Belgium 2017/18 - beginning and end of the academic year

Beginning of the academic year

Belgium - Flemish Community

At the earliest 1 September and at the latest 1 October. Occurs generally between mid- September and 1 October.

Belgium - French Community

The legal act of 7 November 2013 fixes annually the beginning and end of each four-month term.
The academic year is a one-year period beginning on 14 September 2017.
In practice, teaching activities begin around 14 September in most institutions. In order to encourage student and staff mobility within the French Community, the government may lay down further conditions when determining this academic calendar.
(Relative) institutional autonomy

Belgium - German-speaking Community

4 September 2017 The relevant legislation states that the government fixes the date of the beginning of the academic year between 1 September and 15 September.

End of the academic year

Belgium - Flemish Community

The day before the start of the new academic year. For most students the academic year ends de facto after the last examination.

Belgium - French Community

13 September of the next year

Belgium - German-speaking Community

The relevant legislation states that the government fixes the end of the academic year on the first Friday in July at the latest.