Institutions of higher education generally follow one of three calendars. The semester system divides the academic year into two equal parts of 14 -16 weeks each. The trimester system has three sessions of approximately ten weeks each. The quarter system divides the calendar year into four equal sessions, including one in the summer.

Like the majority of colleges and universities in the United States, NYU's academic year is comprised of two semesters, each approximately fifteen weeks long. The fall semester begins in September and ends in December. The spring semester runs from January to May. Summer courses are offered over two short terms of six weeks each. The winter break lasts approximately one month from mid-December through mid-January and spring break is one week in mid-March.