The updated Wales College Term Dates guide helps students and student parents Wales plan studies and family time with confidence. Covering Wales College Holidays and the full academic calendar, colleges typically observe 8–10 holiday periods each year, including Half Term in Wales and official Term Breaks.
Explore key dates across the Autumn Term, Spring Term, and Summer Term, including Semester 1, Semester 2, Staff Inset/Professional Training Days, Good Friday, Easter Holiday, May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, and Summer Holiday. Use this Calendar and student holiday planner to align Wales exam dates, study goals, and Family Planning smoothly.
Key Wales College Term Dates at a Glance
Most further education (FE) colleges and sixth form colleges in Wales follow a similar three-term structure. Here’s what a typical academic year looks like:
- Autumn Term:Â Early September to mid-December (with October half term)
- Spring Term:Â Early January to late March/early April (with February half term)
- Summer Term:Â Mid-April to late June/early July (with May half term and bank holidays)
Wales College Term Dates 2026 to 2027
Below are the Wales College Term Dates and holidays for 2026/27 session.
| Term | Start Date | Half Term | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2026 | Monday 7 September 2026 | Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October 2026 | Friday 18 December 2026 |
| Spring Term 2027 | Monday 4 January 2027 | Monday 15 February – Friday 19 February 2027 | Friday 2 April 2027 |
| Summer Term 2027 | Monday 19 April 2027 | Monday 31 May – Friday 4 June 2027 | Friday 2 July 2027 |
Wales College Term Dates 2027 to 2028
Below are the Wales College Term Dates and holidays for 2027/28 session.
| Term | Start Date | Half Term | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term 2027 | Monday 6 September 2027 | Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October 2027 | Friday 17 December 2027 |
| Spring Term 2028 | Tuesday 4 January 2028 | Monday 14 February – Friday 18 February 2028 | Friday 31 March 2028 |
| Summer Term 2028 | Monday 17 April 2028 | Monday 29 May – Friday 2 June 2028 | Friday 30 June 2028 |
Colleges may adjust dates slightly for local authority holidays or campus opening hours. Always verify with your specific institution.
Detailed Breakdown of College Terms in Wales
Autumn Term (Semester 1)
The academic year kicks off in early September. Most colleges hold Staff Inset/Professional Training Days on the first 1–2 days, so students return later. Half Term in Wales for autumn falls in late October (one week off). The term wraps up before Christmas, giving students a two-week Christmas break.
Spring Term (Semester 1 continued / Semester 2 start)
Classes resume after New Year’s, often with additional training days. February brings a week-long spring half term. The term ends around Good Friday and Easter Holiday (usually two weeks off). Some colleges finish Semester 1 exams in late January, then start Semester 2 fresh after the Easter break.
Summer Term (Semester 2)
The final term begins after Easter Monday. Two bank holidays fall during this term:
- May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
- Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
A one-week Half Term sits between these bank holidays (late May/early June). Exams and final assignments happen in June. Summer Holiday begins early July and lasts until early September.
Read More: England College Term Dates
College Holidays Wales – Full List 2026/2027
| Holiday Period | Typical Dates | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | Early July – early September 2026 | 8 weeks |
| Autumn Half Term 2026 | 26–30 October 2026 | 1 week |
| Christmas Break 2026 | 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | 2 weeks |
| Spring Half Term 2027 | 15–19 February 2027 | 1 week |
| Easter Holiday 2027 | 5–16 April 2027 | 2 weeks |
| May Bank Holiday 2027 | 3 May 2027 | 1 day |
| Spring Bank Holiday 2027 | 31 May 2027 | 1 day |
| Summer Half Term 2027 | 31 May – 4 June 2027 | 1 week |
Regional College Term Dates in Wales
Cardiff College Term Dates
Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) typically follows the standard Wales pattern. For 2026/2027: Autumn term starts 7 September, half term 26 October.
Swansea College Term Dates
Gower College Swansea aligns closely with local school dates. Spring term 2027 begins 4 January, with February half term 15–19 February.
Newport College Term Dates
Coleg Gwent (Newport campus) often adds an extra staff training day at the start of autumn term. Check their website for campus-specific library hours during Term Breaks.
Wrexham College Term Dates
Coleg Cambria (Wrexham) uses a semester-based timetable but keeps Half Term in Wales identical to the dates above.
UK Bank Holidays
Wales colleges close on all UK Bank Holidays. Plan around these dates:
| Bank Holiday | 2026 Date | 2027 Date | 2028 Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good Friday | 3 April | 26 March | 14 April |
| Easter Monday | 6 April | 29 March | 17 April |
| May Bank Holiday (Early May) | 4 May | 3 May | 1 May |
| Spring Bank Holiday (Late May) | 25 May | 31 May | 29 May |
| Summer Bank Holiday (August) | 31 August | 30 August | 28 August |
Staff Inset / Professional Training Days
Staff Inset/Professional Training Days (often called INSET or training days) are when lecturers plan curriculum, attend safeguarding training, or mark exams. College closure dates for students typically include:
- 1–2 days before Autumn Term starts
- 1 day after Spring Half Term
- 1 day before Summer Term begins
- 1 day at the end of Summer Term (staff only)
Need Accurate UK College Holiday Information?
Planning for Family – Using Wales College Term Dates
Balancing work, childcare, and study is easier when you have a student holiday planner. Here’s how student parents Wales can use this academic calendar:
- Book holidays during official breaks – Easter Holiday, Summer Holiday, and Christmas break are safest.
- Avoid travel during half term weeks – Prices spike, and your child still has time off.
- Mark bank holidays early – May Bank Holiday and Spring Bank Holiday often catch parents off guard.
- Use inset days for appointments – Dentist, GP, or family visits without missing lessons.
- Share the calendar with employers – Helps with shift requests and annual leave planning.
Print the Wales College Term Dates table and stick it on your fridge. One glance tells you when Term Breaks begin.
Read More: Scotland College Term Dates
FAQs
Do college students get half term in the UK?
Yes, most further education colleges in the UK give students a one-week half term in October, February, and late May/early June.
How long is the summer holiday for college students in Wales?
The summer holiday for Wales college students typically lasts 8 weeks, from early July to early September.
What is the difference between term dates and semester dates?
Term dates split the year into three blocks (autumn, spring, summer). Semester dates split it into two blocks (semester 1 and semester 2), often with exams after each.
What are staff inset days?
Staff inset days are training days when colleges are closed to students but staff work on professional development, planning, or grading.
How can parents plan family holidays around college term dates?
Use the student holiday planner above. Book holidays only during official half terms, Easter, Christmas, or summer breaks to avoid missed learning.
Official Resources:
UK GOV
Official UK bank holidays and public service information.
Welsh government education updates and local term date guidance.