Reasons for the changes

You told us you were not getting a proper break during the winter holiday because you had to use your time writing or revising for January assessments. The new structure will allow you to complete exams and assessments before the winter break.

You have also told us that you need feedback on your assessments as early as possible. The earlier reassessment period will give you more time to prepare for the next academic year and the earlier TB1 assessment period will help you with your learning through TB2.

What is changing

Welcome week will start earlier on 9 September 2024

All taught students are expected to be on campus during welcome week. There is a wide variety of activities on offer during the week. If you’re not here you could miss out on important information about your course, as well as the opportunity to join clubs and take part in social events.

Teaching block 1 consolidation week: 21 to 25 October 2024

Halfway through both terms, taught students on programmes that follow the standard structure of the year will have the same consolidation week. This should make managing your timetable easier, especially if you are studying a joint honours programme.

Assessment preparation week: 2 to 6 December 2024

This week will provide you with the time to write up coursework or do revision. Any timetabled classes should focus on support with revision or guidance on completing your work rather than teaching new material. The number and type of activities planned in this week will depend on your programme.

Teaching block 1 assessments: 9 to 13 December 2024

The TB1 assessment period will be one week only, and all assessment for TB1 will be completed before the winter vacation (16 December 2024 to 3 January 2025). This means you can have a proper break between teaching blocks and take the opportunity to rest, work, engage in social activity, and prepare for the new term.

Teaching block 2 preparation week: 6 to 10 January 2025

The first week back in January will be a preparation week for TB2 and a chance to get involved with a mixture of academic and extra-curricular activities.

Teaching block 2 consolidation week: 17 to 21 February 2025

As in Teaching Block 1 this week will be standardised across the University.

Teaching block 2 assessment preparation week: 31 March to 4 April 2025

Please note that for 2024/25, the TB2 Assessment Preparation week happens before the spring vacation which is from 7 to 25 April 2025. This won’t always be the way it works out because the dates of the spring vacation depend on when Easter falls each year.

Teaching block 2 assessments: 28 April to 16 May 2025

The TB2 assessment period will cover three weeks (as it does currently).

Last week of summer term: 19 to 23 May 2025

Students should be available during this week. Academic misconduct panels may take place and, in exceptional circumstances, scheduled assessments could take place in this week.

Summer vacation starts (undergraduate students): 26 May 2025

No teaching for undergraduate students will take place during the summer weeks but supervision will continue for taught postgraduate students. Teaching may take place for students on short courses, pre-sessional programmes and other CPD. 

Reassessment period: dates for 2025 to be confirmed

The reassessment period will be for two weeks during the summer.

Dissertation submission deadline (postgraduate taught students): 29 August 2025

The dissertation submission deadline will always be at the end of the 51st week after the start of Welcome week.

What this means for you

If you are a student returning in 2024 you should take the Welcome week and vacation dates for 2024 into consideration when making plans. There is nothing else you need to do now.

If you have any urgent queries in the meantime, contact say-project@bristol.ac.uk.