Academic Calendar

UC Berkeley Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

By eriq elikplim
UC Berkeley Academic Calendar.

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The UC Berkeley Academic Calendar 2026-2027 covers all the essential dates, deadlines, and important information.

Whether you’re a new student, a continuing undergraduate, or a graduate student, stay organized with these crucial dates for the fall 2026, spring 2027, and summer 2026 semesters.

The University of California, Berkeley has two main semesters per academic year (Fall and Spring), plus optional summer sessions. This is different from the quarter systems used by some other universities.

Each semester runs approximately 15-16 weeks, allowing for more comprehensive coverage of course material.

UC Berkeley Academic Calendar Fall 2026

  1. Fall 2026 Phase 1 continuing students enrollment ends on Friday, June 12, 2026.
  2. Phase 1 new undergraduate transfer student enrollment begins on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
  3. Phase 1 new undergraduate freshman student enrollment begins on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
  4. Phase 1 new graduate student enrollment begins on Friday, July 17, 2026.
  5. Phase 2 continuing enrollment begins on Monday, July 20, 2026.
  6. UC Berkeley Fall 2026 registration fees will be assessed tentatively on Monday, July 27, 2026.
  7. Phase 1 new student enrollment ends on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
  8. Phase 2 enrollment ends on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
  9. Adjustment period begins on Monday, August 17, 2026.
  10. UC Berkeley Fall 2026 Semester begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
  11. The fee payment deadline, either in full or the first installment under the Fee Payment Plan, is Friday, August 21, 2026.
  12. The last day to withdraw for a full refund before instruction begins is Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
  13. UC Berkeley Fall 2026 classes start on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, which is the first day of instruction.
  14. The last day to drop classes without a fee is Friday, September 4, 2026.
  15. The last day to drop Early Drop Deadline (EDD) courses is Friday, September 4, 2026.
  16. Labor Day holiday will be observed on Monday, September 7, 2026.
  17. The deadline to become officially registered by enrolling and paying at least 20% of tuition and fees is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  18. The instructor drop deadline is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  19. The last day to add classes without a fee is Friday, September 11, 2026.
  20. The last day for undergraduates to add or drop classes and change units via the Enrollment Center is Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
  21. The departmental schedulers and enrollment managers add, drop, swap, and unit change deadline is Friday, September 18, 2026.
  22. UC Berkeley Homecoming Weekend 2026 will take place from Friday, October 9, through Saturday, October 10, 2026.
  23. The adjustment period ends on Friday, October 30, 2026.
  24. The department scheduler and enrollment managers grading option deadline is Friday, October 30, 2026.
  25. The undergraduate and graduate students grading option deadline is Friday, October 30, 2026.
  26. Veterans Day holiday will be observed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
  27. UC Berkeley Thanksgiving Break 2026 will be observed on Wednesday, November 25, and Friday, November 27, 2026.
  28. Formal classes for Fall 2026 semester end on Friday, December 4, 2026.
  29. Reading, review, and recitation week or Fall 2026 RRR Week will take place from Monday, December 7, through Friday, December 11, 2026.
  30. The last day of instruction is Friday, December 11, 2026.
  31. The GSAOs and college advisers add, drop, swap, grading option, and unit change deadline is Friday, December 11, 2026.
  32. Final examinations will be held from Monday, December 14, through Friday, December 18, 2026.
  33. The Fall Semester ends on Friday, December 18, 2026.
  34. Academic and administrative holidays will be observed on Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026, and on Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.
  35. Winter commencement will be held on a date to be determined.

UC Berkeley Academic Calendar Spring 2027

  1. The Spring Semester begins on Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
  2. MLK holiday will be observed on Monday, January 18, 2027.
  3. UC Berkeley Spring 2027 classes begins on Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
  4. Presidents Day Holiday will be observed on Monday, February 15, 2027.
  5. UC Berkeley Spring Break 2027 will take place from Monday, March 22, through Thursday, March 25, 2027. Cesar Chavez Day holiday will be observed on Friday, March 26, 2027.
  6. Cal Day will be held on a date to be determined.
  7. Formal classes end on Friday, April 30, 2027.
  8. Reading, review, and recitation week will take place from Monday, May 3, through Friday, May 7, 2027.
  9. The last day of instruction is Friday, May 7, 2027.
  10. Final examinations will be held from Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 14, 2027.
  11. The Spring Semester ends on Friday, May 14, 2027.
  12. Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 15, 2027.

UC Berkeley Academic Calendar Summer 2026

  1. Session A (Six Weeks) begins on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.
  2. Session B (Ten Weeks) begins on Monday, June 8, 2026.
  3. Session C (Eight Weeks) begins on Monday, June 22, 2026.
  4. Session A ends on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
  5. Session D (Six Weeks) begins on Monday, July 6, 2026.
  6. Session F (Three Weeks) begins on Monday, July 6, 2026.
  7. Session F ends on Friday, July 24, 2026, according to the UC Berkeley Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
  8. Session E (Three Weeks) begins on Monday, July 27, 2026.
  9. Sessions B, C, D, and E end on Friday, August 14, 2026.

UC Berkeley Academic Calendar 2026-2027 FAQs

What day does UC Berkeley start in fall 2026?

UC Berkeley Fall 2026 semester officially begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with classes starting on Wednesday, August 26, 2026

When does Fall 2026 enrollment begin at UC Berkeley?

New undergraduate transfer students can begin enrolling on July 14, 2026, followed by freshmen on July 17, and graduate students on July 17. Continuing students start Phase 2 enrollment on July 20, 2026.

When does the Spring 2027 semester start at UC Berkeley?

The Spring 2027 semester begins on Tuesday, January 12, 2027, with instruction starting on January 19, 2027. Final exams run from May 10-14, 2027, and commencement is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 2027.

What is Cal Day at UC Berkeley?

Cal Day is UC Berkeley’s annual open house event for newly admitted students and families.
 
The program begins with a Welcome Session at California Memorial Stadium at 9 a.m. Afterwards, students visit their academic departments, learn about resources and opportunities for Berkeley students, take a campus tour, and much more. The 2026 Cal Day date is To Be Determined (check calday.berkeley.edu for updates).

Can I take a semester off from UC Berkeley?

Yes, UC Berkeley allows students to take a leave of absence. Contact the Registrar’s Office for specific procedures and deadlines for your situation.

What is RRR Week at UC Berkeley?

RRR Week (Reading/Review/Recitation Week) is a dedicated academic period at UC Berkeley held the week after formal classes end and before final exams.

Functionally similar to “reading day(s)” at other universities, it provides students with uninterrupted time to synthesize course material, prepare for finals, and complete projects without new assignments or lectures. Rooted in the University of California, Berkeley’s academic traditions, it emphasizes three pillars:

Reading: Self-directed study.
Review: Consolidating course content.
Recitation: Peer-led collaborative sessions.

How is RRR Week different from the previous “Dead Days” or “Dead Week”?

Historically, “dead days” referred to the two informal days between the end of classes and exams, while “dead week” (15th week of the semester) followed recommendations dating to 1954 that prohibited introducing new material to allow student review.

However, these periods lacked structured academic engagement.

RRR Week, introduced as a formal instructional period, expands this concept:

Extended Time: Replaces the shorter “dead days” with a full week for preparation.

Active Engagement: Instructors are expected to hold office hours, offer consultations, or host optional reviews/feedback sessions, unlike the passive nature of “dead week.”

Instructional Recognition: Though formal classes do not meet, RRR Week is counted as part of the academic term, emphasizing its role in the learning process.
This shift reflects UC Berkeley’s focus on fostering intentional, supported academic preparation ahead of exams.

For more on the UC Berkeley Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the University of California, Berkeley Registrar website.

eriq elikplim
eriq elikplimhttps://acadcalendar.com
Eric Elikplim is the lead editor of AcadCalendar.com. Eriq draws on 10 years of experience in edtech and project management. He has collaborated directly with multiple universities, establishing processes to cross-check term dates, registration deadlines, and exam schedules. Beyond calendar data, Eriq contributes thought leadership on academic productivity: he has authored articles on semester planning, and consulted with student organizations to refine reminder features and user experience.

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