University Terms
The terms as lived by the student: he 'comes up' into residence by midnight on the Friday before 'Full Term', which begins on a Sunday, and 'goes down' on the Saturday just over eight weeks later. He is of course expected to continue his studies at home during the vacations.
'Coming up' and 'going down' are also used to indicate the beginning and end of one's total course or courses: "I went up in Michaelmas (ie Autumn) 2004 and came down in Trinity (ie Summer) '05." Or perhaps "I was sent down (ie dismissed for some misdemeanour) in Hilary (ie Easter) '06." It is usual for students to refer to some event taking place in, say, Tuesday of '3rd week' (of term), which can be unhelpful to those outside the University. If you are trying to communicate with both worlds, it is best to give the date both ways, eg Tuesday of 3rd week; 28th October 2003. The week before term is frequently referred to as 'noughth week'. The week before that is less frequently referred to as 'minus-first week'. The week before that... [that's enough! Ed.]
Dates of Full Terms to 2010
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10 (provisional)
For further information (and to see where we got the above) click here.
