Academic term deadlines

Table of academic term deadlines
Terms and Deadlines Spring 2018
May 1 - August 31
Fall 2018
September 1 - December 31
Winter 2019
January 1 - April 30
Graduate Open Class Enrolment Begins March 27 (T)  August 2 (Th) December 3 (M)
Term Begins May 1 (T) September 1 (S) January 1 (T)
Co-operative Work Term Begins May 1 (T) September 4 (T) January 7 (M)
Classes Begin May 1 (T) September 6 (Th) January 7 (M)
100% Tuition Refund Deadline May 22 (T) September 26 (W) January 25 (F)
Mid-Term Study Break N/A October 9, 10 (T, W) February 19-22 (T-F)
Make-up Day(s) for in-term holidays and Mid-Term Study Break May 22 (T), July 25 (W) October 11, 12 (Th, F), December 3 (M) N/A
Graduate Open Class Enrolment Ends May 28 (M) September 26 (W)** January 27 (U)**
Convocation June 12-16 (T-S) October 26, 27 (F, S)* N/A
50% Tuition Refund Deadline June 19 (T) October 24 (W) February 15 (F)
Registration/Enrolment Closes - Last day for students to pay fees/enrol or change status June 30 (S) November 1 (Th) February 1 (F)
Government Reporting Date June 30 (S) November 1 (Th) February 1 (F)
Classes End July 25 (W) December 3 (M) April 5 (F)
Pre-Examination Study Days July 26, 27 (Th, F) December 4, 5 (T, W) April 8, 9 (M, T)
On-Campus Examinations Begin July 28 (S) December 6 (Th) April 10 (W)
Online Class Examination Days July 28 (S), August 3 (F) December 7, 8 (F, S) April 12, 13 (F, S)
On-Campus Examinations End August 11 (S) December 21 (F) April 27 (S)
Co-operative Work Term Ends August 24 (F) December 21 (F) April 26 (F)
Program Completion Deadline for Convocation (see below) Fall Convocation
August 31 (F)
Spring Convocation
April 30, 2019 (T)
Spring Convocation
April 30 (T)
Grades available on Quest September 1 (S) December 22 (S)*** April 28 (U)***

*The following dates were amended on 05/25/2018.
**The following dates were added on 07/13/2018.
***The following dates were amended on 07/13/2018.

Note: For information on payment instructions and graduate student fees please refer to the Finance website.

Deadlines for submission of the Graduate studies intention to graduate/program completion form to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) are:  

Table of convocation ceremonies and deadlines
Convocation ceremony Deadline
Spring Convocation
(June)
April 30 - for students degree completing in the Fall (Sept-Dec) and Winter (Jan-April) terms
Fall Convocation
(October)
August 31 - for students degree completing in the Spring (May-Aug) term

Note:

  1. Students who have completed all program requirements must submit the Graduate studies intention to graduate/program completion form to their department to initiate a formal review and verification of their program completion status and approval to graduate. Once approved by the department the form will be submitted to GSPA for completion processing.
  2. Receipt of this completed form (in GSPA) by the deadline indicated above, acknowledges a student's intention to graduate and completion of all degree requirements (for programs with a thesis, completion includes submission and approval from GSPA of the thesis in UWSpace).
  3. The completion, degree, and convocation dates will appear on student academic records/transcripts.

Full Convocation information is available through the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs website.

Holidays

Table of holidays
Holidays Spring 2018 Fall 2018 Winter 2019
Victoria Day May 21 (M) N/A N/A
Canada Day July 2 (M) N/A N/A
Civic Holiday August 6 (M) N/A N/A
Labour Day N/A September 3 (M) N/A
Thanksgiving Day N/A October 8 (M) N/A
Closure for the Holiday Season N/A December 24-28, 31 (M-F, M) N/A
New Year's Day N/A N/A January 1 (T)
Family Day N/A N/A February 18 (M)
Good Friday N/A N/A April 19 (F)

Note: Some University departments may be open for limited service on these days.

Mid-term study break

A mid-term break (e.g., Winter Reading Week) is intended to act as a pause for students in an academic term, to reflect upon and catch up on their term’s work to date and, as necessary, prepare for any upcoming mid-term assignments and assessments.

During this pause, there are to be no scheduled meetings or assignments for students (e.g., classes, labs, tutorials, seminars, exams, TA-related work). While exceptions may exist (e.g., co-operative employment interviews, clinical rotations, PhD comprehensive exams, graduate thesis defenses), the pause applies to meetings involving both undergraduate and graduate students.

Deadlines for student submissions will not be scheduled during the break. Student services such as student advising support, Health Services, Counselling Services, the library, and residences are expected to continue to provide service.

The above terms of reference are not meant to include responsibilities associated with graduate students in their roles as research assistants or in any other employment capacity (excluding TA-related work as mentioned above) with the university. In these situations, students and employers should clarify their mutual expectations concerning work-related responsibilities during the mid-term break.

University of Waterloo Committees and meeting dates

Legend

Table of abbreviations
Key Description
(M) Monday
(T) Tuesday
(W) Wednesday
(Th) Thursday
(F) Friday
(S) Saturday
(U) Sunday
(TBA) To be announced
(N/A) Not applicable