Planning your year around England College Term Dates is important for family holiday alignment. Knowing term starts, Term Ends, and Half Term in England helps avoid clashes with exam leave or college closure days. If you track the Autumn Term, Spring Term, or Summer Term, this academic calendar guide covers England College Holidays and term dates.
Overview of the Three Main Terms in England Colleges
Further education dates in England follow three distinct terms, each with its own term breaks. Unlike UK School Holidays, FE college holidays often start later in September and finish earlier in July.
- Autumn Term: Runs September to December. Includes an October half term (one week).
- Spring Term: Runs January to late March/early April. Features a February half term.
- Summer Term: Runs April to late June/early July. Includes a May half term.
These English term dates comparison points help you understand college vs school breaks clearly.
England College Term Dates 2025 to 2026
Below are the standard UK Term Dates for further education colleges. Always check with your local institution for minor variations.
| Term / Break | Term Starts | Term Ends | Break Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 8 September 2025 | 19 December 2025 | – |
| October Half Term | 27 October 2025 | 31 October 2025 | 1 week |
| Christmas Break | 22 December 2025 | 2 January 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Spring Term | 5 January 2026 | 27 March 2026 | – |
| February Half Term | 16 February 2026 | 20 February 2026 | 1 week |
| Easter Break | 30 March 2026 | 10 April 2026 | 2 weeks |
| Summer Term | 13 April 2026 | 3 July 2026 | – |
| May Half Term | 25 May 2026 | 29 May 2026 | 1 week |
| Summer Holiday | 6 July 2026 | 4 September 2026 | 8–9 weeks |
England College Term Dates 2026 to 2027
For college term dates London, Manchester college holidays, or Birmingham term dates, these dates are widely followed across England.
| Term / Break | Term Starts | Term Ends | Break Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 7 September 2026 | 18 December 2026 | – |
| October Half Term | 26 October 2026 | 30 October 2026 | 1 week |
| Christmas Break | 21 December 2026 | 1 January 2027 | 2 weeks |
| Spring Term | 4 January 2027 | 26 March 2027 | – |
| February Half Term | 15 February 2027 | 19 February 2027 | 1 week |
| Easter Break | 29 March 2027 | 9 April 2027 | 2 weeks |
| Summer Term | 12 April 2027 | 2 July 2027 | – |
| May Half Term | 31 May 2027 | 4 June 2027 | 1 week |
| Summer Holiday | 5 July 2027 | 3 September 2027 | 8–9 weeks |
England College Term Dates 2027 to 2028
Post-16 education calendar planning for 2028 starts here. College summer break England remains shorter than schools.
| Term / Break | Term Starts | Term Ends | Break Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 6 September 2027 | 17 December 2027 | – |
| October Half Term | 25 October 2027 | 29 October 2027 | 1 week |
| Christmas Break | 20 December 2027 | 31 December 2027 | 2 weeks |
| Spring Term | 3 January 2028 | 24 March 2028 | – |
| February Half Term | 14 February 2028 | 18 February 2028 | 1 week |
| Easter Break | 27 March 2028 | 7 April 2028 | 2 weeks |
| Summer Term | 10 April 2028 | 30 June 2028 | – |
| May Half Term | 29 May 2028 | 2 June 2028 | 1 week |
| Summer Holiday | 3 July 2028 | 1 September 2028 | 8–9 weeks |
Need Accurate UK College Holiday Information?
Understanding England College Term Dates (vs. School Dates)
Many people ask: Do colleges have the same holidays as schools? The short answer is no.
- College inset days are fewer. Colleges often use them at term starts.
- College closure days for training happen outside student holidays.
- Sixth-form holiday schedule is closer to schools, but FE colleges finish earlier in July.
- Term time planning for college students means accounting for exam leave periods not shown on standard calendars.
Read More: Wales College Term Dates
Public and Bank Holidays in England (College Closures)
UK Bank Holidays apply to colleges just like other institutions. However, college vs school breaks differ on bank holidays that fall inside term breaks.
| Public/Bank Holiday | Typical Date | College Closed? |
|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | March/April | Yes |
| Easter Monday | March/April | Yes |
| Early May Bank Holiday | First Monday in May | Yes |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Last Monday in May | Yes |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday in August | Yes |
| Christmas Day & Boxing Day | 25–26 December | Yes |
| New Year’s Day | 1 January | Yes |
Easter Holiday closures usually last two weeks, covering Good Friday and Easter Monday plus the surrounding week. Christmas break college closures align with UK Government bank holidays.
Planning with Term Dates: For Students, Parents, and Families
Family holiday alignment becomes stress-free when you follow UK Term Dates for colleges.
For students:
- Book student travel windows around October half term, February half term, and May half term
- Avoid planning internships during exam leave periods
- Use term time planning to schedule part-time work
For parents:
- College summer break England starts early July – great for cheaper travel
- Half Term in England weeks are perfect for short family trips
- Term starts in September give you a late-summer holiday window
For families:
- Compare college vs school breaks if you have children in both systems
- Term date differences by region rarely exceed 2–3 days
- Book holidays 12 months ahead using our Calendar
Read More: Scotland College Term Dates
Why Use UK College Holidays for Your Term Date Planning?
UK College Holidays is your dedicated resource for England College Term Dates without the confusion of school calendars.
- Filter by region – from college term dates London to Manchester college holidays to Birmingham term dates
- Receive alerts for term starts and term ends
- Compare FE college holidays across multiple institutions
- Free updates when colleges adjust college closure days
We focus exclusively on further education dates, saving you hours of cross-referencing UK School Holidays.
Final Tips for Managing College Holidays in England
- Save this page – Bookmark for England College Term Dates
- Check local variations – Some colleges add college inset days not shown above
- Plan exam leave – End of academic year exams often fall in May/June, not holidays
- Book early for peak times – Easter closure college weeks and Christmas break college periods get expensive
- Follow your college – Most post dates on their website under “post-16 education calendar”
FAQs
What month does college start in England?
College typically starts in early September, usually the first or second Monday of the month.
Do colleges have the same holidays as schools?
No. Colleges have shorter summer breaks, fewer inset days, and often different half-term weeks.
What month do you start and finish college?
You start in September and finish in late June or early July, depending on your course level.
What do you call a 2nd year in college?
A second-year student is called a Year 13 (in sixth-form colleges) or a second-year further education student.
Are colleges closed on all bank holidays?
Yes. Colleges close on all UK bank holidays, including Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Spring Bank Holiday.
How long is summer break in college?
College summer break in England lasts approximately 8 to 9 weeks, from early July to early September.
Official Resources:
Check the official source for England college term dates and holidays.