Calendar of Key Dates for Graduate Students

Fall 2026

Use this calendar to keep track of important University of Kentucky and Graduate School deadlines throughout the fall 2026 semester. Graduate students should also refer to their advisor, program and the Graduate School for program-specific requirements and deadlines.

August 2026

Aug. 24 — Semester Begins
Fall 2026 classes begin.

Aug. 28 — Add Class Deadline
Last day to add a full-term course.

Aug. 28 — 100% Refund Deadline
Last day to fully withdraw or reduce your course load and receive a 100% refund for full-term courses.

Aug. 28 — Late Registration Deadline
Late registration begins for returning students and students cleared for late admission. A late registration fee may apply.

September 2026

Sept. 7 — Labor Day Holiday
University of Kentucky offices are closed and classes do not meet.

Sept. 11 — Drop Class Deadline for No "W" Grade
Last day to drop a full-term class without the course appearing on your transcript.

Sept. 11 — Grade Type Change Deadline
Last day to change the grading option for full-term classes, including:

• Pass/Fail to letter grade.
• Letter grade to Pass/Fail.
• Credit to audit.
• Audit to credit.

Sept. 18 — Doctoral Candidate Notification of Intent Deadline*
Last day for doctoral candidates for a December degree to submit a Notification of Intent to schedule a final examination to The Graduate School.

October 2026

Oct. 12–26 — Midterm Grade Submission Window

Oct. 26 — Midterm

Oct. 26–27 — Fall Break
Classes do not meet. University of Kentucky offices remain open.

November 2026

Nov. 1 — Graduate Degree Application Deadline*
Last day to apply for a December graduate degree in myUK.

Nov. 2–24 — Priority Registration
Meet with your advisor to remove your advisor hold before priority registration. Check the registration webpage for additional information and instructions.

Nov. 19 — Graduate Degree Candidate Final Examination Scheduling Deadline*
Last day for candidates for a December graduate degree to schedule a final examination.

Nov. 25–28 — Thanksgiving Break
Classes do not meet. University of Kentucky offices are closed Thursday and Friday.

December 2026

Dec. 3 — Graduate Degree Candidate Final Examination Deadline*
Last day for candidates for a December graduate degree to complete their final examination.

Dec. 7–9 — Prep Days
University of Kentucky offices are open and classes meet normally. No major assignments, quizzes, or exams may be scheduled.

Dec. 7 — Final Grade Submission Window Opens

Dec. 9 — Classes End
Last day of regular class meetings.

Dec. 10–11 — Reading Days
University of Kentucky offices are open. Classes do not meet.

December 11 — Dissertation/Thesis Format Review Deadline*
Last day for December degree candidates to submit their thesis or dissertation to the Graduate School via UKnowledge for format review.

Dec. 14–17 — Final Examinations

Dec. 18 — Commencement

December 18 — Final Dissertation/Thesis Deadline*
Last day for December degree candidates to submit the final revised thesis or dissertation for acceptance by the Graduate School.

Dec. 18 — Semester Ends

Dec. 21 at 12:00 p.m. — Final Grade Submission Window Closes

* Graduate-specific deadline. These deadlines are particularly important for students planning to complete their degree in December 2026.

Important: Dates and deadlines are subject to change. Please consult the official University of Kentucky academic calendar and the Graduate School for the most current information and for deadlines specific to your degree program.

*Important deadlines for degree-seeking graduate students

Important Graduate Steps for Ph.D. Students Preparing to Graduate 

More information:

• UK Commencement FAQ.
• Graduate School Academic Services.

Information for graduate thesis preparation: https://gradschool.uky.edu/thesis-dissertation-preparation.

Other

• Commencement information: https://www.uky.edu/commencement/registration.
• Please direct all Commencement related questions to commencement@uky.edu.
• A complete calendar is available here: https://gradschool.uky.edu/key-dates.
• All student forms can be found here: https://gradschool.uky.edu/studentforms.
• Graduate School website: https://gradschool.uky.edu/.
• Graduate School Bulletin:  http://catalogs.uky.edu/index.php.

*Note: This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all grad school dates and requirements. More information regarding dates and degree requirements can be found on the grad school website.
 

Health Plan

Notice: Policy Year Aug. 15, 2026 to Aug. 14, 2027

Student Health Plan Provider is the University of Kentucky plan underwritten by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield with second administrator AHP.

Learn more at https://uky.myahpcare.com/ 

Important Links For Graduate Students

For billing questions, check out the UK Student Account Services website.

• Questions about charges.
• Payment options.

For registration questions, check out the UK registrar's website

• Tuition and fee rates.
• Academic calendar.
• Residency.
• Course registration and information.

For general financial aid questions, check out the UK Financial Aid website.

• Grants/loans.
• General scholarship information.

For information about your health fee and the University Health Service, check out the University Health Service website.

For fellowship opportunities, check out the Graduate School Fellowship website.

To find your way around campus, check out the University Campus Guide for a campus map.

For Information on University of Kentucky parking, check out the UK Parking and Transportation Services website.
 

Other helpful Student Affairs Links

My UK
UKNow
Campus Recreation
Martin Luther King Cultural Center
Wildcard ID Center
UK Bookstore

Graduate Student Resources – Links to some essential campus resources for graduate students

Who do I go to for...

Jacqueline Burke
Academic administration senior - lead department manager
jacqueline.burke@uky.edu 

• Department payroll/hiring, department budget approvals.
• Departmental weekly newsletter.
• Graduate program manager.
• Assists DGS with recruiting, orientations, exam cards, graduate forms, degree audits.
• All financial matters for graduate students.
• Summer federal work study management.
• Assist associate chair with TA coordination and hiring.
• Manages TA observations and evaluation/TA credential database.

Kristina Morgan
Department manager senior
biology@uky.edu 

• Department seminar and events coordinator.
• ​​​​​​​Faculty affairs.
• Alumni and development.
• Office supply orders.
• Social media coordinator.

Allegra Solomon
Department Manager
Biology@uky.edu 

• Undergraduate Affairs.
• Room scheduling: Contact for scheduling rooms for committee meetings, dissertation seminars and exit exams.
• Proctor schedule.