Ministry of Education Allows Universities to Choose Semester System and Academic Calendar

Umm Al-Qura newspaper published the decision of the Ministry of Education, stating that universities and colleges may choose the semester system that will be applied to them, and amend the academic calendar, with the possibility of opening a fourth summer semester during the summer vacation.

The rules governing the academic calendar are as follows:

1- The academic year is divided into 3 basic semesters for all stages of general education, university education, institutes and colleges of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, with the possibility of opening a fourth summer semester during the summer vacation.

2- Governmental and private universities and colleges, the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training, foreign private schools, and Saudi schools abroad may choose the semester system that will be applied to them, and amend the academic calendar, while adhering to the beginning and end of the academic year, national holidays, and holidays.

3- Private and international public education facilities may specify the start and end times of semesters and vacations in accordance with controls set by the Ministry of Education.

4- The start of the first semester may be preceded – by no more than 3 weeks – by a period of preparation and readiness in general education schools, registration in universities, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and the like, provided that it does not affect the minimum statutory leave for the educational body.