The academic year at German universities is divided into winter semester and summer semester.

Winter semester:     1^st October - 31^st March

Summer semester:  1^st April - 30^th September

Each semester is divided into lecture and lecture free periods. The dates of lecture period as well as holidays vary from semester to semester. Exams are usually taken in the first weeks of the lecture free period:

Summer semester 2024:       

Lecture period: 8^th April 2024 - 19^th July 2024

Winter semester 2024/2025:

Lecture period: 7^th October 2024 - 31^st January 2025

Holidays: 21^st May 2024 (Pentecost/Whitsun) and 21^st December 2024 - 5^th January 2025 (Christmas holidays)

See also (in German): Current dates and deadlines.

Public holidays in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany: