The University of the Free State (UFS) organises its year in four quarters, grouped into two semesters. Its Senate approved the 2026 and 2027 academic calendars together on 27 May 2025, so the 2027 dates are already settled. UFS lists the two years in one document, and this page explains the 2027 half in plain language. We checked it on 5 November 2026.
Opening and registration
- University opens: 4 January 2027
- Academics return: 11 January 2027
- Registration for senior students and first years: 11 January to 5 February 2027, a period of four weeks
- Late registration: 8 to 12 February 2027
First semester
- First quarter: 8 February to 19 March 2027
- Academic break: 23 March to 2 April 2027
- Second quarter: 5 April to 28 May 2027
- Main mid-year examinations: 31 May to 19 June 2027
- Supplementary mid-year examinations: 21 to 26 June 2027
- Academic break: 28 June to 9 July 2027
Second semester
- Second semester registration: 12 to 16 July 2027
- Third quarter: 12 July to 27 August 2027
- Fourth quarter: 30 August to 22 October 2027
- Academic break: 27 September to 1 October 2027
- Main end-of-year examinations: 25 October to 13 November 2027
- Supplementary end-of-year examinations: 15 to 20 November 2027
- Academic break starts: 13 December 2027
- UFS closes: 17 December 2027
Graduation, special examinations and holidays
Graduation ceremonies take place on 9 and 10 April at the Qwaqwa campus and from 13 to 17 April in Bloemfontein. A second round follows on 9 and 10 December. Special examinations are held on 15 and 16 July 2027, and again on 27 and 28 January 2028. UFS lists a Senate holiday on 26 April 2027.
How much teaching time you get
UFS counts teaching time in days. The first semester has 70 teaching days and the second has 68. The first quarter is a short six weeks, while the second quarter is the longest at about eight weeks. Because the first examination block follows straight after the second quarter, students should start serious revision in the weeks before 28 May. The second semester follows the same logic, with the fourth quarter leading into the November examinations.
Dates that carry over from 2026
The end of one year affects the start of the next. The 2026 calendar sets special examinations for 28 and 29 January 2027, so students who qualify to write one for a 2026 module will sit it in the middle of the 2027 registration window, which runs from 11 January to 5 February. If that applies to you, keep both dates in mind, because you will have to register and prepare for a paper in the same fortnight. The same pattern repeats at the end of 2027, when the special examinations are set for 27 and 28 January 2028. UFS publishes the awarding of degrees after the end-of-year examinations, on 15 December 2027.
Planning with a bursary
Many funders ask for proof of registration and for results after each examination block. Mark 5 February for registration, 19 June for mid-year results and 13 November for the end-of-year examinations. Read how to apply to UFS, the UFS fees page and UFS bursaries before you plan your year. Faculties such as Health Sciences may publish extra dates, so check your faculty as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UFS academic year start in 2027?
The university opens on 4 January 2027, and lectures in the first quarter start on 8 February 2027.
When are the UFS 2027 examinations?
Mid-year examinations run from 31 May to 19 June, and end-of-year examinations run from 25 October to 13 November 2027.
When does UFS close for the year?
UFS closes on 17 December 2027, after the academic break starts on 13 December.
Is the UFS calendar final?
The Senate approved it on 27 May 2025, but a faculty may add its own dates, so check with your faculty.