UofL Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Important Dates

UofL Academic Calendar 2026-2027 gives students, faculty, and university staff a complete overview of all official academic and administrative deadlines for the upcoming school year.

Published by the University of Louisville Office of the Registrar, this master schedule covers everything from class registration windows and tuition payment dates to course drop/add deadlines, campus holiday closures, and winter/spring commencement ceremonies.

Tracking the UofL academic calendar 2026 2027 ensures Cardinals stay on target with their degree plans and avoid unexpected registration holds or financial penalties.

The University of Louisville operates primarily on a standard semester-based system comprising a Fall semester, a Spring semester, and flexible Summer terms divided into full-term and half-term modules.

Standard Fall and Spring semesters span 15 weeks of active instruction, followed by dedicated reading days and a week of final examinations.

To maintain full-time academic standing, undergraduate students must register for at least 12 credit hours per semester—with 15 credit hours recommended per term to complete degree requirements in four years—while graduate programs generally require 9 credit hours for full-time enrollment.

Preparing for the UoFL fall semester 2026 begins months before the first day of instruction. Priority registration opens via the ULink student portal during the preceding spring, allowing current and incoming students to consult with academic advisors, resolve financial aid requirements, and secure their preferred course schedules before the official drop/add deadline.

While most undergraduate and graduate programs on the Belknap Campus and Health Sciences Center follow the general university calendar, professional schools—such as the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law—may maintain specialized term dates and reading periods.

The University of Louisville academic calendar for Fall 2026 officially starts classes in mid-August 2026. The term includes mid-semester pauses such as Labor Day, Fall Break in early October, and Thanksgiving Break in late November, concluding with final exams and Winter Commencement in December.

Transitioning into the new year, the UofL academic calendar for Spring 2027 resumes in early January 2027, featuring Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the week-long Spring Break in March, and Spring Commencement in May.

Students looking ahead can also plan their full-year course progression using the UoFL academic calendar 26-27 and the updated UoFL class schedule for Spring 2027.

UofL Academic Calendar Fall 2026

1. Uofl Fall 2026 classes start on Monday, August 17, 2026. It is the first day of classes.
2. The last day to drop or add courses is on Friday, August 21, 2026.
3. The Labor Day Holiday is on Monday, September 7, 2026.
4. The Uofl Fall Break 2026 takes place from Monday, October 5, 2026, through Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
5. The last day to withdraw from courses is on Friday, October 16, 2026.
6. The deadline to apply for a degree is on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
7. Uofl Thanksgiving Break 2026 takes place from Wednesday, November 25, 2026, through Sunday, November 29, 2026.
8. The last day of classes is on Monday, November 30, 2026.
9. Reading Day is on Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
10. Final Exams take place from Wednesday, December 2, 2026, through Tuesday, December 8, 2026.
11. The Degree Date is Friday, December 11, 2026.
12. Commencement is on Friday, December 11, 2026.

UofL Academic Calendar Winter 2026

1. Classes for the Winter Term begin on Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
2. The last day to drop or add courses is on Thursday, December 10, 2026.
3. The last day to withdraw from courses is on Monday, December 21, 2026.
4. The Holiday with no classes is on Friday, December 25, 2026.
5. The last day of classes is on Wednesday, December 30, 2026.
6. The Final Exam, if needed, is scheduled for Thursday, December 31, 2026.

UofL Academic Calendar Spring 2027

1. Classes for the Spring Term begin on Wednesday, January 6, 2027.
2. The last day to drop or add courses is on Tuesday, January 12, 2027.
3. The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday is on Monday, January 18, 2027.
4. The last day to withdraw from courses is on Friday, March 5, 2027.
5. UofL Spring Break 2027 takes place from Monday, March 15, 2027, through Sunday, March 21, 2027.
6. The deadline to apply for a degree is on Wednesday, April 14, 2027.
7. The last day of classes is on Wednesday, April 21, 2027.
8. Reading Day is on Thursday, April 22, 2027.
9. Final Exams take place from Friday, April 23, 2027, through Thursday, April 29, 2027.
10. Commencement and the Degree Date are on Saturday, May 8, 2027.

For more on the UofL Academic Calendar 2026-2027, visit the University of Louisville Registrar website.