Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has officially unveiled the Senate-approved academic timetable for postgraduate programmes for the 2025/2026 academic year.

The timetable, released by the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), provides a detailed schedule of academic and administrative activities for students pursuing Postgraduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. It serves as a complete planning guide for the session, covering both semesters, examination periods, breaks, and special academic programmes.

Breakdown of the First Semester Activities

Registration Window for First Semester

The academic session opens with a registration phase spanning three weeks.

Registration Period:
Monday, 5 January 2026 – Saturday, 31 January 2026

All postgraduate students are expected to complete their registration within this period. Registration is mandatory and failure to comply within the approved timeframe may result in administrative setbacks.

Start of First Semester Lectures

Teaching and academic engagements for the first semester will commence shortly after registration begins.

Lecture Duration:
Monday, 12 January 2026 – Tuesday, 31 March 2026

This phase lasts eleven weeks and includes lectures, seminars, coursework discussions, and supervised academic engagements as determined by individual departments.

First Semester Examination Period

At the end of lectures, students will proceed to examinations and other forms of academic assessment.

Examination Schedule:
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 – Wednesday, 6 May 2026

The four-week assessment window accommodates written exams, oral presentations, seminars, and programme-specific evaluations.

Mid-Session Break

After the first semester assessments, students will observe an inter-semester break.

Inter-Semester Break:
Thursday, 7 May 2026 – Monday, 22 June 2026

This period allows time for rest, research activities, fieldwork, and result processing by the university.

Second Semester Academic Timeline

Second Semester Registration

Registration for the second semester will be brief and time-bound.

Registration Period:
Monday, 22 June 2026 – Friday, 26 June 2026

Students are expected to complete registration promptly to avoid disruptions to academic participation.

Second Semester Lecture Period

Academic activities resume immediately after registration.

Lecture Duration:
Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – Friday, 11 September 2026

This semester runs for twelve weeks, allowing extended engagement in coursework, research seminars, project supervision, and departmental academic programmes.

Second Semester Examinations

At the conclusion of lectures, students will undergo second-semester assessments.

Examination Period:
Monday, 14 September 2026 – Monday, 12 October 2026

This phase includes examinations, research defenses, presentations, and departmental evaluations as applicable to each programme.

Long Vacation

Upon completion of second-semester examinations, students will proceed on long vacation.

Long Vacation Begins:
Tuesday, 13 October 2026

This officially marks the end of academic activities for the 2025/2026 postgraduate session.

Key Administrative and Senate Activities

In addition to student-focused activities, the calendar also captures essential administrative processes, including:

• Marking and moderation of examination scripts
  
• Departmental Postgraduate Committee meetings
  
• Faculty Postgraduate Committee meetings
  
• Postgraduate Board deliberations
  
• Senate meetings for result approval
  

These processes ensure academic quality, transparency, and compliance with institutional standards.

Start of the 2026/2027 Postgraduate Session

The academic calendar also indicates when the next postgraduate session will commence.

Next Session Begins:
Wednesday, 30 December 2026

This date signals the transition into the 2026/2027 academic cycle.

Special Feature: PG-ICT Short Training Programme

A notable inclusion in the calendar is the Postgraduate ICT (PG-ICT) Short Training Programme, which is scheduled to run throughout the entire session.

The programme is designed to:

• Strengthen digital and research skills
  
• Improve academic productivity
  
• Support modern research methodologies
  

Its year-long availability highlights ATBU’s commitment to technology-driven postgraduate education.

Role of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS)

The School of Postgraduate Studies oversees:

• Coordination of postgraduate programmes
  
• Monitoring of academic progress
  
• Enforcement of Senate-approved schedules
  
• Maintenance of academic standards
  

The release of this calendar reflects SPGS’s commitment to structured planning and academic excellence.

Guidance for New and Returning Students

For Newly Admitted Students

New postgraduate students are encouraged to:

• Study the academic calendar early
  
• Understand key timelines
  
• Seek clarification from their departments
  

For Returning Students

Continuing students should note that:

• Each session operates on a fresh schedule
  
• Registration is required every semester
  
• Timelines may differ from previous years

Final Thoughts

The release of the 2025/2026 postgraduate academic calendar by Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University provides a clear and well-structured roadmap for the academic year.

With defined schedules for registration, lectures, examinations, administrative processes, and skill-development programmes, postgraduate students are well positioned for a productive and successful session.

All students are encouraged to study the calendar carefully, adhere strictly to the outlined timelines, and plan ahead for a smooth academic journey at ATBU.