At the UvA, the academic year splits into two semesters of three periods each. Periods a and b of each semester are "lecture periods", period c is a "project period". Lecture periods are seven weeks of classes plus an exam week, project periods are four weeks. Students are supposed to do research projects, work on term papers or participate in special events in period c.

2011-2012

First semester	a	Lecture Period	September 5, 2011 - October 28, 2011
	b	Lecture Period	October 31, 2011 - December 23, 2011
	c	Project Period	January 9, 2012 - February 3, 2012
Second semester	a	Lecture Period	February 6, 2012 - March 30, 2012
	b	Lecture Period	April 2, 2012 - June 1, 2012
	c	Project Period	June 4, 2012 - June 29, 2012

Read the the official UvA document.