Looking for the latest Scotland College Term Dates? This page helps students, parents, and staff stay informed about Scotland College Holidays, Term Starts, Term Ends, and key dates in the academic calendar. With over 10 major holiday periods and college closure dates throughout the year, effective Planning becomes much easier.
Find details on Half term in Scotland, Term Breaks, Half Term, Easter Break, May Day, September Weekend, October Break, St Andrew’s Day, Christmas Break, and Summer Break. Use this student holiday planner and College Calendar to track Semester Dates, UK Term Dates, and Term times holidays and campus opening hours for your Family and study plans.
Key Overview: Term Times and Campus Opening Hours
Scottish colleges follow a semester system rather than the three-term model used in schools. Most further education institutions operate from late August/early September through to June. Campus opening hours may reduce during Easter Break, Christmas Break, and public holidays, but many libraries and student support services remain accessible online.
Key features of the Scottish college academic year:
- Two semesters (Semester 1: autumn/winter, Semester 2: spring/summer)
- September Weekend (a long weekend early in term)
- October Break (one week – the main Half Term in Scotland for colleges)
- St Andrew’s Day (30 November – some colleges close)
- Christmas Break (2–3 weeks)
- Easter Break (2 weeks, including Good Friday)
- May Day (first Monday in May)
- Summer Break (mid-June to late August)
Note: Always verify with your specific college, as dates vary by institution.
Scotland College Term Dates 2026 to 2027
Below are the Scotland College Term Dates and holidays for 2026/27 session.
| Term / Break | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 – Term Starts | 31 August 2026 | – | Induction week prior |
| September Weekend | 25 September 2026 | 28 September 2026 | College closed |
| October Break (Half Term) | 12 October 2026 | 16 October 2026 | 1 week |
| St Andrew’s Day | 30 November 2026 | 30 November 2026 | Some colleges closed |
| Term Ends (Semester 1) | – | 18 December 2026 | Last teaching day |
| Christmas Break | 21 December 2026 | 4 January 2027 | College closed |
| Start of Term (Semester 2) | 5 January 2027 | – | Teaching resumes |
| Good Friday & Easter Holiday | 26 March 2027 | 11 April 2027 | 2 weeks off |
| May Day | 3 May 2027 | 3 May 2027 | College closed |
| Term Ends (Semester 2) | – | 11 June 2027 | Last teaching day |
| Summer Break | 14 June 2027 | Late August 2027 | Exam results period |
Scotland College Term Dates 2027 to 2028
Below are the Scotland College Term Dates and holidays for 2027/28 session.
| Term / Break | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 – Term Starts | 30 August 2027 | – | Induction week prior |
| September Weekend | 24 September 2027 | 27 September 2027 | College closed |
| October Break (Half Term) | 11 October 2027 | 15 October 2027 | 1 week |
| St Andrew’s Day | 30 November 2027 | 30 November 2027 | Some colleges closed |
| Term Ends (Semester 1) | – | 17 December 2027 | Last teaching day |
| Christmas Break | 20 December 2027 | 3 January 2028 | College closed |
| Start of Term (Semester 2) | 4 January 2028 | – | Teaching resumes |
| Good Friday & Easter Holiday | 24 March 2028 | 9 April 2028 | 2 weeks off |
| May Day | 1 May 2028 | 1 May 2028 | College closed |
| Term Ends (Semester 2) | – | 9 June 2028 | Last teaching day |
| Summer Break | 12 June 2028 | Late August 2028 | College closed |
Need Accurate UK College Holiday Information?
Term Dates in Scotland – Major Colleges (2026/27)
Here are the Scotland college term dates for five of the largest colleges. Always check each college’s official page for minor adjustments.
| College Name | Term Starts | October Break | Christmas Break | Easter Break | Term Ends |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West College Scotland | 31 Aug 2026 | 12–16 Oct 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
| Aberdeen College (NESCOL) | 31 Aug 2026 | 12–16 Oct 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
| Edinburgh College | 31 Aug 2026 | 12–16 Oct 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
| Fife College | 31 Aug 2026 | 12–16 Oct 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
| City of Glasgow College | 31 Aug 2026 | 12–16 Oct 2026 | 21 Dec 2026 – 4 Jan 2027 | 29 Mar – 11 Apr 2027 | 11 June 2027 |
These dates align with the Session 2026/27 college holidays and Holidays 2026/27 session pattern used by most regional colleges. Minor variations may apply to specific campuses.
Family Planning Around Scotland College Term Dates & Holidays
Planning your family life around Scotland College term dates and Holidays can feel tricky, but it’s absolutely manageable. Unlike school holidays, college breaks are often shorter and less aligned with younger siblings’ school calendars.
Top tips for families:
- Use term time childcare planning – book holiday clubs early for October Break and Easter Break
- Coordinate with UK School Holidays – colleges rarely follow the exact same weeks as schools
- Book summer trips after exams – Summer Break officially starts mid-June, but exams may run into early June
- Mark term start dates – the Start of Term often means a quiet first week; great for settling in
Student holiday planner checklist:
- Download your college’s academic calendar (PDF)
- Note college closure dates for Christmas, Easter, and May Day
- Plan part-time work around Term Breaks
- Arrange childcare for Half Term in Scotland (October week)
Read More: England College Term Dates
How Scotland College Term Dates Differ from UK School Holidays
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Scotland College Term dates and UK School Holidays follow different rhythms.
| Feature | Scotland Colleges | Scottish Schools | England/Wales Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Break | Mid-June to late August | Late June to mid-August | Late July to early Sept |
| October Break | 1 week (almost always) | 1 week | 1 week (half term) |
| Christmas Break | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Easter Break | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| September Weekend | Yes (colleges closed) | Yes | No |
| St Andrew’s Day | Some colleges closed | Schools closed in some areas | Not observed |
UK Bank Holidays 2026/27
UK Bank Holidays affect college closure dates differently depending on the institution. Below are the nation-wide bank holidays for 2026/27. Most Scotland College Term Dates already incorporate these.
| Bank Holiday | Date 2026/27 | College Closed? |
|---|---|---|
| St Andrew’s Day | Monday 30 November 2026 | Yes (most colleges) |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2026 | Yes |
| Boxing Day | Monday 28 December 2026 (substituted) | Yes |
| New Year’s Day | Friday 1 January 2027 | Yes |
| 2nd January | Monday 4 January 2027 (substituted) | Yes |
| Good Friday | Friday 26 March 2027 | Yes |
| Easter Monday | Monday 29 March 2027 | Some colleges close |
| May Day | Monday 3 May 2027 | Yes |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 31 May 2027 | Some colleges close |
Read More: Wales College Term Dates
FAQs
Do college students get half term holidays?
Yes. College students get a half term break in October (one week). Unlike schools, colleges do not have a February half term. Some also get a September long weekend.
What is the difference between term dates and semester dates?
Term dates refer to teaching blocks within a semester. Semester dates cover the entire period including exams. Scottish colleges use two semesters, each containing teaching terms and exam weeks.
Are colleges closed on St Andrew’s Day?
Most Scottish colleges are closed on St Andrew’s Day (30 November). If it falls on a weekend, closure may be on the nearest Monday. Always check your college’s calendar.
How long is summer break at Scottish colleges?
Summer break at Scottish colleges is approximately 10–11 weeks, from mid-June (after exams) to late August. This is longer than school summer breaks in Scotland.
Can I use UK college holiday dates for childcare planning?
Yes. Term time childcare planning works best when you align with both college breaks (for older students) and school breaks (for younger children). The October and Easter breaks often overlap partially.
Official Resources: