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The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) follows a structured quarter-based academic year consisting of Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer sessions. For 2026–27, the academic cycle begins September 21, 2026, and continues until September 10, 2027, including key breaks, holiday closures, exam weeks, and commencement dates. This guide provides a complete breakdown of the UCLA academic calendar along with the accurate Spring 2026 admission deadline details for future students planning applications.
UCLA Spring 2026 Application Deadline
Many applicants assume UCLA allows new undergraduate students to join in Spring admissions, but UCLA does not admit first-year or transfer undergraduate students for the Spring term. While the internal academic year includes four quarters, new undergraduate admission takes place only once a year — during the Fall intake.
This means there is no separate Spring 2026 application form, portal window, or deadline for new undergraduate admission. Students who plan to enroll in 2026 must apply through the Fall 2026 admission cycle, even if their preference is to begin study later in the year.
For Fall 2026 admission, the official UC application timeline is:
| Admission Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens for preparation | August 1, 2025 |
| Application submission window opens | October 1, 2025 |
| Final submission deadline | December 1, 2025 |
Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2025, as UCLA does not accept late submissions or offer a Spring alternative. Missing this timeline means waiting for the next Fall cycle.
UCLA follows a single-entry policy because student housing placements, academic counselling, course registration, financial aid distribution, and university-wide orientation are designed around a unified Fall cohort. Allowing mid-year arrivals would disrupt classroom progression and limit access to core courses.
In simple terms:
✔ Students can study at UCLA during Spring 2026 only if they are already enrolled.
❌ New applicants cannot start at UCLA in Spring 2026.
Therefore, students aiming for 2026 admission should prepare early and target the Fall 2026 timeline — from October 1 to December 1, 2025.
UCLA Academic Calendar 2026–2027 — Complete Quarter-wise Schedule
Fall Quarter 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Quarter begins | September 21, 2026 |
| Instruction begins | September 24, 2026 |
| Study List deadline | October 9, 2026 |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving holiday | November 26–27, 2026 |
| Instruction ends | December 4, 2026 |
| Common finals | December 5–6, 2026 |
| Final examinations | December 7–11, 2026 |
| Quarter ends | December 11, 2026 |
| Christmas holiday | December 24–25, 2026 |
| New Year’s holiday | December 31, 2026 – January 1, 2027 |
Winter Quarter 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Quarter begins & Instruction begins | January 4, 2027 |
| Study List deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 18, 2027 |
| Presidents’ Day | February 15, 2027 |
| Instruction ends | March 12, 2027 |
| Common finals | March 13–14, 2027 |
| Final examinations | March 15–19, 2027 |
| Quarter ends | March 19, 2027 |
Spring Quarter 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Quarter begins | March 24, 2027 |
| César Chávez holiday | March 26, 2027 |
| Instruction begins | March 29, 2027 |
| Study List deadline | April 9, 2027 |
| Memorial Day | May 31, 2027 |
| Instruction ends | June 4, 2027 |
| Common finals | June 5–6, 2027 |
| Final examinations | June 7–11, 2027 |
| Quarter ends | June 11, 2027 |
Commencement ceremonies are conducted following Spring Quarter.
Summer Session 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Juneteenth | June 18, 2027 |
| Instruction begins | June 21, 2027 |
| Independence Day | July 5, 2027 |
| Labor Day | September 6, 2027 |
| Instruction ends | September 10, 2027 |
Yearly Timeline Snapshot
| Quarter | Instruction | Final Exams | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Sep 24 – Dec 4 | Dec 7–11 | Dec 11 |
| Winter 2027 | Jan 4 – Mar 12 | Mar 15–19 | Mar 19 |
| Spring 2027 | Mar 29 – Jun 4 | Jun 7–11 | Jun 11 |
| Summer 2027 | Jun 21 – Sept (varies) | varies | Sept 10 |
Professional & Medical Programs (Important Notes)
| Program | Scheduling Notes |
|---|---|
| Medicine | Clinical rotations may continue during university breaks |
| Dentistry | Block exams embedded within the quarter schedule |
| Nursing | Practicum shifts may occur on holidays |
| Law | Exam calendars may differ slightly |
| MBA | Intensive study modules often run between terms |
Despite additional clinical or block components, all professional schools follow the same university quarter start/end dates and holidays.
FAQ — UCLA 2026–27 Academic & Admission Timeline
Q1. Does UCLA offer Spring admission for new undergraduates?
No. New undergraduate applicants are admitted only for the Fall intake.
Q2. What is the application deadline for Fall 2026 admission?
The UC application must be submitted between October 1 and December 1, 2025.
Q3. Can I join UCLA in Spring 2026 if I miss the deadline?
No. You must wait for the next Fall admission cycle.
Q4. When are UCLA graduation ceremonies held?
Commencement ceremonies are conducted after the end of Spring Quarter in June.
Q5. Is Summer session required for graduation?
No — it is optional, but useful for credit acceleration.
Final Summary
The UCLA Academic Year 2026–27 runs from September 21, 2026 to September 10, 2027, divided into four quarters with detailed exam weeks, instructional periods, and campus holidays. Applicants targeting enrollment in 2026 must apply in the Fall 2026 admission window (October 1 – December 1, 2025) because UCLA does not offer Spring admission for undergraduates, even though classes are taught in Spring.