Enrolment and Start Dates
Deadline dates for grad programs |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| September to December 2020 Sept to Oct (1HF) Nov to Dec (2HF) |
January to April 2021 Jan to Feb (1HF) March to April (2HF) |
May to August 2021 | |
| On-time registration | July 7 to August 4 |
November 26 to December 10 |
April 1 to April 15 |
| Class start dates* | Classes begin on or after September 2. Check with program for details. |
Classes begin on or after January 4. Check with program for details. |
Class start dates vary. Check with program for details. |
| Late registration | August 5 to Monday September 9 |
December 11 to January 4 |
April 16 to April 30 |
* The precise start dates of courses are determined by programs. Please contact your program for details. Graduate Studies maintains the 13-week graduate instruction period; if a course does not fall into the traditional instruction period, however, the program will inform students of important dates and deadlines in the course syllabus. There is no official fall break or reading week for graduate students (except for MBA). Students should check with their program and their course instructors as to whether classes will be held during these times. Please see sections 1.3 (Responsibilities of Graduate Students to the university) and 2.5.6 (Vacations) of the Graduate Calendar for more information.
Accommodation for religious, Indigenous and spiritual observances
The university welcomes and includes students, staff, and faculty from a wide range of cultural, traditional, and spiritual beliefs. As per the Policy on Academic Accommodation for Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances, the university will arrange reasonable accommodation of the needs of students who observe religious holy days other than those already accommodated by ordinary scheduling and statutory holidays.
Tuition and fees deadline
Payment deadlines
Terms |
Tuition / Fees deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall (September to December) | September 25 |
| Winter (January to April) | January 25 |
| Spring (May to August) | May 25 |
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.
Adding / dropping courses
Final dates to add courses |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-unit courses | Friday, September 27 | ||
| 3-unit courses or 1.5-unit courses (1HF) | Friday, September 27 | Friday, January 24 | Friday, May 15 |
| 1.5-unit courses (2HF) | Friday, October 25 | Friday, February 28 | Friday, June 26 |
Final dates to drop courses |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-unit courses | Friday, January 1 | Friday, May 1 | |
| 3-unit courses | Friday, October 4 | Friday, February 7 | Friday, June 5 |
| 1.5-unit courses (1HF) | Friday, September 27 | Friday, January 24 | Friday, June 5 |
| 1.5-unit courses (2HF) | Friday, November 1 | Friday, March 6 | Friday, July 10 |
Final dates to submit grades |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-unit courses | Friday, May 1 | Friday, August 21 | |
| 3-unit courses | Friday, January 2 | Friday, May 1 | Friday, August 21 |
| 1.5-unit courses (1HF) | Friday, October 25 | Friday, February 28 | Friday, August 21 |
| 1.5-unit courses (2HF) | Friday, November 1 | Friday, May 1 | Friday, August 21 |
Final dates to submit results of incomplete (INC) grades for previous term with permission of associate dean |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 6 | Friday, July 10 | Friday, November 6 |
Scholarship/Payment schedules
Scholarship funding (graduate, entrance, department, external, tuition, tri-agency)
Winter term |
Spring term |
Fall term |
| January 17 | May 8 | September TBA |
Note: Scholarship monies will be sent to your bank no later than the above dates. However, it may take three to five business days from these date before deposits appear in your bank account.
All scholarship monies will be paid to you directly, in ONE lump sum per term. You are responsible for paying your tuition and fees.
Research Scholarship
Winter term |
Spring term |
Fall term |
| January 17 | May 8 | September 11 |
Note: Research scholarships will be paid to you directly, in ONE lump sum per term.
Teaching assistant/research assistant in lieu of a TA pay schedule
Winter term |
Spring term |
Fall term |
| January 17 | September 11 | |
| January 31 | May 22 | September 25 |
| February 14 | June 5 | October 9 |
| February 28 | June 19 | October 23 |
| March13 | July 3 | November 6 |
| March 27 | July 17 | November 20 |
| April 9 | July 31 | December 4 |
| April 24 | August 14 | December 18 |
Thesis
Looking for more information about writing, defending and submitting? Visit Completing your degree and choose your path.
Fall 2020 |
Spring 2021 |
Fall 2021 |
|
Final date to initiate PhD Thesis Defence in Mosaic * |
|||
| Faculty of Health Sciences | June 26 | January 20 | June 25 |
| All all other Faculties | June 26 | February 3 | June 25 |
Final date to submit Master’s thesis to departments (prior to Defence) |
August 7 | March 5 | August 6 |
Final date to file theses with Graduate Studies and complete degree requirements |
|||
| Faculty of Health Sciences | September 28 | April 1 | September 27 |
| All all other Faculties | September 28 | April 23 | September 27 |
* Blackout periods apply. PhD defences cannot be scheduled during the following blackout periods:
- December 14 to January 8 (inclusive)
- August 16 to 20 (Inclusive)
Convocation dates
Please note that in-person Spring Convocation Ceremonies have been postponed, due to COVID-19.
Date |
Faculty |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 20 | 8 p.m.: McMaster Divinity College |
| Wednesday, May 20 | 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing |
| Thursday, May 21 | 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Health Sciences |
| Monday, June 8 | 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Humanities and the Arts & Science Program |
| Tuesday, June 9 | 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: DeGroote School of Business |
| Wednesday, June 10 | 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Social Sciences |
| Thursday, June 11 | 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Science |
| Friday, June 12 | 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.: Faculty of Engineering |