Heriot-Watt University

Academic calendar

Semester dates for our UK, Dubai and Malaysia campuses are listed here and you can find dates for enrolment, teaching, holidays, examination and graduation.

Please note the campus holidays or 'buildings closed' days for each campus.

UK Campus session dates for 2019/20
2019/20 Academic Year
Dates Activity
9-13 September 2019 Welcome Week
16 September – 6 December 2019 Semester 1 teaching
7, 9-10 December 2019 (Edinburgh Campus) (Sat, Mon, Tues) Graduations
9–20 December 2019 Semester 1 exams
23 December 2019 – 10 January 2020 Semester 1 break
13 January – 3 April 2020 Semester 2 teaching
6–24 April 2020
(Easter: 12 April 2020)		 Semester 2 break
27 April – 22 May 2020 Semester 2 exams
19 June 2020 (Scottish Borders Campus) Graduations
22–26 June 2020 (Edinburgh Campus) Graduations
6–14 August 2020 Resit exams
5, 7-8 December 2020 (Edinburgh Campus) (Sat, Mon, Tues) Graduations

UK campus holidays 2019/20

The University buildings – except for student halls of residences – will be closed on:

  • 24-31 December 2019
  • 1-2 January 2020
  • 10 April 2020 (Good Friday)
  • 13 April 2020 (Easter Monday)

Closed days to be confirmed.

Dubai Campus session dates for 2019/20
2019/20 dates Activity
8-14 September 2019 Welcome Week
15 September – 6 December 2019 Semester 1 Teaching
27-28 November 2019 Graduation
9-20 December 2019 Semester 1 Exams
22 December 2019 – 9 January 2020 Semester 1 Break
12 January – 3 April 2020 Semester 2 Teaching
5-23 April 2020 Semester 2 Break
27 April – 22 May 2020 Semester 2 Exams
7-8 July 2020 Graduation
6-14 August 2020 Resit Exams
22–23 November 2020 Graduation

Please note that new students joining the Degree Entry Programme (DEP) in January 2020 follow different session dates.

Dubai Campus Holidays 2019/20

The University buildings will be closed for the following official UAE holidays*:

  • 1 December 2019 (Commemoration Day)
  • 2 - 3 December 2019 (National Day)
  • 1 January 2020 (New Year’s Day)
  • 24 - 26 May 2020 (Eid Al Fitr)
  • 30 July – 2 August 2020 (Arafah Day and Eid Al Adha)
  • 23 August 2020 (Hijri New Year)

*All dates given, especially for Islamic holidays, are approximate. The exact date(s) of observation will be announced by the UAE government and confirmed by the University closer to each holiday.

Malaysia Campus session dates for 2019/20 - 2024/25

Session dates for our academic year vary according to the programme you are taking. For detailed information see the academic calendars for your programme:

Foundation programmes

Undergraduate programmes

Postgraduate programmes

Malaysia Campus holidays for 2019 - 2022

Malaysia Campus Holidays up to 2022*.

The University buildings will be closed for the following official Malaysia holidays.​

  • 1 January 2020 – New Year's Day
  • 25 – 26 January 2020 – Chinese New Year#
  • 1 February 2020 – Federal Territory Day
  • 8 February 2020 – Thaipusam
  • 1 May 2020 – Labour Day
  • 7 May 2020 – Wesak Day
  • 10 May 2020 – Nuzul Al-Quran#
  • 24 – 25 May 2020 – Hari Raya Aidil Fitri*#
  • 6 June 2020 – King's Birthday
  • 31 July 2020 – Hari Raya Aidil Adha*
  • 20 August 2020 – Awal Muharram
  • 31 August 2020 – National Day
  • 16 September 2020 – Malaysia Day
  • 29 October 2020 – Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
  • 14 November 2020 – Deepavali*
  • 25 December 2020 – Christmas

* Subject to change. 
# As the public holiday falls on a Sunday, a replacement is given the next day on Monday.

Graduation

  • Sunday 24 November 2019