Rhodes University in Makhanda has a four-term year. The Registrar publishes term dates for each year, and the 2027 sheet is already on the Rhodes Diary and Dates page. Rhodes lists the dates of the year in a single table, along with the term lengths. This page walks you through the 2027 sheet as it stood on 5 November 2026, in plain language.
Starting the year
- University opens: Monday 4 January 2027
- Postgraduate registration opens: 11 January 2027
- Initial fee deadline: 15 January for returning students and 22 January for first-year students
- Registration for first-time entering students: 30 and 31 January, with the final day on 1 February
- Academic orientation week: 1 to 4 February 2027
- All undergraduate lectures begin: Monday 8 February 2027
Terms 1 and 2
- Term 1: 8 February to 25 March 2027, seven teaching weeks
- Mid-semester vacation: from 26 March, including the Easter weekend
- Term 2: 5 April to 11 June 2027, with lectures ending on 14 May
- Study period before examinations: 15 to 20 May 2027
- Examinations: 21 May to 11 June 2027
- Mid-year vacation: begins on 12 June 2027
Terms 3 and 4
- Term 3: 5 July to 13 August 2027, six teaching weeks
- Mid-semester vacation: from 14 August 2027
- Term 4: lectures begin on 23 August and end on 7 October 2027
- Study period: 8 to 12 October 2027
- Examinations: 13 October to 5 November 2027
- Supplementary examinations: 15 to 26 November 2027
- Submission of supplementary results: 30 November 2027
How long each term and break lasts
The first term is the longest at seven teaching weeks, while terms two and three each run for six. The breaks are uneven too. The Easter break between terms one and two lasts about ten days, from 26 March to 4 April. The mid-year vacation is the longest, at about three weeks, from 12 June to 4 July. The break between terms three and four lasts about ten days in August. Students who live far from Makhanda should plan their travel around these dates and book transport early, especially for the Easter weekend.
Graduation
The main graduation ceremonies run from 31 March to 2 April 2027. Master's and PhD graduates have a separate ceremony on Friday 8 October 2027.
What stands out about the Rhodes year
Rhodes uses what it calls a "swot period" before each examination block, which is a few days of study leave. The examination blocks are long, at sixteen days in the middle of the year and eighteen days at the end, so there is room between papers. Honours and postgraduate diploma lectures can start earlier, from 1 February, depending on the faculty, and lectures for fourth-year students in one programme start on 25 January. If you are an honours or postgraduate diploma student, check your own department's start date as well as the table above.
Funding and planning
Pay the initial fee on time, because registration depends on it. Your funder will probably want proof of registration after 8 February and results after each examination block. See how to apply to Rhodes, the Rhodes fees page and Rhodes bursaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do lectures start at Rhodes University in 2027?
All undergraduate lectures begin on Monday 8 February 2027.
When are the Rhodes 2027 examinations?
The mid-year block runs from 21 May to 11 June, and the end-of-year block from 13 October to 5 November 2027.
When are the Rhodes supplementary examinations?
From 15 to 26 November 2027.
When is Rhodes graduation in 2027?
The main ceremonies run from 31 March to 2 April, and master's and PhD graduation is on 8 October.