Academic important dates
In recognition of the fact that the University of Victoria is a diverse community, the Office of Equity and Human Rights has compiled a list of religious observances some of which an observer may be required to refrain from work or school. Faculty and staff may wish to refer to this list in responding to requests from members of religious groups for variations in examination schedules due to religious observances.
Classes are cancelled on all public holidays and during reading breaks. Administrative offices and academic departments are closed on public holidays. Holidays that fall on a weekend are observed on the next available weekday, normally on a Monday. The UVic Libraries are normally closed on holidays; exceptions are posted in advance.
Winter session - second term
January 2026
Second term classes begin for all faculties
January 5th
Senate meets
January 9th
Last day for adding or dropping courses in the Faculty of Law
January 15th
Last day for 100% reduction of second term fees for standard courses
January 18th
50% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Last day for graduate students to register in a personal leave in second term
January 18th
Last day for adding courses that begin in the second term (except for Faculty of Law)
January 21st
Last day for paying second term fees without penalty
January 31st
February 2026
Senate meets
February 6th
Last day for 50% reduction of tuition fees for standard courses
February 8th
100% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Faculty of Graduate Studies deadline to apply to graduate for Spring Convocation
February 15th
Students completing in the Spring term only
University Closed (Family Day)
February 16th
Reading Break for all faculties
February 16th - February 20th
Last day for withdrawing from full year and second term courses without penalty of failure
February 28th
March 2026
Senate Meets
March 6th
First registration date for Summer Session 2026
March 9th
April 2026
Last day of classes for all faculties
April 2nd
University Closed (Good Friday)
April 3rd
University Closed (Easter Monday)
April 6th
S.E.L. days (Student Experience of Learning survey)
April 3rd - April 6th
Examinations begin for all faculties
April 7th
Senate Meets
April 10th
Examinations end for all faculties
April 22nd
End of Winter Session
2026/2027 Official academic year begins
Summer session
See undergraduate and graduate Summer Session add and drop dates.
May 2026
May-August (Term 1) courses begin for all faculties
May 6th
Senate meets
May 8th
May (Term 4) and May-June (Term 2) courses begin
May 11th
Last day for Faculty of Law course changes
May 13th
See Summer 2026 Important Dates for more details
University Closed (Victoria Day)
May 18th
Last day for graduate students to register in a personal leave in summer
May 19th
Senate Committee on Academic Standards meets to approve Convocation lists
May 21st
Fees deadlines for summer
May 31st
See undergraduate and graduate add and drop dates for standard summer courses
June 2026
May (Term 4) Courses End
June 3rd
June (Term 5) Courses Begin
June 4th
First registration date for Winter Session 2026/2027
June 8th
Spring Convocation
June 8th - June 12th
May-June (Term 2) and June (Term 5) Courses End
June 26th
July 2026
University Closed (Canada Day)
July 1st
Reading Break May-August (Term 1) sections only (except Law)
July 1st and July 2nd
July (Term 6) and July-August (Term 3) courses begin
July 6th
Deadline to apply to graduate for Fall Convocation (all faculties)
July 15th
July (Term 6) courses end
July 28th
August (Term 7) courses begin
July 29th
Supplemental and deferred examinations for Winter Session 2024-2025 (except for Business and Law courses)
July 29th - July 31st
May-August (Term 1) classes end for all faculties
July 31st
August 2026
S.E.L. days (Student Experience of Learning survey)
August 1st - August 3rd
University Closed (British Columbia Day)
August 3rd
May-August (Term 1) examinations begin for all faculties
August 4th
May-August (Term 1) examinations end for all faculties
August 17th
July-August (Term 3) and August (Term 7) courses end
August 21st
Winter session - first term
September 2026
University Closed (Labour Day)
September 7th
First year registration and opening assembly for Faculty of Law
September 8th
First term classes begin for all faculties
September 9th
Last day for adding or dropping courses in the Faculty of Law
September 17th
Last day for 100% reduction of tuition fees for standard first term and full year courses
September 22nd
50% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Last day for graduate students to register in a personal leave in first term
September 22nd
Last day for adding courses that begin in the first term (except Faculty of Law)
September 25th
Last day for paying first term fees without penalty
September 30th
University Closed (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation)
September 30th
October 2026
Senate meets
October 2nd
University Closed (Thanksgiving Day)
October 12th
Last day for 50% reduction of tuition fees for standard courses
October 13th
100% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Senate Committee on Academic Standards meets to approve Convocation lists
October 21st
Last day for withdrawing from first term courses without penalty of failure
October 31st
November 2026
Senate meets
November 6th
University Closed (Remembrance Day)
November 11th
Reading Break for all faculties
November 9th - November 11th
Fall Convocation
November 9th and Nov 10th
Faculty of Graduate Studies deadline to apply to graduate for Spring Convocation
November 15th
Students completing in the Fall term only
December 2026
Senate meets
December 4th
Last day of classes in first term for all faculties
December 7th
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 7th
Classes and exams cancelled from 11:30am - 12:30pm
S.E.L. days (Student Experience of Learning survey)
December 8th and December 9th
First term examinations begin for all faculties
December 10th
Undergraduate deadline to apply to graduate for Spring Convocation
December 15th
First term examinations end for all faculties
December 23rd
University closed (Winter Break)
December 25th - December 31st
Winter session - second term
January 2027
University closed (Winter Break)
January 1st
Second term classes begin for all faculties
January 6th
Senate meets
January 8th
Last day for adding or dropping courses in the Faculty of Law
January 14th
Last day for 100% reduction of second term fees for standard courses
January 19th
50% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Last day for graduate students to register in a personal leave in second term
January 19th
Last day for adding courses that begin in the second term (except for Faculty of Law)
January 22nd
Last day for paying second term fees without penalty
January 31st
February 2027
Senate meets
February 5th
Last day for 50% reduction of tuition fees for standard courses
February 9th
100% of tuition fees will be assessed for courses dropped after this date. For non-standard courses see undergraduate and graduate course add and drop dates.
Faculty of Graduate Studies deadline to apply to graduate for Spring Convocation
February 15th
Students completing in the Spring term only