When studying in a new country, it's important to be aware of the academic calendar and how the semesters and vacations work. Canada has a semester system, with a summer break in between semesters. There are also specific holiday breaks throughout the year. In this post we will outline all you need to know about Canadian semesters and vacations.
The academic year in Canada begins in September and ends in April. The Fall semester runs from September to December, while the Winter semester runs from January to April. There is a summer break between these 2 semesters for 4 months however, for those that may have started in January (Winter Term) they would continue to study during this period.
Fall Semester - September → December
Winter Semester - January → April
Summer Semester - April → September
The academic calendar may vary slightly from one college to another, but generally speaking, this is how it works in Canada. If you are planning on studying in Canada, make sure to familiarize yourself with the academic calendar so you can plan accordingly.
How Long is a Semester?
When your program says that it's a 3-year program it really means that it runs for 6 semesters and the same is true for a 2-year program which translates to 4 semesters. A semester is typically 4 months long and there are 2 required semesters per year.
How Do Vacations Work in Canadian Colleges?
There are specific holiday breaks throughout the year:
July - Canada Day
October - Thanksgiving
December - Christmas, New Year’s Eve
March - March/Spring Break, a week-long break that takes place in the middle of the winter semester typically known as “study break”.
More on study breaks later.
There’s a short 2-3 weeks break in December after your exams, before you start a fresh set of new courses in your second semester in January. The Summer semester is usually considered vacation time for most international students who started in September.
Many choose to go home and visit family and some stay for Summer courses to catch up or get ahead in their program.
You can also choose to work full-time during these four months to gain some work experience and save money in Canada and network with people in your field. As an international student with an off-campus work visa, you're allowed to work a full 40 hours a week during the summer months or holidays when not attending classes.
What are Study Breaks?
Now back to “Study Breaks” - these are typically 1 week breaks between your semesters that allow you to catch up or get a head start with assignments or give you a breather to study for midterms which will show up right after the break.
For most programs, you have a study break around your mid-term exams - take the time to study or catch up - or you could even go on vacation to explore the Canadian rockies!
This is everything that you need to know about vacations and semesters in your school year. If you have any questions feel free to get in touch with us and we will be happy to help you!