Start of the academic year in the Netherlands
26 Jul 2007
In the Netherlands, the academic year traditionally starts in the first week of September.
It is then that teaching resumes at universities and other higher education institutions. At the research universities, there is usually a formal ceremony to mark the occasion. Usually, the rector magnificus will hold an opening speech and all professors will attend in full academic dress. The academic year starts later in other countries, such as Germany and the United Kingdom, where it starts in October. French and Swiss universities, though, usually return from the summer vacation in September, just like in the Netherlands.