Before you register for classes, you will meet virtually with your Center for Student Advising (CSA) adviser to ask questions about courses of study, life at Columbia, potential majors, and anything else affecting how you plan your class schedule.
You’ll sign up for classes during an assigned registration window, which you'll be able to find in Vergil under "Registration Appointments."
Not sure what classes to take? It is common for an incoming student to have an incomplete schedule at the end of the first registration period. You will have the opportunity to finalize your schedule during the first two weeks of classes — the "Change of Program Period" — during which you may adjust your schedule and try different classes.
Before your meeting with your CSA adviser, please review the Academic Planning Guide, an essential resource for your first year at Columbia. The guide provides an overview of graduation requirements and key points of contact. It will help you prepare for your first semester.
Your school's Bulletin will provide detailed information about required courses and prospective majors. It also outlines the rules, regulations, and disciplinary procedures that govern your school.
2026–27 Columbia College Bulletin
2026–27 Columbia Engineering Bulletin
Vergil is your hub for course exploration and selection. It allows you to search for courses by instructor, date and time, department, subject area, keywords, and more. Vergil’s Course Planner and calendar interface enable you to keep track of courses of interest and export your projected schedule to calendar apps.
Vergil is also where you’ll access your student records, including grades, assigned registration times (“appointments”), class schedules, financial aid information, and account details. Official transcripts may also be ordered via Vergil.
Among the many useful tools in Vergil is the Degree Audit Report. The DAR is a way for you to monitor your progress toward degree completion. Keep in mind that the DAR is a tool and not your formal transcript. All degree and major requirements are set forth in your school’s bulletin.
To access all this information, you must first activate your Columbia UNI.
The Directory of Classes lists all classes offered in all undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia (with the exception of Teachers College). Students should use their respective school Bulletins for registration purposes, as not all courses listed in the Directory of Classes are open to undergraduates. Contact your CSA adviser if you have questions about which courses are available to you.
The Columbia University Bookstore, located on the lower level of Alfred J. Lerner Hall, is your source for course materials. Your professors will provide information about required materials on course syllabi, which you will receive on the first day of class. Visit the bookstore website to buy or rent materials and choose delivery or pickup
You can manage your courses with CourseWorks (also known as “CW” or “Canvas”), Columbia's learning management system. On CourseWorks, you can access your syllabi, discussion boards, online assignments, and tests.