The next UAE academic year is set to begin on August 30, 2020 after the summer holidays
22 October 2019
| Last updated on 22 October 2019
The UAE Ministry of Education has confirmed the schedule for the 2020 - 2021 academic year
The new UAE school term will commence on Sunday, August 30, 2020 for private and public students who follow both the UAE and foreign curriculum.
All education staff and faculty members must return to school on August 23, 2020.
For private school students studying under a foreign curriculum, the winter holidays will run from December 13, 2020 and will resume class on January 3, 2021.
As for public school students with the UAE Ministry of Education's curriculum, winter break will take place between December 13, 2020 to January 9, 2021, with classes resuming on January 20, 2021.
The complete UAE academic calendar 2020/2021 is broken down below:
UAE academic calendar 2020 - 2021 for private schools
For private schools following a foreign curriculum
First semester:
- Education staffs' return date: August 23, 2020
- New school year: August 30, 2020
- Winter vacation for students: December 13, 2020 - January 7, 2021
- Winter vacation for education staff: December 20 - December 31, 2020
Second semester:
- Classes resume: January 3, 2021
- Spring vacation: March 28 to April 4, 2021
- Classes resume: April 11, 2021
- Last day of the school year: July 1, 2021
- Last day of school for education staff: July 8, 2021
- Education staffs' return date: August 23, 2020
- New school year: August 30, 2020
- Winter vacation for students: December 13 - 31, 2020
- Education staff to resume: January 3, 2021
- Classes resume: January 10, 2021
- Spring vacation for students: March 28 to April 8, 2021
- Spring vacation for staff: March 28 to April 1, 2021
- Classes resume: April 11, 2021
- Academic staff to resume: April 4, 2021
- Last day of the school year: July 1, 2021
- Last day of school for education staff: July 8, 2021
Final semester:
For private schools following the UAE Ministry curriculum
First semester:
Second semester:
Last semester:

UAE academic calendar 2020 - 2021 for public schools
First semester:
- Education staffs' return date: August 23, 2020
- New school year: August 30, 2020
- Winter vacation for students: December 13 - 31, 2020
Second semester:
- Education staff to resume: January 3, 2021
- Classes resume: January 10, 2021
- Spring vacation for students: March 28 to April 8, 2021
- Spring vacation for staff: March 28 to April 1, 2021
Last semester:
- Classes resume: April 11, 2021
- Academic staff to resume: April 4, 2021
- Last day of the school year: July 1, 2021
- Last day of school for education staff: July 8, 2021