MMathPhys/MSc in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics Handbook (2025-26 Entry)

The academic year at Oxford is in three terms, named Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity terms. You will often see these written as MT, HT and TT. 

Each term has 8 weeks. Weeks are counted from Sunday, not Monday. So that the first day of week 1 would be Sunday, 12th October 2025. 

There is also a 0th week, which is not included in the published term dates, as no teaching takes place. In Michaelmas term, 0th week is akin to an induction or 'freshers' week, with many induction talks and events happening in departments and colleges.

In Hilary and Trinity terms, written exams are scheduled in 0th week (as well as further exams later in term), so you should return to Oxford the week before term starts to sit exams. 

The term dates for the academic year 2025-2026, not including 0th weeks, are as follows:

Note, many timetables, emails and schedules will refer to dates by week number, not by the Gregorian calendar date,

e.g. 'the lecture on Bosons is rescheduled to Tue, Week 4.'

You might even see a week written as 4 MT for '4th week Michaelmas term' or the terms MT25, HT26, TT26 to indicate the term and year.