SMU Academic Calendar

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in Ga-Rankuwa publishes a General Calendar each year, together with separate calendars for its schools. SMU had not published its 2027 calendar when we checked in November 2026, so the dates below come from SMU's official 2026 General Calendar and its 2026 registration dates. They show how the SMU year works, but check the 2027 calendar once it is published.

Start of the 2026 year

• University re-opened and registration began for returning students: 5 January 2026
• Lectures, clinical sessions and practicals began for registered returning students: 6 January, except some BSc and ECP groups
• Closing date for academic exclusion appeals: 12 January
• Registration ended for returning students: 16 January
• Lectures began for BSc II and III and ECP II to IV students: 20 January
• Registration for first-time entering students: 21 to 30 January
• Orientation for first-time entering students: 27 to 30 January
• Academic year began for first-time entering students: 2 February

First semester in 2026

• Autumn recess for students: 30 March to 2 April
• Graduation ceremonies: 13 to 15 May
• Mid-year examinations: Monday, 1 June to Friday, 19 June
• Mid-year supplementary examinations: from late June into early July
• Winter recess for students: 8 to 17 July
• Release of mid-year examination results: at the end of the winter recess

Second semester in 2026

• Second semester began: Monday, 20 July
• Graduation ceremony: Friday, 18 September
• Revision week: 5 to 9 October
• End-of-year examinations: from 12 October to early November
• Supplementary and deferred examinations: mid-November to Tuesday, 24 November
• Closing date for first-time research master's and doctoral registration: 26 November

Clinical programmes

SMU is a health sciences university, so many students follow clinical rotations. The Senate-approved recess dates are subject to clinical rotation dates approved by each school. Where the school dates and Senate dates differ for clinical students, the school dates take precedence. Schools may also arrange clinical examinations before the official examination periods.

School calendars

SMU publishes separate 2026 calendars for its schools, including the School of Medicine and the School of Science and Technology, for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Use your school's calendar together with the General Calendar.

Planning tips

Returning students start in early January, much earlier than first-year students, so plan travel and accommodation accordingly. Student residences opened on 5 January in 2026. First-year students should arrive in time for orientation at the end of January. Put both examination periods in your diary as soon as you register, and follow your school's calendar for clinical rotations, tests and practical assessments, because these can fall outside the general dates.

Related pages

See how to apply to SMU, SMU fees and SMU residences.