What Is an Academic Calendar?

An academic calendar is the official schedule of a college or university year. It lists when each term starts and ends, the holidays and breaks, registration periods, the last days to add, drop or withdraw from courses, exam periods, graduation dates and other important deadlines. Colleges publish it in advance, usually on the registrar's website.

What it contains

• Term dates: the first and last day of classes in each semester, quarter or term.
• Registration windows: when you can sign up for courses.
• Add/drop and withdrawal deadlines: the last days to change your schedule.
• Payment and aid dates: tuition due dates and financial aid deadlines.
• Breaks and holidays: fall break, winter recess, spring break, reading week and public holidays.
• Exam periods: midterm and final exam weeks.
• Grade deadlines and when grades are released.
• Commencement and degree conferral dates.

Why it matters

Missing a deadline can cost money or credits. If you do not withdraw before the deadline, you may receive a failing grade. If you miss the tuition payment date, you may face fees or a registration hold. Planning flights home around breaks, and arranging work or internships around term dates, also depends on the calendar.

Calendars differ between institutions even in the same city, and between countries. In the US, the academic year commonly runs from late August to May. In the UK, terms start in September or October. In the southern hemisphere, the year starts in February or March.

How to use it

• Download it at the start of the year, and add key dates to your phone or planner.
• Set reminders a week before major deadlines.
• Check for updates, since dates can change.
• Note differences between undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, which may have their own calendars.

Related terms

See semester, trimester, quarter system, reading week, finals week and add/drop period.