BU Academic Calendar 2025-2026: Key Dates, Breaks, Finals & Registration

Key details: The fall semester is 14 instructional weeks plus one finals week. The add/drop period is typically the first two weeks -- after that, withdrawals go on your transcript. Thanksgiving break is short (Wednesday-Sunday), so most students don't fly home for it unless they're on the East Coast.

Key details: Marathon Monday is unique to Boston -- the Boston Marathon runs through Brookline and along Commonwealth Ave near campus, and BU cancels classes. It's one of the best days of the year on campus. Spring break is usually the second or third week of March.

BU offers 700+ courses across two 6-week summer sessions. Summer courses are open to BU students, visiting students from other universities, and non-degree students.

Why take summer classes:

• Get ahead on credits or catch up after a tough semester
• Knock out BU Hub requirements in a smaller class setting
• Take a class you couldn't fit into your fall/spring schedule
• Lighter campus with more housing availability

• Spring registration: November (exact date varies)
• Fall registration: April
• Summer registration: February 19, 2026

How to register:

1. Log into the Student Link (studentlink.bu.edu)
2. Check your registration time slot under "Registration"
3. Plan courses using the BU Bulletin and class search
4. Register during your assigned window
5. Adjust during add/drop period

• Add/drop period: First ~2 weeks of classes. Drop with no record, add without permission.
• Withdrawal deadline: ~10 weeks into semester. After add/drop, withdrawal leaves a W on your transcript.
• Pass/fail deadline: Typically around week 4. Limited to one course per semester.

• Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM
• Location: Nickerson Field
• Rain plan: Ceremony proceeds rain or shine (no indoor backup for all-university ceremony)

BU's commencement is one of the largest university ceremonies in the country, with ~7,000 graduates and 25,000+ guests. Individual school and college convocations happen on separate days around commencement weekend.

Commencement weekend typically includes:

• Friday: Baccalaureate service
• Saturday: Individual school convocations
• Sunday: All-University Commencement

Tickets are required for guests. Each graduate typically receives 4-6 guest tickets depending on the year.

CGS students follow a different calendar for their first year:

• CGS classes begin: January 2026 (mid-January, aligns with spring semester)
• CGS Summer session: 6 weeks in London (primary) or New England
• Second year: Follows standard BU academic calendar

CGS students start in January rather than September, so their first "fall" semester is actually the spring semester. The mandatory summer abroad component (usually London) bridges their first and second years.

After completing two years in CGS, students transition into their chosen BU school or college and follow the regular academic calendar.

BU's calendar is standard among Boston-area schools. One notable difference: MIT uses a 4-1-4 system with a January Independent Activities Period (IAP), so their spring semester starts much later in February.

Northeastern's calendar is complicated by the co-op system -- students on co-op follow a different schedule than students in classes.

2. Plan around finals, not classes. When choosing courses, check the final exam schedule. Avoid having 3 finals on the same day.

3. Book travel early for breaks. Flights from Boston during Thanksgiving and winter break are expensive. Book by September.

4. Use reading/study days wisely. BU gives you 3-4 study days before finals. Don't treat them as vacation.

5. Know the withdrawal deadline. Withdrawing after the deadline means a WF (withdrawal failing) which hurts your GPA. The deadline is usually around week 10.

6. Marathon Monday is sacred. No classes, the marathon runs through campus, and it's one of the best days at BU. Don't schedule anything.

7. Summer classes are smaller. If you're struggling with a subject, taking it in summer with a class of 15 instead of 200 can make a huge difference.