South Africa’s North-West University (NWU) has published its 2025 academic calendar, which includes important dates for staff and students on all of its campuses. In order to arrange academic activities and make sure pupils are ready for the upcoming year, this timetable is essential.
NWU 2025 Academic Calendar Overview
Registration Period
- Returning Students: Online registration is open from 2 January to 9 February 2025.
- First-Year Students: Registration must be completed by 7 February 2025.
First Semester
- Classes Commence: 10 February 2025.
- Mid-Semester Break: 25 March to 3 April 2025, coinciding with public holidays.
- Examination Period: 29 March to 20 April 2025.
Winter Vacation
- Break Duration: 21 April to 13 July 2025, providing a respite for both students and academic staff.
Second Semester
- Classes Resume: 14 July 2025.
- Mid-Semester Break: 30 August to 7 September 2025.
- Examination Period: 23 October to 14 November 2025.
Graduation Ceremonies
- Winter Ceremony: 9–10 July 2025.
- Summer Ceremony: 26–27 November 2025.
University Closure
- End of Academic Year: University offices close from 15 December 2025 onwards.
Important Dates & Deadlines
- Orientation for First-Year Students: 1–8 February 2025.
- Supplementary Exams:
- Semester 1: 7–11 July 2025.
- Semester 2: 24–28 November 2025.
- Assessment Submissions:
- Mid-Semester Papers: Due by 22 August 2025.
- Final Assessment Papers: Due by 5 September 2025.
- Finalization of Exam Marks:
- Semester 1: By 28 June 2025.
- Semester 2: By 12 December 2025.
Recent Adjustments to the Academic Calendar
NWU has implemented changes to the 2025 examination schedule to better accommodate students:
- Contact Students:
- Exams initially set for 17 November 2025 have been moved to 27 October 2025, previously a non-class day.
- Second opportunity exams scheduled between 25 November and 6 December are now set for 23 November to 4 December.
- Distance Learning Students:
- Exams on 22 November 2025 are rescheduled to 27 October 2025.
- Only exams coinciding with contact students’ schedules are affected by this change; others remain on 17 November 2025.
Public Holidays in 2025
- New Year’s Day: 1 January
- Youth Day: 16 June
- Heritage Day: 24 September
- Day of Reconciliation: 16 December
- Christmas Day: 25 December
- Day of Goodwill: 26 December