INRS Academic Calendar

The Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), a research-intensive university in Quebec, Canada, operates on a trimester-based academic calendar, aligning with many Canadian institutions. The academic year is typically divided into three main terms: Fall (Autumn), Winter, and Summer. The Fall term generally begins in early September and concludes in mid-December, while the Winter term runs from early January to late April. The Summer term, often used for intensive research or shorter courses, spans from May to August. INRS places a strong emphasis on research, which may result in flexible scheduling for graduate and undergraduate students engaged in projects, with potential variations in term lengths or breaks depending on program requirements.

• Fall Term Start: September 2, 2025 (first week of September, subject to confirmation), marking the beginning of the academic year after the Labour Day holiday.
• Thanksgiving Break: October 13, 2025 (second Monday in October), a national holiday in Canada with potential extended closures.
• Fall Term End/Exams: December 15–22, 2025 (mid to late December), including final exams and project submissions.
• Winter Term Start: January 6, 2026 (first week of January), following the holiday break.
• Winter Break: February 23–27, 2026 (late February, approximate), often a reading week for students.
• Winter Term End/Exams: April 20–30, 2026 (late April), concluding with exams or research assessments.
• Summer Term: May 4–August 14, 2026 (early May to mid-August, approximate), often optional for coursework or research.

• Application Opening: September 1, 2024 (early September, approximate), for the 2025–2026 academic year admissions cycle.
• Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024 (early December, estimated), for early consideration and scholarship eligibility.
• Regular Decision Deadline: February 1, 2025 (early February, typical for Canadian universities), for most undergraduate programs.
• International Student Deadline: January 15, 2025 (mid-January, approximate), to allow for visa processing and additional documentation.
• Decision Notifications: March 15–April 15, 2025 (mid-March to mid-April, estimated), depending on program and application date.
• Enrollment Confirmation Deadline: May 1, 2025 (early May, typical), to secure a spot for the Fall 2025 intake.

The academic calendar at INRS aligns closely with other universities in Quebec and across Canada, incorporating national holidays such as Thanksgiving and statutory breaks during the winter holiday season. Its trimester system offers flexibility, particularly for international students who may benefit from the Summer term to accelerate their studies or focus on research. Additionally, the university’s research-intensive nature may lead to tailored schedules for students in specific programs, with potential overlaps between academic terms and major research milestones. While exact dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are subject to official confirmation, the above timelines are based on standard practices in the region and historical patterns at INRS.