When I first looked for the Imperial College closure days for 2026, I realised the information was spread across different university pages and difficult to follow quickly.

To make planning easier, I gathered all the important dates into one clear guide. Imperial College will close for Easter from 2 to 8 April 2026, for the Early May, Spring and Summer Bank Holidays, and again from 23 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 for Christmas and New Year. The university will then reopen on 4 January 2027.

The key Imperial College closure dates to remember are:

• Easter closure: 2–8 April 2026
• Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 2026
• Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026
• Summer Bank Holiday: 31 August 2026
• Christmas closure: 23 December 2026 to 1 January 2027

What are Imperial College closure days in 2026?

Imperial College closure days are official university-wide shutdown dates when the institution is closed and most services are unavailable. They are separate from your normal annual leave entitlement and are built into the university’s leave year, which runs from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

For staff, these dates are treated as mandatory leave days. For students, closure days can affect access to libraries, support services, departmental offices and teaching spaces. However, they are not always the same as academic term breaks.

Imperial’s official HR guidance explains this clearly:

“The university closes on 16 days per year, depending on how public holidays fall throughout the year. These are mandatory leave dates.”

That means your plans should take into account both the official closure schedule and any department-specific arrangements.

When does Imperial College close for Easter, bank holidays and Christmas in 2026?

Imperial College’s 2026 closure schedule is split into three main periods: the Easter closure, the major UK bank holidays and the Christmas and New Year shutdown.

These dates form part of the university’s official closure days for the 2026–2027 leave year.

Easter Closure Period

Imperial College closes at the usual finishing time on Wednesday, 1 April 2026. The Easter closure then runs from Thursday 2 April to Wednesday 8 April 2026, with the university reopening on Thursday 9 April 2026.

• Thursday 2 April 2026 – Closure Day
• Friday 3 April 2026 – Good Friday
• Monday 6 April 2026 – Easter Monday
• Tuesday 7 April 2026 –- Closure Day
• Wednesday 8 April 2026 – Closure Day

According to Imperial’s official Easter guidance:

“The university closes at your usual finishing time on Wednesday, 1 April 2026 and reopens on Thursday, 9 April 2026.”

2026 Bank Holiday Closures

In addition to the Easter shutdown, Imperial College closes on the three main UK bank holidays during 2026:

• Monday 4 May 2026 – Early May Bank Holiday
• Monday 25 May 2026 – Spring Bank Holiday
• Monday 31 August 2026 – Summer Bank Holiday

These are university-wide closure days and most departments, offices and campus services will not operate as normal.

Christmas and New Year Closure

The Christmas closure starts at the usual finishing time on Tuesday 22 December 2026 and continues until Friday 1 January 2027. Imperial College reopens on Monday 4 January 2027.

• Wednesday 23 December 2026 – Closure Day
• Thursday 24 December 2026 – Closure Day
• Friday 25 December 2026 –  Christmas Day
• Saturday 26 December 2026 – Boxing Day
• Monday 28 December 2026 – Substitute Bank Holiday
• Tuesday 29 December 2026 – Closure Day
• Wednesday 30 December 2026 – Closure Day
• Thursday 31 December 2026 – Closure Day
• Friday 1 January 2027 – New Year’s Day

By keeping these Imperial College closure dates in mind, you can plan your work, studies and travel more effectively throughout 2026 and avoid any unexpected disruption.

How Many Official Closure Days Does Imperial College Have in the 2026–2027 Leave Year?

Imperial College has 16 closure days during the 2026–2027 leave year. The exact number changes slightly from year to year because it depends on when public holidays fall.

The following table shows how the closure days are distributed throughout the year:

For members of teaching staff, these days are mandatory leave dates and are normally deducted automatically from annual leave balances where appropriate.

As someone planning work around the schedule, I found that booking annual leave immediately before the Easter closure creates a much longer break.

One member of staff described it this way:

“I booked annual leave for 30 and 31 March 2026, which gave me nearly two full weeks away from work once the Easter closure days were added in.”

This is a common approach for employees trying to make the most of the Imperial College closure days.

Are Imperial College Closure Days the Same as Term Breaks and Holidays?

No, Imperial College closure days are not the same as academic term breaks or student holidays. Closure days are operational shutdowns affecting the whole university, while term breaks are based on the academic calendar.

A student may technically be on holiday while some university services remain open. Equally, the university may close during a period when students still have coursework, dissertation work or research commitments.

For example, the Easter closure takes place during the wider spring vacation period, but the official university shutdown only covers the dates between 2 and 8 April 2026.

Similarly, the Christmas closure overlaps with the winter break but does not necessarily reflect the exact period when teaching ends or resumes.

Students should therefore check:

• their department’s academic calendar
• any coursework or exam deadlines
• library and laboratory opening hours
• accommodation arrangements during closure periods

Relying on the university closure schedule alone can lead to confusion, especially for postgraduate researchers or students working on projects over the holidays.

What Are the Key Imperial College Term Dates and Holiday Periods for 2026?

The academic calendar is structured around autumn, spring, and summer terms. While exact dates may vary by department, these terms help explain how official closure days fit into the year.

The autumn term usually begins in early October and runs until December. This is followed by the winter break, which overlaps with the Christmas and New Year closure. Teaching often ends before the official shutdown around 22 December 2026, although some services may remain open until then.

The spring term runs from January to March, followed by the Easter vacation. Importantly, this break is longer than the actual university closure, meaning students may still have academic responsibilities outside the shutdown dates.

The summer term includes exams and assessments, with no extended closure. The final official closure is the Summer Bank Holiday.

Key Term Periods and Closures

I spoke to a student who shared their experience with me, saying:

“I assumed the university would reopen as soon as my break ended, but it didn’t.”

This really highlights why it’s important to check both term dates and the official closure schedule carefully

Who is Affected by the Imperial College Closure Schedule in 2026?

The Imperial College closure schedule affects more than just office staff, with different groups experiencing these dates in various ways.

For staff, closure days are typically treated as mandatory leave. Administrative teams, HR departments, and many offices shut completely during Easter and Christmas, with some employees extending this time using annual leave.

Students are also impacted, as key academic and support services may be unavailable or operate at reduced hours during closures.

Visitors, researchers, and campus users should be aware that access to facilities can be limited, including:

• Reduced library opening hours
• Closure of student support services
• Department offices remaining shut until reopening
• Limited services in some campus accommodation

Overall, closures can affect daily operations across the university, so planning ahead is essential.

What is the Full Imperial College Closure Schedule for 2026 at a Glance?

The following table provides a complete overview of the Imperial College closure days and reopening dates.

This summary can be useful if you need to plan annual leave, revise for exams or organise travel around the Imperial College closure days.

What Should You Check Before Planning Leave or Travel Around Imperial College Closure Days?

Before making travel arrangements or submitting annual leave requests, it is worth checking whether your department follows any additional rules.

Some departments reopen later than others, while certain services may continue remotely during closure periods. Students should confirm whether libraries, laboratories or specialist facilities will still be available.

You should also review:

• Faculty or department notices
• examination and coursework deadlines
• accommodation opening dates
• transport plans around Easter and Christmas
• official HR and Registry updates

These checks are particularly important if you are travelling internationally or planning a long absence.

What Are the Most Important Dates to Remember From the Imperial College Closure Schedule for 2026?

The key Imperial College closure days for 2026 are concentrated around Easter, the main UK bank holidays and the Christmas period. These are the dates most likely to affect university services, staff leave and student access to campus.

• Easter closure: 2 to 8 April 2026, with the university reopening on 9 April 2026
• Early May Bank Holiday: 4 May 2026
• Spring Bank Holiday: 25 May 2026
• Summer Bank Holiday: 31 August 2026
• Christmas and New Year closure: 23 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, with the university reopening on 4 January 2027

Remembering these dates will make it easier to plan annual leave, revision time, travel and any important university-related arrangements well in advance.

Conclusion

The Imperial College closure schedule for 2026 is essential for planning work, study and travel throughout the year.

With official closure days covering Easter, major bank holidays and the Christmas period, both staff and students should prepare in advance to avoid disruption.

Remember that closure days are different from term breaks, and some departments may follow slightly different schedules.

By checking the key dates and reopening times early, you can organise annual leave, coursework and campus visits more effectively and confidently

Frequently Asked Questions

Can staff use annual leave alongside Imperial College closure days?

Yes. Many employees combine their annual leave with closure days to create a longer break, particularly around Easter and Christmas.

Are Imperial College buildings completely closed during Easter and Christmas?

Most university buildings close during these periods, although some accommodation, security and essential services continue operating.

Do postgraduate and undergraduate students follow the same holiday timetable?

Not always. Postgraduate researchers often work outside standard term dates, so they may need to follow both departmental guidance and the university closure schedule.

Can you still access online university services during closure periods?

Yes. Most online systems, including email and virtual learning platforms, remain available even when the physical campus is closed.

Are university sports centres and cafés open during official closure days?

Many campus facilities either close or operate with reduced hours. Opening arrangements vary depending on the facility.

What happens if a closure day falls during an exam or assessment period?

Imperial College usually avoids scheduling exams during official closure days. If there is any change, departments will notify students directly.

Where can you find the latest official Imperial College closure updates?

The latest information is available through Imperial College HR, Registry and departmental websites.