Understanding academic years

Your academic year

This is determined by your course start date. If you apply for funding for the wrong academic year, it could delay your student finance.

How to work out your academic year

The academic year which applies to you depends on your course start date.

Your university or college will be able to confirm your academic year if you don’t know it.

Academic year start and end dates

For the majority of students, each academic year will run from 1 September to 31 August but there are 4 official start dates in each academic year with each lasting 12 months.

You can find the one which applies to you based your course start date.

Your university or college will be able to confirm your course start date if you don’t know it.

Open University

The Open University provides a flexible approach to study with numerous start dates available. Knowing which academic year your course falls under is especially important before you complete and return any forms. If you’re not sure which form to complete, speak to your university or college.