UCLA Spring Break: Dates, Activities, and Academic Calendar Overview

Understanding the academic calendar, including key dates like spring break, is crucial for UCLA students to plan their academic year effectively. This article provides a comprehensive overview of UCLA's academic calendar, focusing on spring break dates, important deadlines, holidays, and resources for students. It also touches on potential activities to consider during the spring break period.

UCLA Academic Calendar: A Detailed Look

UCLA operates on a quarter system, which includes Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters. Each quarter has specific start and end dates, enrollment periods, and holiday observances. The academic year-at-a-glance calendar includes instruction start and end dates, and school holidays. Summary, year-at-a-glance calendars include term and instruction start and end dates, and school holidays. Calendars for past academic years are available in the calendar archive.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Navigating the academic year requires awareness of crucial deadlines. Fall enrollment, for example, is open, and closes September 28. Missing deadlines can impact enrollment, grading options, and financial aid. It's essential to mark these dates in your personal calendar and set reminders. Here's a breakdown of some typical deadlines:

Enrollment deadlines: The last day to enroll or transfer into a course is typically the day before the first class meeting (for short and alternative formats) or shortly after instruction begins (for regular formats).
Drop/Refund deadlines: The last day to drop a course and request a refund is usually Sunday at the end of the first week of the course (for regular formats) or the day before the first class meeting (for short and alternative formats).
Change Grading/Credit Option: The last day to submit a petition to Change Grading or Credit Option is typically Sunday before the final week of the course or before the final exam, whichever comes first.
Incomplete Petition: The last day to submit petition for an Incomplete is typically Sunday before the final week of the course or before the final exam, whichever comes first.
Withdrawal Deadline: The last day to withdraw from courses is typically Sunday before the final week of the course or before the final exam, whichever comes first. Students have the option to discontinue enrollment in a course, with no refund, before taking the final and before a final course grade. Students who have taken or accessed or submitted a final exam, paper, or project may not withdraw from the class.

Holiday Observances

UCLA observes several holidays throughout the academic year, impacting instruction and campus operations. These include:

Veterans Day: Observed in November. For example, Veterans Day holiday Tuesday, November 11.
Thanksgiving Holiday: Typically a Thursday-Friday observance in November. For example, Thanksgiving holiday Thursday-Friday, November 27-28.
Christmas Holiday: Usually observed in late December. For example, Christmas holiday Wednesday-Thursday, December 24-25.
New Year’s Eve/Day Holiday: Observed around January 1st. For example, New Year’s Eve/Day holiday Wednesday-Thursday, December 31-January 1, 2026.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: Observed in January.
Cesar Chavez Day Holiday: Observed in March. For example, Cesar Chavez Day Holiday Mar. 27, 2026.
Memorial Day Holiday: Observed in May. For example, Memorial Day Holiday May 25, 2026.
Juneteenth Holiday: Observed in June. For example, Juneteenth Holiday Friday, June 19, 2026.
Labor Day Holiday: Observed in September. For example, Labor Day Holiday Monday, September 7, 2026.

The specific dates for these holidays may vary slightly each year.

Read also: Opportunities at UCLA Law

Future Academic Calendars Examples

To provide a clearer picture, here are examples of Fall and Winter quarter dates for upcoming years:

Fall Quarter 2025

Quarter begins: Monday, September 22
Instruction begins: Thursday, September 25
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, October 10
Veterans Day holiday: Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving holiday: Thursday-Friday, November 27-28
Instruction ends: Friday, December 5
Common final exams: Saturday-Sunday, December 6-7
Final examinations: Monday-Friday, December 8-12
Quarter ends: Friday, December 12
Christmas holiday: Wednesday-Thursday, December 24-25
New Year’s Eve/Day holiday: Wednesday-Thursday, December 31-January 1, 2026
Winter campus closure: TBD

Winter Quarter 2026

Quarter begins: Friday, January 2
Instruction begins: Monday, January 5
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, January 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. HolidayJan. 19, 2026
Presidents' Day HolidayFeb. 16, 2026
Instruction endsMar. 22, 2026
Final grades available to studentsApr. PT.

Fall Quarter 2026

Quarter begins: Monday, September 21
Instruction begins: Thursday, September 24
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, October 9
Veterans Day holiday: Wednesday, November 11
Thanksgiving holiday: Thursday-Friday, November 26-27
Instruction ends: Friday, December 4
Common final exams: Saturday-Sunday, December 5-6
Final examinations: Monday-Friday, December 7-11
Quarter ends: Friday, December 11
Christmas holiday: Thursday-Friday, December 24-25
New Year’s Eve/Day holiday: Thursday-Friday, December 31-January 1, 2027
Winter campus closure: TBD

Winter Quarter 2027

Quarter begins: Monday, January 4
Instruction begins: Monday, January 4
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, January 15
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fall Quarter 2027

Quarter begins: Monday, September 20
Instruction begins: Thursday, September 23
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, October 8
Veterans Day holiday: Thursday, November 11
Thanksgiving holiday: Thursday-Friday, November 25-26
Instruction ends: Friday, December 3
Common final exams: Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5
Final examinations: Monday-Friday, December 6-10
Quarter ends: Friday, December 10
Christmas holiday: Friday/Monday, December 24, 27
New Year’s holiday: Friday/Monday, December 31, January 3, 2028
Winter campus closure: TBD

Winter Quarter 2028

Quarter begins: Tuesday, January 4
Instruction begins: Tuesday, January 4
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, January 14
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fall Quarter 2028

Quarter begins: Wednesday, September 27
Instruction begins: Monday, October 2
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, October 13
Veterans Day holiday: Friday, November 10
Thanksgiving holiday: Thursday-Friday, November 23-24
Instruction ends: Friday, December 8
Common final exams: Saturday-Sunday, December 9-10
Final examinations: Monday-Friday, December 11-15
Quarter ends: Friday, December 15
Christmas holiday: Monday-Tuesday, December 25-26
New Year’s holiday: Monday-Tuesday, January 1-2, 2029
Winter campus closure: TBD

Winter Quarter 2029

Quarter begins: Wednesday, January 3
Instruction begins: Thursday, January 4
Study List deadline (becomes official): Friday, January 19
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Fall Quarter 2021

Quarter begins Monday, September 20
Instruction begins Thursday, September 23
Study list deadline (becomes official) Friday, October 8
Veterans Day holiday Thursday, November 11
Thanksgiving holiday Thursday-Friday, November 25-26
Instruction ends Friday, December 3
Common final exams Saturday-Sunday, December 4-5
Final examinations Monday-Friday, December 6-10
Quarter ends Friday, December 10
Winter campus closure Saturday, December 18, 2021-Sunday, January 2, 2022
Christmas holiday Thursday-Friday, December 23-24
New Year’s holiday Thursday-Friday, December 30-31

Winter Quarter 2022

Quarter begins Monday, January 3
Instruction begins Monday, January 3
Study list deadline (becomes official) Friday, January 14
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Understanding Different Course Formats

UCLA offers courses in various formats, each with its own set of deadlines:

Regular Format: Typically 6 or more weeks of instruction.
Short Format: Usually 2-5 weeks of instruction.
Alternative Format: Can be a 1-day course or event.

It is very important to pay attention to the format of your course when noting the deadline.

Spring Break at UCLA: Planning and Activities

While the provided text does not explicitly state the dates for spring break, it's typically a week-long break between the Winter and Spring quarters. Students often use this time for various activities, including:

Academic Pursuits

Catching Up on Studies: Spring break provides an opportunity to review material, complete assignments, and prepare for upcoming exams.
Research: Students involved in research can dedicate uninterrupted time to their projects.
Summer Internships: Spring break is the perfect time to apply for summer internships.

Relaxation and Recreation

Travel: Many students use spring break as an opportunity to travel, either domestically or internationally.
Staycation: Exploring local attractions and enjoying leisure activities in Los Angeles can be a relaxing alternative to traveling.
Hobbies: Spring break is a great time to pursue hobbies and interests that may be neglected during the regular academic year.

Personal Development

Volunteering: Engaging in community service can be a rewarding way to spend spring break.
Workshops and Seminars: Attending workshops or seminars can help students develop new skills and knowledge.
Networking: Spring break can be used to connect with professionals in your field of interest.

Resources for UCLA Students

UCLA offers numerous resources to help students navigate their academic journey:

UCLA Registrar's Office: Provides information on academic calendars, enrollment, transcripts, and other academic services.
MyUCLA: A student portal where students can access their academic records, enroll in courses, and pay fees. By logging into your student account, selecting My Enrollment History, and clicking the blue dot next to the course.
Academic Counseling: Academic advisors can provide guidance on course selection, academic planning, and career exploration.
Financial Aid Office: Offers assistance with financial aid applications, scholarships, and loans.
International Student Services: Provides support and resources for international students, including visa information and cultural adjustment. International Students (F1 Visa): Dropping or withdrawing from a course may jeopardize your immigration status.

Special Circumstances: Incomplete Grades and Withdrawals

Students facing extenuating circumstances may need to request an incomplete grade or withdraw from a course.

Incomplete Grades

Students who have good cause may request an Incomplete by speaking with the Instructor and contacting the academic program unit. Requests must be made via the Incomplete petition form which is reviewed for approval/denial by the instructor and program director. Learn more about the Incomplete petition process.

Course Withdrawals

Students have the option to discontinue enrollment in a course, with no refund, before taking the final and before a final course grade. Students who have taken or accessed or submitted a final exam, paper, or project may not withdraw from the class.

Read also: UCLA Calendar

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