TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Five top universities in Taiwan are poised to start a record-long winter vacation. 

At least five top Taiwanese universities have implemented a 16-week semester system, resulting in this year's winter break starting on Dec. 23., per NOWnews. This sets a new record for the earliest winter break and will extend to Feb. 14, spanning 58 days. 

In 2022, the National Taiwan University System, comprised of National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, switched to a 16-week semester to align with international standards. According to the University Act (大學法), a semester is 18 weeks, whereas semesters at foreign institutions typically range from 15 to 17 weeks.  

After the NTU System started the 16-week semester format, other universities followed, including National Tsing Hua University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, National Taipei University, and National Chi Nan University. In 2023, the NTU System began its winter vacation as early as Dec. 25.

Five universities, including NTU, NTNU, NTUST, NTHU, and NYCU, will begin their final exam week on Monday and end the semester on Friday. Winter break for these schools will start on Dec. 23, marking the earliest winter break in Taiwan’s history.

However, National Taipei University, National Chi Nan University, and National Chung Hsing University, which start their academic year later, begin their winter break on Dec. 30, per TVBS.