The academic calendar notes important dates throughout the academic year.
MBZUAI’s year is divided into two main semesters: fall and spring.
Classes are held Monday through Friday with the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
| Day | Date | Occasion |
| Sun-Thu | 15-19 August 2021 |
|
| Sun | 22 August 2021 | Start of classes |
| Thu | 26 August 2021 | Last day to add/drop courses |
| Thu | 2 September 2021 | Last day to apply for course withdrawal/leave of absence without penalty |
| Sun-Thu | 5-30 September 2021 | Supervisors’ selection process |
| Thu | 7 October 2021 | Students’ deadline to submit the supervisor selection form |
| Tue | 19 October 2021 | Official holiday: Prophet Mohammed’s birthday |
| Thu | 4 November 2021 |
|
| Sun-Thu | 7-11 November 2021 | Early registration for the spring 2022 semester |
| Wed | 1 December 2021 | Official holiday: Commemoration Day |
| Thu-Fri | 2-3 December 2021 | Official holiday: UAE National Day |
| Sun-Tue | 5-7 December 2021 | Final exams preparation week |
| Tue | 7 December 2021 | Last day of classes |
| Wed-Sat | 8-11 December 2021 | Final exam period |
| Sun-Thu |
12 December 2021- 6 January 2022 |
Winter break for students |
| Wed-Thu | 15-30 December 2021 | Winter break for faculty |
| Tue | 21 December 2021 | Grades announcement |
| Sun | 26 December 2021 | Students’ deadline to submit grade appeals |
| Day | Date | Occasion |
| Monday to Friday | 3-7 January 2022 | Reporting of current and new faculty and academic administrators |
| Monday | 10 January 2022 | Start of classes |
| Friday | 14 January 2022 | Last day to add/drop courses |
| Friday | 21 January 2022 | Last day to apply for course withdrawal/leave of absence without penalty |
| Monday to Friday | 28 March to 1 April 2022 | Spring break |
| Friday | 15 April 2022 | Publish the fall 2022 class schedule |
| Monday to Friday | 18-22 April 2022 | Early registration for fall 2022 semester |
| Monday to Friday | 25-29 April 2022 | Final exams preparation week |
| Friday | 29 April 2022 | Last day of classes |
| Sunday to Tuesday | 8-10 May 2022 | Final exams period |
| Wednesday | 11 May 2022 | Start of summer holiday for students |
| Thursday | 19 May 2022 | Grades announcement |
| Monday | 23 May 2022 | Start of summer vacation for faculty |
| Tuesday | 24 May 2022 | Students' deadline to submit grade appeals |
| Occasion | Date | Holiday duration |
| New year | 1 January 2022 | 1 day |
| Spring break | 28 March-1 April 2022 | 5 days |
| Eid Al Fitr | 2-5 May 2022 | 4 days |
|
Day |
Date |
Event |
Monday - Friday |
August 15 to 19 | Students’ orientation |
Monday |
August 22 | First day of classes |
Friday |
August 26 | Last day to add / drop courses |
Friday |
September 2 |
Last day to apply for course withdrawal / leave of absence without penalty |
Monday – Friday |
September 5 to November 18 | Supervisors’ selection process |
Friday |
November 18 | Students’ deadline to submit the supervisor's selection form |
Friday |
November 18 | Publish the spring 2023 class schedule |
Monday - Friday |
November 21 to 25 | Early registration for spring 2023 semester |
Tuesday |
December 9 | Last day of classes |
Sunday - Friday |
December 11 to 16 | Final exams period |
Wednesday |
December 14 | Commencement ceremony - fall 2022 graduates |
Tuesday |
December 20 | Faculty to submit grades |
Monday |
December 26 | Grades announcement |
Thursday |
December 29 | Students’ deadline to submit grade appeals |
Monday - Friday |
December 19 to January 6 | Winter break for students |
Wednesday - Friday |
December 21 to 30 | Winter break for faculty |
The official holidays observed by the university during the fall 2022 semester:
|
Occasion |
Date |
Holiday duration |
Prophet Mohammed Birthday |
October 7 or October 8 | One day |
UAE National Day |
December 1 and December 2 | Two days |
Commemoration Day |
December 30 | One day |
|
Day |
Date |
Event |
Monday |
January 9 | First day of classes |
Friday |
January 13 | Last day to add / drop courses |
Friday |
January 20 | Last day to apply for course withdrawal / leave of absence without penalty |
Monday - Friday |
March 27 to 31 | Spring break for students and faculty |
Friday |
April 7 | Publish the fall 2023 class schedule |
Monday - Friday |
April 10 to 14 | Early registration for fall 2023 semester |
Tuesday |
May 2 | Last day of classes |
Wednesday - Friday |
May 3 to 5 | Final exams preparation period |
Monday - Friday |
May 8 to 12 | Final exams period |
Wednesday |
May 17 | Faculty to submit grades |
Tuesday |
May 23 | Grades announcement |
Friday |
May 26 | Students’ deadline to submit grade appeals |
Monday |
May 29 | Qualifying exam for Ph.D. students - first attempt |
Monday |
June 12 | Qualifying exam for Ph.D. students – second attempt |
Monday |
May 15 | Start of summer vacation for students |
Thursday |
May 18 | Start of summer vacation for faculty |
The official holidays observed by the university during the spring 2023 semester:
|
Occasion |
Date |
Holiday duration |
Eid Al Fitr |
April 20 to 23 |
Four days |