University Of Canterbury Term Dates

The key dates calendar lists important dates for the academic year such as semester dates and public and university holidays. 



See Key course dates to find out semester dates as well as the last days to withdraw.

For Education start dates see the College of Education, Health and Human Development.

2020

DATEEVENT/DEADLINEADD TO CALENDAR
03 JanuaryUC reopens for 2020
06 JanuarySummer school starts
07 JanuaryLast date for continuing UC domestic students to apply to enrol
25 JanuaryChinese New Year (not a statutory holiday)
06 FebruaryWaitangi Day
14 FebruaryRelease of results for summer school
17 FebruaryLectures start for semester one
24 MarchLectures end – mid semester break
25 March – 17 AprilMid semester lecture break
07 AprilGraduation – in absentia
09 AprilGraduation – in absentia
10 AprilGood Friday
13 AprilEaster Monday
14 AprilUniversity holiday
20 AprilLectures resume online
25 AprilANZAC day – observed 27 April.
29 MayLectures end for semester one
01 JuneQueen’s birthday
02 June – 05 JuneSemester one study period
08 June – 20 JuneSemester one examination period
22 June – 10 JulyMid-year break
06 JulyRelease of results for semester one
13 JulyLectures start for semester two
21 AugustLectures end – mid semester break
24 August – 04 SeptemberMid semester lecture break
07 SeptemberLectures resume
16 OctoberLectures end for semester two
19 October – 25 OctoberSemester two study period
26 OctoberLabour Day
27 October – 07 NovemberSemester two and whole year examination period
09 NovemberSummer school starts
13 NovemberShow Day
27 NovemberRelease of results for semester two and whole year
11 DecemberLectures end – summer school break
16 DecemberGraduation
18 DecemberGraduation
24 December – 04 JanuarySummer break – University holidays
Add all dates into your calendar

Key Course Dates

These dates are for 2020 (unless otherwise noted)

These dates were accurate as of August 2019. Any changes will be updated on this page.

Note PhD students can start a course on the first day of any month.

SEMESTER INDICATORSEMESTER DESCRIPTIONOFFICIAL COURSE START DATE AND LAST DATE TO ACCEPT THE ENROLMENT AGREEMENT (ENR STATUS)OFFICIAL COURSE FINISH DATEFINALE DATE TO ADD OR WITHDRAW WITH A FULL REFUND (WDFR)FINAL DATE TO WITHDRAW (WD)
S1 Semester One 17 February 21 June 28 February 29 May 
S2 Semester Two 13 July 8 November 24 July 25 September 
Whole Year 17 February 8 November 13 March 21 August 
CY** Cross Year 13 July 3 July 2021 7 August 12 March 2021 (based on the dates shown) 
B1 Bridging One 24 February 7 June 6 March 22 May 
B2 Bridging Two 20 July 1 November 31 July 25 September 
B3Bridging Three 9 November 7 February 2021 20 November 15 January 2021 
FY Full Year 17 February 21 February 2021 13 March 20 November 
M1 MBA One 10 February 5 April 21 February 20 November 
M2MBA Two20 April 14 June 1 May 20 March 
M3MBA Three29 June 23 August 10 July 29 May 
M4MBA Four7 September 1 November 18 September 7 August 
YANot required in 2020
YA2Not required in 2020
YBFull Year B27 January8 November 21 February 21 August 
YB1Year B First Half27 January 28 June 7 February 22 May 
YB2Year B Second Half13 July 8 November 24 July 25 September 
YCFull Year C10 February 15 November 16 March 4 September 
YC1Year C First Half10 February 28 June 21 February 29 May 
YC2Year C Second Half13 July 15 November 24 July 16 October 
YDNot required in 2020
YD1Not required in 2020
YD2Not required in 2020

** End date can vary with course. See Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website for full course details.



*Domestic undergraduate first-year students and advancing students should refer to the Application to Enrol (ATE) closing dates.

Some programmes may require a special application in addition to an Application to Enrol. See Courses and programmes requiring a special application and/or with limited entry courses pages.

Field trips and teaching practicesCourses and programmes requiring a special application and/or with limited entry courses

There is no refund provision for students once they have commenced a field trip or teaching practice.

Summer courses and other semester indicators

The following semesters start and finish on various dates. The last date to accept the Enrolment Offer and become fully enrolled for the semesters listed below is the official course start date. Failure to meet this date may result in you losing your place in the programme or course.

Please refer to www.canterbury.ac.nz/courses for dates. 

SEMESTER INDICATORSEMESTER DESCRIPTIONLAST DATE TO APPLY TO ENROL (ATE) FOR FIRST-YEAR TEACHER EDUCATION, ADVANCING DOMESTIC AND ALL INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSFINAL DATE TO COMPLETE THE CHANGE OF ENROLMENT TO ADD OR WITHDRAW WITH A FULL TUITION FEE REFUND°FINAL DATE WITH WITHDRAW (NO REFUND)
SU1Summer One week prior to the official course start date        ≤ 6 weeks: First Friday after the official course start date
> 6 weeks: Second Friday after the official course start date
For all courses the final date to withdraw shall be 75% of the course teaching time  3week course: Second Friday after the official course start date4 week course: Third Friday after the official course start date5 week course: Third Friday after the official course start date6 week course: Fourth Friday after the official course start date
SU2Summer 
T1 Term One < 6 weeks: First Friday after the official course start date≥ 6 weeks: Second Friday after the official course start dateNote:
For all teaching placements (i.e. TEPP courses), a student can only withdraw up to one day prior to the placement commencing. Only in exceptional circumstances will a student be eligible for a late discontinuation.
For all courses the final date to withdraw shall be 75% of the course teaching time i.e.5 week course: Third Friday after the official course start date6 week course: Fourth Friday after the official course start date7 week course: Fifth Friday after the official course start date10 week course: Seventh Friday after the official course start date (excluding holidays)
T2Term Two
T3 Term Three 
T4 Term Four 
General non-calendar based 
A ±Anytime start Calculated to occur when 75% of course has been completed 

° The closing dates are final dates. Applications received after these dates will be placed on a waiting list.

± Excludes PhD and master’s by thesis-only.



Key: ‘>6 weeks’ refers to courses of six or more weeks duration; ‘<6 weeks’ refers to courses of less than six weeks duration