2025-2026 Sessional Dates

View previous years' sessional dates.

2025 Fall Session

DateActivity
M July 14
Registration for Fall session begins(1)
M August 4Civic Holiday (University closed)(2)
M September 1
Labour Day (University closed)(2)
T September 2
Most formal graduate courses and seminars begin(3)
F September 5Coursework must be completed and grades submitted for Summer session courses and extended courses(4)
W September 10
Grades for all Summer session courses available for viewing by students on ACORN
F September 12Registration deadline for students registering or starting their program in the Fall (September to December) session; after this date, a late registration fee will be assessed. Minimum required payment due (unpaid fees from previous session[s] + 100% of current Fall tuition fee charges). A student's status on ACORN will change from "Invited" to "Registered" when registration is complete(1)(5)
M September 15For doctoral students who have completed their Final Oral Examination, final date to submit defended and approved doctoral theses to ProQuest to avoid registration and fee payment for the 2025-26 academic year(5)
W September 17Final date to add full-year and Fall session courses(5)
M September 29For master's students, final date to complete degree requirements, and if required, submit approved theses to ProQuest to avoid registration and fee payment for the 2025 Fall session(7)
M September 29For master's students intending to graduate in the Fall convocation, final date to complete degree requirements, and if required, to submit approved theses to ProQuest(7)
M September 29For doctoral students intending to graduate in the Fall convocation, final date to submit defended and approved theses to ProQuest(6)
T September 30Payment deadline to avoid service charges on unpaid Fall (September to December) session tuition and non-tuition fees for students registered in the Fall session only, except for those who have successfully registered without payment because they are receiving a full funding package via a research stipend, a major award or scholarship, teaching assistantships, tuition waiver, and/or sponsorships. Monthly service charges will begin accruing on October 15(8)
M October 13
Thanksgiving Day (University closed)(2)
M October 27
Final date to drop Fall session courses without academic penalty(9)
Fall Convocation
Fall Convocation information and dates are posted on the Convocation website
Fall Reading WeekSome Faculties offer a Fall session reading week, although SGS regulations do not require this. For example, the Faculty of Arts and Science Fall session reading week takes place from October 27 to October 31. To find out if your Faculty has a reading week, please contact them directly
Sa November 1Students who are eligible for the domestic tuition rate by claiming a Status in Canada exemption must apply for an international fee exemption for reassessment of both Fall and Winter session fees by this date. Students must report their status and provide supporting documentation to SGS Student Academic Services by this date. For more information on eligibility and required documentation for international fee exemptions, consult the Student Accounts website.
Su November 30Payment deadline to avoid service charges on unpaid Winter (January to April) session tuition and non-tuition fees for students registered in the Fall and Winter sessions, except for those who have successfully registered without payment because they are receiving Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) or other government loans, a full funding package via a research stipend, a major award or scholarship, teaching assistantships, tuition waiver, and/or sponsorships. Monthly service charges will begin accruing on December 15(8)
F December 19Recommended tuition fee payment deadline for all tuition fees billed for the 2025 tax year (Winter 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025) for students who want eligible 2025 tuition fee payments to be reported on the 2025 calendar T2202 tax certificate, available for students to view and print on ACORN on February 21, 2026
F December 19Recommended tuition fee payment deadline for international students registering or starting their program in the Winter session (i.e., those who were not registered in the previous Fall session) to ensure they are covered by the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) at the beginning of January(1)
W December 24University closed for the winter break from Wednesday, December 24 to Friday, January 2 inclusive. For the last day of classes before the winter break, consult your graduate unit(s)(2)

2026 Winter Session

DateActivity
M January 5
University re-opens
M January 5Most formal graduate courses and seminars begin(3)
F January 9Coursework must be completed and grades submitted for Fall session courses(4)
W January 14Grades for Fall session courses available for viewing by students on ACORN
Th January 15For doctoral students who have completed their Final Oral Examination, final date to submit approved theses for doctoral degrees to avoid registration and fee payment for 2026 Winter session(10)
F January 16Registration deadline for students registering or starting their program in the Winter (January to April) session; after this date, a late registration fee will be assessed. Minimum required payment due (unpaid fees from previous session[s] + 100% of current Winter session tuition fee charges). A student's status on ACORN will change from "Invited" to "Registered" when registration is complete(1)(5)
M January 19Final date to add Winter session courses(5)
F January 23For master's students, final date to complete degree requirements, and if required, submit approved theses to ProQuest to avoid registration and fee payment for the 2026 Winter session(7)
F January 23For master's students intending to graduate in March (no ceremony), final date to complete degree requirements and to submit approved theses to ProQuest(7)
F January 23For doctoral students intending to graduate in March (no ceremony), final date to submit defended and approved theses to ProQuest(6)
F January 23For doctoral and master’s students, final date to request that their degree be conferred in March (no ceremony)(7)
F January 23Students dually registered in the Fall session must complete their master's degree requirements by this date to maintain their PhD registration(7)(11)
Sa January 31Payment deadline to avoid service charges on unpaid Winter (January to April) session tuition and non-tuition fees for students registered in the Winter session only, except for those who have successfully registered without payment because they are receiving a full funding package via a research stipend, a major award or scholarship, teaching assistantships, tuition waiver, and/or sponsorships. Monthly service charges will begin accruing on February 15(8)
Su February 1Students who are eligible for the domestic tuition rate by claiming a Status in Canada exemption must apply for an international fee exemption for reassessment of Winter session fees by this date. Students must report their status and provide supporting documentation to SGS Student Academic Services by this date. For more information on eligibility and required documentation for international fee exemptions, consult the Student Accounts website.
Winter Reading WeekSome Faculties offer a Winter session reading week, although SGS regulations do not require this. For example, the Faculty of Arts and Science Winter session reading week takes place from February 16 to 20. To find out if your Faculty has a reading week, please contact them directly
M February 16Family Day (University closed)(2)
F February 27
Final date to drop full-year and Winter session courses without academic penalty(9)
March ConvocationMarch Convocation (no ceremony) information is posted on the Convocation website
April
For the last day of Winter session classes, consult your graduate unit(s)
F April 3Good Friday (University closed)(2)
F April 10For master's students intending to graduate in the June convocation, final date to complete degree requirements and, if required, to submit approved theses to ProQuest(7)
F April 10For doctoral students intending to graduate in the June convocation, final date to submit defended and approved theses to ProQuest(6)
F April 10
Students dually registered in the Winter session must complete their master's degree requirements by this date to maintain their PhD registration(7)(11)
Th April 30Payment deadline to avoid service charges on unpaid Fall/Winter (September to April) session tuition and non-tuition fees for students who have successfully registered without payment because they are receiving a full funding package via a research stipend, a major award or scholarship, teaching assistantships, and/or sponsorships. Monthly service charges will begin accruing on May 15(8)

2026 Summer Session

DateActivity
May
For first day of Summer classes, consult your graduate unit(s)
F May 1Registration deadline for students registering or starting their program in the Summer (May to August) session; after this date, a late registration fee will be assessed. Minimum required payment due (unpaid fees from previous session[s] + 50% of Summer session tuition fees). A student’s status on ACORN will change from “Invited” to “Registered” when registration is complete(1)(5)
F May 8Coursework must be completed and grades submitted for full-year and Winter session courses (except for extended courses)(4)
M May 11
Final date to enrol in May-to-June or May-to-August session courses(5)
W May 13
Grades for Winter session courses available for viewing by students on ACORN
F May 15Presidential Day (University closed)(2)
M May 18Victoria Day (University closed)(2)
Sa May 31Payment deadline to avoid service charges on unpaid Summer (May to August) session tuition and non-tuition fees for students registered in the Summer session, except for those who have successfully registered without payment because they are receiving a full funding package via a research stipend, a major award or scholarship, teaching assistantships, tuition waiver, and/or sponsorships. Monthly service charges will begin accruing on June 15(8)
June Convocation
June Convocation information and dates are posted on the Convocation website
M June 1Final date to drop May-to-June F section courses without academic penalty(9)
M June 22Final date to drop May-to-August session Y section courses without academic penalty(9)
T June 30Students who are eligible for the domestic tuition rate by claiming a Status in Canada exemption must apply for an international fee exemption for reassessment of Summer session fees by this date. Students must report their status and provide supporting documentation to SGS Student Academic Services by this date. For more information on eligibility and required documentation for international fee exemptions, consult the Student Accounts website
W July 1Canada Day (University closed)(2)
M July 6Final date to enrol in July-to-August courses(5)(11)
F July 10
Coursework must be completed and grades submitted for May-to-June F section courses(4)
W July 15
Grades for May-to-June F section courses available for viewing by students on ACORN
M July 27Final date to drop July-to-August S section courses without academic penalty(9)
M August 3Civic Holiday (University closed)(2)

Footnotes

1 To be registered, students must pay at least the Minimum Payment to Register Amount displayed on their current session ACORN invoice or have an approved request to register without payment (fee deferral) in place before the SGS registration deadline. A student’s status will change from “Invited” to “Registered” on ACORN when registration is complete.

Students who are recipients of a Graduate Funding Package and successfully register without payment (defer fees) should arrange to make payments throughout the academic year as they receive funding from their scholarship, award, or other sources. Full payment of Fall and Winter session tuition and residence fees is due by April 30 at the latest.

Other students who successfully register without payment (e.g., defer fees with an OSAP loan, another provincial loan, or a U.S. loan) must make their payment(s) by their deferral type deadline. After the deadline based on a student’s deferral type, monthly service charges on unpaid fees will be billed on their ACORN invoice on the 15th of every month until paid in full. Visit the Student Accounts website and select a tuition deferral type to view payment and service charge billing deadlines.

Students registered in the Fall and Winter sessions are not normally charged Summer fees. For students starting in the Summer, fees will appear in their ACORN invoice accordingly.

2 University Holiday Schedule.

3 The precise dates of commencement of courses are determined by the graduate units; students are advised to contact the relevant graduate units for information. SGS maintains the 13-week graduate instruction period; however, if a course does not fall into the traditional 13-week period, the graduate unit will inform students of important dates and deadlines in the course syllabus. The University welcomes and includes students, staff, and faculty from a wide range of cultural, traditional, and spiritual beliefs. As per the Policy on Scheduling of Classes and Examinations and Other Accommodations for Religious Observances, the University will “…arrange reasonable accommodation of the needs of students who observe religious holy days other than those already accommodated by ordinary scheduling and statutory holidays.” For more information, please refer to Accommodations for Religious Observances. The obligation not to discriminate on the basis of religion is a statutory duty arising from the Ontario Human Rights Code, which carries an obligation to accommodate religious requirements.

Graduate students may only enrol in undergraduate courses with the approval of their supervisor or graduate unit. Students are responsible for meeting the deadlines and requirements of the undergraduate course as presented in class and in the undergraduate division’s calendar. Graduate students will be graded under the graduate grading scale. Students should consult the appropriate undergraduate calendar for enrolment and dates.

4 Graduate units may establish earlier deadlines for completion of coursework and may prescribe penalties for late completion of work and for failure to complete work, provided that these penalties are announced at the time the instructor makes known to the class the methods by which student performance shall be evaluated.

5 To avoid cancellation of registration and course enrolment, students must ensure via ACORN that their tuition fee payment is received or that they have successfully registered without payment (defer fees) before this date. A student’s status on ACORN will change from “Invited” to “Registered” when registration is complete.

Students are strongly advised to make their tuition fee payment 5 to 10 business days before the registration deadline.

International students are recommended to ensure via ACORN that their tuition fee payment is received or that they have successfully registered 15 to 20 business days before the registration deadline.

6 A final thesis is the corrected, approved version of the thesis which is submitted to ProQuest following the Final Oral Examination.

7 Graduate units may establish earlier deadlines for completing degree requirements. Students are advised to consult their own graduate unit for information. Graduate units must submit master's degree recommendations to SGS by this date.

8 This allows up to 10 business days for processing and recording of the fee payment in the student’s ACORN account before the monthly service charge billing date for unpaid tuition and non-tuition fees. More information on service charges can be found on the Student Accounts website.

9 Graduate units may establish earlier deadlines to add/drop courses but these dates must clearly be communicated to students. The last date to cancel a course or registration with no academic penalty is not the same as the last date to be eligible for a refund. Please refer to the Tuition Fee & Refund Schedules for Graduate Studies on the Student Accounts website.

10 Academic fees for full-time doctoral students in the final year of their program, and who are before their maximum time limit, are pro-rated based on the 12-month academic year. Sessional incidentals will be charged at a full rate. Academic fees for doctoral students in the final extension year, and who are beyond their maximum time limit, are pro-rated based on 50% of the annual domestic fee for the 12-month academic year. Sessional incidentals will be charged at a full rate. For details, visit Final-Year Fees.

11 Please refer to the SGS policy on Dual Registration under General Regulations section 6.1.13.

12 Students who start their program in the Summer and returning students who are only enrolled in July-to-August Summer courses are required to register by this date by paying the minimum tuition amount stated in their invoice.