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Dates and Deadlines
Sessional dates and deadlines involving enrolling, the start of class, mid-term recesses and examination periods are determined annually and approved by Senate.
Spring/summer term 2020: Session 1 (34 days)
| Item | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Classes begin | Monday, May 4 |
| Last day for enrolment and course changes (drop/add) |
Monday, May 11 |
| Victoria Day: No classes | Monday, May 18 |
| Last day for withdrawing from courses without failure by default |
Wednesday, June 3 |
| Classes end | Friday, June 19 |
| Final examinations | As arranged by instructor in class time |
| Deferred examinations | Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16, 2020 |
Spring/summer term 2020: Session 2 (33 days)
| Item | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Classes begin | Monday, June 22 |
| Last day for enrolment and course changes (drop/add) |
Monday, June 29 |
| Canada Day: No classes | Wednesday, July 1 |
| Last day for withdrawing from courses without failure by default |
Wednesday, July 22 |
| Civic Holiday: No classes | Monday, August 3 |
| Classes end | Friday, August 7 |
| Final examinations | As arranged by instructor in class time |
| Deferred examinations | Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16, 2020 |
Spring/summer term 2020: Full-term courses (67 days)
| Item | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Classes begin | Monday, May 4 |
| Last day for enrolment and course changes (drop/add) |
Monday, May 11 |
| Victoria Day: No classes | Monday, May 18 |
| Canada Day: No classes | Wednesday, July 1 |
| Last day for withdrawing from courses without failure by default |
Wednesday, July 22 |
| Civic Holiday: No classes | Monday, August 3 |
| Classes end | Friday, August 7 |
| Final examinations | As arranged by instructor in class time |
| Deferred examinations | Tuesday, October 13 to Friday, October 16, 2020 |
Updated November 2020 with revised winter term dates.
Please note: The Faculty of Health Sciences programs will begin classes the week of January 4th as originally planned, except for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), Integrated Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Discovery and Commercialization and Health Sciences (IBEHS) and the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op program.
| Fall term (62 days) | Winter term (62 days) | Courses spanning both terms (124 days) | |
| Classes begin | Tuesday, September 8 |
Monday, January 11 * Revised winter term start date. Faculty of Health Sciences programs will begin classes the week of January 4 as originally planned, except for the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours), Integrated Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences (IBEHS) and the Honours Biology and Pharmacology Co-op program. |
Tuesday, September 8 |
| Last day for enrolment and adding or dropping classes | Wednesday, September 16 | Tuesday, January 19 | Wednesday, September 16 |
| Mid-term recess(es) | Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 18 | Monday, February 15 to Sunday, February 21 |
Monday, October 12 to Sunday, October 18 and Monday, February 15 to Sunday, February 21 |
| Last day for withdrawing from courses without failure by default | Friday, November 13 | Friday, March 19 | Friday, March 19 |
| Good Friday: no classes or examinations | — | Friday, April 2 | Friday, April 2 |
| Test and examination restriction | Thursday, December 3 to Wednesday, December 9 | Thursday, April 8 to Wednesday, April 14 | Thursday, April 8 to Wednesday, April 14 |
| Classes end | Wednesday, December 9 | Wednesday, April 14 | Wednesday, April 14 |
| Mid-term tests Level (I) | — | — | Thursday, December 10 to Wednesday, December 23 |
| Final examinations | Thursday, December 10 to Wednesday, December 23 | Thursday, April 15 to Friday, April 30 | Thursday, April 15 to Friday, April 30 |
| Deferred examinations | Tuesday, February 16 to Friday, February 19 | Monday, June 21 to Thursday, June 24 | Monday, June 21 to Thursday, June 24 |
| Spring session (34 days) | Summer session (33 days) | Full-term courses (67 days) | Intersession | |
| Classes begin | Monday, May 3 | Monday, June 21 | Monday, May 3 | Monday, May 3 |
| Last day for enrolment and adding or dropping courses (drop/add) | Monday, May 10 | Monday, June 28 | Monday, May 10 | Monday, May 10 |
| Victoria Day (no classes) | Monday, May 24 | — | Monday, May 24 | Monday, May 24 |
| Canada Day (no classes) | — | Thursday, July 1 | Thursday, July 1 | — |
| Last day withdrawing from courses without failure by default | Wednesday, June 2 | Wednesday, July 21 | Wednesday, July 21 | Wednesday, May 19 |
| Civic Holiday (no classes) | — | Monday, August 2 | Monday, August 2 | — |
| Classes end | Friday, June 18 | Friday, August 6 | Friday, August 6 | Friday, May 28 |
| Final examinations | As arranged by instructor in class time | As arranged by instructor in class time | As arranged by instructor in class time | As arranged by instructor in class time |
| Deferred examinations | Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, October 15, 2021 | Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, October 15, 2021 | Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, October 15, 2021 | Tuesday, October 12 to Friday, October 15, 2021 |
Enrolment dates 2020-21
Fall 2020/winter 2021
- Enrolment begins on July 6, 2020
- Specific appointment times will be posted in the Mosaic Student Center on June 29, 2020
- MyTimetable and Mosaic Class Search will also become available on June 29, 2020
- You will be randomly assigned an enrolment appointment within your academic level
- You may enrol any time after your enrolment appointment date/time opens
- Please note: you can continue to update, add and change your courses up until the add/drop date on Wednesday, September 16, 2020
| Academic level | Enrolment appointments begin |
|---|---|
| Level 5 | Monday, July 6 |
| Level 4 | Tuesday, July 7 |
| Level 3 and Exchange | Thursday, July 9 |
| Level 2 | Monday, July 13 |
| Level 1 | Wednesday, July 15 |
| Non-Degree Students (Continuing, LOP’s and Visiting students) | Monday, July 20 |
Spring/summer 2021
| Academic level | Enrolment appointments begin |
| All | Monday, March 15 at 9 a.m. |
Fall 2020 update
Convocation is an important part of your university experience but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing, all convocation ceremonies at McMaster will need to be different.
On November 19 you will receive an email in your @mcmaster.ca email account. The email will contain a link that will grant you access to your online celebration and Class of 2020 celebration website.
The online celebration will take place on November 19, 2020 at 12 p.m. EST.
2020-2021 Recommended OSAP Application Date – All Students
The OSAP application for 2020-2021 is now available! We recommend applying before June 30.
| Academic Term | Application Complete Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Term | June 30 |
| Winter Term | June 30 |
| Fall-Winter Terms | June 30 |
2020-2021 Application Deadlines – Undergrads
| Academic Term | Application Deadline Date |
|---|---|
| Fall Term | Oct. 24 (60 days before end of term) |
| Fall Co-op Work Term | Nov. 1** |
| Winter Term | Feb. 27 |
| Winter Co-op Work Term (standalone OSAP application) | March 1** |
| Winter Term Extension* | March 19 (40 days before end of term) |
| Fall-Winter Terms | Feb. 27 (60 days before end of term) |
| Spring Session Extension* | May 9 (40 days before end of term) |
| Summer Session Extension* | June 27 (40 days before end of term) |
| Spring-Summer Term (standalone OSAP application) | June 7 (60 days before end of term) |
| Spring-Summer Co-op Work Term Extension | July 22 |
| Spring-Summer Co-op Work Term (standalone OSAP application) | July 2 |
**The last day of a co-op work period is the final day of the work term, not the end of classes/exams. Examples: Dec. 31, April 30, Aug. 31
2020-21 Supporting Document Deadlines – Undergrads and Grads
| Academic Term | Deadline Date (40 days before end of term) |
|---|---|
| Fall Term | Nov. 13 |
| Fall Term (co-op work term/grad) | Nov. 21 |
| Winter Term | March 19 |
| Winter Term (co-op work term/grad) | March 21 |
| Fall-Winter Terms | March 19 |
| Spring-Summer Term (OSAP app online) | June 27 |
| Spring-Summer Term (co-op work term/grad) | July 22 |
2020-21 Application Deadlines – Graduate Students
| Item | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Recommended Application Complete Date | June 30 |
| Application Deadline Date | July 2 (for full academic year) |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline | July 22 (for full academic year) |
| Fall Term only*** | Nov. 1 |
| Winter Term only*** | March 1 |
| Spring-Summer Term only*** | July 2 |
***See Supporting Document Deadlines above for deadline dates to submit supporting documents for one-term applications.
2020-21 OSAP Income Update Dates
| Income Update Available | Currently available on OSAP website (log in) |
| Recommended Completion Date | Oct. 31 |
| Income Update Deadlines | Undergraduates – Nov. 7
Graduates & Medicine – Oct. 31 MBA – Nov. 13 Final Term MBA – Nov. 22 |
Students with unmet need exceeding $100 as determined by OSAP will receive an Income Update requirement in their OSAP portal to be completed by the deadline date. The Income Update must be completed, regardless of whether or not the student has income changes to report, to be considered for the McMaster General Bursary including any funding under the Student Access Guarantee.
2020-21 Part-Time OSAP Dates – Undergrad and Grad
| Academic Term(s) | Application & Documentation Deadline Dates |
|---|---|
| Fall | Nov. 13 |
| Winter | March 19 |
| Spring | May 9 |
| Summer | June 27 |
| Spring/Summer | June 27 |
| Full Academic Year | July 2 (Supporting documents due July 22) |
2020-21 Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) Dates
| Fall Term Earliest Submission Dates | |
| Undergrad | Aug. 24 |
| Work Terms | Aug. 17 |
| MBA | Aug. 30 |
| Graduate/Medicine | Aug. 17 |
| Divinity | Aug. 24 |
| Fall Term Deadline Dates | |
| Undergrad | Dec. 2 |
| Work Terms | Dec. 10 |
| MBA | Dec. 1 |
| Graduate/Medicine | Dec. 10 |
| Divinity | Dec. 2 |
| Winter Term Earliest Submission Dates | |
| Undergrad | Dec. 22 |
| Work Terms | Dec. 17 |
| MBA | Dec. 20 |
| Graduate/Medicine | Dec. 17 |
| Divinity | Dec. 22 |
| Winter Term Deadline Dates | |
| Undergrad | April 7 |
| Work Terms | April 9 |
| MBA | March 26 |
| Graduate/Medicine | April 9 |
| Divinity | April 7 |
| Spring/Summer Term Earliest Submission Dates | |
| Undergrad | April 18 |
| Work Terms | April 16 |
| MBA | April 18 |
| Graduate/Medicine | April 16 |
| Spring/Summer Term Deadline Dates | |
| Undergrad | July 16 |
| Work Terms | Aug. 10 |
| MBA | July 16 |
| Graduate/Medicine | Aug. 10 |
| Medicine, Level III | May 10 |
Students on 16-month co-op placements will need to submit two CIFS applications to cover their full work term.
Example: Engineering Work Term May 2020 to August 2021
CIFS #1 – May 2020 to August 2021
CIFS #2 – September 2020 to August 2021
2020-21 Fall/Winter Bursary Dates – Undergrads
| Item | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Aug. 10 |
| Application Deadline | Jan. 15 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline | Jan. 15 |
| Payment | Mid-February |
2020-21 Summer Bursary Dates – Undergrads
| Item | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | March 15 |
| Application Deadline | April 16 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline | April 16 |
| Payment | one in spring session, one in summer session |
2020-21 Bursary Dates – Grad Students
| Item | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Aug. 10 |
| Application Deadline | Jan. 15 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline | Jan. 15 |
| Payment | Mid-February |
2020-21 Bursary Dates – Medicine Students
* Physician Assistant Students will be assessed at the same time (No application required)
| Item | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Sept. 1 |
| Application Deadline | Oct. 30 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline | Oct. 30 |
| Payment | End of November |
2020-21 Bursary Dates – MBA Students
| Item | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| MBA Application Opens | Aug. 10 |
| MBA Application Deadline | Sept. 30 @ 11:59 p.m. |
| MBA Supporting Documentation Deadline | Sept. 30 @ 11:59 p.m. |
| MBA Bursary Payment | Mid-December |
*MBA students can apply for the MBA Bursary and the McMaster General Bursary Program. See Graduate Student dates for McMaster General Bursary Program deadlines.
2020-21 Travel & Exchange Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | March 29 |
| Recipients Confirmed | Mid-April |
2020-21 Undergraduate In-Course Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | April 29 |
| Recipients Confirmed | End of July |
2020-21 Graduating Students Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | April 29 |
| Recipients Confirmed | End of May |
2020-21 Community Contribution Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | April 29 |
| Recipients Confirmed | End of June |
2020-21 Rhodes Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Aug. 10 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | Sept. 8 |
| Recipients Confirmed | Sept. 15 |
2020-21 Renaissance Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | Oct. 10 |
| Application Deadline (AwardSpring and supporting documents) | Jan. 15 |
| Recipients Confirmed | End of January |
2020-21 Killam Scholarship Dates
| Item | Important Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | October 10 |
| Application Deadline | Jan. 31 |
| Nominations Confirmed | Early February |
Fall/winter Work Program 2020-21 dates
| Item | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Work Program eligible dates of employment | Sept. 1 – April 25 |
| Employers submit job openings | June 15 – July 17 |
| Job opening approvals | Within 2 business days of submission |
| Jobs posted / student application opens | Aug. 10 |
| Student application closes | Feb. 28 |
Summer Work Program 2021 dates
| Item | Date(s) |
|---|---|
| Work Program eligible dates of employment | April 26 – Aug. 31 |
| Employers submit job openings | Jan. 15 – Feb. 16 |
| job opening approvals | Within 2 business days of submission |
| Jobs posted / student application opens | March 1 |
| Student application closes | July 15 |
Tuition fee dates
Payment deadlines
| Terms | All students (including OSAP students) |
|---|---|
| Fall (September to December) | September 25 |
| Winter (January to April) | January 25 |
| Spring (May to August) | May 25 |
Late fees
A $75 late fee is charged once per-term (on last day of the month) on all student accounts not paid in full by the payment due dates. Subject to change.
Interest
Interest is charged at a monthly rate of 1.2% (compounded to 14.4% annually) on any unpaid balance due, on the second-to-last business day of each month, beginning September and ongoing until paid in full. Subject to change.
Financial blocks
| Terms | Type of block | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September to December) | Interim | November |
| Winter (January to April) | Full Service | March |
| Spring (May to August) | Full Service | Prior to fall registration |
Interim block – allows students to drop courses only, but not add.
Full service block – blocks students from grades, transcripts, awards, diplomas and all future enrolments. Subject to change.
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