Sessional dates and deadlines involving enrolling, the start of class, mid-term recesses and examination periods are determined annually and approved by Senate.
Fall term 2019 (62 days)
| Item |
Date(s) |
| Enrolment (registration) begins |
Find out more in the Enrolment Dates tab |
| Classes begin |
Tuesday, September 3 |
Last day for enrolment and
course changes (drop/add) |
Wednesday, September 11 |
| Mid-term recess |
Monday, October 14 to
Sunday, October 20 |
Last day for withdrawing from
courses without failure by default |
Friday, November 8 |
| Test and Examination Ban (no tests or exams may be held during this period) |
Thursday, November 28 to Thursday, December 5 |
| Classes end |
Wednesday, December 4 |
| Final examinations |
Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 19 |
| Deferred examinations |
Tuesday, February 18 to Friday, February 21 |
Winter term 2020 (62 days)
| Item |
Date(s) |
| Classes begin |
Monday, January 6* |
Last day for enrolment and
course changes (drop/add) |
Tuesday, January 14 |
| Mid-term recess |
Monday, February 17 to Sunday, February 23 |
Last day for withdrawing from
courses without failure by default |
Friday, March 13 |
| Test and Examination Ban (no tests or exams may be held during this period) |
Thursday April 2 to Saturday, April 11 |
| Classes end |
Tuesday, April 7 |
| Good Friday: No classes or examinations |
Friday, April 10 |
| Final examinations |
Monday, April 13 to Tuesday, April 28 |
| Deferred examinations |
Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 |
*The University re-opens on Thursday, January 2, 2020 after the December holidays; classes begin January 6.
Multi-term courses 2019-20 (124 days)
| Item |
Date(s) |
| Classes begin |
Tuesday, September 3 |
Last day for enrolment and
course changes (drop/add) |
Wednesday, September 11 |
| Mid-term recess |
Monday, October 14 to Sunday, October 20 and Monday, February 17 to Sunday, February 23 |
Last day for withdrawing from
courses without failure by default |
Friday, March 13 |
| Test and Examination Ban (no tests or exams may be held during this period) |
Thursday April 2 to Saturday, April 11 |
| Classes end |
Tuesday, April 7 |
| Good Friday: No classes or examinations |
Friday, April 10 |
| Mid-term tests Level (I) |
Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 19 |
| Final examinations |
Monday, April 13 to Tuesday, April 28 |
| Deferred examinations |
Monday, June 22 to Thursday, June 25 |
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 |
| |
Fall term (62 days) |
Winter term (62 days) |
Courses spanning both terms (124 days) |
| Enrolment begins |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
| Classes begin |
Tuesday, September 8 |
Wednesday, January 6 |
Tuesday, September 8 |
| Last day for enrolment and adding or dropping classes |
Wednesday, September 16 |
Thursday, January 14 |
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 12 |
Friday, March 12 |
| Good Friday: no classes or examinations |
— |
Friday, April 2 |
Friday, April 2 |
| Test and examination restriction |
Thursday, December 3 to Wednesday, December 9 |
Monday, April 5 to Monday, April 12 |
Monday, April 5 to Monday, April 12 |
| Classes end |
Wednesday, December 9 |
Friday, April 9 |
Friday, April 9 |
| Mid-term tests Level (I) |
— |
— |
Thursday, December 10 to Wednesday, December 23 |
| Final examinations |
Thursday, December 10 to Wednesday, December 23 |
Tuesday, April 13 to Wednesday, April 28 |
Tuesday, April 13 to Wednesday, April 28 |
| 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, August 6 |
| 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 2019-20
Fall 2019/winter 2020
- Enrolment begins on June 18, 2019; specific appointment times will be posted in the Mosaic Student Centre on June 12, 2019
- 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 11, 2019
| Academic Levels |
Enrolment Appointments Begin |
| Level 5 |
Tuesday, June 18 |
| Level 4 |
Wednesday, June 19 |
| Level 3 and Exchange |
From Thursday, June 20 to Friday, June 21 |
| Level 2 |
From Monday, June 24 to Tuesday, June 25 |
| Level 1 |
From Wednesday, June 26 to Thursday, June 27 |
| Non-Degree Students (Continuing, LOP’s and Visiting students) |
Tuesday, July 2 |
Spring/summer 2020
| Academic Levels |
Enrolment Appointments Begin |
| All |
Monday, March 16 at 9 a.m. |
Spring 2020 ceremony dates
| Date |
Faculty |
| Tuesday, May 19, 2020 |
8 p.m.: McMaster Divinity College |
| Wednesday, May 20, 2020 |
2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing |
| Thursday, May 21, 2020 |
2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Monday, June 8, 2020 |
2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Humanities and the Arts & Science Program |
| Tuesday, June 9, 2020 |
9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: DeGroote School of Business |
| Wednesday, June 10, 2020 |
9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Thursday, June 11, 2020 |
9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Science |
| Friday, June 12, 2020 |
9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Engineering |
Graduation Information Centre (GIC)
- The GIC opens for spring on March 16, 2020
- It closes on April 17, 2020 for Health Sciences grads and May 29 for all other grads
2019-20 Recommended OSAP Application Date – Undergrads
The OSAP application for 2019-20 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 |
2019-2020 Application Deadlines – Undergrads
| Academic Term |
Application Deadline Date |
| Fall Term |
Oct. 20 |
| Fall Co-op Work Term |
Nov. 1** |
| Winter Term |
Feb. 28 |
| Winter Co-op Work Term (standalone Winter Term application) |
March 1** |
| Winter Term Extension* |
March 19 |
| Fall-Winter Terms |
Feb. 28 |
| Spring Session Extension* |
May 10 (40 days before end of term) |
| Summer Session Extension* |
June 28 (40 days before end of term) |
| Spring-Summer Term (OSAP app online) |
June 8 (60 days before end of term) |
| Spring-Summer Co-op Work Term |
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
2019-20 Supporting Document Deadlines – Undergrads and Grads
| Academic Term |
Deadline Date (40 days before end of term) |
| Fall Term |
Nov. 9 |
| 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 28 |
| Spring-Summer Term (co-op work term/grad) |
July 22 |
2019-20 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.
2019-20 OSAP Income Update Dates
| Income Update Available |
Currently available on OSAP website (log in) |
| Recommended Completion Date |
Oct. 31 |
| Income Update Deadlines |
Undergraduates – Nov. 3
Graduates & Medicine – Oct. 31
MBA – Nov. 9
Final Term MBA – Nov. 23
|
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.
2019-20 Part-Time OSAP Dates – Undergrad and Grad
| Academic Term(s) |
Application & Documentation Deadline Dates |
| Fall |
Nov. 9 |
| Winter |
March 19 |
| Spring |
May 10 |
| Summer |
June 28 |
| Spring/Summer |
June 28 |
| Full Academic Year |
July 2 (Supporting documents due July 22) |
2019-20 Continuation of Interest-Free Status (CIFS) Dates
| Fall Term Earliest Submission Dates |
| Undergrad |
Aug. 19 |
| Work Terms |
Aug. 17 |
| MBA |
Aug. 25 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
Aug. 17 |
| Divinity |
Aug. 19 |
| Fall Term Deadline Dates |
| Undergrad |
Nov. 28 |
| Work Terms |
Dec. 10 |
| MBA |
Nov. 30 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
Dec. 10 |
| Divinity |
Nov. 28 |
| Winter Term Earliest Submission Dates |
| Undergrad |
Dec. 22 |
| Work Terms |
Dec. 17 |
| MBA |
Dec. 22 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
Dec. 17 |
| Divinity |
Dec. 22 |
| Winter Term Deadline Dates |
| Undergrad |
April 7 |
| Work Terms |
April 9 |
| MBA |
April 9 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
April 9 |
| Divinity |
April 2 |
| Spring/Summer Term Earliest Submission Dates |
| Undergrad |
April 19 |
| Work Terms |
April 16 |
| MBA |
April 12 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
April 16 |
| Spring/Summer Term Deadline Dates |
| Undergrad |
July 17 |
| Work Terms |
Aug. 12 |
| MBA |
Aug. 12 |
| Graduate/Medicine |
Aug. 12 |
| Medicine, Level III |
May 8 |
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 2019 to August 2020
CIFS #1 – May 2019 to August 2020
CIFS #2 – September 2019 to August 2020
2019-20 Fall/Winter Bursary Dates – Undergrads
| Item |
Important Dates |
| Application Opens |
Aug. 12 |
| Application Deadline |
Jan. 10 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline |
Jan. 17 |
| Payment |
Mid-February |
2019-20 Summer Bursary Dates – Undergrads
| Item |
Important Dates |
| Application Opens |
March 16 |
| Application Deadline |
April 17 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline |
April 24 |
| Payment |
one in spring session, one in summer session |
2019-20 Bursary Dates – Grad Students
| Item |
Important Dates |
| Application Opens |
Aug. 12 |
| Application Deadline |
Jan. 10 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline |
Jan. 17 |
| Payment |
Mid-February |
2019-20 Bursary Dates – Medicine Students
* Physician Assistant Students will be assessed at the same time (No application required)
| Item |
Important Dates |
| Application Opens |
Sept. 9 |
| Application Deadline |
Nov. 1 |
| Supporting Documentation Deadline |
Nov. 1 |
| Payment |
End of November |
2019-20 Bursary Dates – MBA Students
| Item |
Important Dates |
| MBA Application Opens |
Aug. 12 |
| 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.
2019-20 Travel & Exchange Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
March 29 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
Mid-April |
2019-20 Undergraduate In-Course Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
April 30 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
End of July |
2019-20 Graduating Students Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
April 30 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
End of May |
2019-20 Community Contribution Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Jan. 1 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
April 30 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
End of June |
2019-20 Rhodes Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Aug. 12 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
Sept. 11 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
End of September |
2019-20 Renaissance Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
Sep. 1 |
| Application Deadline (Mosaic AND supporting documents) |
Oct. 31 |
| Recipients Confirmed |
End of January |
2019-20 Killam Scholarship Dates
| Item |
Important Date(s) |
| Application Opens |
October |
| McMaster Application Deadline |
Jan. 6 (applications can be submitted in after-hours drop box) |
| Nominations Confirmed |
Early February |
2019 Summer Work Program Dates
| Item |
Date(s) |
| Work Program eligible dates of employment |
April 29 – Aug. 31 |
| Employers submit job openings |
Jan. 15 – Feb. 15 |
| 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 |
OSAP recipients |
| Fall (September to December) |
September 25 |
September 25 |
| Winter (January to April) |
January 25 |
January 25 |
| Spring (May to mid-June) |
May 25 |
May 25 |
| Summer (end-June to August) |
July 25 |
July 25 |
| Spring/summer (May – August) *Full-Term undergrad courses / graduate students* |
May 25 |
May 25 |
Late fees
| Terms |
Date |
| Fall (September to December) |
September 30 |
| Winter (January to April) |
January 30 |
| Spring (May to June) |
May 30 |
| Summer (July to August) |
July 10 |
| Spring/summer (May to August) *Full-Term undergrad courses / graduate students* |
May 30 |
A $75 late fee is charged once per-term (according to this schedule) 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 19 |
| Winter (January to April) |
Full Service |
March 15 |
| Spring (May to June) |
Full Service |
June 15 |
| Summer (July to August) |
Full Service |
July 20 |
| Spring/summer (May to August) |
Full Service |
June 15 |
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.
