University of the Witwatersrand 2024 Term Dates

2024

ActivityDates
Registration Monday 13 January – Friday 31 January
Orientation week Monday 27 January – Friday 31 January
First teaching blockMonday 03 February – Friday 20 March (35 Days)
Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research breakSaturday 21 March – Sunday 29 March (9 Days) 
Second teaching block Monday 30 March – Thursday 14 May (30 Days)
Study breakExaminations Friday 15 May – Sunday 24 May (10 Days)Monday 25 May – Monday 22 June (20 Days)
Winter Vacation/Study/Research breakTuesday 23 June – Sunday 12 July (20 Days)
Third teaching block Monday 13 July – Friday 28 August (34 Days)
Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research breakSaturday 29 August – Sunday 6 September (9 Days)
Fourth teaching blockMonday 7 September – Tuesday 20 October (31 Days)
Study breakExaminationsWednesday 21 October – Sunday 01 November (12 Days)Monday 02 November – Friday 27 November (20 Days)
Summer Vacation/Study/Research breakSaturday 28 November

Please note:

  • The Faculty of Health Sciences’ term dates differ from those of the University and they may commence with lectures as early as the first working day in January.
  • Consult the University’s website for more detailed information about dates of registration for different cohorts of students.

Public and religious holidays/holydays recognised by the University in 2024

DateName of holiday/holydayUniversity status
Wednesday 1 JanuaryNew Year’s DayUniversity closed
Saturday 21 MarchHuman Rights DayUniversity closed
Thursday 09 AprilPassover (Pesach) day 1** 
Friday 10 AprilGood FridayPassover (Pesach) day 2**University closed
Monday 13 AprilFamily DayUniversity closed
Wednesday 15 AprilPassover (Pesach) day 7** 
Thursday 16 AprilPassover (Pesach) day 8** 
Saturday 25 April1st Ramadaan (Commencement of Fasting) * 
Monday 27 April                              Freedom DayUniversity closed
Friday 1 MayWorkers’ DayUniversity closed
Sunday 24 MayEid-ul-Fitr (Termination of Fasting) * 
Friday 29 MayShavuoth day 1** 
Saturday 30 MayShavuoth day 2** 
Tuesday 16 JuneYouth DayUniversity closed
Friday 31 JulyEid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice) * 
Sunday 9 AugustNational Women’s DayUniversity closed
Monday 10 AugustPublic HolidayUniversity closed
Saturday 19 SeptemberRosh Hashanah day 1** 
Sunday 20 SeptemberRosh Hashanah day 2** 
Thursday 24 SeptemberHeritage DayUniversity closed
Monday 28 SeptemberYom Kippur ** 
Saturday 03 OctoberSukkot (day 1) ** 
Sunday 04 OctoberSukkot (day 2) ** 
Saturday 10 OctoberSh’mini Atzeret** 
Sunday 11 OctoberSimchat Torah** 
Friday 13 NovemberNarak Chaturdashi (Diwali-South) 
Saturday 14 NovemberLuxmi Pooja (Diwali-North) 
Wednesday 16 December               Day of ReconciliationUniversity closed
Friday 25 DecemberChristmas DayUniversity closed
Saturday 26 December            Day of GoodwillUniversity closed

*Islamic Holy Day – commences the previous evening; exact date depends on sighting of new moon

**Jewish Holy Day – commences the previous evening

Please note:

No exam will be scheduled on a recognised University holiday/holyday.

Proposed Public School Term Dates in 2024

TermAll Provinces
Term 115 January – 20 March
Term 231 March – 12 June
Term 307 July – 18 September
Term 429 September – 02 December