Academic Schedules & Deadlines

Please refer to the following important key dates and deadlines throughout the year, to ensure you meet NIC's academic deadlines.

If you are studying in the following program areas the varying start dates apply, click your program area for details:

You may also refer to past deadlines.

The academic deadlines listed in the chart below apply to students in: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Upgrading, Business, Fine Art, DIGITAL Design + Development, Tourism & Hospitality, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Human Services and University Transfer Programs.

2024

Dec 2024

Thu, Dec 5 - Tue, Dec 17
Fall 2024 term final exams
Wed, Dec 25 - Wed, Jan 1
Winter Break (college closed)

2025

Jan 2025

Fri, Jan 3
International Student Orientation Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses
Mon, Jan 6
First day of Winter 2025 term — all course prerequisites met by 4 pm
Mon, Jan 6
Winter 2025 term classes begin
Fri, Jan 10
Waitlists purged at 4 pm
Wed, Jan 15
Last day to register, apply for refund, change from credit to audit
Thu, Jan 16
Last day to pay for Winter regular term tuition and fees
Fri, Jan 31
Last day to opt out of NISU Health and Dental Benefits for Winter term

Feb 2025

Fri, Feb 7
Last day to register in ABE continuous entry/exit (without instructor permission)
Fri, Feb 14
Winter exam schedule posted
Mon, Feb 17
Family Day (college closed)
Tue, Feb 18 - Fri, Feb 21
Winter Reading Break
Fri, Feb 21
College-wide professional development day (employees only). Services for students will be limited or closed.
Fri, Feb 28
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty

Apr 2025

Wed, Apr 2
Timetable posted for the Fall and Winter terms
Tue, Apr 8
Last day of classes
Thu, Apr 10 - Thu, Apr 24
Winter final exams
Fri, Apr 18
Good Friday (College closed)
Mon, Apr 21
Easter Monday (college closed)

May 2025

Thu, May 1 - Fri, May 2
International Student Orientation Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses
Mon, May 5
First day of Spring term. Classes begin. All prerequisites met by 4 pm.
Mon, May 5
First day of Spring intersession. Classes begin. All prerequisites met by 4 pm.
Wed, May 7
Spring Intersession — Waitlists purged at 4 pm.
Fri, May 9
Last day to register, apply for refund, change from credit to audit for Spring Intersession (May to June Classes)
Fri, May 9
Spring term — Waitlists purged at 4 pm
Mon, May 12
Continuing student registration begins for Fall and Winter terms
Mon, May 12
Opt-out period for NISU Health and Dental Benefits begins for Fall term
Mon, May 12
Last day to pay for Spring intersession regular term tuition and fees
Wed, May 14
Last day to register, apply for refund, change from credit to audit for Spring term
Thu, May 15
Spring intersession (May to June Classes) exam schedule posted
Thu, May 15
Last day to pay for Spring term regular term tuition and fees
Mon, May 19
Victoria Day (college closed)
Tue, May 20
New student registration begins for Fall and Winter terms
Fri, May 30
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty for Spring intersession (May to June Classes)

Jun 2025

Mon, Jun 16
Spring term exam schedule posted
Tue, Jun 17
Last Day of classes for Spring intersession (May to June Classes)
Thu, Jun 19 - Wed, Jun 25
Spring intersession (May to June Classes) final exams
Fri, Jun 27
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty for Spring term

Jul 2025

Tue, Jul 1
Canada Day (college closed)
Wed, Jul 2
First day of Summer intersession (July to August Classes). Classes begin. All prerequisites met by 4 pm.
Fri, Jul 4
Summer Intersession — Waitlists purged at 4 pm
Mon, Jul 7
Last day to register, apply for refund or change from credit to audit for Summer intersession (July to August Classes).
Tue, Jul 8
Last day to pay for Summer intersession regular term tuition and fees
Tue, Jul 15
Summer intersession (July to August Classes) exam schedule posted
Fri, Jul 25
Last day to withdraw without academic penalty for Summer intersession (July to August classes)
Wed, Jul 30
Last day of classes for Spring term

Aug 2025

Fri, Aug 1
Last day to pay fees for Fall Limited Entry Programs
Mon, Aug 4
BC Day (college closed)
Tue, Aug 5 - Fri, Aug 15
Spring term final exams
Thu, Aug 14
Last day of classes for Summer intersession (July to August classes)
Mon, Aug 18 - Fri, Aug 22
Summer intersession (July to August Classes) final exams
Mon, Aug 25 - Fri, Aug 29
Orientation for international students at the Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses

Sep 2025

Mon, Sep 1
Labour Day – the college is closed
Tue, Sep 2
First day of the Fall 2025 term — all course prerequisites must be met by 4 pm
Tue, Sep 2
Fall 2025 term classes begin
Mon, Sep 8
Students will be removed from waitlists at 4 pm; first-come, first-served registration begins
Thu, Sep 11
Last day to add or drop a course for the Fall 2025 term — students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date
Thu, Sep 11
Last day to change from credit to audit
Fri, Sep 12
Deadline to pay tuition and fees for Fall 2025 regular term courses
Tue, Sep 30
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – the college is closed

Oct 2025

Wed, Oct 1
Deadline to opt out of NISU health and dental benefits for the Fall 2025 term
Wed, Oct 1
Applications open for the 2026-27 academic year
Mon, Oct 13
Thanksgiving Day – the college is closed
Wed, Oct 15
The Fall 2025 term exam schedule is posted
Fri, Oct 24
Deadline to withdraw from Fall 2025 term classes without academic penalty

Nov 2025

Fri, Nov 7 - Mon, Nov 10
Fall 2025 study break
Tue, Nov 11
Remembrance Day – the college is closed

Dec 2025

Mon, Dec 1
The opt-out period begins for NISU health and dental benefits in the Winter 2026 term
Tue, Dec 2
Last day of classes for the Fall 2025 term
Thu, Dec 4 - Tue, Dec 16
Fall 2025 term final exams
Thu, Dec 25 - Thu, Jan 1
Winter break – the college is closed

2026

Jan 2026

Fri, Jan 2
Orientation for international students at the Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses
Mon, Jan 5
First day of Winter 2026 term — all course prerequisites must be met by 4 pm
Mon, Jan 5
Winter 2026 classes begin
Fri, Jan 9
Students will be removed from waitlists by 4 pm; first-come, first-served registration begins
Wed, Jan 14
Deadline for students to add or drop a course in the Winter 2026 term — students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date
Wed, Jan 14
Last day to change from credit to audit
Thu, Jan 15
Deadline to pay tuition and fees for Winter 2026 regular term courses
Sat, Jan 31
Deadline to opt out of NISU health and dental benefits for the Winter 2026 term

Feb 2026

Fri, Feb 6
Deadline to register in ABE continuous entry courses (without instructor permission) for the Winter 2026 term
Fri, Feb 13
Exam schedule posted for the Winter 2026 term
Mon, Feb 16
Family Day – the college is closed
Tue, Feb 17 - Fri, Feb 20
Winter 2026 study break
Fri, Feb 27
Deadline to withdraw from Winter 2026 term courses without academic penalty

Apr 2026

Wed, Apr 1
Timetable posted for the Fall 2026 and Winter 2027 terms
Fri, Apr 3
Good Friday – the college is closed
Mon, Apr 6
Easter Monday – the college is closed
Wed, Apr 8
Last day of Winter 2026 term classes
Fri, Apr 10 - Fri, Apr 24
Winter 2026 term final exams
Wed, Apr 22
NIC Foundation financial awards applications open
Thu, Apr 30 - Mon, May 4
Orientation for international students at the Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses

May 2026

Mon, May 4
First day of the Spring 2026 term — all course prerequisites must be met by 4 pm
Mon, May 4
Spring 2026 term classes begin
Mon, May 4
First day of Spring Intersession 2026 term — all course prerequisites must be met by 4 pm 
Mon, May 4
Spring Intersession 2026 classes begin
Wed, May 6
Students will be removed from waitlists at 4 pm; first-come, first-served registration begins 
Fri, May 8
Deadline for students to add or drop a course in the Spring Intersession 2026 term — students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date
Fri, May 8
Last day to change from credit to audit
Fri, May 8
Students will be removed from waitlists at 4 pm; first-come, first-served registration begins
Mon, May 11
Registration opens for continuing students
Mon, May 11
The opt-out period begins for NISU health and dental benefits in the Fall 2026 term
Wed, May 13
Deadline for students to add or drop a course in the Spring 2026 term — students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date 
Wed, May 13
Last day to change from credit to audit
Thu, May 14
Deadline to pay tuition and fees for Spring 2026 regular term courses 
Fri, May 15
Exam schedule posted for the Spring Intersession 2026 term 
Mon, May 18
Victoria Day – the college is closed
Tue, May 19
Registration opens for new students
Fri, May 29
Deadline to withdraw from Spring Intersession 2026 term (May to June) courses without academic penalty

Jun 2026

Mon, Jun 15
Exam schedule posted for the Spring 2026 term 
Tue, Jun 16
Last day of Spring Intersession 2026 classes
Thu, Jun 18 - Wed, Jun 24
Spring Intersession 2026 final exams
Fri, Jun 26
Deadline to withdraw from Spring 2026 term courses without academic penalty

Jul 2026

Wed, Jul 1
Canada Day – the college is closed
Mon, Jul 6
First day of the Summer Intersession 2026 term — all course prerequisites must be met by 4 pm
Mon, Jul 6
Summer Intersession 2026 classes begin
Wed, Jul 8
Students will be removed from waitlists at 4 pm; first-come, first-served registration begins
Fri, Jul 10
Deadline for students to add or drop a course in the Summer Intersession 2026 term — students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date
Fri, Jul 10
Last day to change from credit to audit
Mon, Jul 13
Deadline to pay Summer Intersession 2026 regular term tuition and fees
Wed, Jul 15
Exam schedule posted for the Summer Intersession 2026 term (July to August courses)
Fri, Jul 31
Deadline to withdraw from Summer Intersession 2026 term courses (July to August classes) without academic penalty 
Fri, Jul 31
Last day of Spring 2026 term classes
Fri, Jul 31
Deadline to pay fees for Fall 2026 limited-entry programs

Aug 2026

Mon, Aug 3
BC Day – the college is closed
Tue, Aug 4 - Fri, Aug 14
Spring 2026 term final exams
Tue, Aug 18
Last day of Summer Intersession 2026 (July to August) classes
Thu, Aug 20 - Wed, Aug 26
Summer Intersession 2026 exams (for July to August classes)

Schedule/Deadlines 2024-2025

Programs with varying start dates

North Island College offers a wide range of programs and courses with varying schedules and deadlines. Please ensure that you are following the timelines associated with your program. For more information or guidance, please contact Student Services.

Office Administration:

Office Assistant I Certificate, Administrative Assistant Certificate, Computing Accounting Assistant Certificate, Medical Terminology Micro-credential:

  • Students registering for the Fall and Winter terms must pay full fees by 4:00 pm by the first day of class.
  • Students registering during the terms must pay full fees at the time of registration
  • Last day to drop for refund is 10% of the course and is specific to each course section. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is within 25% of the course and is specific to each course section.

Term Start Dates:

2024FA – Monday, August 19

2025WI – Monday, January 6

Early Childhood Care & Education Certificate and Diploma:

  • Full fees for the first term are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 10 days from the start date of the program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Fall Study Break is Thursday, November 7 to Friday, November 8, 2024.
  • Winter break is December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Winter classes start January 6, 2025.
  • Spring Study Break: refer to course outline
  • All stat holidays

Health & Human Services

Activity Assistant:

  • Full fees are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 14 days prior to the start date of the program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is within 60% of the program.
  • All stat holidays apply. No study breaks.

Health Care Assistant Certificate:

  • Full fees for the first term are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 10 days from the start date of the program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Fall Study Break is Thursday, November 7 to Friday, November 8, 2024.
  • Winter break is December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025 (college closed)
  • Winter classes start January 6, 2025.
  • Winter Study Break: refer to course outline
  • All stat holidays apply.

Practical Nursing Diploma:

  • Full fees for the first term are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 10 days from the start date of the term. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Fall Study Break: refer to course outline
  • Winter break is December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Winter classes start January 6, 2025. 
  • No winter term study break. 

Hospital Unit Clerk Certificate:

  • Full fees are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 14 days prior to the start date of the program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is within 60% of the program.
  • Winter classes start January 6, 2025.
  • All stat holidays apply. No study breaks.

Animal Care Aide Certificate:

  • Full fees are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 14 days prior to the start date of the program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is within 60% of the program.
  • All stat holidays apply. No study breaks.

Trades & Technical

Aircraft Structures Technician (AME-S)

Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technician Foundation Harmonized

Automotive Service Technician Foundation Harmonized

CarpentryFoundationHarmonized

Coastal Forest Worker Certificate

Coastal Forest Technology Diploma

Culinary Business Operations Certificate

Culinary Business Operations Diploma

Electrician Foundation Harmonized

Electronics Technician Core Certificate

Fabricator-Welder Foundation Harmonized Certificate

Furniture Design and Joinery Certificate

Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation Certificate

Motor Sport and Power Equipment Technician Foundation Certificate

Parts and Warehousing Person Foundation Certificate

Plumbing & Piping Trades Foundation Harmonized

Prep Cook Certificate

Professional Cook (Culinary Arts) 1, 2, 3

Welder Foundation Harmonized

  • Full fees for the first term are due approximately one month prior to start of the program. Dates are provided in your admission letter.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 10 days from the start date of program. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is within 60% of the program.
  • Winter break is December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Winter classes start January 6, 2025.
  • All stat holidays apply. No study breaks.

Automotive Apprenticeship Harmonized

Cabinetmaker (Joiner) Apprenticeship

Carpentry Apprenticeship Harmonized

Electrician Apprenticeship Harmonized

Heavy Duty Apprenticeship

Plumbing Apprenticeship

Plumber Apprenticeship Harmonized

Welder Apprenticeship Harmonized

  • Full fees are due 60 days prior to the start day of your course.
  • Last day to drop for refund is 28 days prior to start of course. Students will owe tuition and fees for courses not dropped by this date.
  • Schedule of training dates can be found at tradestrainingbc.ca

Continuous Entry/Exit courses and program (Upgrading)

Continuous entry/exit courses (Identified with a ‘C’ as the 3rd  letter in the section code eg: CVC1, DLC1)

  • Last day for tuition refunds 10 days from the student start date.
  • Last day to withdraw without academic penalty is last day of the class, specific to each student.

Withdrawal without academic penalty: Programs that are longer than 60 days in length with varying start and end dates will have 60% of the program to withdraw without academic penalty.