Wits University Important Dates
2021
| Activity | Dates |
| Registration | Monday 07 January – Thursday 31 January (19 days) |
| Orientation week | Monday 28 January – Friday 01 February (5 days) |
| First teaching block | Monday 04 February – Wednesday 20 March (33 days) |
| Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research break | Thursday 21 March – Sunday 31 March (11 days) |
| Second teaching block | Monday 01 April – Friday 17 May (32 days) |
| Study Break Examinations |
Saturday 18 May – Sunday 26 May (10 days) Monday 27 May – Monday 24 June (20 days) |
| Winter Vacation/Study/Research break | Tuesday 25 June – Sunday 14 July (20 days) |
| Third teaching block | Monday 15 July – Friday 30 August (34 days) |
| Mid-term Vacation/Study/Research break | Saturday 31 August – Sunday 08 September (9 days) |
| Fourth teaching block | Monday 09 September – Tuesday 22 October (31 days) |
| Study Break Examinations |
Wednesday 23 October – Sunday 27 October (5 days) Monday 28 October – Friday 22 November (20 days) |
| Summer Vacation/Study/Research break | Saturday 23 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 2021
| Date | Name of holiday | University status |
| Tuesday 1 January | New Year’s Day | University closed |
| Thursday 21 March | Human Rights Day | University closed |
| Friday 19 April | Good Friday | University closed |
| Saturday 20 April | Passover (Pesach) day 1** | |
| Sunday 21 April | Passover (Pesach) day 2** | |
| Monday 22 April | Family Day | University closed |
| Friday 26 April | Passover (Pesach) day 7** | |
| Saturday 27 April | Freedom Day | University closed |
| Passover (Pesach) day 8** | ||
| Wednesday 1 May | Workers’ Day | University closed |
| Monday 06 May | 1st Ramadaan (Commencement of Fasting) * | |
| Wednesday 05 June | Eid-ul-Fitr (Termination of Fasting) * | |
| Sunday 09 June | Shavuoth (day 1)** | |
| Monday 10 June | Shavuoth (day 2) ** | |
| Sunday 16 June | Youth Day | University closed |
| Monday 17 June | Public Holiday | University closed |
| Friday 9 August | National Women’s Day | University closed |
| Monday 12 August | Eid-ul-Adha (Day of Sacrifice) * | |
| Tuesday 24 September | Heritage Day | University closed |
| Monday 30 September | Rosh Hashanah (day 1) ** | |
| Tuesday 01 October | Rosh Hashanah (day 2) ** | |
| Wednesday 09 October | Yom Kippur ** | |
| Monday 14 October | Sukkot (day 1) ** | |
| Monday 15 October | Sukkot (day 2) ** | |
| Monday 21 October | Sh’mini Atzeret** | |
| Tuesday 22 October | Simchat Torah** | |
| Saturday 26 October | Narak Chaturdashi (Diwali-South) | |
| Sunday 27 October | Luxmi Pooja (Diwali-North) | |
| Monday 16 December | Day of Reconciliation | University closed |
| Wednesday 25 December | Christmas Day | University closed |
| Thursday 26 December | Day of Goodwill | University 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 2021
| All Provinces | |
| Term 1 | 09 January – 15 March |
| Term 2 | 02 April – 14 June |
| Term 3 | 09 July – 20 September |
| Term 4 | 01 October – 04 December |
Open: 1 March 2021
Close: 30 September 2021(All course applications, residence applications and financial aid applications)
Exceptions: BArch (Bachelor of Architecture), Faculty of Health Sciences, B Audiology and B Speech-Lang Pathology close on 30 June
Application Fees:
R100 – ZA citizens
R700 – International applicants
2021/2022 Open Days
2021/2020 Term Dates
1st Semester: 8 February – 19 May
Exams: 24 May – 21 June
Mid term break: 25 March – 3 April
2nd Semester: 11 July – 15 November
Exams: 20 October – 16 November
Mid term break: 27 August – 4 September
Please remember that 1st and 2nd Semester dates will change dependent on the student’s last examination. Usually it can change by as much as 3 weeks for year end