At a glance

• Up to 8 start dates a year, one per five-week term
• Four quarters, each with a Term A and a Term B
• Summer quarter online only, for undergraduate and graduate programs
• Transfer between campuses each quarter

UIBS is one: its quarter and term academic calendar opens up to 8 intakes a year, one at the start of each five-week term.

So when you compare business schools with multiple start dates in Europe, look at how each one builds its academic year. A program built on two long semesters can only take new students when a semester begins. A program built on short terms can open its doors more often, because every term is a natural starting point.

At UIBS the academic year runs from early October to late September. It has four quarters, and each quarter has two terms, A and B. As a result, the year holds 8 terms and 8 possible starts:

Each term lasts five weeks. Classes take place in weeks 1 to 4, and week 5 is the assessment week. That rhythm is what makes a rolling intake possible, so you do not lose a semester if your plans change.

In 2026-27 you can start at UIBS on 16 November 2026, then in January, February, April, May, July or August 2027, with summer terms online.

These are the first days of each term in the published academic calendar for 2026-27, the detail to check first at any of the business schools with multiple start dates in Europe.

Registration dates are announced for each term. Campuses also close on local public holidays, so check the calendar for your city before you plan travel.

Yes. Bachelor and Master programs, the MBA included, can start in any of the 8 terms. Doctoral courses run from fall to spring instead.

At business schools with multiple start dates in Europe, always check which levels can use each intake. At UIBS, the two summer starts are open to undergraduate and graduate programs, and both summer terms run online. For example, you could start a Bachelor program online in July and then join a campus in the fall.

Graduate students follow the same calendar. A standard Master takes one year of full-time study, which is three quarters, so a start in winter or spring simply moves your finish date. You can compare formats on our Master programs and MBA programs pages.

A doctorate works differently. Postgraduate courses run from fall to spring, typically up to two courses per quarter. If you are considering one of our doctorate programs, plan your start with that pattern in mind.

Yes. UIBS students can transfer between campuses each quarter, across 9 city-center campuses in Europe and Tokyo, or continue their studies online.

Our campuses are in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Tokyo and Zurich, plus the Online campus. Because the quarters line up across all of them, you can also start in one city and continue in another.

You can see every location on our campuses page.

Once you have shortlisted business schools in Europe with multiple start dates, a few steps make the choice easier, especially if you need a visa or have to give notice at work.

1. 1

   Pick your program first

   Then confirm whether it is a Bachelor, Master, MBA or doctorate, because the doctorate follows the fall to spring pattern.

2. 2

   Find the next term on the calendar above

   Leave enough time for your application and, if you need one, your visa. Our student visas page explains what to prepare.

3. 3

   Plan your first quarter

   You enroll in all Term A and Term B courses before the quarter begins, with up to 20 credits per quarter.

4. 4

   Choose your campus

   Start online, in one city, or plan a move between campuses from one quarter to the next.

5. 5

   Apply

   Our admission information page lists the steps and documents.

Credits across our programs use ECTS, the European credit system, where 60 ECTS credits equal a full year of study. That also helps if you transfer credits in from another institution.