UIowa Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

The UIowa academic calendar 2026-2027 serves as the central operational guide for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students navigating their studies at the University of Iowa.

Whether you are coordinating your class schedule via MyUI, checking course add/drop windows, or arranging travel around university holidays and campus breaks, keeping track of official dates ensures you maintain strong academic standing.

Maintained by the UIowa Office of the Registrar, this schedule governs academic activities across the Tippie College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and all associated colleges.

The University of Iowa operates on a semester-based academic structure consisting of Fall and Spring terms, supplemented by an intensive 4-week Winter Session and flexible Summer sub-sessions (ranging across 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-week options).

Primary fall and spring semesters span 16 weeks, which includes 15 weeks of active instruction, designated reading days, and a dedicated final examination week.

Full-time undergraduate status requires an enrollment load of at least 12 semester hours per term—with 15 to 16 credits typically recommended to stay on track for four-year degree completion—while full-time graduate status is benchmarked at 9 credit hours.

Understanding the full timeline of the UIowa academic calendar 2026–2027 enables Hawkeyes to effectively balance challenging coursework, research commitments, and campus life.

Essential administrative deadlines—such as course registration adjustments, prerequisite verification cutoffs, pass/non-pass grading options, and degree application submission windows—directly impact degree progression.

Monitoring these key dates from the first day of classes through commencement week allows you to plan ahead and enjoy a successful academic year.

UIowa Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. Prerequisite Drop Date – UI Coursework is Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Prerequisite drop date for UI coursework.
2. College of Law students’ last day to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Saturday, August 15, 2026.
3. Residence Halls Meal Plan begins on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
4. Residence Halls New Student Move-In takes place from Saturday, August 15, 2026, through Monday, August 17, 2026.
5. Prerequisite Drop Date – Non-UI Coursework is Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Prerequisite drop date for non-UI coursework.
6. Residence Halls Fall Returning Student Move-In is Saturday, August 22, 2026.
7. UIowa Fall 2026 classes start on Monday, August 24, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
8. Students can change existing registration on MyUI from Monday, August 24, 2026, through Sunday, August 30, 2026.
9. College of Engineering students’ last day to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, August 24, 2026.
10. College of Nursing students’ last day to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, August 24, 2026.
11. Tippie College of Business Professional Programs withdrawal requires collegiate approval beginning Monday, August 24, 2026.
12. U-Bill Due Date – August is Monday, August 24, 2026.
13. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for an 80% refund from Monday, August 24, 2026, through Sunday, August 30, 2026.
14. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, August 24, 2026, through Sunday, August 30, 2026, are responsible for 10% of tuition and mandatory fees.
15. The last day for students to register or change existing registration in MyUI without authorization is Sunday, August 30, 2026.
16. Registration changes require permissions in MyUI beginning Monday, August 31, 2026.
17. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 70% refund from Monday, August 31, 2026, through Sunday, September 6, 2026.
18. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, August 31, 2026, through Sunday, September 6, 2026, are responsible for 25% of tuition and mandatory fees.
19. The last day to request Pass/NonPass Grade Option Changes is Friday, September 4, 2026.
20. The last day to add a course without collegiate approval is Friday, September 4, 2026.
21. The last day to drop a course without receiving a W grade is Friday, September 4, 2026.
22. The last day for graduate and professional students to change registration and update grading options to S-U status is Friday, September 4, 2026.
23. The last day for undergraduate students to add or change P-N or audit status and late register is Friday, September 4, 2026.
24. The last day to drop individual courses to reduce tuition and fee assessment is Friday, September 4, 2026.
25. Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. It is a University Holiday with no classes and offices closed.
26. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 60% refund from Monday, September 7, 2026, through Sunday, September 13, 2026.
27. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, September 7, 2026, through Sunday, September 13, 2026, are responsible for 50% of tuition and mandatory fees.
28. A $100 late registration charge for days 11 and beyond takes effect on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
29. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 50% refund from Monday, September 14, 2026, through Sunday, September 20, 2026.
30. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, September 14, 2026, through Sunday, September 20, 2026, are responsible for 75% of tuition and mandatory fees.
31. Students withdrawing from their entire registration on or after Monday, September 21, 2026, are responsible for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees.
32. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 40% refund from Monday, September 21, 2026, through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
33. U-Bill Due Date – September is Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
34. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 30% refund from Monday, September 28, 2026, through Sunday, October 4, 2026.
35. Degree Application Deadline – All Colleges is Friday, October 2, 2026. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. CST.
36. Honors Contract Deadline is Friday, October 2, 2026.
37. Degree Application Late Fee begins Saturday, October 3, 2026.
38. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 20% refund from Monday, October 5, 2026, through Sunday, October 11, 2026.
39. Plans of Study, degree audit exception requests, and final exam requests for graduate students are due Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
40. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases are eligible for a 10% refund from Monday, October 12, 2026, through Sunday, October 18, 2026.
41. Approved Housing and Dining contract releases receive no refund beginning Monday, October 19, 2026.
42. U-Bill Due Date – October is Thursday, October 22, 2026.
43. Graduate and professional students’ last day to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Monday, November 16, 2026.
44. Undergraduate students’ last day to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Monday, November 16, 2026.
45. Graduate students’ last day to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, November 16, 2026.
46. Undergraduate students’ last day to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, November 16, 2026.
47. UIowa Fall Break 2026 (Thanksgiving Break)is observed from Sunday, November 22, 2026, through Sunday, November 29, 2026. Residence Hall Market Places close for Fall Break on Friday, November 20, 2026, and reopen after the Fall Break on Monday, November 30, 2026. Classes resume on Monday, November 30, 2026.
48. U-Bill Due Date – November is Sunday, November 22, 2026.
49. Graduate College final exam reports are due Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
50. Single thesis deposit is due by 5 p.m. CST on Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
51. Classes close on Friday, December 11, 2026.
52. The last day for undergraduates to file the second-grade-only option is Friday, December 11, 2026.
53. Final Exam Week takes place from Monday, December 14, 2026, through Friday, December 18, 2026.
54. Commencement ceremonies take place from Thursday, December 17, 2026, through Sunday, December 20, 2026.
55. Residence Halls Meal Plan ends on Friday, December 18, 2026.
56. Residence Halls close at 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 19, 2026.
57. U-Bill Due Date – December is Tuesday, December 22, 2026.
58. University Holiday (Winter Break) is observed from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Friday, December 25, 2026. No classes are held, and offices are closed.
59. Winter Holiday is observed on Friday, December 25, 2026. It is a federal holiday, and no classes are held.

UIowa Academic Calendar Winter 2027

1. MyUI Course Offerings become available on Monday, August 3, 2026. Courses are viewable on MyUI.
2. Schedule Builder opens on Monday, August 3, 2026, allowing students to begin adding course options.
3. Early Registration takes place from Monday, November 9, 2026, through Friday, December 4, 2026.
4. Residence Halls Winter Break Housing begins on Saturday, December 19, 2026, and continues through Saturday, January 16, 2027.
5. The last day to request Pass/NonPass Grade Option changes in MyUI is Sunday, December 20, 2026.
6. The last day for students to register or change existing registration in MyUI without authorization is Sunday, December 20, 2026.
7. Classes begin on Monday, December 21, 2026.
8. The last day for College of Engineering students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, December 21, 2026.
9. The last day for College of Nursing students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, December 21, 2026.
10. The last day for Tippie College of Business Professional Programs students to withdraw without collegiate approval is Monday, December 21, 2026.
11. Students who withdraw from their entire registration from Monday, December 21, 2026, through Sunday, December 27, 2026, are responsible for 10% of tuition and mandatory fees.
12. The University Holiday (Winter Break) is observed from Thursday, December 24, 2026, through Friday, December 25, 2026. No classes are held, and offices are closed.
13. Winter Holiday is observed on Friday, December 25, 2026. It is a federal holiday, and no classes are held.
14. Students who withdraw from their entire registration on or after Monday, December 28, 2026, are responsible for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees.
15. The last day to add a course without collegiate approval is Tuesday, December 29, 2026.
16. The last day to drop a course without receiving a W grade is Tuesday, December 29, 2026.
17. The last day to drop individual courses to reduce tuition and fee assessment is Tuesday, December 29, 2026.
18. New Year’s Day is observed on Friday, January 1, 2027. It is a federal holiday, and no classes are held.
19. The University Holiday for New Year’s Day is observed on Friday, January 1, 2027. No classes are held, and offices are closed.
20. A $100 late registration charge for days 11 and beyond takes effect on Thursday, January 7, 2027.
21. The last day for graduate and professional students to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Friday, January 8, 2027.
22. The last day for undergraduate students to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Friday, January 8, 2027.
23. The last day for graduate students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Friday, January 8, 2027.
24. The last day for undergraduate students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Friday, January 8, 2027.
25. Classes close on Friday, January 15, 2027.
26. Residence Halls Winter Break Housing ends on Saturday, January 16, 2027.

UIowa Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. MyUI course offerings for Spring 2027 are available starting Monday, September 28, 2026. Courses are viewable on MyUI.
2. Schedule Builder for Spring 2027 opens on Monday, September 28, 2026, allowing students to start adding course options.
3. Early Registration for Spring 2027 takes place from Monday, November 9, 2026, to Friday, December 4, 2026.
4. The prerequisite drop date for UI coursework is Monday, December 28, 2026.
5. The prerequisite drop date for non-UI coursework is Wednesday, January 13, 2027.
6. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on Monday, January 18, 2027. The university and federal holiday means there are no classes, and offices are closed.
7. The first day of Spring 2027 classes is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
8. Students can change existing registration on MyUI from Tuesday, January 19, 2027, to Monday, January 25, 2027.
9. The last day for College of Engineering students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
10. The last day for College of Nursing students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
11. The last day for College of Law students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
12. Withdrawal from Tippie Professional Programs requires collegiate approval starting Tuesday, January 19, 2027.
13. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Tuesday, January 19, 2027, to Sunday, January 24, 2027, are held responsible for 10% of tuition and mandatory fees.
14. The last day for students to register or change existing registration in MyUI without authorization is Monday, January 25, 2027.
15. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, January 25, 2027, to Sunday, January 31, 2027, are held responsible for 25% of tuition and mandatory fees.
16. Registration changes require permission in MyUI beginning Tuesday, January 26, 2027.
17. The last day to request pass/non-pass grade option changes in MyUI is Monday, February 1, 2027.
18. The last day for students to add a course without collegiate approval is Monday, February 1, 2027.
19. The last day for students to drop a course without receiving a W grade is Monday, February 1, 2027.
20. The last day for graduate and professional students to change registration and update grading options to S-U status is Monday, February 1, 2027.
21. The last day for undergraduate students to add or change P-N or audit status and complete late registration is Monday, February 1, 2027.
22. The last day to drop individual courses to reduce tuition and fee assessment is Monday, February 1, 2027.
23. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, February 1, 2027, to Sunday, February 7, 2027, are held responsible for 50% of tuition and mandatory fees.
24. A $100 late registration charge begins on Tuesday, February 2, 2027, for registrations completed after the 10th day.
25. Students withdrawing from their entire registration from Monday, February 8, 2027, to Sunday, February 14, 2027, are held responsible for 75% of tuition and mandatory fees.
26. Students withdrawing from their entire registration on Monday, February 15, 2027, are held responsible for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees.
27. The degree application deadline for all colleges is Friday, February 26, 2027, by 11:59 p.m. CST.
28. The Honors Contract submission deadline is Friday, February 26, 2027.
29. The late fee for degree applications begins on Saturday, February 27, 2027.
30. Plans of study, degree audit exception requests for master’s recipients, and final exam requests for all graduate students are due to the Graduate College on Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
31. UIowa Spring Break 2027 takes place from Sunday, March 14, 2027, to Sunday, March 21, 2027.
32. Classes resume after Spring Break on Monday, March 22, 2027.
33. The last day for graduate and professional students to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Monday, April 19, 2027.
34. The last day for undergraduate students to drop individual semester-length courses without collegiate approval is Monday, April 19, 2027.
35. The last day for graduate students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, April 19, 2027.
36. The last day for undergraduate students to withdraw from their entire registration without collegiate approval is Monday, April 19, 2027.
37. Graduate College final exam reports are due on Tuesday, April 20, 2027.
38. The single thesis deposit deadline is Tuesday, April 27, 2027, by 5:00 p.m. CST.
39. The close of Spring 2027 classes is Friday, May 7, 2027.
40. The last day for undergraduates to file the second-grade-only option is Friday, May 7, 2027.
41. Final Exam Week takes place from Monday, May 10, 2027, to Friday, May 14, 2027.
42. Commencement ceremonies take place from Thursday, May 13, 2027, to Sunday, May 16, 2027. Students can visit the Commencement website for more information.

For more on the UIowa Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the official University of Iowa Office of the Registrar website.