Individual colleges publish their own arrival schedules, and students should confirm the exact date with their college before making travel arrangements. The five-day gap between Term and Full Term is not standardised across all colleges.

What Happens During Michaelmas Term?

Full Term teaching — lectures, supervisions, and tutorials — runs across all eight weeks from Tuesday, 6 October to Friday, 4 December 2026. The period between Full Term end (Friday, 4 December 2026) and Term end (Saturday, 19 December 2026) is used for essay submission, revision, and the completion of any outstanding written work before the Christmas vacation begins.

Michaelmas is typically the most intensive term for first-year undergraduates, who are adjusting to the supervision system for the first time. Supervisions — small-group or one-to-one teaching sessions with a supervisor — are the core pedagogical unit of Cambridge’s undergraduate model and are scheduled at individual college level throughout Full Term.

Lent Term 2027 — Cambridge Spring Term Dates

Lent Term is Cambridge’s second term, beginning on Tuesday, 5 January 2027. It runs through late March. The name derives from the Christian season of Lent, but the term’s calendar dates do not align with the religious observance. Easter Sunday 2027 falls on 28 March, after Lent Term has ended.

Key Lent Term 2027 Dates

• Term starts: Tuesday, 5 January 2027
• Full Term starts: Tuesday, 19 January 2027
• Full Term ends: Friday, 19 March 2027
• Term ends: Thursday, 25 March 2027
• Full Term length: 8 weeks

The Lent Term Gap — What Happens Between 5 and 19 January?

The two-week gap between Term start (Tuesday, 5 January 2027) and Full Term start (Tuesday, 19 January 2027) is one of the most searched clarification points for Cambridge students. This window is not a holiday. Students returning from the Christmas vacation on 5 January are technically in Term but not in Full Term.

During this fortnight, many undergraduates complete vacation essays assigned at the end of Michaelmas, undertake directed reading set by their supervisors, and prepare for the supervisions that begin in Week 1 of Full Term on 19 January. For postgraduate research students, this period is typically active research time with no fixed teaching schedule imposed by the Term calendar.

Examinations and Lent Term

For most Cambridge undergraduate courses, Lent Term’s final weeks shift in emphasis toward examination preparation. The Cambridge Tripos — the University’s primary undergraduate assessment system — is sat during Easter Term. This means the conclusion of Lent Term, from approximately Week 6 onward, typically involves intensive revision alongside any remaining supervision contact. Directors of Studies at most colleges will schedule fewer new topics in the final two weeks of Lent Full Term in recognition of this.

Easter Term 2027 — Cambridge Summer Term Dates

Easter Term is Cambridge’s third and final term of the academic year, beginning on Saturday, 17 April 2027. Despite its name, Easter Term begins after Easter Sunday, not on it. Easter Sunday 2027 falls on 28 March, more than three weeks before this term starts.

Key Easter Term 2027 Dates

• Term starts: Saturday, 17 April 2027
• Full Term starts: Tuesday, 27 April 2027
• Full Term ends: Friday, 18 June 2027
• Term ends: Friday, 25 June 2027
• Full Term length: 7–8 weeks

Tripos Examinations in Easter Term

The Cambridge Tripos examinations — the University’s undergraduate assessment system, named after the three-legged stool historically used by candidates — are sat during Easter Term. Full Term begins on Tuesday, 27 April 2027. Examinations are typically scheduled from mid-May onward, depending on the subject. Students returning after the Easter vacation should treat Easter Term as an examination-focused term from the outset. Lecture attendance during Easter Full Term varies by year and subject, as many Part II and Part III courses reduce lecture provision in the weeks directly preceding Tripos.

May Week — Cambridge’s Celebration Period

May Week is a two-week period of celebrations that takes place in June, not May. It follows the end of Easter Full Term and marks the conclusion of the Tripos examination period. May Balls, garden parties, punting events, and college-specific celebrations are concentrated in this window. For 2027, May Week falls approximately from Friday, 18 June to Friday, 25 June 2027, immediately following Easter Full Term end on 18 June.

The term “May Week” is a historic misnomer: when it was established, Cambridge’s academic calendar ran earlier in the year, and celebrations did occur in May. The calendar shifted over the subsequent centuries, but the name was retained.

Cambridge Graduation and General Admission Dates 2026–2027

Cambridge refers to its graduation ceremonies as “General Admission,” not graduation. This Cambridge-specific term frequently causes confusion for students and families unfamiliar with the University’s institutional vocabulary. General Admission ceremonies take place at the Senate House in central Cambridge and are conducted partly in Latin.

General Admission (Graduation) Dates — July 2026

The following General Admission dates apply to BTh, BA, VetMB, and BA with MEng, MMath, or MSci degrees.

Long Vacation General Admission — July 2026

During General Admission, graduating students process to the Senate House in academic dress. The ceremony is conducted partly in Latin, following a tradition that dates to the medieval University. Guests require tickets, which are obtained through the student’s college rather than the University centrally. The number of guest tickets varies by college and by ceremony date. Families planning travel to Cambridge for July 2026 General Admission should book accommodation well in advance, as July is a high-demand period across the city.

Cambridge University Vacation Dates 2026–2027

Cambridge has three vacation periods between terms: Christmas vacation, Easter vacation, and Long Vacation. These are not equivalent to the holiday periods at most UK universities. Cambridge’s vacation periods — particularly Long Vacation — carry formal expectations of independent study, research, and essay completion.

Christmas Vacation 2026–2027

Christmas vacation runs from the term end on Saturday, 19 December 2026, to the start of Lent Term on Tuesday, 5 January 2027. This is approximately two and a half weeks. Cambridge’s Christmas vacation is shorter than those at most UK semester-based universities, which typically allow four to six weeks between the end of the autumn term and the start of the spring term.

Easter Vacation 2027

Easter vacation runs from the end of Lent Term on Thursday, 25 March 2027, to Easter Term start on Saturday, 17 April 2027. This is approximately three weeks. For most undergraduates, Easter vacation is a primary Tripos revision period. Many Directors of Studies assign specific reading lists or practice papers during this window in preparation for May examinations.

Long Vacation 2027

Long Vacation runs from Easter Term end on Friday, 25 June 2027, to the start of Michaelmas Term 2027 (typically early October 2027).

This is approximately fourteen to fifteen weeks. Cambridge does not treat the Long Vacation as a holiday period. Undergraduates are expected to undertake significant independent reading and, in many subjects, complete a Long Vacation essay or project.

Postgraduate research students treat the Long Vacation as their primary uninterrupted research period. College accommodation is typically unavailable to undergraduates during the Long Vacation unless a formal arrangement is made through the college.

Cambridge College Term Dates and Residence Periods 2026–2027

Individual Cambridge colleges publish their own “Normal Periods of Residence” — these are distinct from, though closely aligned to, the University’s central Full Term dates. The University of Cambridge is a collegiate university: 31 autonomous colleges share the University’s teaching and research functions but operate their own accommodation and residence policies.

How Do College Dates Differ from University Term Dates?

The University publishes central Term and Full Term dates that apply University-wide. Each college then publishes its own Normal Period of Residence — the dates during which students are expected to be in their college accommodation. These periods typically follow Full Term but may extend by one to three days on either side to accommodate college-specific induction events, college examinations, or accommodation logistics.

A student at Downing College will have a slightly different residence obligation than a student at Fitzwilliam College, even though the University’s Full Term dates are identical for both. Students should not rely on the University’s central calendar for accommodation check-in and check-out dates — the college website is the authoritative source for that information.

Colleges That Publish Dedicated Term Date Pages

The following colleges maintain publicly accessible term date and residence period pages for 2026–2027: Downing College, Fitzwilliam College, Emmanuel College, St John’s College, King’s College, Christ’s College, Pembroke College, and Selwyn College. These pages typically publish Normal Periods of Residence one to two academic years in advance.

H4: What Are Normal Periods of Residence?

Normal Periods of Residence are the college-level date ranges during which students are formally required to live in Cambridge. These are not simply the same as Full Term. A college may require students to arrive on the Sunday before Full Term begins, and depart on the Monday after Full Term ends. These requirements vary by college and by term. Students on international student visas must be particularly attentive to these dates, as their residency obligations may intersect with visa compliance requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Is This the University of Cambridge or Anglia Ruskin University?

The University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) are two separate institutions based in Cambridge. Their term dates differ. ARU is a post-1992 university that operates on a semester system; the University of Cambridge operates on the Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter term structure described on this page.

CATS College Cambridge and St Bede’s Inter-Church School also publish their own academic calendars under the “Cambridge” name. If you arrived at this page searching for ARU Cambridge term dates, Anglia Ruskin publishes its academic calendar at aru.ac.uk.

Cambridge Term Dates for Postgraduate Students 2026–2027

The central University Term and Full Term dates are the same for postgraduate students as for undergraduates. However, the practical implications of those dates differ significantly depending on whether a student is postgraduate taught (PGT) or postgraduate research (PGR).

Are Postgraduate Term Dates the Same as Undergraduate?

The calendar framework is the same. Michaelmas Term begins Thursday, 1 October 2026, for all student categories. However, postgraduate students’ obligations within that calendar are governed by their programme regulations and, in the case of PhD students, by individual supervisory arrangements — not by a fixed lecture timetable.

Postgraduate Taught (PGT) vs Postgraduate Research (PGR) — What Is the Difference?

PGT students follow the academic term calendar closely, attending lectures and seminars throughout Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter. PGR students — particularly PhD candidates — are not typically required to attend fixed lectures during Full Term weeks, but may still be required to be in Cambridge for supervisory meetings, university training courses, and residency requirements that affect their Student visa status. PhD students should refer to their departmental handbook and supervisory agreement for residency expectations specific to their programme.

Cambridge Term Dates vs Oxford Term Dates 2026–2027

Oxford and Cambridge share a common term structure derived from the same medieval academic tradition, but they use different names for their second and third terms and publish independent calendars with dates that do not always align exactly.

How Similar Are Oxford and Cambridge Term Structures?

Both universities use an eight-week Full Term structure. Both use a collegiate university model in which colleges publish their own residence periods. Oxford’s equivalent to Cambridge’s “Lent Term” is “Hilary Term,” named after the Feast of St Hilary of Poitiers on 13 January. Oxford’s equivalent to Cambridge’s “Easter Term” is “Trinity Term,” named after Trinity Sunday.

How Do Cambridge Term Dates Compare to Other UK Universities?

Most UK universities operate on a semester system with 12-week teaching blocks per semester. Cambridge’s eight-week Full Terms are substantially shorter by comparison. However, this comparison is misleading without context: Cambridge’s vacations are not equivalent to other universities’ breaks.

Long Vacation at Cambridge carries formal study expectations; it is not the fourteen-week summer holiday that the equivalent calendar gap would represent at a semester-based institution. The contact-hour model at Cambridge is also distinct — supervisions are one-to-four teaching sessions that run in addition to, not instead of, lectures and practicals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Term Dates 2026–2027

What are the three terms at Cambridge University?

Cambridge has three terms: Michaelmas (October to December), Lent (January to March), and Easter (April to June). Each contains an eight-week Full Term teaching window. The terms are named after ecclesiastical seasons and feasts, following a medieval university tradition shared with Oxford.

How long is a Full Term at Cambridge?

Each Full Term at Cambridge is eight weeks long. This is the active teaching period during which lectures, supervisions, and tutorials are scheduled. The broader “Term” period on either side is used for preparation, induction, revision, and essay submission. Easter Full Term may span seven to eight weeks, depending on the specific calendar year.

When does the Cambridge academic year start in 2026?

The Cambridge academic year 2026–2027 begins on Thursday, 1 October 2026, with the start of Michaelmas Term. Full Term teaching begins on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. The five-day gap between these two dates is used for fresher induction, matriculation, and registration.

Are Cambridge term dates different for each college?

The University publishes central Term and Full Term dates that apply across all colleges. Individual colleges then publish their own Normal Periods of Residence for accommodation purposes. These differ slightly from the University dates — typically by one to three days — and students must consult their own college website for check-in and check-out obligations.

What is May Week at Cambridge?

May Week is a two-week period of celebrations — including May Balls, garden parties, and college events — that takes place in June, not May. For 2027, May Week falls approximately from Friday, 18 June to Friday, 25 June 2027, immediately after Easter Full Term ends. The name is a historic relic from an earlier version of the Cambridge academic calendar.

What is the richest college at Cambridge?

Trinity College is generally regarded as the wealthiest Cambridge college, with an endowment estimated in the billions of pounds. Trinity owns substantial property across Cambridge and beyond, including the majority of the Trinity Street and Burrell’s Field estates.

Can you live at home while studying at Cambridge?

This is not standard practice at Cambridge. The University and its colleges impose formal residence requirements during Full Term, meaning most undergraduates are required to live in or within close proximity to Cambridge during the eight-week teaching periods. Students seeking exemption from residence requirements must apply through their college. Exemptions are granted in limited circumstances and are not routinely approved.

Where can I find the official Cambridge term dates?

The official term dates for the University of Cambridge are published at cam.ac.uk/about-the-university/term-dates-and-calendars. The page is updated annually and includes dates several years in advance. College-specific residence dates are published on individual college websites and are not consolidated on the University’s central calendar page.