The University of the Western Cape (UWC) publishes a one-page calendar for each year, and its 2027 calendar is already on the UWC website. UWC splits the year into two semesters of two terms each. It also lines up its first-semester study break and winter vacation with school holidays. This guide explains the 2027 dates, as checked on 5 November 2026, and points out one place where two UWC pages do not agree.
Semester 1
- Term 1: 1 February to 19 March 2027
- Break: 20 to 29 March 2027
- Term 2: 30 March to 4 May 2027
- Study break: 5 to 9 May 2027
- Mid-year final assessments: 10 to 27 May 2027
- Mid-year supplementary assessments: 7 to 17 June 2027
- Mid-year vacation: 25 June to 11 July 2027
- Senate discretionary assessments: 14 to 16 July 2027
- Second semester registration and module amendments: 6 to 9 July 2027
Semester 2
- Term 3: 12 July to 20 August 2027
- Break: 21 to 29 August 2027
- Term 4: 30 August to 11 October 2027
- Study break: 12 to 17 October 2027
- Year-end assessments: 18 October to 4 November 2027
- Year-end supplementary assessments: 15 to 24 November 2027
- Senate discretionary assessments: 20 to 22 December 2027
- Second phase of results: 14 December 2027
One date to check: when does the year start?
The 2027 calendar lists Term 1 from 1 February, but the UWC registration page says the academic year begins on Monday 8 February 2027. According to that page, online registration runs from 6 to 22 January and compulsory orientation for new full-time first-year students takes place from 1 to 5 February. The likeliest explanation is that first-year orientation takes up the week of 1 February, but UWC has not said so. If you are a returning student, confirm with your faculty whether lectures begin on 1 or 8 February.
Why UWC built the year this way
UWC's calendar notes say the year has 120 teaching days, and that it added extra assessment days at mid-year and year end. It also gave an earlier start so that students who need a special assessment can write it within the year. The second-semester study break does not match the school holidays, which are 20 March to 5 April, 26 June to 19 July and 23 September to 4 October 2027. Students with school-going children should check the school dates separately.
Study breaks and marks
UWC builds study breaks and marks processing into the assessment periods. The first semester has a five-day study break before the final assessments, and the second semester has a six-day study break. After each final assessment period, UWC allows five days to capture marks and issue supplementary assessment notices. After each supplementary period it allows five more days to upload marks to its systems. That is why promotions and the publication of results are listed as still to be confirmed, with a second phase of year-end results on 14 December 2027.
Planning your year
UWC says the 2028 year will start on 31 January or 7 February, still to be confirmed. See how to apply to UWC, the UWC fees page and UWC bursaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the UWC 2027 academic year start?
The registration page gives Monday 8 February 2027. The calendar lists Term 1 from 1 February, so confirm with your faculty.
When are the UWC 2027 year-end assessments?
From 18 October to 4 November 2027, with supplementary assessments from 15 to 24 November.
When is the UWC mid-year vacation?
From 25 June to 11 July 2027.
How many teaching days does UWC have in 2027?
UWC's calendar notes say 120 teaching days.