NLC Academic Calendar

Northern Lights College, located in British Columbia, Canada, operates on a semester-based academic calendar, typically divided into three main terms: Fall, Winter, and Summer. The Fall semester generally begins in early September and concludes in mid-December, while the Winter semester runs from early January to late April. The Summer term, often optional and condensed, spans May to August, catering to students seeking accelerated coursework or catch-up opportunities. This structure aligns with many Canadian post-secondary institutions, offering predictable breaks around major holidays like Christmas and spring break, ensuring students can balance academic and personal commitments.

• Fall Semester Start: September 2, 2025 (first week of September, following Labour Day).
• Thanksgiving Break: October 13, 2025 (aligned with Canadian Thanksgiving, a statutory holiday).
• Fall Final Exams: December 8–19, 2025 (typically mid to late December).
• Winter Semester Start: January 5, 2026 (first full week of January).
• Reading Week: February 16–20, 2026 (a mid-term break common in Canadian colleges).
• Winter Final Exams: April 13–24, 2026 (late April, before summer term).
• Summer Term: May 4–August 14, 2026 (condensed courses with flexible scheduling).
• Commencement: June 2026 (specific date to be confirmed, typically mid-June for graduates).

• Application Opening Date: October 1, 2024 (applications for Fall 2025 typically open a year in advance).
• Early Application Deadline: February 1, 2025 (for priority consideration and limited programs).
• Regular Admission Deadline: June 30, 2025 (final deadline for most undergraduate programs).
• International Student Deadline: April 30, 2025 (earlier cutoff to accommodate visa processing).
• Decision Notifications: Rolling basis, starting March 2025 for early applicants; final decisions by July 2025.
• Financial Aid Deadline: May 15, 2025 (recommended to align with admission offers and funding availability).

The academic calendar at Northern Lights College mirrors the standard Canadian post-secondary framework, with semesters aligned to national holidays like Thanksgiving and statutory breaks. Its scheduling offers flexibility for international students through early application deadlines and rolling admissions, accommodating visa timelines. Additionally, the optional Summer term provides opportunities for accelerated learning or credit recovery, a feature beneficial for both domestic and international learners. While specific dates for 2025–2026 are estimates based on typical cycles, students are encouraged to verify exact timelines through official college communications as they become available.