At FU Berlin, the academic year is divided into two parts, called semesters:

• Winter semester / winter term:

  The lecture period of the winter semester starts mid-October and extends to mid-February.

  Officially, the summer semester spreads from 1st of October to 31st of March.

• Summer semester / summer term:

  The lecture time of the winter semester starts mid-April and ends around mid-July.

  Officially the summer semester spreads from 1st of April to 30th of September.

• Semester break:

  Sometimes (follow-up) exams are written in the first weeks or last weeks of the semester break.
  A number of courses are offered as blocks between terms during semester breaks. Pre-semester intensive language courses are also offered in these breaks.

An exchange student usually will stay for one semester.
Check the academic calender of FU Berlin for precise dates and deadlines.