Academic Calendar
Annually, the academic year starts on September 1 and ends on August 31 of the following year.
The educational work of every academic year is structured in two semesters, the fall semester and the spring semester, each of which comprises 13 weeks of teaching and two or three weeks of exams.
Fall semester courses start in the last week of September and end in late January, followed by the first exam period of the fall semester.
Spring semester courses start in mid-February and end at the end of May, followed by the first exam period of the spring semester.
Exact dates are determined by the University Senate. Nevertheless, in exceptional circumstances and after Senate recommendation, the minister of Education determines the beginning and the end of the two semesters besides the usual dates, so that the required number of teaching weeks is met.
Every semester has two exam periods:
Fall semester courses are examined during the January-February exam period and re-sit exams are held in September.
Spring semester courses are examined during the June exam period and re-sit exams are held in September.
The exam periods usually last for three weeks. Nevertheless, they can be extended after department staff meeting recommendation and Senate decision.
HOLIDAYS
Neither courses nor exams are held in July and August, the two months of summer holidays. Holidays also include:
Christmas and New Year’s Day Holidays: December 23 to January 6.
Easter Holidays: Holy Monday to Thomas Sunday.
OTHER HOLIDAYS
October 28: National anniversary.
November 17: Athens Polytechnic uprising anniversary.
January 30: The Three Hierarchs Day (religious celebration).
March 25: National anniversary.
May 1: Labour Day celebration.
“Kathara Deftera”: Monday (movable celebration).
“Holy Spirit Day”: Monday (movable religious celebration).
LOCAL HOLIDAYS:
October 18: Celebration of St. Lucas, the patron saint of the city of Lamia.
December 4: Celebration of St. Seraphim, the patron saint of the city of Karditsa.
December 6: Celebration of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of the city of Volos.
May 15: Celebration of St. Achilles, the patron saint of the city of Larissa.