NOSM Academic Calendar

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine University (NOSM University), located in Northern Ontario, follows a structured academic calendar tailored to its unique focus on medical education and community-based learning. The university typically operates on a semester system, with the academic year divided into Fall and Winter semesters, supplemented by intensive summer sessions for specific programs. The Fall semester generally begins in late August or early September and concludes in December, while the Winter semester runs from January to April or May. A notable feature of NOSM University’s calendar is its emphasis on distributed learning, with clinical placements and community engagement periods integrated into the schedule, often extending beyond traditional semester dates to accommodate real-world training in remote and rural settings.

• Fall Semester Start: September 2, 2025 (first week of September, subject to confirmation), marking the beginning of classes for most programs.
• Thanksgiving Break: October 13, 2025, aligning with the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday.
• Fall Semester End/Exams: December 8–19, 2025, including final assessments before the winter break.
• Winter Break: December 20, 2025–January 4, 2026, providing an extended holiday period.
• Winter Semester Start: January 5, 2026, resuming academic and clinical activities.
• Winter Semester End/Exams: April 20–30, 2026, concluding with final evaluations.
• Commencement Ceremony: Late May or early June 2026 (exact date TBD), celebrating graduating students.

• Application Opening Date: September 15, 2025, for the 2025–2026 cycle (Class of 2030), typically through the Ontario Medical School Application Service (OMSAS).
• Early Application Deadline: November 1, 2025, for priority consideration (exact date subject to confirmation).
• Regular Application Deadline: February 1, 2026, the final date for most undergraduate medical program applications.
• Interview Notifications: March–April 2026, with interviews typically conducted in spring for shortlisted candidates.
• Admission Decision Notifications: May 15, 2026 (approximate), with offers of admission released around this time.
• Financial Aid Application Deadline: June 30, 2026 (estimated), encouraging early submission for scholarship and bursary consideration.

The academic calendar at NOSM University aligns with broader Canadian university norms, particularly in observing national holidays like Thanksgiving and aligning semester breaks with winter holidays. However, its focus on medical education and distributed learning in Northern Ontario communities introduces unique scheduling considerations, such as extended clinical placements that may not adhere to standard semester timelines. This structure offers flexibility for students, including international applicants, though they should note the rigorous admissions timeline and prepare for early application deadlines. As specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle may not yet be finalized, prospective students are encouraged to monitor official university communications for updates.