NTU Academic Calendar AY2026/2027: Key Dates for Semester 1 and 2

Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) divides its academic year 2026/2027 into two main semesters, Semester 1 (August to December) and Semester 2 (January to May), plus a Special Term over the summer. This page covers the NTU term dates for 2026/27, how the semester calendar is structured, what happens in each phase, and where to find the official dates for AY2026/2027.

Official source: Always confirm dates with the NTU Academic Calendar on NTU’s website. Dates are updated by NTU each academic year.

NTU term dates 2026/2027 at a glance

These dates come from the official NTU academic calendar for AY2026-27 (published 19 May 2026). NTU states that all dates are subject to change, so confirm against the official calendar PDF before you commit to travel or leave plans.

AY2026/2027 Semester 1

Semester 1 runs from August to early December 2026.

Exam data for AY2026/2027 Semester 1 is available at NTUMods Exam Schedule — 389 modules with scheduled exams, searchable by module code.

AY2026/2027 Semester 2

Semester 2 runs from January to early May 2027.

Module and class index data for this semester is live: see what is new in Semester 2.

Singapore public holidays in AY2026/27

NTU marks these public holidays on its calendar. A holiday on a Saturday means classes proceed normally on the following Monday, and a holiday on a Sunday makes the next Monday a replacement holiday. Classes end at 14:30 on the eve of New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa and Deepavali.

Special Term

The NTU Special Term runs over the summer (from May) and offers a limited selection of modules. Not all modules are available in Special Term. Special Term is optional, and most NTU students do not take it unless they need to catch up on AUs, accelerate graduation, or take a specific module only offered in that window.

How the NTU semester is structured

Each NTU semester is roughly 17 weeks long, based on the pattern below. The official calendar sets the exact dates each year:

1. Weeks 1–2 — Add/drop period. Classes begin, but you can still adjust your module registration. Modules dropped during this period do not appear on your transcript.
2. Weeks 3–7 — Teaching weeks. Regular lectures, tutorials, and labs.
3. Week 8 — Recess Week. No scheduled classes. Used for self-study, catching up on assignments, or midterm preparation.
4. Weeks 9–13 — Teaching weeks continue. Project submissions and midterms often fall in this window.
5. Reading Week (Week 14) — No new content. Final revision period before exams.
6. Weeks 15–17 — Examination period. Centrally scheduled exams for modules with final exams.

Not all modules have a final exam. Project-based modules and some BDEs use continuous assessment only — these do not appear in the exam schedule.

STARS registration and the academic calendar

STARS (NTU’s module registration system) runs in rounds before each semester starts:

• Round 1 — Main bidding window. The most competitive modules (especially popular BDEs like Japanese, Korean, and analytics modules) can fill during Round 1. Prepare your shortlist before the window opens.
• Round 2 — A second window after Round 1. Seats dropped after Round 1 become available. Less oversubscribed modules are often still accessible.
• Add/Drop — Continues into the first two weeks of the semester. Students who decide to drop modules free up seats that others can take.

For a detailed walkthrough of how STARS works, see NTU STARS: How the Module Registration System Works.

For step-by-step module planning before STARS opens, see How to Plan NTU Modules Before STARS Opens.

Using NTUMods alongside the academic calendar

NTUMods provides tools that align with each phase of the academic calendar:

• Before STARS opens — Use the Timetable Planner to build your ideal schedule and check for index clashes before you bid.
• During STARS — Know exactly which index numbers you want before the window opens. The timetable planner shows timeslots, venues, and class types for all 4,846 indexes.
• During add/drop — Use the Module Browser to check whether alternative modules still have seats.
• Before exam period — Use the Exam Schedule to check all your exam dates, identify any clashes, and plan your revision timetable around the exam period.

Export the calendar to your phone

Once your timetable is built on the Timetable Planner, use Save to Calendar to download an .ics file with your semester’s class times, recess week gap, and exam period already mapped to the correct dates. Import it into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook so your NTU semester schedule shows up alongside the rest of your calendar — no manual date entry needed.

Frequently asked questions

When does NTU Semester 1 AY2026/2027 start?

Teaching Week 1 of Semester 1 AY2026/2027 begins on Monday 10 August 2026, after orientation activities from 20 July to 6 August. Semester 2 teaching begins on Monday 11 January 2027.

When is NTU Recess Week?

Recess Week is 28 September to 2 October 2026 for Semester 1 and 1 to 5 March 2027 for Semester 2. There are no scheduled classes during Recess Week.

When does STARS open for Semester 1?

NTU lists the Semester 1 course registration period as mid to end June, and the Semester 2 period as December. Your exact registration time appears in your personal course registration schedule, which NTU releases in April and October.

When is the NTU exam period?

Semester 1 revision and examinations run from mid November to early December 2026. Semester 2 runs from mid April to early May 2027. Specific exam dates for each module are listed at NTUMods Exam Schedule, and the release timetable is in NTU Exam Timetable and Seating.

How long is each NTU semester?

Each semester is approximately 17 weeks: 13 teaching weeks, one Recess Week, one Reading Week, and two to three exam weeks.

What is NTU’s academic year structure?

NTU follows an academic year divided into Semester 1 (August–December) and Semester 2 (January–May), with an optional Special Term over the summer. Most undergraduate programmes span four academic years (eight semesters).

Is there an NTU calendar 2026/27 I can add to my phone?

Yes — build your semester timetable on NTUMods and use Save to Calendar to export an .ics file with your class times and semester dates already set, ready to import into Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, or Outlook.

Where can I download the official NTU academic calendar PDF?

NTU publishes the semester calendar as a PDF on the official academic calendar page, along with a separate trimester calendar for graduate programmes. The National Institute of Education (NIE) publishes its own calendar, so NIE students should check that one.

When are the NTU school holidays for 2026 and 2027?

NTU does not use primary and secondary school holiday dates. Your breaks are Recess Week, the vacation between semesters, and public holidays. The legend on the official calendar marks public holidays and states whether classes proceed normally, so check it for the exact dates.

Is this the calendar for Nanyang Technological University or National Taiwan University?

This page covers Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. National Taiwan University and other universities abbreviated NTU publish different calendars.

What about the NTU academic calendar for 2027/2028?

This page covers AY2026/2027 (Semester 1: August–December 2026; Semester 2: January–May 2027). NTU has published an indicative AY2027-28 calendar (10 March 2026), with Semester 1 orientation activities from 19 July to 6 August 2027 and convocation from 20 to 30 July 2027. NTU states that all dates in the indicative calendar will only be confirmed in February 2027, so treat them as provisional. The calendar is on the official NTU academic calendar page.