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 September 9 |
December 11 to January 4 |
April 16 to April 30 |
| Clearing Conditions of Admission: Deadline to provide required documents for the Fall term |
December 1 | April 1 | August 1 |
* 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-term courses | September 25 | ||
| Single-term or 1HF courses | September 25 | January 22 | May 14 |
| 2HF courses | October 23 | February 26 | June 25 |
Final dates to drop courses |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-term courses | February 24 | July 26 | |
| Single-term courses | November 13 | March 19 | July 16 |
| 1HF courses | October 7 | February 10 | June 9 |
| 2HF courses | December 9 | April 7 | August 5 |
Final dates to submit grades |
Fall term |
Winter term |
Summer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-term courses | May 3 | September 3 | |
| Single-term courses | January 4 | May 3 | September 3 |
| 1HF courses | October 23 | February 26 | September 3 |
| 2HF courses | January 4 | May 3 | September 3 |
| Final date to submit results of incomplete (INC) grades for previous term with permission of Associate Dean | March 5 | July 9 | November 5 |
Scholarship/Payment schedules
Scholarship funding (graduate, entrance, department, external, tuition, tri-agency)
Fall term |
Winter term |
Spring term |
| September 11 | January 15 | May 7 |
Note: Scholarship monies will be paid within 3 to 5 days of these dates.
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
Fall term |
Winter term |
Spring term |
| September 11 | January 15 | May 7 |
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
Fall term |
Winter term |
Spring term |
| September 25 | January 15 | |
| October 9 | January 29 | May 21 |
| October 23 | February 12 | June 4 |
| November 6 | February 26 | June 18 |
| November 20 | March 12 | July 2 |
| December 4 | March 26 | July 16 |
| December 18 | April 9 | July 30 |
| December 31 | April 23 | August 13 |
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
Convocation is an important part of your university experience but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for physical distancing, all convocation ceremonies at McMaster will need to be different. We’re currently planning an online celebration and will host an in-person ceremony on a future date – once it’s safe to do so.
The online celebration will take place on the week of June 14 to 18. For more information, visit the Convocation website.