We want to inform you of updates to the University academic calendar and what these changes may mean for your apprentice. 

The calendar changes have been designed to improve the apprentice experience and support learner success. They provide apprentices with earlier feedback on their academic performance and more time to prepare for any reassessments. 

The 2026/27 university calendar is available here on our website (Term dates 2026/27 – Undergraduate terms dates 2026/27 or Postgraduate terms dates 2026-27).  

Before setting out below what’s being updated in 2026/27, it’s worth highlighting that a lot will remain unchanged. Teaching dates will not be impacted by the refreshed calendar, and there will be no change to our standard approach of operating two teaching semesters of 12 weeks each in our courses.   

Calendar updates from the 2026/27 academic year:  

• Earlier release of Semester 1 results 

From 2026/27, Semester 1 results will be published in February, rather than at the end of the academic year. This means apprentices who need to complete a referred or deferred Semester 1 assessment will know the outcome of the initial assessment much sooner. 

• Semester 1 reassessments moved to April/May 

Referred and deferred Semester 1 assessments will take place in April/May. This change will support greater re-assessment success by reducing the time gap from initial assessment.  Apprentices who do not complete the referred or deferred Semester 1 assessments in April/May, or who fail them, will not be offered another opportunity to retrieve any outstanding assessments until the following academic year. 

• Combined publication of Semester 2 and Semester 1 reassessment results 

Results for Semester 2 assessments and Semester 1 referred/deferred assessments will be released together in June. 

• Semester 2 reassessments in Exam Period 3 

Apprentices who need to complete a referred or deferred Semester 2 assessment will do so during Exam Period 3 in the summer. For those sitting exams in Exam Period 3  the time available to prepare will increase from three to four weeks.   

• Exception for Level 4 programmes 

For apprentices studying on Level 4 programmes (CertHE), Semester 2 results and Semester 1 referred/deferred results will be published in May, rather than June. This earlier publication date ensures apprentices have sufficient time to complete their EPA during the summer period. 

Your apprentice has already received communication from the University about these changes. If they have any questions, they can contact the Student Centre team by clicking  the Live Chat speech bubble icon on the bottom right corner of the Student Hub web page.  

We appreciate your continued support in helping apprentices succeed throughout their studies. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with these changes and consider any implications for workplace planning, particularly where apprentices may need to undertake reassessments. 

If you have any questions about these calendar changes or require further information, please contact the Apprenticeship Team, apprenticeships@westminster.ac.uk.