UAE’s official academic calendar 2025 – 2026
If you live in the UAE and have school-going kids, you’ll want to mark the key academic year dates in your calendar as soon as possible to plan family vacations and other activities. Our guide to the UAE school academic calendar reveals all the must-know dates for public and private institutes. Get ahead of your planning game for the year 2025 – 2026 with the UAE academic calendar.
UAE SCHOOL ACADEMIC CALENDAR
The Ministry of Education (MoE) released the official UAE academic calendar. The school academic calendar for 2025 to 2026 provides a comprehensive overview of term dates, holidays and important events across public and private schools following the Ministry of Education curriculum and private schools with international curricula.
Stay informed with MyBayut’s handy guide, which outlines the school academic calendar 2025 UAE term start and end dates, examination periods and holidays throughout the year.
UAE ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2025-26: KEY TERM DATES
Most schools’ academic calendar 2025-2026 typically runs from September to June, divided into three terms. This structured calendar ensures a well-organised and efficient learning experience for students nationwide.
The Ministry of Education has announced the school term dates for 2025 -26 for all public and private schools in the UAE. Please remember that the KHDA academic calendar differs slightly for schools starting in April and September.
Schools Starting in September:
The new academic calendar for British schools in Dubai, IB and top American schools in Dubai starts in the last week of August/ first week of September.
Date | Details |
|---|---|
Date 6 January 2025 | Details First Day of Second (Spring) Term |
Date 24 March 2025 | Details Spring Break |
Date 7 April 2025 | Details Final (Third) Term Begins |
Date 27 June 2025 | Details End of Academic Year |
Date 25 August 2025 | Details Start of New Academic Year |
Date December 2025 | Details Winter Break |
It’s worth noting that these dates may vary slightly between educational institutions in the UAE. Therefore, it’s always advisable to consult the academic calendar on the official school website for any updates or changes regarding term dates and holidays.
Schools Starting in April:
It’s crucial to mark important dates in the MOE academic calendar 2025 to effectively plan your schedule and make the most of the academic year for Indian, Pakistani and Japanese curriculum schools.
As per the academic calendar issued by the UAE Cabinet, the following dates apply for April-start schools:
Date | Details |
|---|---|
Date 6 January 2025 | Details Classes resume after Winter Break |
Date March 2025 | Details End of Academic Year |
Date April 2025 | Details Start of New Academic Year |
Date July 2025 | Details Summer Break |
Date 25 August 2025 | Details Classes resume |
Date December 2025 | Details Winter Break |
Note: Private schools starting in April 2025 can close any day in March 2025 after KHDA’s approval and fulfilling the requirement of 182 school days.
BREAKS AND HOLIDAYS IN THE UAE ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2025-26
A well-deserved break is essential for students, parents, and educators to recharge and rejuvenate. The UAE academic calendar for 2025-26 allocates specific dates for breaks and holidays, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Here are the breaks and holidays to look forward to:
Details | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
Details Start of the academic year | 2024/25 26 August 2024 | 2025/26 25 August 2025 |
Details Winter break | 2024/25 16 December 2024 – 5 January 2025 | 2025/26 15 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 |
Details Spring break | 2024/25 24 March – 6 April 2025 | 2025/26 23 March – 12 April 2026 |
FAQs about the Academic Calendar 2025-2026
HOW MANY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ARE THERE IN THE UAE?
UAE has the most international schools in the Gulf region due to its expat population. There are many top British schools in Dubai. Similarly, you can find popular British and IB schools in Abu Dhabi.
WHEN DOES THE ACADEMIC YEAR END IN THE UAE?
For most American, British and IB international schools, the academic year ends in June. Classes resume in the last week of August, which marks the start of the new academic year.
On the other hand, Indian, Japanese and Pakistani schools end the academic year in March, and the new school year starts in April.
HAS THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2025/26 BEEN RELEASED?
The UAE Cabinet has announced the public and private school calendars for the upcoming academic years. As stated earlier, the academic year must have at least 182 school days.
WHAT ARE THE DATES FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN THE UAE?
As per the MoE instructions, summer break for all UAE private schools should not be more than 8.2 weeks. Students enjoy the summer holidays during July and August before returning to school in the last week of August/first week of September.
The exact dates for all UAE public holidays (like New Year, Eid, the First day of the Hijri Islamic Calendar and the UAE National Day) will be communicated by schools after the final confirmation and announcement by the UAE government.
That completes our guide to the UAE academic calendar 2025/2026. You can make the most of the academic year by proactively marking important milestones, planning breaks and holidays, and effectively managing your schedule.
For parents still evaluating the best options in the UAE, the top schools in Dubai are worth considering. If you are a parent looking for a new home in Dubai, you can choose from the best residential areas near schools in Dubai to ensure quick commutes.
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