UC Davis Quarter Dates 2026: Academic Calendar, Deadlines, And Registration Guide

Disambiguation Note: This guide outlines the official academic calendar and quarter dates for the main campus of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) for the 2026 calendar year. Please note that while undergraduate programs and most graduate groups operate on this 10-week quarter system, the UC Davis School of Law and the School of Medicine run on independent, semester-based academic calendars.

Navigating the academic calendar at the University of California, Davis requires a clear understanding of the fast-paced quarter system. Spanning ten weeks of active instruction followed by a week of final examinations, each quarter demands careful planning from students, faculty, and administrative staff alike.

In the quarter system, key dates such as Pass Times, registration deadlines, fee payment deadlines, and academic drop dates come and go rapidly. Missing a single milestone can impact your course enrollment, financial aid status, or graduation timeline. This comprehensive guide details the official academic dates, registration workflows, and strategic planning timelines for the 2026 calendar year at UC Davis.

Official UC Davis Academic Calendar for 2026

The following table presents the official academic schedule for the Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall terms of 2026. It highlights the distinction between administrative quarter dates (when housing, administrative offices, and financial aid disbursements align) and the actual start of classroom instruction.

Academic Holidays Observed in 2026

UC Davis administrative offices are closed, and classes are not held on the following official University holidays throughout 2026:

• New Year's Holiday: January 1–2, 2026
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 19, 2026
• Presidents' Day: February 16, 2026
• Cesar Chavez Day: March 27, 2026
• Memorial Day: May 25, 2026
• Juneteenth: June 19, 2026
• Independence Day (Observed): July 3, 2026
• Labor Day: September 7, 2026
• Veterans Day: November 11, 2026
• Thanksgiving Holiday: November 26–27, 2026
• Winter Holiday: December 24–25, 2026
• New Year's Eve: December 31, 2026

Critical Enrollment, Fee Payment, and Drop Deadlines

Academic planning at UC Davis extends beyond knowing when classes start and end. To maintain active student status and avoid late fees or administrative drops, you must adhere to strict administrative deadlines.

Fee Payment Deadlines

All tuition, registration fees, and campus-based fees must be paid in full or covered by finalized financial aid disbursements by the designated deadline. Fees are paid online through MyBill. Failure to pay by the following dates results in a $150 late fee and risks having all registered courses dropped:

• Winter 2026 Fee Deadline: December 15, 2025
• Spring 2026 Fee Deadline: March 15, 2026
• Fall 2026 Fee Deadline: September 15, 2026

Registration Pass Times

Undergraduate registration occurs via Schedule Builder during designated windows called Pass Times.

• Pass 1: This is your initial opportunity to register for up to 17 units. Pass 1 priority is determined by completed unit count, with seniors and priority registration groups enrolling first.
• Pass 2: During this window, you can register for up to 19 units and waitlist for restricted-capacity courses.
• Schedule Adjustment Period: Open registration is available to all students after Pass 2 ends, continuing through the first two weeks of the quarter.

Course Drop and Grading Option Deadlines

UC Davis categorizes courses into 10-day drop and 20-day drop subjects. Check your specific course syllabus or Schedule Builder to verify which drop deadline applies to each of your classes.

Course Drop Deadlines

10-Day Drop Courses: Typically highly impacted introductory courses, labs, and high-demand lectures. These must be dropped via Schedule Builder by the 10th day of instruction.

20-Day Drop Courses: Standard lecture courses. These must be dropped by the 20th day of instruction. Drops attempted after this date require a formal petition to the dean of your college and are rarely approved without documented extenuating circumstances.

Grading Mode Deadlines

Passed/Not Passed (P/NP) or Letter Grade Changes: Undergraduates must make final adjustments to their grading options (switching from a letter grade to P/NP or vice-versa) by the 25th day of instruction of the current quarter. Graduate students must submit grading option changes by the corresponding Graduate Division deadlines.

Comparison: UC Davis Quarter System vs. Semester System

The quarter system offers a distinctive pacing model compared to traditional academic semesters. While both systems deliver equivalent academic preparation, their operational styles differ significantly.

Pros of the UC Davis Quarter System

• Increased Course Variety: The three-quarter structure allows you to study a broader array of topics and complete minor or double-major requirements faster.
• Rapid Term Transition: If you do not enjoy a specific class or instructor, the term ends in 11 weeks, allowing you to move on to new courses quickly.
• Summer Internship Alignment: Spring quarter ends in mid-June, aligning well with summer research programs and corporate internship cycles that start in late June.

Cons of the UC Davis Quarter System

• High Intensity: Academic instruction begins immediately on day one. There is little time to ramp up, and midterms often begin as early as the third week of class.
• Limited Recovery Windows: Missing even a single week of class due to illness can represent 10% of the course material, requiring intensive academic support to catch up.
• Constant Testing Cycle: Due to the compressed timeframe, many professors schedule two rounds of midterms, leading to a near-constant state of examination from Week 3 through Week 11.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Navigate Registration and Fee Deadlines in 2026

Successfully managing your enrollment at UC Davis requires organized execution. Follow this step-by-step administrative guide each quarter to ensure smooth enrollment and fee management.

Step 1: Check OASIS and Clear Registration Holds

Two weeks before your registration Pass Time, log in to the Online Advising Student Information System (OASIS). Check the "Holds" tab to see if there are any administrative, academic, or immunization holds on your account. Reach out to the respective department (such as Student Health Counseling Services or the Cashier's Office) to resolve these blocks immediately, as any hold will prevent you from registering during your scheduled Pass Time.

Step 2: Build Multiple Schedules in Schedule Builder

Navigate to Schedule Builder via your MyUCDavis dashboard. Create three or four alternative schedules for your target quarter. Because courses fill up rapidly, having pre-planned backup options that resolve prerequisite requirements is critical for keeping your degree path on track.

Step 3: Register During Pass 1

Log in to Schedule Builder exactly at your assigned Pass 1 time. Enroll in your most critical major requirements, highly sought-after electives, or courses with small laboratory sections first. Remember that you are limited to registering for a maximum of 17 units during Pass 1.

Step 4: Utilize Pass 2 and the Waitlist System

If a class is full, add yourself to the waitlist during your Pass 2 window. UC Davis utilizes an automated waitlist system. If an enrolled student drops the course, the student in position number one on the waitlist is automatically registered, provided they do not have a schedule conflict. Check your place on the waitlist daily and attend the first week of lectures to secure your spot if the professor uses an attendance-based check-in.

Step 5: Pay Registration Fees on MyBill

Verify your financial aid package and pending disbursements. Access MyBill to pay any remaining balance before the quarterly deadline (December 15, March 15, or September 15). If you cannot pay the balance in full, enroll in the UC Davis Deferred Payment Plan (DPP), which allows you to split your quarterly tuition and fees into three monthly installments.

Expert Planning Strategies: Maximizing Academic Performance at UC Davis

Succeeding in the fast-paced environment of UC Davis requires a proactive approach to time management and resource utilization. Implementing these strategic practices can help you stay ahead of the academic curve:

• Map Out the "Midterm Rush": In a 10-week quarter, midterms do not occur only in the middle of the term. You will often experience a first wave of exams in Weeks 3 and 4, followed by a second wave in Weeks 7 and 8. Map these exam dates on a master calendar during Week 1 so you can plan your study blocks well in advance.
• Utilize Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers (AATC): Located across campus, including in the Shields Library and academic residence halls, the AATC offers free drop-in tutoring, co-classes, and writing assistance. Do not wait until you receive a poor exam grade to seek help; engage with tutors in Week 2 or 3 to reinforce complex topics early.
• Understand the "Drop" Rules: If you find yourself struggling in a course, verify whether it is a 10-day drop or a 20-day drop course during the first week of instruction. Knowing your exit options helps you manage your academic workload and protect your GPA without risking an unwanted "W" (Withdrawal) or a failing grade on your transcript.
• Coordinate with Major Advisors via OASIS: Book quarterly appointments with your major advisor or college dean’s office using OASIS. These sessions ensure you are completing your General Education (GE) requirements and staying on track to meet the minimum progress standard of completing an average of 12 units per quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Davis Quarter Dates

When does Winter Quarter 2026 start at UC Davis?

Winter Quarter 2026 officially begins on January 2, 2026, which serves as the administrative start date for university business. However, actual classroom instruction does not begin until Monday, January 5, 2026. This distinction is important for timing your return to campus housing and planning your initial study schedule.

What is the difference between "Quarter Begins" and "Instruction Begins" at UC Davis?

"Quarter Begins" is the official administrative start date of the academic term. It determines when student housing opens, when financial aid disbursements are credited to student accounts, and when university administrative offices begin quarterly operations. "Instruction Begins" is the actual calendar day that university lectures, discussions, and laboratory sections begin holding classes.

When are the fee payment deadlines for UC Davis in 2026?

The undergraduate fee payment deadlines for 2026 are December 15, 2025 (for Winter Quarter 2026), March 15, 2026 (for Spring Quarter 2026), and September 15, 2026 (for Fall Quarter 2026). If you do not pay your outstanding balance or set up a Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) by these dates, your classes will be dropped and you will face a late fee.

How long is each quarter at UC Davis?

Each standard quarter at UC Davis consists of exactly 10 weeks of active classroom instruction, followed by one full week dedicated to final examinations. This 11-week cycle is highly condensed compared to standard 16-week semesters, requiring consistent study habits from the first week of the term.

Does UC Davis use a semester or quarter system?

UC Davis runs on a quarter-based academic system for undergraduate programs, graduate academic groups, and most professional divisions. The only exceptions are the UC Davis School of Law (King Hall) and the UC Davis School of Medicine, which run on independent, semester-based academic calendars.

Navigating Your Academic Journey

Keeping up with the academic schedule at UC Davis is key to maintaining a successful college career. From preparing for your initial Pass Time in Schedule Builder to tracking fee deadlines on MyBill, staying organized is essential. For personalized assistance, reach out to your college's advising office or visit the Office of the University Registrar at Mrak Hall on the main Davis campus to ensure your academic plans align with official university policies and timelines.