SMU Academic Calendar – 2026 Term Dates
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, SMU has released its academic calendar for the year 2026 academic sessions, newly admitted and returning students are to take note.
The academic calendar hints about Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, SMU 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.
The academic calendar hints about Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, SMU 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: Sefako Makgatho University, SMU Full Tuition & Fees
SMU SESSIONAL DATES FOR 2026 ACADEMIC SESSIONS
The academic calendar for 2026 academic session as approved by senate of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, SMU.| Category | Event/Period | Date(s) | Details/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACADEMIC YEAR | University Resumes | 05 January 2026 | Start of 2026 academic year |
| First Semester | 05 Jan – 17 July 2026 | Full semester period | |
| Second Semester | 20 July – 15 Dec 2026 | Full semester period | |
| University Recess | 23 Dec 2026 – 04 Jan 2027 | End of year break | |
| University Opens 2027 | 04 January 2027 | — | |
| STUDENT RECESS | Autumn Recess | 30 Mar – 02 Apr 2026 | For students |
| Winter Recess | 08 Jul – 17 Jul 2026 | For students | |
| End of Semester 2 | 15 December 2026 | All academic activities end | |
| REGISTRATION | Returning Students Registration | 05 January 2026 | Commences |
| Returning Students Registration Closes | 16 January 2026 | Last day | |
| First-Year Students Registration | 21 January 2026 | Commences | |
| First-Year Students Registration Closes | 30 January 2026 | Last day | |
| Late Registration Opens | 02 February 2026 | For all students | |
| Late Registration Closes | 13 February 2026 | Deadline | |
| LECTURES | Returning Students Lectures Commence | 06 January 2026 | Lectures, clinical, practicum |
| BSc II, III, BSc ECP II-IV Lectures | 20 January 2026 | Commencement | |
| First-Year Students Lectures Commence | 02 February 2026 | Orientation ends | |
| ACADEMIC EXCLUSIONS | Academic Exclusion Appeals Open | 05 January 2026 | For 2025 registered students |
| Academic Exclusion Appeals Close | 12 January 2026 | Deadline | |
| School Academic Exclusions Committee | 21-23 January 2026 | Medicine, Dentistry, HCS, Pharmacy, S&T | |
| Senate Academic Exclusions Appeals Committee | 02 & 06 February 2026 | Appeals review | |
| CURRICULUM CHANGES | Change of Courses/Modules Deadline | 13 February 2026 | Last day |
| Cancellation of Courses/Modules Deadline | 15 May 2026 | Last day | |
| Exemption Applications Deadline | 13 February 2026 | From courses/modules | |
| Interruption of Studies Deadline | 15 May 2026 | For 2026 academic year | |
| ASSESSMENT | Special Summative Assessment | 16 January 2026 | UG, Honours, PG Diploma |
| Special Summative Assessment | 03 August 2026 | UG, Honours, PG Diploma | |
| Mid-Year Examinations | 01-19 June 2026 | Commence 01 June, end 19 June | |
| Mid-Year Supplementary Exams | 29 Jun – 07 Jul 2026 | Commence 29 June, end 07 July | |
| End-of-Year Examinations | 12 Oct – 06 Nov 2026 | Commence 12 Oct, end 06 Nov | |
| Supplementary/Deferred Exams | 16-24 Nov 2026 | Commence 16 Nov, end 24 Nov | |
| Revision Week (Mid-Year) | 25-29 May 2026 | Before mid-year exams | |
| Revision Week (End-of-Year) | 05-09 Oct 2026 | Before end-of-year exams | |
| RESULTS | Mid-Year Exam Results Release | 17 July 2026 | End of first semester |
| Publication of Year-Marks (Mid-Year) | 22 May 2026 | Before exams | |
| Publication of Year-Marks (End-of-Year) | 30 Sep 2026 | Before exams | |
| End-of-Year Exam Results Release | 08 December 2026 | After Senate approval | |
| GRADUATION | Graduation Ceremonies | 13-15 May 2026 | Three days |
| Oath-Taking Ceremony (Pharmacy) | 10 December 2026 | 09:00 | |
| Oath-Taking Ceremony (Health Care Sciences) | 10 December 2026 | 09:00 | |
| Oath-Taking Ceremony (Dentistry) | 11 December 2026 | 09:00 | |
| Oath-Taking Ceremony (Medicine) | 11 December 2026 | 09:00 | |
| POSTGRADUATE | Postgraduate Induction | 26 February 2026 | — |
| Research Methodology (REME) Course | 02 Mar – 19 Jun 2026 | Commences 02 March | |
| REME Examination | 26 June 2026 | — | |
| Masters & Doctoral Registration (First Time) | Until 31 October 2026 | Deadline | |
| Masters & Doctoral Registration (First Time) | 26 November 2026 | Closing date for research & doctorates | |
| Closing: Postgrad Reports for May Graduation | 30 March 2026 | To Postgraduate Studies Office | |
| Closing: Postgrad Reports for Sep Graduation | 03 August 2026 | To Postgraduate Studies Office | |
| APPLICATIONS | 2027 Applications Open | 01 April 2026 | For 2027 academic year |
| 2027 Undergraduate Applications Close | 31 July 2026 | Including MSc Clinical Psychology | |
| MEETINGS | Executive Management Committee | Weekly (Mondays) | 09:00 |
| Senate | 20 Mar, 05 Jun, 27 Aug, 13 Nov 2026 | Quarterly | |
| Council | 02 Apr, 26 Jun, 18 Sep, 29 Oct, 26 Nov 2026 | Various dates | |
| Executive Committee of Senate | Multiple dates | Monthly | |
| Senior Management Committee | 07 Jan, 17 Jun, 05 Oct 2026 | Quarterly | |
| Student Affairs Committee | 03 Feb, 08 Jul, 17 Sep 2026 | Various dates | |
| Senate Teaching & Learning Committee | 10 Feb, 23 Jun, 15 Sep 2026 | Quarterly | |
| Senate Research, Ethics & PG Studies | 13 Feb, 22 Jul, 16 Sep 2026 | Quarterly | |
| Finance & Investment Committee | 11 May, 20 Aug 2026 | Bi-annual | |
| Audit & Risk Committee | 19 Mar, 04 Jun, 21 Aug, 10 Nov 2026 | Quarterly | |
| Institutional Forum | 11 Mar, 07 May, 12 Aug, 04 Nov 2026 | Quarterly | |
| SCHOOL BOARDS | School of Medicine Board | 16 Mar, 28 May, 29 Jul 2026 | Various dates |
| School of Dentistry Board | 18 Mar, 27 Jul 2026 | Various dates | |
| School of Health Care Sciences Board | 19 Mar, 27 Jul 2026 | Various dates | |
| School of Pharmacy Board | 18 Mar, 27 May, 28 Jul 2026 | Various dates | |
| School of Science & Technology Board | 17 Mar, 28 May, 28 Jul 2026 | Various dates | |
| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS | New Year’s Day | 01 Jan 2026 | Public Holiday |
| Human Rights Day | 21 Mar 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Good Friday | 03 Apr 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Family Day | 06 Apr 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Freedom Day | 27 Apr 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Workers’ Day | 01 May 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Youth Day | 16 Jun 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Women’s Day | 09 Aug 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Public Holiday | 10 Aug 2026 | Observed | |
| Heritage Day | 24 Sep 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Day of Reconciliation | 16 Dec 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Christmas Day | 25 Dec 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| Day of Goodwill | 26 Dec 2026 | Public Holiday | |
| UNIVERSITY HOLIDAYS | University Holiday | 15 June 2026 | — |
| University Holiday | 25 September 2026 | — | |
| ORIENTATION | First-Year Student Orientation | 27-30 Jan 2026 | Four days |
| EVENTS | Open Day | 07 May 2026 | — |
| Africa Day Celebration | 15 May 2026 | — | |
| SMU Research Day | 19-21 Aug 2026 | Three days | |
| International Partners Symposium | 12 Nov 2026 | — | |
| Vice-Chancellor’s Awards Ceremony | 27 Nov 2026 | Teaching, Learning, Research, Support | |
| Vice-Chancellor’s Student Excellence Awards | 04 Dec 2026 | 18:00 | |
| DEADLINES | VC’s Research Excellence Awards | 17 July 2026 | Closing date |
| VC’s Teaching Excellence Awards | 17 July 2026 | Closing date | |
| IMPORTANT NOTES | Clinical Rotation Dates | All recess dates | School dates take precedence over Senate-approved dates for clinical students |
| Examination Arrangements | Throughout year | Schools may arrange clinical examinations prior to official examination commencement dates |
