WITS Academic Calendar – 2026 Term Dates
The authority of the University of the Witwatersrand, WITS has released its academic calendar also known as the almanac for 2026 academic sessions, freshers and returning students are to take note.
The academic calendar hints about University of the Witwatersrand, WITS 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.
Online degree intake dates
Summary of 2026 calendar for public schools
The academic calendar hints about University of the Witwatersrand, WITS 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.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND ACADEMIC SCHEDULE FOR 2026 ACADEMIC SESSIONS
The academic calendar for 2026 academic session as approved by the authority of the University of the Witwatersrand, WITS.| Activity | Dates |
|---|---|
| Publication of Matric Results | Monday 12 January |
| Welcome Day | Sunday 18 January |
| Gateway to Success and Postgraduate (PG) Orientation | Tuesday 20 January – Monday 02 February (10 days) |
| Returning Students Registrations PG and Undergraduate (UG) (including earlier date for online registration) | Friday 02 January – Monday 02 February |
| Start of Term | Tuesday 03 February |
| First Teaching Block | Tuesday 03 February – Wednesday 18 March (32 days) |
| Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research Break | Thursday 19 March – Sunday 29 March (11 days) |
| Second Teaching Block | Monday 30 March – Tuesday 19 May (33 days) |
| Study Break | Wednesday 20 May – Sunday 24 May (5 days) |
| Examinations/Assessment Period | Monday 25 May – Monday 22 June (20 days) |
| Winter Vacation/Study/Research Break | Tuesday 23 June – Sunday 19 July (27 days) |
| Third Teaching Block | Monday 20 July – Friday 04 September (34 days) |
| Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research Break | Monday 07 September – Sunday 13 September (7 days) |
| Fourth Teaching Block | Monday 14 September – Tuesday 27 October (31 days) |
| Study Break | Wednesday 28 October – Sunday 01 November (5 days) |
| Examinations/Assessment Period | Monday 02 November – Friday 27 November (20 days) |
| Last Day of Term | Friday 27 November |
| Summer Vacation/Study/Research break | Saturday 28 November |
| Please note: Faculty of Health Sciences Term Dates may vary Term Dates = 130 Teaching Days Consult the University’s website for more detailed information about dates of registration for different cohorts of students |
|---|
| Intake | Start Day | Start Date | End Day | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Degree – Intake 1 | Monday | 12 January | Sunday | 08 March |
| Online Degree – Intake 2 | Monday | 09 March | Sunday | 03 May |
| Online Degree – Intake 3 | Monday | 04 May | Sunday | 28 June |
| Online Degree – Intake 4 | Monday | 29 June | Sunday | 23 August |
| Online Degree – Intake 5 | Monday | 24 August | Sunday | 18 October |
| Online Degree – Intake 6 | Monday | 19 October | Sunday | 13 December |
| Name of holiday/holy day | Day | Date | University status |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday | 01 January | University closed |
| 1st Ramadaan (Commencement of Fasting) * | Wednesday or Thursday | 18 February or 19 February | |
| Human Rights Day Eid-ul-Fitr (Termination of Fasting) * | Saturday | 21 March | University closed |
| Passover (Pesach) day 1** | Thursday | 02 April | |
| Good Friday Passover (Pesach) day 2** | Friday | 03 April | University closed |
| Family Day | Monday | 06 April | University closed |
| Passover (Pesach) day 7** | Wednesday | 08 April | |
| Passover (Pesach) day 8** | Thursday | 09 April | |
| Freedom Day | Monday | 27 April | University closed |
| Workers’ Day | Friday | 01 May | University closed |
| Shavuoth day 1** | Friday | 22 May | |
| Shavuoth day 2** | Saturday | 23 May | |
| Eid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice) * | Thursday | 28 May | |
| Youth Day | Tuesday | 16 June | University closed |
| National Women’s Day | Sunday | 09 August | University closed |
| Public Holiday | Monday | 10 August | University closed |
| Rosh Hashanah day 1** | Saturday | 12 September | |
| Rosh Hashanah day 2** | Sunday | 13 September | |
| Yom Kippur** | Monday | 21 September | |
| Heritage Day | Thursday | 24 September | University closed |
| Sukkot (day 1) ** | Saturday | 26 September | |
| Sukkot (day 2) ** | Sunday | 27 September | |
| Sh’mini Atzeret** | Saturday | 03 October | |
| Simchat Torah** | Sunday | 04 October | |
| Deepavali / Luxmi Pooja (North & South) | Sunday | 08 November | |
| Day of Reconciliation | Wednesday | 16 December | University closed |
| Christmas Day | Friday | 25 December | University closed |
| Day of Goodwill | Saturday | 26 December | University closed |
| Please note: *Islamic Holy Day – the exact date depends on the sighting of the new moon. **Jewish Holy Day – All Holy days commence at sunset the evening before the date above. No exam will be scheduled on a recognised University holiday/holy day. | |||
| Term | Duration | No. of weeks | No. of days | No. of public holidays | Actual no. of school days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (12) 14 January – 27 March | 11 | 53 (55) | 0 | 53 (55) |
| 2 | 08 April – 26 June | 12 | 58 | 3 + 1 | 54 |
| 3 | 21 July – 23 September | 10 | 47 | 1 | 46 |
| 4 | 06 October – (9) 11 December | 10 | 47 (49) | 0 | 47 (49) |
| Total | 43 | 205 (209) | 4 + 1 | 200 (204) |
Are students allowed to stay at the campus when university is closed?