Key Dates 2026
Never miss a deadline. All important education dates in one place.
School year underway
Mid-term assessments begin at many schools
Term 1 ends
School holidays begin — good time to plan ahead
Term 2 starts
University open days begin — register early
Open days begin
Universities start hosting campus visit days (May–August)
Mid-year exams
Some schools hold mid-year exams or practice exams
School holidays
Open days continue — attend if you can
Start scholarship search
Many scholarship deadlines are Aug–Sep. Start searching NOW
Scholarship applications open
Major university scholarships open — don't miss deadlines
University applications open
Apply early for your preferred programmes
Term 3 starts
Final push before exams
Scholarship deadlines
Many scholarships close this month — submit on time
NCEA exam entries close
Make sure you're entered for all your external exams
Term 3 ends
Study leave begins for Year 12–13 students
NCEA external exams begin
Exams run through November into early December
Submit StudyLink applications
Apply for student loan and allowance now — processing takes weeks
NCEA exams end
External exam period concludes
University application deadlines
Most programmes close for applications
University offers sent
Check your email! Accept your offer promptly
Orientation & enrolment
Attend orientation week — university officially starts late Feb/early March