Important Semester Dates and Deadlines for Concordia University 2026-2027

Concordia University operates on a three-term academic calendar consisting of the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For students planning their academic journey in Montreal, understanding the specific dates for the 2026-2027 academic year is essential for successful registration, tuition management, and personal scheduling. The following sections provide a comprehensive breakdown of the standard academic dates, registration priorities, and critical administrative deadlines.

Overview of the 2026-2027 Academic Cycle

The academic year at Concordia typically begins in late August or early September with the Fall term. This is followed by the Winter term starting in January, and the Summer term which is divided into several smaller sessions. For the 2026-2027 cycle, the university follows a structured timeline that balances instructional days, reading breaks, and examination periods.

Key Milestones at a Glance

Fall 2026 Classes Begin: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Winter 2027 Classes Begin: Monday, January 11, 2027
Summer 2026 Classes Begin: Monday, May 11, 2026 (For early sessions)
Fall 2026 Examination Period: December 9 – December 22, 2026
Winter 2027 Examination Period: April 15 – April 30, 2027

Fall 2026 Semester Schedule and Deadlines

The Fall term is the primary entry point for many new students. In 2026, the term officially commences after the Labour Day holiday.

September: The Start of the Academic Year

September is characterized by the "Add/Drop" period, which is the most critical window for curriculum adjustments.

September 7, 2026: Labour Day. The university is closed, and no classes are held.
September 8, 2026: Classes begin for the Fall and Fall/Winter two-term courses.
September 21, 2026: This is the DNE (Did Not Enter) Deadline. It is the last day to drop a Fall-term course or a two-term course with a full tuition refund. Courses dropped by this date do not appear on the official academic transcript.
September 21, 2026: Deadline to submit a request for a leave of absence for the Fall session.

October: Mid-term Rhythm and Reading Week

October provides a necessary break for students to catch up on assignments and prepare for mid-term assessments.

October 10 – October 16, 2026: Mid-term Reading Week. While the university remains open for administrative services, regular classes are suspended to allow for independent study.
October 12, 2026: Thanksgiving Day. The university is closed.
October 23, 2026: Last day for students with disabilities to submit documentation for final exam accommodations for the Fall session.

November: Withdrawal and Preparation

By November, students must make final decisions regarding their academic standing in specific courses.

November 1, 2026: Deadline to apply for Winter graduation (for those finishing requirements in the Fall).
November 16, 2026: DISC (Discontinued) Deadline. This is the last day for academic withdrawal from Fall-term courses. Unlike the DNE deadline, a "DISC" notation will appear on the transcript, and no tuition refund is provided.
November 30, 2026: Last day for instructor-scheduled tests or examinations before the final exam period begins.

December: Final Examinations and Term Conclusion

The Fall term concludes with a rigorous examination schedule.

December 7, 2026: Last day of classes for the Fall term.
December 8, 2026: Often designated as a "Make-up Day" if a previous class day was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances or specific provincial holidays.
December 9 – December 22, 2026: Final examination period. Students must be available for exams throughout this entire duration.
December 24, 2026 – January 5, 2027: Holiday Period. The university is closed.

Winter 2027 Semester Schedule and Deadlines

The Winter term starts in early January and is often considered the most intensive period for academic research and completion of two-term courses.

January: Resuming Studies

January 11, 2027: Classes begin for the Winter term. Two-term (Fall/Winter) courses also resume on this date.
January 15, 2027: Deadline to apply for Spring graduation.
January 25, 2027: DNE Deadline for Winter-term courses. This is the final opportunity to adjust the Winter schedule with a tuition refund.

February and March: The Winter Break

February 1, 2027: Deadline to apply for re-evaluation of courses that ended in December 2026.
March 1 – March 7, 2027: Mid-term Reading Week. A vital pause in the long winter semester.
March 5, 2027: President’s Holiday. The university is closed.
March 22, 2027: DISC Deadline for Winter-term and two-term (Fall/Winter) courses.

April and May: Completion of the Regular Session

April 12, 2027: Last day of classes for the Fall/Winter 2026-27 session.
April 13, 2027: Make-up day for classes originally scheduled on specific holidays (such as those affected by the Easter break).
April 15 – April 30, 2027: Final examination period for the Winter term.
May 2, 2027: Formal conclusion of the Winter 2027 examination period.

Summer 2026 and 2027 Term Structures

Summer sessions at Concordia are unique as they allow students to accelerate their degree or focus on intensive courses. The dates are typically split into "Summer 1" (6 weeks), "Summer 2" (6 weeks), and "Full Summer" (12 weeks).

Summer 2026 Specifics

For students looking at the 2026 summer window, the dates follow a tight schedule:

May 11, 2026: Classes begin for the first-term (6-week) and two-term (12-week) summer sessions.
May 18, 2026: Journée nationale des patriotes / Victoria Day. University closed.
May 19, 2026: DNE Deadline for Summer 1 and 12-week courses.
June 22, 2026: Last day of classes for Summer 1.
June 23 – June 30, 2026: Final exams for Summer 1.
July 2, 2026: Classes begin for Summer 2 (second 6-week session).
August 12, 2026: Last day of classes for Summer 2 and 12-week courses.
August 13 – August 18, 2026: Final examinations for the remaining summer sessions.

Understanding Concordia's Registration Priority System

Registration for the 2026-2027 academic year does not happen simultaneously for all students. Concordia uses a credit-based priority system to ensure that students nearing graduation have first access to required courses.

Undergraduate Registration Start Dates (Estimated for March 2026)

Registration usually opens in March for the following Summer, Fall, and Winter terms. The order is generally as follows:

Priority Group 1 (March 10): Students with 0-9 credits remaining until graduation, as well as Co-op and Varsity students.
Priority Group 2 (March 11-13): Students with 10 to 42 credits remaining.
Priority Group 3 (March 16-20): Students with 43 to 88+ credits remaining.
New Students: Newly admitted undergraduate students typically begin registration in early April.
Independent Students: Usually permitted to register starting in late March for Summer and late July for Fall/Winter.

Graduate Registration

Graduate students (Masters and PhD) follow a separate timeline, often starting on March 10 for returning and newly admitted thesis students, followed by course-based students shortly after.

Academic Definitions and Student Deadlines

To navigate the Concordia semester dates effectively, students must understand the specific terminology used by the Birks Student Service Centre and the Office of the Registrar.

DNE (Did Not Enter)

The DNE deadline is arguably the most important date for financial planning. If a student drops a course before this deadline, the course is removed from their record, and they are not charged tuition for it. This is the "no penalty" window.

DISC (Discontinued)

After the DNE deadline passes, students enter the DISC period. If a student decides they can no longer complete a course, they can "DISC" it. The notation remains on the transcript to show the student was enrolled but withdrew. Crucially, there is no refund for a DISC'ed course.

DEF (Deferred) and MED (Medical)

If a student is unable to write a final exam due to illness or unexpected circumstances, they must apply for a DEF or MED notation within specified dates (usually mid-January for Fall courses and mid-May for Winter courses).

Make-up Days

Concordia often schedules "Make-up Days" at the end of a semester. These days are used to replace class time lost to holidays. For example, if a Monday is a holiday, the university may designate a Tuesday at the end of the term to follow a "Monday Schedule." Students must check their schedules carefully to ensure they do not miss these shifted classes.

Graduation and Convocation Dates

Concordia holds two main convocation seasons: Spring (June) and Fall (October/November).

Spring 2026/2027 Convocation: Typically held in mid-June. To participate, students must apply for graduation by January 15.
Fall 2026/2027 Convocation: Typically held in late October or November. To participate, students must apply for graduation by July 1.

Planning for Non-Standard Term Dates

It is vital to note that not all courses follow the "Standard" dates listed above. Intensive labs, workshops, and certain programs (such as those in the John Molson School of Business or specialized Fine Arts courses) may have non-standard start and end dates.

Students enrolled in these courses should consult their Student Centre (MyConcordia) to view the "Deadlines" link next to each course in their class schedule. This link provides the specific DNE and DISC dates for that particular section, which may differ from the general university calendar.

Summary of the 2026-2027 Academic Year

Managing academic success at Concordia University requires more than just attending classes; it requires a proactive approach to the administrative calendar. By marking the DNE and DISC deadlines for the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 terms, students can avoid unnecessary financial burdens and transcript notations. The structured Reading Weeks in October and March provide essential recovery time, while the registration priority system rewards progress through the degree.

Important Reminders

Check your email: The university communicates all deadline changes via the official Concordia email address.
Verify your schedule: Ensure you know if your classes follow standard or non-standard dates.
Consult an Advisor: If you are considering a DISC or a leave of absence, speak with an academic advisor before the deadline to understand the implications for your degree progression.

FAQ: Concordia University Academic Dates

What is the difference between DNE and DISC?

DNE is the deadline to drop a course for a full refund without it appearing on your transcript. DISC is an academic withdrawal after the DNE deadline; it results in no refund and a "DISC" notation on your transcript.

When does Reading Week happen in 2026?

For the Fall 2026 term, Reading Week is scheduled from October 10 to October 16, 2026.

Does Concordia have classes on Labour Day?

No, the university is closed on Monday, September 7, 2026, for Labour Day. Classes for the Fall term begin the following day, Tuesday, September 8.

Can I register for Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 at the same time?

Yes, Concordia's registration system allows students to register for the entire upcoming academic year (Summer, Fall, and Winter) once their registration window opens in March or April.

What happens if I miss the DNE deadline?

If you miss the DNE deadline, you are financially responsible for the course tuition. Your only option to leave the course is the DISC deadline, which does not provide a refund.

When are the final exams for Winter 2027?

Final exams for the Winter 2027 term are scheduled to take place between April 15 and April 30, 2027.