NMU Academic Calendar – 2026 Term Dates
The authority of the Nelson Mandela University, NMU has released its academic calendar also known as term dates for 2026 academic sessions, freshers and returning students are to take note.
The academic calendar hints about Nelson Mandela University, NMU resumption date for new and returning students 2025, examination date and other academic activities for the year.
See below, the academic calendar for sessional dates for the 2026 academic year.
NOTE: The University reserves the right to amend the planned institutional dates.
The academic calendar hints about Nelson Mandela University, NMU resumption date for new and returning students 2025, examination date and other academic activities for the year.
See below, the academic calendar for sessional dates for the 2026 academic year.
Further Readings: Nelson Mandela University Full Tuition & Fees
NELSON MANDELA UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC SCHEDULE FOR 2026 ACADEMIC SESSIONS
The academic calendar for 2026 academic session as approved by the authority of the Nelson Mandela University, NMU.TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESSMENT PERIODS
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 4 days | |||
| University Opens to the public: | Monday, 12 January 2026 | ||||||
| Work Integrated Learning period for Faculty of Health Siences | Wednesday, 14 January 2026 | to | Tuesday, 15 December 2026 | ||||
| Year-End Re-assessment Period | Thursday, 15 January 2026 | to | Friday, 23 January 2026 | 7 days | |||
| Publication of provisional Year-end Re-assessment period results | Friday, 30 January 2026 | ||||||
| First Year Welcoming Ceremony | Saturday, 31 January 2026 | ||||||
| First Year Student Success Programme | Monday, 26 January 2026 | to | Friday, 06 February 2026 | 10 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 1 | Monday, 09 February 2026 | to | Wednesday, 25 March 2026 | 33 days | |||
| First teaching cycle recess | Thursday, 26 March 2026 | to | Monday, 06 April 2026 | 12 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 2 | Tuesday, 07 April 2026 | to | Friday, 22 May 2026 | 32 days | |||
| Study Period | Monday, 25 May 2026 | to | Monday, 25 May 2026 | 1 day | |||
| Mid-Year Assessment Period | Tuesday, 26 May 2026 | to | Friday, 19 June 2026 | 17 days | |||
| Second teaching cycle recess: | Saturday, 20 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 05 July 2026 | 16 days | |||
| Mid-Year Re-assessment Period | Monday, 06 July 2026 | to | Friday, 10 July 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 3 | Monday, 13 July 2026 | to | Wednesday, 26 August 2026 | 32 days | |||
| Third teaching cycle recess | Thursday, 27 August 2026 | to | Wednesday, 02 September 2026 | 7 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 4 | Thursday, 03 September 2026 | to | Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | 33 days | |||
| Year-End Assessment Period | Thursday, 22 October 2026 | to | Friday, 13 November 2026 | 17 days | |||
| Recess | Saturday, 14 November 2026 | to | Sunday, 29 November 2026 | 16 days | |||
| Year-End Re-assessment Period | Monday, 30 November 2026 | to | Tuesday, 08 December 2026 | 7 days | |||
| Year end Recess | Wednesday, 09 December 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 24 days | |||
| University Closes | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
MEDICAL SCHOOL TEACHING CYCLES AND ASSESSMENT AND RECESS PERIODS
| MBChB I | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Monday, 05 January 2026 | 5 days | |||
| New Years Day: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | 1 day | |||||
| University opens to the public | Monday, 12 January 2026 | 1 day | |||||
| MBChB 1 Orientation | Wednesday, 04 February 2026 | to | Friday, 06 February 2026 | 3 days | |||
| Term 1 | Monday, 09 February 2026 | to | Friday, 10 April 2026 | 43 days | |||
| Term 1 Recess | Saturday, 11 April 2026 | to | Sunday, 27 April 2026 | 16 days | |||
| Term 2 | Tuesday, 28 April 2026 | to | Friday, 12 June 2026 | 35 days | |||
| Term 2 Recess: | Saturday, 13 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 12 July 2026 | 30 days | |||
| Term 3 | Monday, 13 July 2026 | to | Friday, 04 September 2026 | 40 days | |||
| Term 3 Recess | Saturday, 05 September 2026 | to | Sunday, 13 September 2026 | 9 days | |||
| Term 4 | Monday, 14 September 2026 | to | Friday, 06 November 2026 | 40 days | |||
| Study Period | Saturday, 07 November 2026 | to | Sunday, 15 November 2026 | 9 days | |||
| Year-End Assessment Period | Monday, 16 November 2026 | to | Friday, 20 November 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Re-assessment Study Period | Saturday, 23 November 2026 | to | Sunday, 27 November 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Year-End Re-assessment Period | Sunday, 30 November 2026 | to | Friday, 04 December 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Term 4 Recess | Saturday, 05 December 2026 | to | Wednesday, 31 Dec 2026 | 25 days | |||
| University Closes | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESSMENT PERIODS | |||||||
| MBChB II & III | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 4 days | |||
| University Opens to the public | Monday, 12 January 2026 | ||||||
| Teaching Cycle 1 | Monday, 02 February 2026 | to | Friday, 10 April 2026 | 48 days | |||
| First teaching cycle student recess | Saturday, 11 April 2026 | to | Monday, 27 April 2026 | 17 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 2 | Tuesday, 28 April 2026 | to | Friday, 19 June 2026 | 35 days | |||
| Second teaching cycle student recess: | Saturday, 20 June 2026 | to | Monday, 12 July 2026 | 30 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 3 | Monday, 13 July 2026 | to | Friday, 04 September 2026 | 39 days | |||
| Third teaching cycle student recess | Friday, 05 September 2026 | to | Sunday, 13 September 2026 | 9 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 4 | Monday, 14 September 2026 | to | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | 42 days | |||
| Study Period | Sunday, 12 November 2026 | to | Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | 6 days | |||
| Year-End Assessment Period | Wednesday, 18 November 2026 | to | Friday, 27 November 2026 | 8 days | |||
| Re-assessment Study Period | Saturday, 30 November 2026 | to | Sunday, 6 December 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Year-End Re-assessment Period | Monday, 07 December 2026 | to | Friday, 11 December 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Fourth teaching cycle recess | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 12 days | |||
| University Close | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESMENT PERIODS: FOURTH YEAR | |||||||
| MBChB IV | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 2 days | |||
| New Years Day: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | 1 day | |||||
| University opens to the public | Monday, 12 January 2026 | 1 day | |||||
| Teaching Cycle 1 & 2 | Monday, 12 January 2026 | to | Friday, 29 May 2026 | 94 days | |||
| Study Period | Saturday, 30 May 2026 | to | Thursday, 04 June 2026 | 6 days | |||
| Assessment Period | Friday, 05 June 2026 | to | Friday, 12 June 2026 | 6 days | |||
| Second teaching cycle student recess: | Saturday, 13 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 05 July 2026 | 23 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 3 & 4 | Monday, 06 July 2026 | to | Friday, 06 November 2026 | 87 days | |||
| Study Period | Saturday, 07 November 2026 | to | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | 7 days | |||
| Assessment Period | Thursday, 12 November 2026 | to | Friday, 20 November 2026 | 7 days | |||
| Clinical remediation | Monday, 23 November 2026 | to | Friday, 27 November 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Re-assessment/Clinical remediation | Monday, 30 November 2026 | to | Friday, 04 December 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Clinical remediation | Monday, 07 December 2026 | to | Friday, 11 December 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Fourth teaching cycle recess | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 20 days | |||
| University Closes: | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESMENT PERIODS: FIFTH YEAR | |||||||
| MBChB V | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 4 days | |||
| University Opens to the public: | Monday, 12 January 2026 | ||||||
| Teaching Cycle 1 & 2 | Monday, 12 January 2026 | to | Wednesday, 27 May 2026 | 94 days | |||
| Study Period | Thursday, 28 May 2026 | to | Tuesday, 02 June 2026 | 6 days | |||
| Assessment Period | Wednesday, 03 June 2026 | to | Friday, 12 June 2026 | 8 days | |||
| Second Teaching cycle recess | Saturday, 13 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 05 July 2026 | 22 days | |||
| Taching Cycle 3 & 4 | Monday, 06 July 2026 | to | Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | 91 days | |||
| Study Period | Thursday, 12 November 2026 | to | Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | 6 days | |||
| Assessment Period | Wednesday, 03 June 2026 | to | Friday, 12 June 2026 | 8 days | |||
| Clinical/Reassessment Period | Monday, 30 November 2026 | to | Friday, 11 December 2026 | 4 days | |||
| Fourth teaching cycle recess | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 20 days | |||
| University Close | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESMENT PERIODS | |||||||
| MBChB 6 Group A | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 4 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 1 & 2 (Semester 1) | Monday, 12 January 2026 | to | Friday, 29 May 2026 | 96 days | |||
| Semester 1 Recess | Monday, 01 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 14 June 2026 | 10 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 3 & 4 (Semester 2) | Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | to | Friday, 13 November 2026 | 105 days | |||
| Clinical Remediation and Reassessment | Monday, 16 November 2026 | to | Friday, 27 November 2026 | 10 days | |||
| Semester 2 Recess | Saturday, 28 November 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 24 days | |||
| University Closes | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESMENT PERIODS | |||||||
| MBChB 6 Group B | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 4 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 1 & 2 (Semester 1) | Monday, 12 January 2026 | to | Friday, 12 June 2026 | 106 days | |||
| Semester 1 Recess | Saturday, 13 June 2026 | to | Sunday, 28 June 2026 | 10 days | |||
| Teaching Cycle 3 & 4 (Semester 2) | Monday, 29 June 2026 | to | Friday, 13 November 2026 | 97 days | |||
| Clinical Remediation and Reassessment | Monday, 16 November 2026 | to | Friday, 27 November 2026 | 10 days | |||
| Semester 2 Recess | Saturday, 12 December 2026 | to | Thursday, 31 December 2026 | 21 days | |||
| University Closes | Tuesday, 22 December 2026 | ||||||
BUSINESS SCHOOL TEACHING CYCLES AND ASSESSMENT AND RECESS PERIODS
| TEACHING CYCLES, RECESS PERIODS AND ASSESMENT PERIODS | |||||||
| Recess: | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | to | Sunday, 04 January 2026 | 5 days | |||
| University Opens for internal processes and preparations: | Tuesday, 06 January 2026 | ||||||
| University Opens to the public: | Monday, 12 January 2026 | ||||||
| Registration | Monday, 12 January 2026 | to | Saturday, 17 January 2026 | 6 days | |||
| 2025 Trimester 3 teaching cycle re-assessment period | Wednesday, 07 January 2026 | to | Friday, 09 January 2026 | 3 days | |||
| Trimester 1 teaching cycle: | Monday, 19 January 2026 | to | Thursday, 30 April 2026 | 79 days | |||
| Trimester 1 teaching cycle assessment period | Monday, 04 May 2026 | to | Friday, 08 May 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Trimester 1 teaching cycle re-assessment period | Wednesday, 17 June 2026 | to | Friday, 19 June 2026 | 3 days | |||
| Trimester 2 teaching cycle: | Monday, 11 May 2026 | to | Friday, 31 July 2026 | 43 days | |||
| Trimester 2 teaching cycle assessment period | Monday, 03 August 2026 | to | Friday, 07 August 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Trimester 2 teaching cycle re-assessment period | Wednesday, 16 September 2026 | to | Friday, 18 September 2026 | 3 days | |||
| Trimester 3 teaching cycle: | Tuesday, 11 August 2026 | to | Friday, 06 November 2026 | 58 days | |||
| Trimester 3 teaching cycle assessment period | Monday, 09 November 2026 | to | Friday, 13 November 2026 | 5 days | |||
| Recess: | Saturday, 14 November 2026 | to | Monday, 30 November 2026 | 54 days | |||
| Trimester 3 teaching cycle assessment period | Wednesday, 06 January 2027 | to | Friday, 08 January 2027 | 3 days | |||
GRADUATION CEREMONIES
| Autumn graduation (George): | Tuesday, 31 March 2026 | to | Wednesday, 01 April 2026 |
| Autumn graduation (Gqeberha): | Tuesday, 07 April 2026 | to | Tuesday, 21 April 2026 |
| Summer graduation (Gqeberha): | Monday, 14 December 2026 | to | Tuesday, 15 December 2026 |
PUBLIC AND UNIVERSITY HOLIDAYS
| First teaching cycle | Thursday, 01 January 2026 | New Year’s Day |
| Saturday, 21 March 2026 | Human Rights Day | |
| Friday, 03 April 2026 | Good Friday | |
| Monday, 06 April 2026 | Family Day | |
| Second teaching cycle | Monday, 27 April 2026 | Freedom day |
| Friday, 01 May 2026 | Workers’ Day | |
| Monday, 15 June 2026 | University Holiday | |
| Tuesday, 16 June 2026 | Youth Day | |
| Third teaching cycle | Sunday, 09 August 2026 | National Women’s Day |
| Monday, 10 August 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Fourth teaching cycle | Thursday, 24 September 2026 | Heritage Day |
| Friday, 25 September 2026 | University Holiday | |
| Wednesday, 16 December 2026 | Day of Reconciliation | |
| Friday, 25 December 2026 | Christmas Day | |
| Saturday, 26 December 2026 | Day of Goodwill |
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