diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/assigngroups.py b/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/assigngroups.py
index 3c6df5b3ba..166e5cab16 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/assigngroups.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/management/commands/assigngroups.py
@@ -82,9 +82,11 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             v = random.uniform(0, 1)
             group = group_from_value(groups, v)
             group_objects[group].users.add(user)
-            f.write("Assigned user {name} ({id}) to {group}\n".format(name=user.username,
-                                                                      id=user.id,
-                                                                      group=group))
+            f.write(u"Assigned user {name} ({id}) to {group}\n".format(
+                name=user.username,
+                id=user.id,
+                group=group
+            ).encode('utf-8'))
 
         ## Save groups
         for group in group_objects:
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
index 0159587a24..fc036399a9 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
@@ -889,7 +889,12 @@ class CourseEnrollment(models.Model):
 
         except:  # pylint: disable=bare-except
             if event_name and self.course_id:
-                log.exception('Unable to emit event %s for user %s and course %s', event_name, self.user.username, self.course_id)
+                log.exception(
+                    u'Unable to emit event %s for user %s and course %s',
+                    event_name,
+                    self.user.username,  # pylint: disable=no-member
+                    self.course_id,
+                )
 
     @classmethod
     def enroll(cls, user, course_key, mode="honor", check_access=False):
@@ -930,10 +935,9 @@ class CourseEnrollment(models.Model):
             course = modulestore().get_course(course_key)
         except ItemNotFoundError:
             log.warning(
-                "User {0} failed to enroll in non-existent course {1}".format(
-                    user.username,
-                    course_key.to_deprecated_string()
-                )
+                u"User %s failed to enroll in non-existent course %s",
+                user.username,
+                course_key.to_deprecated_string(),
             )
             raise NonExistentCourseError
 
@@ -942,27 +946,24 @@ class CourseEnrollment(models.Model):
                 raise NonExistentCourseError
             if CourseEnrollment.is_enrollment_closed(user, course):
                 log.warning(
-                    "User {0} failed to enroll in course {1} because enrollment is closed".format(
-                        user.username,
-                        course_key.to_deprecated_string()
-                    )
+                    u"User %s failed to enroll in course %s because enrollment is closed",
+                    user.username,
+                    course_key.to_deprecated_string()
                 )
                 raise EnrollmentClosedError
 
             if CourseEnrollment.is_course_full(course):
                 log.warning(
-                    "User {0} failed to enroll in full course {1}".format(
-                        user.username,
-                        course_key.to_deprecated_string()
-                    )
+                    u"User %s failed to enroll in full course %s",
+                    user.username,
+                    course_key.to_deprecated_string(),
                 )
                 raise CourseFullError
         if CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(user, course_key):
             log.warning(
-                "User {0} attempted to enroll in {1}, but they were already enrolled".format(
-                    user.username,
-                    course_key.to_deprecated_string()
-                )
+                u"User %s attempted to enroll in %s, but they were already enrolled",
+                user.username,
+                course_key.to_deprecated_string()
             )
             if check_access:
                 raise AlreadyEnrolledError
@@ -1029,8 +1030,8 @@ class CourseEnrollment(models.Model):
             record.update_enrollment(is_active=False, skip_refund=skip_refund)
 
         except cls.DoesNotExist:
-            err_msg = u"Tried to unenroll student {} from {} but they were not enrolled"
-            log.error(err_msg.format(user, course_id))
+            err_msg = u"Tried to unenroll student %s from %s but they were not enrolled"
+            log.error(err_msg, user, course_id)
 
     @classmethod
     def unenroll_by_email(cls, email, course_id):
@@ -1046,8 +1047,8 @@ class CourseEnrollment(models.Model):
             user = User.objects.get(email=email)
             return cls.unenroll(user, course_id)
         except User.DoesNotExist:
-            err_msg = u"Tried to unenroll email {} from course {}, but user not found"
-            log.error(err_msg.format(email, course_id))
+            err_msg = u"Tried to unenroll email %s from course %s, but user not found"
+            log.error(err_msg, user, course_id)
 
     @classmethod
     def is_enrolled(cls, user, course_key):
diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
index 774cf23168..792dd3c454 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/views.py
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ def _cert_info(user, course, cert_status):
 
     if status == 'ready':
         if 'download_url' not in cert_status:
-            log.warning("User %s has a downloadable cert for %s, but no download url",
+            log.warning(u"User %s has a downloadable cert for %s, but no download url",
                         user.username, course.id)
             return default_info
         else:
@@ -841,13 +841,11 @@ def change_enrollment(request, check_access=True):
     try:
         course_id = SlashSeparatedCourseKey.from_deprecated_string(request.POST.get("course_id"))
     except InvalidKeyError:
-        log.warning(
-            "User {username} tried to {action} with invalid course id: {course_id}".format(
-                username=user.username,
-                action=action,
-                course_id=request.POST.get("course_id")
-            )
-        )
+        log.warning(u"User %(username)s tried to %(action)s with invalid course id: %(course_id)s", {
+            "username": user.username,
+            "action": action,
+            "course_id": request.POST.get("course_id"),
+        })
         return HttpResponseBadRequest(_("Invalid course id"))
 
     if action == "enroll":
@@ -1248,11 +1246,11 @@ def disable_account_ajax(request):
         if account_action == 'disable':
             user_account.account_status = UserStanding.ACCOUNT_DISABLED
             context['message'] = _("Successfully disabled {}'s account").format(username)
-            log.info("{} disabled {}'s account".format(request.user, username))
+            log.info(u"%s disabled %s's account", request.user, username)
         elif account_action == 'reenable':
             user_account.account_status = UserStanding.ACCOUNT_ENABLED
             context['message'] = _("Successfully reenabled {}'s account").format(username)
-            log.info("{} reenabled {}'s account".format(request.user, username))
+            log.info(u"%s reenabled %s's account", request.user, username)
         else:
             context['message'] = _("Unexpected account status")
             return JsonResponse(context, status=400)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views.py
index e2d5f49f5f..13d341dc1a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views.py
@@ -36,7 +36,8 @@ def request_certificate(request):
 
             status = certificate_status_for_student(student, course_key)['status']
             if status in [CertificateStatuses.unavailable, CertificateStatuses.notpassing, CertificateStatuses.error]:
-                logger.info('Grading and certification requested for user {} in course {} via /request_certificate call'.format(username, course_key))
+                log_msg = u'Grading and certification requested for user %s in course %s via /request_certificate call'
+                logger.info(log_msg, username, course_key)
                 status = xqci.add_cert(student, course_key, course=course)
             return HttpResponse(json.dumps({'add_status': status}), mimetype='application/json')
         return HttpResponse(json.dumps({'add_status': 'ERRORANONYMOUSUSER'}), mimetype='application/json')
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/grades.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/grades.py
index bd8cb577f2..3db3cb8f35 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/grades.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/grades.py
@@ -89,8 +89,9 @@ def answer_distributions(course_key):
             raw_answers = state_dict.get("student_answers", {})
         except ValueError:
             log.error(
-                "Answer Distribution: Could not parse module state for " +
-                "StudentModule id={}, course={}".format(module.id, course_key)
+                u"Answer Distribution: Could not parse module state for StudentModule id=%s, course=%s",
+                module.id,
+                course_key,
             )
             continue
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/regrade_partial.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/regrade_partial.py
index c24f84ddfc..1cbcd52b87 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/regrade_partial.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/regrade_partial.py
@@ -52,9 +52,13 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         module_state = module.state
         if module_state is None:
             # not likely, since we filter on it.  But in general...
-            LOG.info("No state found for {type} module {id} for student {student} in course {course_id}"
-                     .format(type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                             student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+            LOG.info(
+                u"No state found for %(type)s module %(id)s for student %(student)s in course %(course_id)s",
+                module.module_type,
+                module.module_state_key,
+                module.student.username,
+                module.course_id,
+            )
             return
 
         state_dict = json.loads(module_state)
@@ -66,15 +70,31 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
         if (not student_answers) or len(student_answers) == 0:
             # we should not have a grade here:
             if module.grade != 0:
-                LOG.error("No answer found but grade {grade} exists for {type} module {id} for student {student} "
-                          "in course {course_id}".format(grade=module.grade,
-                                                         type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                                                         student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+                log_msg = (
+                    u"No answer found but grade %(grade)s exists for %(type)s module %(id)s for student %(student)s " +
+                    u"in course %(course_id)s"
+                )
+
+                LOG.error(log_msg, {
+                    "grade": module.grade,
+                    "type": module.module_type,
+                    "id": module.module_state_key,
+                    "student": module.student.username,
+                    "course_id": module.course_id,
+                })
             else:
-                LOG.debug("No answer and no grade found for {type} module {id} for student {student} "
-                          "in course {course_id}".format(grade=module.grade,
-                                                         type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                                                         student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+                log_msg = (
+                    u"No answer and no grade found for %(type)s module %(id)s for student %(student)s " +
+                    u"in course %(course_id)s"
+                )
+
+                LOG.debug(log_msg, {
+                    "grade": module.grade,
+                    "type": module.module_type,
+                    "id": module.module_state_key,
+                    "student": module.student.username,
+                    "course_id": module.course_id,
+                })
             return
 
         # load into a CorrectMap, as done in LoncapaProblem.__init__():
@@ -90,24 +110,48 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
 
         if module.grade == correct:
             # nothing to change
-            LOG.debug("Grade matches for {type} module {id} for student {student} in course {course_id}"
-                      .format(type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                              student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+            log_msg = u"Grade matches for %(type)s module %(id)s for student %(student)s in course %(course_id)s"
+            LOG.debug(log_msg, {
+                "type": module.module_type,
+                "id": module.module_state_key,
+                "student": module.student.username,
+                "course_id": module.course_id,
+            })
         elif save_changes:
             # make the change
-            LOG.info("Grade changing from {0} to {1} for {type} module {id} for student {student} "
-                     "in course {course_id}".format(module.grade, correct,
-                                                    type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                                                    student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+            log_msg = (
+                u"Grade changing from %(grade)s to %(correct)s for %(type)s module " +
+                u"%(id)s for student %(student)s in course %(course_id)s"
+            )
+
+            LOG.debug(log_msg, {
+                "grade": module.grade,
+                "correct": correct,
+                "type": module.module_type,
+                "id": module.module_state_key,
+                "student": module.student.username,
+                "course_id": module.course_id,
+            })
+
             module.grade = correct
             module.save()
             self.num_changed += 1
         else:
             # don't make the change, but log that the change would be made
-            LOG.info("Grade would change from {0} to {1} for {type} module {id} for student {student} "
-                     "in course {course_id}".format(module.grade, correct,
-                                                    type=module.module_type, id=module.module_state_key,
-                                                    student=module.student.username, course_id=module.course_id))
+            log_msg = (
+                u"Grade would change from %(grade)s to %(correct)s for %(type)s module %(id)s for student " +
+                u"%(student)s in course %(course_id)s"
+            )
+
+            LOG.debug(log_msg, {
+                "grade": module.grade,
+                "correct": correct,
+                "type": module.module_type,
+                "id": module.module_state_key,
+                "student": module.student.username,
+                "course_id": module.course_id,
+            })
+
             self.num_changed += 1
 
     def handle(self, **options):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/remove_input_state.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/remove_input_state.py
index e45d08e351..3e86d213a9 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/remove_input_state.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/management/commands/remove_input_state.py
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             try:
                 module = StudentModule.objects.get(id=student_module_id)
             except StudentModule.DoesNotExist:
-                LOG.error("Unable to find student module with id = {0}: skipping... ".format(student_module_id))
+                LOG.error(u"Unable to find student module with id = %s: skipping... ", student_module_id)
                 continue
             self.remove_studentmodule_input_state(module, save_changes)
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
index 8c97f1e899..73d544030e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
@@ -353,12 +353,20 @@ def register_and_enroll_students(request, course_id):  # pylint: disable=too-man
                             'username': username, 'email': email, 'response': warning_message})
                         log.warning('email {email} already exist'.format(email=email))
                     else:
-                        log.info("user already exists with username '{username}' and email '{email}'".format(email=email, username=username))
+                        log.info(
+                            u"user already exists with username '%s' and email '%s'",
+                            email=email,
+                            username=username,
+                        )
 
                     # make sure user is enrolled in course
                     if not CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(user, course_id):
                         CourseEnrollment.enroll(user, course_id)
-                        log.info('user {username} enrolled in the course {course}'.format(username=username, course=course.id))
+                        log.info(
+                            u'user %s enrolled in the course %s',
+                            username=username,
+                            course=course.id,
+                        )
                         enroll_email(course_id=course_id, student_email=email, auto_enroll=True, email_students=True, email_params=email_params)
                 else:
                     # This email does not yet exist, so we need to create a new account
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/legacy.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/legacy.py
index 4bb65e5849..09ecfe05d3 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/legacy.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/legacy.py
@@ -252,9 +252,11 @@ def instructor_dashboard(request, course_id):
                     try:
                         ddata.append([student.email, student.grades[aidx]])
                     except IndexError:
-                        log.debug('No grade for assignment {idx} ({name}) for student {email}'.format(
-                            idx=aidx, name=aname, email=student.email)
-                        )
+                        log.debug(u'No grade for assignment %(idx)s (%(name)s) for student %(email)s', {
+                            "idx": aidx,
+                            "name": aname,
+                            "email": student.email,
+                        })
                 datatable['data'] = ddata
 
                 datatable['title'] = _('Grades for assignment "{name}"').format(name=aname)
@@ -749,7 +751,7 @@ def get_student_grade_summary_data(request, course, get_grades=True, get_raw_sco
 
         if get_grades:
             gradeset = student_grades(student, request, course, keep_raw_scores=get_raw_scores, use_offline=use_offline)
-            log.debug('student={0}, gradeset={1}'.format(student, gradeset))
+            log.debug(u'student=%s, gradeset=%s', student, gradeset)
             with gtab.add_row(student.id) as add_grade:
                 if get_raw_scores:
                     # TODO (ichuang) encode Score as dict instead of as list, so score[0] -> score['earned']
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lms_migration/migrate.py b/lms/djangoapps/lms_migration/migrate.py
index ee6f715fb6..eb33a14773 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lms_migration/migrate.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lms_migration/migrate.py
@@ -69,11 +69,11 @@ def manage_modulestores(request, reload_dir=None, commit_id=None):
         html += '<h3>IP address: %s <h3>' % ip
         html += '<h3>User: %s </h3>' % request.user
         html += '<h3>My pid: %s</h3>' % os.getpid()
-        log.debug('request from ip=%s, user=%s' % (ip, request.user))
+        log.debug(u'request from ip=%s, user=%s', ip, request.user)
 
     if not (ip in ALLOWED_IPS or 'any' in ALLOWED_IPS):
         if request.user and request.user.is_staff:
-            log.debug('request allowed because user=%s is staff' % request.user)
+            log.debug(u'request allowed because user=%s is staff', request.user)
         else:
             html += 'Permission denied'
             html += "</body></html>"
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def gitreload(request, reload_dir=None):
 
     if not (ip in ALLOWED_IPS or 'any' in ALLOWED_IPS):
         if request.user and request.user.is_staff:
-            log.debug('request allowed because user=%s is staff' % request.user)
+            log.debug(u'request allowed because user=%s is staff', request.user)
         else:
             html += 'Permission denied'
             html += "</body></html>"
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/models.py
index 8c6bda7860..29ed866986 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/models.py
@@ -927,7 +927,7 @@ class CouponRedemption(models.Model):
         coupon_redemption = cls.objects.filter(user=user, order=cart)
         if coupon_redemption:
             coupon_redemption.delete()
-            log.info('Coupon redemption entry removed for user {0} for order {1}'.format(user, cart.id))
+            log.info(u'Coupon redemption entry removed for user %s for order %s', user, cart.id)
 
     @classmethod
     def get_discount_price(cls, percentage_discount, value):
@@ -946,8 +946,11 @@ class CouponRedemption(models.Model):
         coupon_redemptions = cls.objects.filter(order=order, user=order.user)
         for coupon_redemption in coupon_redemptions:
             if coupon_redemption.coupon.code != coupon.code or coupon_redemption.coupon.id == coupon.id:
-                log.exception("Coupon redemption already exist for user '{0}' against order id '{1}'"
-                              .format(order.user.username, order.id))
+                log.exception(
+                    u"Coupon redemption already exist for user '%s' against order id '%s'",
+                    order.user.username,
+                    order.id,
+                )
                 raise MultipleCouponsNotAllowedException
 
         for item in cart_items:
@@ -959,8 +962,11 @@ class CouponRedemption(models.Model):
                     item.list_price = item.unit_cost
                     item.unit_cost = discount_price
                     item.save()
-                    log.info("Discount generated for user {0} against order id '{1}' "
-                             .format(order.user.username, order.id))
+                    log.info(
+                        u"Discount generated for user %s against order id '%s'",
+                        order.user.username,
+                        order.id,
+                    )
                     is_redemption_applied = True
                     return is_redemption_applied
 
@@ -1018,8 +1024,12 @@ class PaidCourseRegistration(OrderItem):
             raise CourseDoesNotExistException
 
         if cls.contained_in_order(order, course_id):
-            log.warning("User {} tried to add PaidCourseRegistration for course {}, already in cart id {}"
-                        .format(order.user.email, course_id, order.id))
+            log.warning(
+                u"User %s tried to add PaidCourseRegistration for course %s, already in cart id %s",
+                order.user.email,
+                course_id,
+                order.id,
+            )
             raise ItemAlreadyInCartException
 
         if CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(user=order.user, course_key=course_id):
@@ -1319,7 +1329,11 @@ class CertificateItem(OrderItem):
         try:
             target_cert = target_certs[0]
         except IndexError:
-            log.error("Matching CertificateItem not found while trying to refund.  User %s, Course %s", course_enrollment.user, course_enrollment.course_id)
+            log.error(
+                u"Matching CertificateItem not found while trying to refund. User %s, Course %s",
+                course_enrollment.user,
+                course_enrollment.course_id,
+            )
             return
         target_cert.status = 'refunded'
         target_cert.refund_requested_time = datetime.now(pytz.utc)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/views.py
index a19541d05c..00ce713cf2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/views.py
@@ -200,8 +200,10 @@ def clear_cart(request):
     coupon_redemption = CouponRedemption.objects.filter(user=request.user, order=cart.id)
     if coupon_redemption:
         coupon_redemption.delete()
-        log.info('Coupon redemption entry removed for user {user} for order {order_id}'.format(user=request.user,
-                                                                                               order_id=cart.id))
+        log.info(u'Coupon redemption entry removed for user %(user)s for order %(order_id)s', {
+            "user": request.user,
+            "order_id": cart.id,
+        })
 
     return HttpResponse('Cleared')
 
@@ -224,7 +226,10 @@ def remove_item(request):
         if item.user == request.user:
             order_item_course_id = getattr(item, 'course_id')
             item.delete()
-            log.info('order item {item_id} removed for user {user}'.format(item_id=item_id, user=request.user))
+            log.info(u'order item %(item_id)s removed for user %(user)s', {
+                "item_id": item_id,
+                "user": request.user,
+            })
             remove_code_redemption(order_item_course_id, item_id, item, request.user)
             item.order.update_order_type()
 
@@ -244,8 +249,11 @@ def remove_code_redemption(order_item_course_id, item_id, item, user):
             order=item.order_id
         )
         coupon_redemption.delete()
-        log.info('Coupon "{code}" redemption entry removed for user "{user}" for order item "{item_id}"'
-                 .format(code=coupon_redemption.coupon.code, user=user, item_id=item_id))
+        log.info(u'Coupon "%(code)s" redemption entry removed for user "%(user)s" for order item "%(item_id)s"', {
+            "code": coupon_redemption.coupon.code,
+            "user": user,
+            "item_id": item_id,
+        })
     except CouponRedemption.DoesNotExist:
         log.debug('Code redemption does not exist for order item id={item_id}.'.format(item_id=item_id))
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
index 2ac8704551..9b40f00488 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/verify_student/views.py
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ def midcourse_reverify_dash(request):
         try:
             course_enrollment_pairs.append((modulestore().get_course(enrollment.course_id), enrollment))
         except ItemNotFoundError:
-            log.error("User {0} enrolled in non-existent course {1}".format(user.username, enrollment.course_id))
+            log.error(u"User %s enrolled in non-existent course %s", user.username, enrollment.course_id)
 
     statuses = ["approved", "pending", "must_reverify", "denied"]