The academic year is divided in two semesters:

First semester starts in the beginning  of September and finishes at the end of January. 
Classes start in the beginning  of September and run until Mid-December.
Assessment period: January

Second semester starts in the beginning of February and finishes at the end of June. 
Classes start  in the beginning of February and run until the end of May.
Assessment period: June

Holidays: Christmas and Easter - around two weeks; Carnival - four days.

At the end of both semesters there are special examination periods for re-sitting.

Note: Due to the high number of exchange students received every semester at Iscte Business School, the requests for extension of the period of stay (beyond the period of nomination by the home university) are not accepted.