Northwestern Academic Calendar 2026‑2027: Important Dates

The Northwestern Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 is your one‑stop reference for every milestone from Northwestern academic calendar 2026‑2027 enrollment and tuition payment deadlines to registration windows, add/drop deadlines, and final exam schedules.

By checking the Northwestern University term dates, you’ll know exactly when each quarter starts, how long a quarter is at Northwestern, and when you can register for classes at NU during Priority Enrollment.

Whether you’re planning around Northwestern exam schedules, aiming to meet registration deadlines, or tracking the last day to withdraw without a “W”, this calendar ensures you never miss a key academic or financial cutoff.

Northwestern University follows a quarter system with four main terms:

• Fall Quarter (mid-September to early December; 10 weeks of instruction + one week of finals)
• Winter Quarter (early January to mid-March; 10 instructional weeks + finals week)
• Spring Quarter (late March to early June; 10 weeks + finals)
• Summer Session (June through August), broken into Session A (approximately 6 weeks), Session B (6 weeks), and a Full Summer Session (10 weeks + finals).

Curious about how long Northwestern’s summer session lasts? The full session mirrors the academic quarter at 10 weeks, while each mini‑session gives you a fast‑track, 6‑week option.

Want to drop a class or switch sections? Add/drop periods typically close in the second week of each quarter—details you’ll find in the official calendar.

Bookmark the NU Academic Calendar 2026‑2027 today to plan your course load, budget for fees, and make the most of your Wildcat experience.

Northwestern Academic Calendar Winter 2027

1. Winter recess runs through Friday, January 1, 2027, during which the university is closed through that date.
2. Undergraduate students enrolled in courses with in-person meetings are expected to be on campus and in attendance at the start of classes on Monday, January 4, 2027, and remain until the end of the quarter.
3. Winter classes begin on Monday, January 4, 2027.
4. The last day for full-term withdrawals to receive a 100% refund for Schedule A programs (except Kellogg and Physician’s Assistant programs) is Friday, January 8, 2027.
5. The Winter Quarter 2027 tuition adjustment and add/swap deadline is Friday, January 8, 2027, which is the last day for tuition adjustments related to enrollment changes.
6. There are no classes on Monday, January 18, 2027 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
7. The last day to drop a five-week course ending in week 5 of the term (5W1) is Friday, January 22, 2027.
8. The last day for full-term withdrawals to receive a 75% refund for Schedule A programs (except Kellogg and Physician’s Assistant programs) is Saturday, January 23, 2027.
9. The application for degree is due to The Graduate School on Friday, January 29, 2027 for students graduating in Winter.
10. The last day to withdraw from a five-week course ending in week 5 of the term (5W1) is Friday, January 29, 2027 at 5:00 PM.
11. The application for degree is due to The Graduate School on Friday, February 5, 2027 for students graduating in Spring.
12. Spring quarter courses become viewable in CAESAR on Monday, February 8, 2027 for multiple graduate and undergraduate programs.
13. The last day to drop a full-term Winter class in CAESAR is Friday, February 12, 2027, after which withdrawals will result in a “W” and must go through the official withdrawal process.
14. The last day for full-term withdrawals to receive a 50% refund for Schedule A programs (except Kellogg and Physician’s Assistant programs) is Saturday, February 13, 2027.
15. Pre-registration for Spring begins on Monday, February 15, 2027.
16. Regular registration for Spring Quarter begins on Monday, February 22, 2027.
17. Dissertation, PhD final exam, and change of grade forms for Winter PhD candidates are due to The Graduate School on Friday, February 26, 2027.
18. The last day for undergraduate and TGS students to change grading status to or from P/N for eligible courses is Friday, February 26, 2027.
19. The last day to drop a five-week course ending in week 10 of the Winter term (5W2) is Friday, February 26, 2027.
20. The last day to withdraw from a five-week course ending in week 10 of the Winter term (5W2) is Friday, March 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM.
21. The term withdrawal and full-term course withdrawal petition deadline for Winter is Friday, March 5, 2027 at 5:00 PM.
22. The WCAS reading period begins on Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
23. The master’s completion form for TGS Winter master’s candidates is due on Friday, March 12, 2027.
24. Winter classes end on Saturday, March 13, 2027.
25. The WCAS reading period ends on Sunday, March 14, 2027.
26. Winter exams begin on Monday, March 15, 2027.
27. Spring break begins on Saturday, March 20, 2027.
28. Winter exams end on Saturday, March 20, 2027.
29. Grades are due on Monday, March 22, 2027 at 3:00 PM.
30. Spring registration for new TGS students and most Evanston graduate programs occurs on Thursday, March 25, 2027.
31. Winter 2027 degrees are conferred on Friday, March 26, 2027.
32. Spring break ends on Monday, March 29, 2027.

Northwestern Academic Calendar Spring 2026

1. Spring Classes Begin (Monday classes meet) Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
2. Undergraduates must be on campus starting Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
3. The last day for full withdrawals (100% refund) for Schedule A programs is Monday, April 6, 2026.
4. The last day to add classes (with tuition adjustment) is Monday, April 6, 2026.
5. The deadline for religious accommodation requests is Friday, April 10, 2026.
6. The last day for full withdrawals (75% refund) for Schedule A programs is Sunday, April 19, 2026.
7. The last day to drop a Spring 5W1 course is Monday, April 20, 2026.
8. The last day to withdraw from a Spring 5W1 course is Friday, April 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
9. Fall 2026 quarter courses become viewable in CAESAR on Monday, May 4, 2026.
10. Dissertation/PhD forms are due to TGS on Friday, May 8, 2026.
11. The last day to drop a full-term Spring class without a “W” is Friday, May 8, 2026.
12. The last day for full withdrawals (50% refund) for Schedule A programs is Sunday, May 10, 2026.
13. Pre-registration for Fall 2026 begins Monday, May 11, 2026.
14. Master’s completion forms are due to TGS on Friday, May 15, 2026.
15. Registration for Fall begins Monday, May 18, 2026.
16. The Pass/No Credit deadline is Friday, May 22, 2026.
17. The last day to drop a Spring 5W2 course is Friday, May 22, 2026.
18. Memorial Day (no classes; university closed) is Monday, May 25, 2026.
19. The last day to withdraw from a Spring 5W2 course is Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
20. Term withdrawal petitions are due Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
21. WCAS Reading Period begins Wednesday, June 3, 2026.
22. Spring classes end Saturday, June 6, 2026.
23. WCAS Reading Period ends Sunday, June 7, 2026.
24. Spring Examinations run Monday, June 8, 2026, to Friday, June 12, 2026.
25. Grades are due Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
26. Juneteenth (university closed) is Friday, June 19, 2026.
27. Spring Degrees are conferred on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Northwestern Academic Calendar Summer 2026

1. Summer Classes Begin (tentative) Monday, June 22, 2026.
2. Independence Day observed (university closed) Friday, July 3, 2026.
3. The Graduate School degree application deadline for Summer is Friday, July 10, 2026.
4. Dissertation/PhD forms are due to TGS on Friday, August 7, 2026.
5. Master’s completion forms are due to TGS on Friday, August 21, 2026.
6. Summer Degrees are conferred on Friday, September 4, 2026.

For more on the Northwestern Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the Northwestern University Calendar website.