If your kids are still in the school stage, then knowing about the UAE academic calendar and its updates is important. It allows you to plan your timeline ahead and avoid any overlaps in your plans.
This guide will outline the UAE school holidays from 2025 to 2026 so that you can know all key dates.
The Academic Year in UAE
The educational system surely differs from one country to another, and the division of the academic is among those aspects.
In the UAE, the academic year is divided into 3 semesters. This applies to the public and private schools in the country alike. During the academic year, your little ones will enjoy two breaks in their schools in UAE: spring break and winter break.
If you have recently moved here and are about to enroll your little ones, having an overview of education in the UAE is surely important. This allows you to have a look at all the options to choose the best.
Moreover, the division of the academic year is the same for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates, as they all follow the government’s regulations.
UAE Academic Calendar Breakdown
The Ministry of Education has released the upcoming 3 academic calendars for schools in the UAE. This is in light of the government’s continuous efforts to offer you complete visibility.
For expats, this is pretty beneficial as it will help you schedule ahead of your vacation or any other plans that need pre-planning. For instance, during the vacation time, you can travel to Egypt, especially Alexandria, to enjoy its beautiful beaches, and you can even explore Apartments for sale in Alexandria available at different prices to suit your needs.
Furthermore, the UAE school term dates (school vacation dates) for 2026 have been officially released by the Ministry of Education, which apply to both public and private schools across the UAE.
Here are the divisions of the UAE academic calendars for schools
2025 – 2026 UAE Academic Calendar
These are the official UAE school holidays for the 2025-2026 academic year:
| Dates | |
| Start of the Academic Year | 25 August 2025 |
| Winter Break | 15 December 2024 – 4 January 2026 |
| Spring Break | 23 March – 12 April 2026 |
After this direct and clear breakdown, no more wondering about the timings of the semester’s start or the winter vacation in the UAE’s schools.
Academic Calendar for Dubai Private Schools
Some schools in Dubai start their calendar from April, whereas others start from August. Here are the academic calendars for both.
Schools Starting From April
| Dates | |
| Start of Academic Year | 07 April 2025 |
| Summer Break | 30 June to 24 August 2025 |
| Winter Break | 15 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 |
| End of Academic Year | March 2026 |
Schools Starting From August
| Dates | |
| Start of Academic Year | 25 August 2025 |
| Winter Break | 08 December 2025 to 5 January 2026 |
| Spring Break | 16 March to 30 March 2026 |
| End of Academic Year | 3 July 2026 |
Things to Consider
Here are some points to consider regarding the regulations of schools in the UAE.
- According to the Ministry of Education rules, the school days should be at least 182/academic year, which applies to all public and private schools.
- The winter vacation applies to all schools in the UAE, regardless of their curriculum.
On the other hand, the above timings of the spring break apply to private and public schools in UAE, which follow the Ministry of Education curriculum.
- The private schools offering foreign curricula have the option of taking a three-week break consecutively, as per the regulations set by each emirate.
The other option is that they can choose to have two weeks off and allocate the third week at a later time during the year.
Key Takeaways
The UAE academic year is divided into three semesters, with two main breaks in between – winter and spring. For the 2025–2026 session, most schools will begin classes on 25 August 2025. However, in Dubai, some private schools may follow an April start calendar, while others begin in August, depending on their curriculum.
Winter break across the UAE typically takes place from mid-December to early January, while spring break falls between March and April. According to the Ministry of Education, all schools must complete at least 182 days of learning each year.
FAQs
The academic year in the UAE is the timeline through which students complete one educational year. It’s divided into 3 semesters, including two breaks: winter and spring.
The academic year starts in the UAE in August. For the 2025 to 2026 academic year, the classes will start from 25th August.
The school vacation starts by the end of June.
Yes, there is. In the UAE, schools usually have two mid-term breaks; the first is during winter, while the second is during spring.
Once you’re done with the step of choosing the best school, knowing about the academic calendar in UAE is crucial. This guide brings you full visibility about all the dates so nothing to worry about.
