diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/import_export.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/import_export.py
index d519a608fe..aa48d8baff 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/import_export.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/import_export.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ def _write_chunk(request, courselike_key):
             if size < int(content_range['start']):
                 _save_request_status(request, courselike_string, -1)
                 log.warning(
-                    "Reported range %s does not match size downloaded so far %s",
+                    u"Reported range %s does not match size downloaded so far %s",
                     content_range['start'],
                     size
                 )
diff --git a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
index 9f97147021..d4f91dc461 100644
--- a/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
+++ b/cms/djangoapps/contentstore/views/tests/test_videos.py
@@ -982,7 +982,10 @@ class VideoImageTestCase(VideoUploadTestBase, CourseTestCase):
                 'width': settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MIN_WIDTH,
                 'height': settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MIN_HEIGHT - 10
             },
-            'Recommended image resolution is {image_file_max_width}x{image_file_max_height}. The minimum resolution is {image_file_min_width}x{image_file_min_height}.'.format(
+            (
+                u'Recommended image resolution is {image_file_max_width}x{image_file_max_height}. '
+                u'The minimum resolution is {image_file_min_width}x{image_file_min_height}.'
+            ).format(
                 image_file_max_width=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MAX_WIDTH,
                 image_file_max_height=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MAX_HEIGHT,
                 image_file_min_width=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MIN_WIDTH,
@@ -994,7 +997,10 @@ class VideoImageTestCase(VideoUploadTestBase, CourseTestCase):
                 'width': 1200,  # not 16:9, but width/height check first.
                 'height': 100
             },
-            'Recommended image resolution is {image_file_max_width}x{image_file_max_height}. The minimum resolution is {image_file_min_width}x{image_file_min_height}.'.format(
+            (
+                u'Recommended image resolution is {image_file_max_width}x{image_file_max_height}. '
+                u'The minimum resolution is {image_file_min_width}x{image_file_min_height}.'
+            ).format(
                 image_file_max_width=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MAX_WIDTH,
                 image_file_max_height=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MAX_HEIGHT,
                 image_file_min_width=settings.VIDEO_IMAGE_MIN_WIDTH,
diff --git a/cms/envs/devstack.py b/cms/envs/devstack.py
index 6bc302c61e..938e2c72d8 100644
--- a/cms/envs/devstack.py
+++ b/cms/envs/devstack.py
@@ -139,6 +139,8 @@ REQUIRE_DEBUG = DEBUG
 ########################### OAUTH2 #################################
 OAUTH_OIDC_ISSUER = 'http://127.0.0.1:8000/oauth2'
 
+# pylint: disable=unicode-format-string
+
 JWT_AUTH.update({
     'JWT_SECRET_KEY': 'lms-secret',
     'JWT_ISSUER': 'http://127.0.0.1:8000/oauth2',
@@ -166,6 +168,8 @@ JWT_AUTH.update({
     ),
 })
 
+# pylint: enable=unicode-format-string
+
 IDA_LOGOUT_URI_LIST = [
     'http://localhost:18130/logout/',  # ecommerce
     'http://localhost:18150/logout/',  # credentials
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
index a61deb7a1d..686df4f088 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
@@ -439,7 +439,7 @@ class VideoComponentPage(VideoPage):
 
             self.q(css='#{}'.format(field_id)).fill(field_value)
         elif field_type == 'select':
-            self.q(css='select[name="{0}"] option[value="{1}"]'.format(field_name, field_value)).first.click()
+            self.q(css=u'select[name="{0}"] option[value="{1}"]'.format(field_name, field_value)).first.click()
 
     def verify_field_value(self, field_name, field_value):
         """
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_edxnotes.py b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_edxnotes.py
index 8a92a91145..4bc5ac8c2e 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_edxnotes.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_lms_edxnotes.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ class EdxNotesTestMixin(UniqueCourseTest):
                         XBlockFixtureDesc(
                             "html",
                             "Test HTML 1",
-                            data="""
+                            data=u"""
                                 <p><span class="{}">Annotate this!</span></p>
                                 <p>Annotate this</p>
                             """.format(self.selector)
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_progress_page.py b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_progress_page.py
index 128e30c272..ffcdcb0202 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_progress_page.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/tests/lms/test_progress_page.py
@@ -321,10 +321,10 @@ class SubsectionGradingPolicyTest(SubsectionGradingPolicyBase):
 
     def test_subsection_grading_policy_on_progress_page(self):
         with self._logged_in_session():
-            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(0, 1), (0, 1)], (0, 2), "Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 0% (0/2)")
+            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(0, 1), (0, 1)], (0, 2), u"Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 0% (0/2)")
             self.courseware_page.visit()
             self._answer_problem_correctly()
-            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(1, 1), (0, 1)], (1, 2), "Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 50% (1/2)")
+            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(1, 1), (0, 1)], (1, 2), u"Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 50% (1/2)")
 
         self._set_policy_for_subsection("Not Graded")
 
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class SubsectionGradingPolicyTest(SubsectionGradingPolicyBase):
         self._set_policy_for_subsection("Homework")
 
         with self._logged_in_session():
-            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(1, 1), (0, 1)], (1, 2), "Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 50% (1/2)")
+            self._check_scores_and_page_text([(1, 1), (0, 1)], (1, 2), u"Homework 1 - Test Subsection 1 - 50% (1/2)")
 
 
 class SubsectionGradingPolicyA11yTest(SubsectionGradingPolicyBase):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/branding/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/branding/api.py
index a04a81b788..cd81a92cff 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/branding/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/branding/api.py
@@ -209,8 +209,10 @@ def _footer_navigation_links(language=settings.LANGUAGE_CODE):
     platform_name = configuration_helpers.get_value('platform_name', settings.PLATFORM_NAME)
     links = [
         ("about", (marketing_link("ABOUT"), _("About"))),
-        ("enterprise", (marketing_link("ENTERPRISE"),
-                        _("{platform_name} for Business").format(platform_name=platform_name))),
+        ("enterprise", (
+            marketing_link("ENTERPRISE"),
+            _(u"{platform_name} for Business").format(platform_name=platform_name)
+        )),
         ("blog", (marketing_link("BLOG"), _("Blog"))),
         ("help-center", (settings.SUPPORT_SITE_LINK, _("Help Center"))),
         ("contact", (reverse("support:contact_us"), _("Contact"))),
@@ -272,8 +274,10 @@ def _footer_business_links(language=settings.LANGUAGE_CODE):
     platform_name = configuration_helpers.get_value('platform_name', settings.PLATFORM_NAME)
     links = [
         ("about", (marketing_link("ABOUT"), _("About"))),
-        ("enterprise", (marketing_link("ENTERPRISE"),
-         _("{platform_name} for Business").format(platform_name=platform_name))),
+        ("enterprise", (
+            marketing_link("ENTERPRISE"),
+            _(u"{platform_name} for Business").format(platform_name=platform_name)
+        )),
     ]
 
     if language == settings.LANGUAGE_CODE:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tasks.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tasks.py
index 46fbdf1d43..08beb958d0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tasks.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/tasks.py
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@ def _send_course_email(entry_id, email_id, to_list, global_email_context, subtas
                 total_recipients_failed += 1
                 log.info(
                     u"BulkEmail ==> Email address %s contains non-ascii characters. Skipping sending "
-                    "email to %s, EmailId: %s ",
+                    u"email to %s, EmailId: %s ",
                     email,
                     current_recipient['profile__name'],
                     email_id
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
index e934be2816..5f5b915fb7 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
@@ -446,8 +446,8 @@ def _certificate_download_url(user_id, course_id):
     except GeneratedCertificate.DoesNotExist:
         log.critical(
             u'Unable to lookup certificate\n'
-            'user id: %d\n'
-            'course: %s', user_id, unicode(course_id)
+            u'user id: %d\n'
+            u'course: %s', user_id, unicode(course_id)
         )
     return ''
 
@@ -509,8 +509,8 @@ def get_certificate_template(course_key, mode, language):
         )
         template = get_language_specific_template_or_default(language, org_mode_and_key_templates, course_key)
         if template:
-            log.info("Template retrieved for course based on the course_key:{course_key}, mode:{mode} "
-                     "and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
+            log.info(u"Template retrieved for course based on the course_key:{course_key}, mode:{mode} "
+                     u"and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
 
     # since no template matched that course_key, only consider templates with empty course_key
     empty_course_key_templates = active_templates.filter(course_key=CourseKeyField.Empty)
@@ -521,8 +521,8 @@ def get_certificate_template(course_key, mode, language):
         )
         template = get_language_specific_template_or_default(language, org_and_mode_templates, course_key)
         if template:
-            log.info("Template retrieved for course:{course_key} based on the mode:{mode} "
-                     "and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
+            log.info(u"Template retrieved for course:{course_key} based on the mode:{mode} "
+                     u"and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
     if not template and org_id:  # get template by only org
         org_templates = empty_course_key_templates.filter(
             organization_id=org_id,
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ def get_certificate_template(course_key, mode, language):
         )
         template = get_language_specific_template_or_default(language, org_templates, course_key)
         if template:
-            log.info("Template retrieved for course:{course_key} and org_id:{org_id}".
+            log.info(u"Template retrieved for course:{course_key} and org_id:{org_id}".
                      format(course_key=course_key, org_id=org_id))
     if not template and mode:  # get template by only mode
         mode_templates = empty_course_key_templates.filter(
@@ -539,8 +539,8 @@ def get_certificate_template(course_key, mode, language):
         )
         template = get_language_specific_template_or_default(language, mode_templates, course_key)
         if template:
-            log.info("Template retrieved for course:{course_key} based on the mode:{mode} "
-                     "and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
+            log.info(u"Template retrieved for course:{course_key} based on the mode:{mode} "
+                     u"and org_id:{org_id}".format(course_key=course_key, mode=mode, org_id=org_id))
     return template if template else None
 
 
@@ -551,16 +551,21 @@ def get_language_specific_template_or_default(language, templates, course_key):
     Returns default templates If no language matches, or language passed is None
     """
     two_letter_language = _get_two_letter_language_code(language)
-    log.info("Retrieved two letter language is {two_letter_language} for the language:{language} and "
-             "course:{course_key}".format(two_letter_language=two_letter_language, language=language,
-                                          course_key=course_key))
+    log.info(
+        u"Retrieved two letter language is {two_letter_language} for the language:{language} and "
+        u"course:{course_key}".format(
+            two_letter_language=two_letter_language,
+            language=language,
+            course_key=course_key
+        )
+    )
 
     language_or_default_templates = list(templates.filter(Q(language=two_letter_language)
                                                           | Q(language=None) | Q(language='')))
     language_specific_template = get_language_specific_template(two_letter_language,
                                                                 language_or_default_templates, course_key)
     if language_specific_template:
-        log.info("Returning languages: {language} specific template for course:{course_key}".
+        log.info(u"Returning languages: {language} specific template for course:{course_key}".
                  format(course_key=course_key, language=language))
         return language_specific_template
     else:
@@ -577,11 +582,11 @@ def get_language_specific_template(language, templates, course_key):
     """
     for template in templates:
         if template.language == language:
-            log.info("{language} language specific template found for course:{course_key}".
+            log.info(u"{language} language specific template found for course:{course_key}".
                      format(language=language, course_key=course_key))
             return template
 
-    log.info("{language} language specific template not found for course:{course_key}".
+    log.info(u"{language} language specific template not found for course:{course_key}".
              format(language=language, course_key=course_key))
     return None
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
index d41c23961e..81caddbb62 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/tests/test_webview_views.py
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ class CommonCertificatesTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.user.profile.save()
         self.client.login(username=self.user.username, password='foo')
         self.request = RequestFactory().request()
-        self.linkedin_url = 'http://www.linkedin.com/profile/add?{params}'
+        self.linkedin_url = u'http://www.linkedin.com/profile/add?{params}'
 
         self.cert = GeneratedCertificateFactory.create(
             user=self.user,
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class CommonCertificatesTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
                 'name': 'Signatory_Name ' + str(i),
                 'title': 'Signatory_Title ' + str(i),
                 'organization': 'Signatory_Organization ' + str(i),
-                'signature_image_path': '/static/certificates/images/demo-sig{}.png'.format(i),
+                'signature_image_path': u'/static/certificates/images/demo-sig{}.png'.format(i),
                 'id': i
             } for i in xrange(signatory_count)
 
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ class CommonCertificatesTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
                 'name': 'Name ' + str(i),
                 'description': 'Description ' + str(i),
                 'course_title': 'course_title_' + str(i),
-                'org_logo_path': '/t4x/orgX/testX/asset/org-logo-{}.png'.format(i),
+                'org_logo_path': u'/t4x/orgX/testX/asset/org-logo-{}.png'.format(i),
                 'signatories': signatories,
                 'version': 1,
                 'is_active': is_active
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ class CommonCertificatesTestCase(ModuleStoreTestCase):
             <html>
             <body>
                 lang: ${LANGUAGE_CODE}
-                course name: """ + template_name + """
+                course name: """ + template_name + u"""
                 mode: ${course_mode}
                 ${accomplishment_copy_course_description}
                 ${twitter_url}
@@ -266,10 +266,10 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
         self.assertEqual(response.status_code, 200)
         params = OrderedDict([
             ('_ed', '0_0dPSPyS070e0HsE9HNz_13_d11_',),
-            ('pfCertificationName', '{platform_name} Honor Code Certificate for {course_name}'.format(
-                platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME.encode('utf-8'),
+            ('pfCertificationName', u'{platform_name} Honor Code Certificate for {course_name}'.format(
+                platform_name=settings.PLATFORM_NAME,
                 course_name=self.course.display_name,
-            ),),
+            ).encode('utf-8'),),
             ('pfCertificationUrl', self.request.build_absolute_uri(test_url),),
         ])
         self.assertIn(
@@ -289,10 +289,10 @@ class CertificatesViewsTests(CommonCertificatesTestCase, CacheIsolationTestCase)
         # the linkedIn share URL with appropriate parameters should be present
         params = OrderedDict([
             ('_ed', settings.MICROSITE_CONFIGURATION['test_site']['LINKEDIN_COMPANY_ID'],),
-            ('pfCertificationName', '{platform_name} Honor Code Certificate for {course_name}'.format(
+            ('pfCertificationName', u'{platform_name} Honor Code Certificate for {course_name}'.format(
                 platform_name=settings.MICROSITE_CONFIGURATION['test_site']['platform_name'],
                 course_name=self.course.display_name,
-            ),),
+            ).encode('utf-8'),),
             ('pfCertificationUrl', 'http://' + settings.MICROSITE_TEST_HOSTNAME + test_url,),
         ])
         self.assertIn(
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views/webview.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views/webview.py
index a41753c875..ed3b49c3cb 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views/webview.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/views/webview.py
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ def render_html_view(request, user_id, course_id):
     custom_template = None
     custom_template_language = None
     if settings.FEATURES.get('CUSTOM_CERTIFICATE_TEMPLATES_ENABLED', False):
-        log.info("Custom certificate for course {course_id}".format(course_id=course_id))
+        log.info(u"Custom certificate for course %s", course_id)
         custom_template, custom_template_language = _get_custom_template_and_language(
             course.id,
             user_certificate.mode,
@@ -566,8 +566,11 @@ def render_html_view(request, user_id, course_id):
     user_language = translation.get_language()
     certificate_language = custom_template_language if custom_template else user_language
 
-    log.info("certificate language is: {language} for the course:{course_key}".format(language=certificate_language,
-                                                                                      course_key=course_key))
+    log.info(
+        u"certificate language is: %s for the course: %s",
+        certificate_language,
+        course_key
+    )
 
     # Generate the certificate context in the correct language, then render the template.
     with translation.override(certificate_language):
@@ -643,8 +646,11 @@ def _get_catalog_data_for_course(course_key):
             except ValueError:
                 log.exception('Error occurred while parsing course run details')
         catalog_data['content_language'] = course_run_data.get('content_language')
-    log.info("catalog data received for course:{course_key} is : {catalog_data}".format(course_key=course_key,
-                                                                                        catalog_data=catalog_data))
+    log.info(
+        u"catalog data received for course: %s is : %s",
+        course_key,
+        catalog_data,
+    )
     return catalog_data
 
 
@@ -654,9 +660,12 @@ def _get_custom_template_and_language(course_id, course_mode, course_language):
     combination, along with the language that should be used to render that template.
     """
     closest_released_language = get_closest_released_language(course_language) if course_language else None
-    log.info("closest released language for {course_id} is {closest_released_language} and course language was:"
-             " {course_language}".format(course_id=course_id, closest_released_language=closest_released_language,
-                                         course_language=course_language))
+    log.info(
+        u"closest released language for %s is %s and course language was: %s",
+        course_id,
+        closest_released_language,
+        course_language
+    )
     template = get_certificate_template(course_id, course_mode, closest_released_language)
 
     if template and template.language:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_mongo.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_mongo.py
index 728d1e7da5..29662dfe7c 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_mongo.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_video_mongo.py
@@ -814,7 +814,7 @@ class TestGetHtmlMethod(BaseTestXmodule):
 
         mocked_get_video.side_effect = side_effect
 
-        SOURCE_XML = """
+        source_xml = u"""
             <video show_captions="true"
             display_name="A Name"
             sub="a_sub_file.srt.sjson" source="{source}"
@@ -875,7 +875,7 @@ class TestGetHtmlMethod(BaseTestXmodule):
         initial_context['metadata']['duration'] = None
 
         for data in cases:
-            DATA = SOURCE_XML.format(
+            DATA = source_xml.format(
                 download_video=data['download_video'],
                 source=data['source'],
                 sources=data['sources'],
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views/index.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views/index.py
index 8fb4c091e3..ed921f9c77 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views/index.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/views/index.py
@@ -201,15 +201,15 @@ class CoursewareIndex(View):
             if not allow_anonymous:
                 PageLevelMessages.register_warning_message(
                     request,
-                    Text(_("You are not signed in. To see additional course content, {sign_in_link} or "
-                           "{register_link}, and enroll in this course.")).format(
-                        sign_in_link=HTML('<a href="{url}">{sign_in_label}</a>').format(
+                    Text(_(u"You are not signed in. To see additional course content, {sign_in_link} or "
+                           u"{register_link}, and enroll in this course.")).format(
+                        sign_in_link=HTML(u'<a href="{url}">{sign_in_label}</a>').format(
                             sign_in_label=_('sign in'),
                             url='{}?{}'.format(reverse('signin_user'), qs),
                         ),
-                        register_link=HTML('<a href="/{url}">{register_label}</a>').format(
+                        register_link=HTML(u'<a href="/{url}">{register_label}</a>').format(
                             register_label=_('register'),
-                            url='{}?{}'.format(reverse('register_user'), qs),
+                            url=u'{}?{}'.format(reverse('register_user'), qs),
                         ),
                     )
                 )
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
index 44d57ed93b..a43e487fdc 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ EXPECTED_CSV_HEADER = (
     '"code","redeem_code_url","course_id","company_name","created_by","redeemed_by","invoice_id","purchaser",'
     '"customer_reference_number","internal_reference"'
 )
-EXPECTED_COUPON_CSV_HEADER = '"Coupon Code","Course Id","% Discount","Description","Expiration Date",' \
-                             '"Is Active","Code Redeemed Count","Total Discounted Seats","Total Discounted Amount"'
+EXPECTED_COUPON_CSV_HEADER = u'"Coupon Code","Course Id","% Discount","Description","Expiration Date",' \
+                             u'"Is Active","Code Redeemed Count","Total Discounted Seats","Total Discounted Amount"'
 
 # ddt data for test cases involving reports
 REPORTS_DATA = (
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/lti_provider/signals.py b/lms/djangoapps/lti_provider/signals.py
index f6975fb589..683a72c385 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/lti_provider/signals.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/lti_provider/signals.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def score_changed_handler(sender, **kwargs):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
     else:
         log.error(
             u"Outcome Service: Required signal parameter is None. "
-            "points_possible: %s, points_earned: %s, user_id: %s, "
-            "course_id: %s, usage_id: %s",
+            u"points_possible: %s, points_earned: %s, user_id: %s, "
+            u"course_id: %s, usage_id: %s",
             points_possible, points_earned, user_id, course_id, usage_id
         )
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_reports.py b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_reports.py
index 9ce3a8255b..5549bb749e 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_reports.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/shoppingcart/tests/test_reports.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class ReportTypeTests(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         second_refund.refund_requested_time = self.test_time
         second_refund.save()
 
-        self.CORRECT_REFUND_REPORT_CSV = dedent("""
+        self.CORRECT_REFUND_REPORT_CSV = dedent(b"""
             Order Number,Customer Name,Date of Original Transaction,Date of Refund,Amount of Refund,Service Fees (if any)
             3,King Bowsér,{time_str},{time_str},40.00,0.00
             4,Súsan Smith,{time_str},{time_str},40.00,0.00
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ class ItemizedPurchaseReportTest(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         cert.refund_requested_time = self.now
         cert.save()
 
-        self.CORRECT_CSV = dedent("""
+        self.CORRECT_CSV = dedent(b"""
             Purchase Time,Order ID,Status,Quantity,Unit Cost,Total Cost,Currency,Description,Comments
             {time_str},1,purchased,1,40.00,40.00,usd,Registration for Course: Robot Super Course,Ba\xc3\xbc\xe5\x8c\x85
             {time_str},1,purchased,1,40.00,40.00,usd,verified cert for course Robot Super Course,
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/credentials/signals.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/credentials/signals.py
index 41924c28c3..15ced6872c 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/credentials/signals.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/credentials/signals.py
@@ -47,13 +47,13 @@ def send_grade_if_interesting(user, course_run_key, mode, status, letter_grade,
 
     if verbose:
         msg = u"Starting send_grade_if_interesting with params: "\
-            "user [{username}], "\
-            "course_run_key [{key}], "\
-            "mode [{mode}], "\
-            "status [{status}], "\
-            "letter_grade [{letter_grade}], "\
-            "percent_grade [{percent_grade}], "\
-            "verbose [{verbose}]"\
+            u"user [{username}], "\
+            u"course_run_key [{key}], "\
+            u"mode [{mode}], "\
+            u"status [{status}], "\
+            u"letter_grade [{letter_grade}], "\
+            u"percent_grade [{percent_grade}], "\
+            u"verbose [{verbose}]"\
             .format(
                 username=getattr(user, 'username', None),
                 key=str(course_run_key),
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/signals.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/signals.py
index 1c30106e5e..6f18239fd7 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/signals.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/programs/signals.py
@@ -84,12 +84,12 @@ def handle_course_cert_changed(sender, user, course_key, mode, status, **kwargs)
     verbose = kwargs.get('verbose', False)
     if verbose:
         msg = u"Starting handle_course_cert_changed with params: "\
-            "sender [{sender}], "\
-            "user [{username}], "\
-            "course_key [{course_key}], "\
-            "mode [{mode}], "\
-            "status [{status}], "\
-            "kwargs [{kw}]"\
+            u"sender [{sender}], "\
+            u"user [{username}], "\
+            u"course_key [{course_key}], "\
+            u"mode [{mode}], "\
+            u"status [{status}], "\
+            u"kwargs [{kw}]"\
             .format(
                 sender=sender,
                 username=getattr(user, 'username', None),
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/accounts/forms.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/accounts/forms.py
index d17c97385c..418b98a291 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/accounts/forms.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/accounts/forms.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class RetirementQueueDeletionForm(forms.Form):
                 # Translators: 'current_state' is a string from an enumerated list indicating the learner's retirement
                 # state. Example: FORUMS_COMPLETE
                 u"Retirement requests can only be cancelled for users in the PENDING state."
-                " Current request state for '{original_username}': {current_state}".format(
+                u" Current request state for '{original_username}': {current_state}".format(
                     original_username=retirement.original_username,
                     current_state=retirement.current_state.state_name
                 )
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/bulk_rehash_retired_emails.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/bulk_rehash_retired_emails.py
index 57a0dc1d1a..590d9fb4b7 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/bulk_rehash_retired_emails.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/bulk_rehash_retired_emails.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             if retirement.user.email != old_retired_email:
                 print(
                     u'WARNING: Skipping UserRetirementStatus ID {} / User ID {} because the user does not appear to '
-                    'have a retired email address: {}.'.format(
+                    u'have a retired email address: {}.'.format(
                         retirement.id,
                         retirement.user.id,
                         retirement.user.email,
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/migrate_user_profile_langs.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/migrate_user_profile_langs.py
index 3183b08318..ea11750d57 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/migrate_user_profile_langs.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/user_api/management/commands/migrate_user_profile_langs.py
@@ -99,4 +99,8 @@ class Command(BaseCommand):
             end += chunk_size
             sleep(sleep_time_secs)
 
-        print('Finished! Updated {} total preferences from {} to {}'.format(updated_count, old_lang_code, new_lang_code))
+        print(u'Finished! Updated {} total preferences from {} to {}'.format(
+            updated_count,
+            old_lang_code,
+            new_lang_code
+        ))
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangoapps/util/row_delete.py b/openedx/core/djangoapps/util/row_delete.py
index 751c225a96..1f6c183810 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangoapps/util/row_delete.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangoapps/util/row_delete.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def delete_rows(model_mgr,
     # The "as id" below fools Django raw query into thinking the primary key is being queried.
     # It's necessary because Django will throw an exception if the raw SQL does not query the primary key.
     min_max_ids = model_mgr.raw(
-        'SELECT MIN({}) as id, MAX({}) as max_id FROM {}'.format(primary_id_name, primary_id_name, table_name)
+        u'SELECT MIN({}) as id, MAX({}) as max_id FROM {}'.format(primary_id_name, primary_id_name, table_name)
     )[0]
     min_id = min_max_ids.id
     max_id = min_max_ids.max_id
diff --git a/openedx/core/djangolib/tests/test_markup.py b/openedx/core/djangolib/tests/test_markup.py
index 862819e6c8..d793534788 100644
--- a/openedx/core/djangolib/tests/test_markup.py
+++ b/openedx/core/djangolib/tests/test_markup.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class FormatHtmlTest(unittest.TestCase):
 
     def test_ungettext(self):
         for i in [1, 2]:
-            out = Text(ungettext(u"1 & {}", "2 & {}", i)).format(HTML(u"<>"))
+            out = Text(ungettext(u"1 & {}", u"2 & {}", i)).format(HTML(u"<>"))
             self.assertEqual(out, u"{} &amp; <>".format(i))
 
     def test_strip_all_tags_but_br_filter(self):
diff --git a/openedx/core/lib/api/view_utils.py b/openedx/core/lib/api/view_utils.py
index 61c8dbd319..d92dfbe26a 100644
--- a/openedx/core/lib/api/view_utils.py
+++ b/openedx/core/lib/api/view_utils.py
@@ -293,12 +293,12 @@ class LazySequence(Sequence):
 
     def __repr__(self):
         if self._exhausted:
-            return "LazySequence({!r}, {!r})".format(
+            return u"LazySequence({!r}, {!r})".format(
                 self._data,
                 self.est_len,
             )
         else:
-            return "LazySequence(itertools.chain({!r}, {!r}), {!r})".format(
+            return u"LazySequence(itertools.chain({!r}, {!r}), {!r})".format(
                 self._data,
                 self.iterable,
                 self.est_len,
diff --git a/pavelib/tests.py b/pavelib/tests.py
index eafd6aa3b2..7def944b1a 100644
--- a/pavelib/tests.py
+++ b/pavelib/tests.py
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ def diff_coverage(options):
         # Generate the diff coverage reports (HTML and console)
         sh(
             u"diff-cover {xml_report_str} --compare-branch={compare_branch} "
-            "--html-report {diff_html_path}".format(
+            u"--html-report {diff_html_path}".format(
                 xml_report_str=xml_report_str,
                 compare_branch=compare_branch,
                 diff_html_path=diff_html_path,
diff --git a/pavelib/utils/test/bokchoy_utils.py b/pavelib/utils/test/bokchoy_utils.py
index 4796464de9..f40d0aa580 100644
--- a/pavelib/utils/test/bokchoy_utils.py
+++ b/pavelib/utils/test/bokchoy_utils.py
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def start_servers(options):
             cmd += "python -m "
         cmd += (
             u"manage {service} --settings {settings} runserver "
-            "{address} --traceback --noreload".format(
+            u"{address} --traceback --noreload".format(
                 service=service,
                 settings=Env.SETTINGS,
                 address=address,
diff --git a/pylintrc b/pylintrc
index 33c88dfa0d..725a031296 100644
--- a/pylintrc
+++ b/pylintrc
@@ -346,7 +346,6 @@ disable =
 	using-cmp-argument,
 	xrange-builtin,
 	zip-builtin-not-iterating,
-	unicode-format-string,
 	native-string,
 
 [REPORTS]
@@ -447,4 +446,4 @@ int-import-graph =
 [EXCEPTIONS]
 overgeneral-exceptions = Exception
 
-# 4285ece9aa125ff8efc6f77ed6d34579e65e2d96
+# ddfc2b6fc6acff4fdfcc76ecb982aa840035d86f
diff --git a/pylintrc_tweaks b/pylintrc_tweaks
index e813d8b6ca..ad6b502096 100644
--- a/pylintrc_tweaks
+++ b/pylintrc_tweaks
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ load-plugins+=,caniusepython3.pylint_checker
 [MESSAGES CONTROL]
 # Disable unicode-format-string until we can agree to turn it on.
 disable+ =
-    unicode-format-string,
     native-string,
 
 [BASIC]