The University of California, Merced (UC Merced) operates on a semester-based academic calendar, with the fall semester typically starting in late August and the spring semester starting in mid-January. The academic calendar is subject to change, but here are the key dates for the current and upcoming academic years:
Primary Academic Calendar Dates

The UC Merced academic calendar is divided into two main semesters: fall and spring. Each semester consists of 15 weeks of instruction, with a week-long break in the middle of the semester. The fall semester usually starts in late August and ends in mid-December, while the spring semester starts in mid-January and ends in mid-May.
Fall Semester Dates
The fall semester at UC Merced typically begins in late August, with the first day of instruction taking place around August 24th. The semester is divided into two 7.5-week sessions, with a week-long break in between. The key dates for the fall semester are:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 24th | First day of instruction |
| September 7th | Instructional break |
| September 14th | Second 7.5-week session begins |
| November 11th | Veterans Day holiday |
| November 25th-26th | Thanksgiving holiday |
| December 11th | Last day of instruction |
| December 14th-18th | Final exams |

Spring Semester Dates
The spring semester at UC Merced typically starts in mid-January, with the first day of instruction taking place around January 12th. Similar to the fall semester, the spring semester is also divided into two 7.5-week sessions, with a week-long break in between. The key dates for the spring semester are:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 12th | First day of instruction |
| February 15th | Instructional break |
| February 22nd | Second 7.5-week session begins |
| March 29th-30th | Spring break |
| May 8th | Last day of instruction |
| May 11th-15th | Final exams |
Key Points
- The UC Merced academic calendar is divided into two main semesters: fall and spring.
- The fall semester typically starts in late August and ends in mid-December.
- The spring semester usually starts in mid-January and ends in mid-May.
- Each semester consists of 15 weeks of instruction, with a week-long break in the middle.
- Students should always consult the official UC Merced website for the most up-to-date information on academic calendar dates.
Additional Calendar Dates

In addition to the primary academic calendar dates, UC Merced also observes several holidays and special events throughout the year. Some of these dates include:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 1st | New Year’s Day holiday |
| January 18th | Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday |
| February 15th | Presidents’ Day holiday |
| March 29th-30th | Spring break |
| May 31st | Memorial Day holiday |
| July 3rd | Independence Day holiday |
Summer Session Dates
UC Merced also offers summer session courses, which typically take place from late May to early August. The summer session is divided into two 6-week sessions, with a week-long break in between. The key dates for the summer session are:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 26th | First day of summer session |
| June 30th | Instructional break |
| July 6th | Second 6-week session begins |
| August 7th | Last day of summer session |
What is the start date of the fall semester at UC Merced?
+The fall semester at UC Merced typically starts in late August, with the first day of instruction taking place around August 24th.
How long is the spring semester at UC Merced?
+The spring semester at UC Merced is 15 weeks long, with a week-long break in the middle.
What holidays does UC Merced observe?
+UC Merced observes several holidays throughout the year, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veterans Day.
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