Academic term

An academic term (or simply term) is a portion of an academic year, the time during which an educational institution holds classes. The schedules adopted vary widely. In most countries, the academic year begins in late summer or early autumn and ends during the following spring or summer. In Northern Hemisphere countries, this means that the academic year lasts from August, September, or October to May, June, or July. In Southern Hemisphere countries, the academic year aligns with the calendar year, lasting from February or March to November or December. The summer may or may not be part of the term system. Semester, trimester and quarter are all synonyms for an academic term (the last two being mainly confined to American English), which refer to terms of specific periods as described below: Semester (sēmestris) originally German, where it referred to a university session of six months, adopted into American usage in the early 19th century as a half-year term of typically 15 to 18 weeks. Used in the US and other countries to refer to the two main periods into which the academic year is divided at some universities. Trimester (trimestris) used in the US and Canada to refer to one of the three terms into which the academic year is divided at some universities. Quarter (quartarius) used in American English to refer to one of four terms into which the academic year is divided at some universities. Education in Australia In most of Australia, the primary and secondary school year lasts about 200 days, from late January or early February to early or mid-December, and is split into four terms: Term 1 starts in late January or early February and ends in late March or early April (often in close proximity to Easter). Term 2 starts in late April or early May and ends in late June. Term 3 starts in mid-to-late July and ends mid-to-late September. Term 4 starts in early-to-mid October and ends typically in mid-to-late December. Terms 4 & 1 (rolled over) and 2 & 3 are respectively usually deemed 'summer' and 'winter' respectively for purposes of sports participation and uniform standards.