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Graduation and Convocation

four graduates

Graduation

Graduation is the culmination and affirmation of all your hard work in graduate studies. To ensure the final stages proceed as smoothly as possible, please ​keep the following in mind:

Deadlines

Each convocation session has a deadline by which your program requirements must be met, and your thesis submitted, if applicable. Check the SGS Sessional Dates Calendar for current deadlines.

Your Convocation Ceremony

You must attend the convocation ceremony that directly follows the completion of your degree requirements. Delay of graduation is not permitted.

The October and June convocation sessions are in-person ceremonies. March conferral is in absentia only (there is no ceremony). If you complete all requirements by the January deadline, you may choose either March in absentia or the June ceremony. You cannot have your degree conferred in March and attend the June ceremony.

If you cannot attend your designated ceremony, you may pick up your diploma or have it mailed to you.

Check the SGS Sessional Dates Calendar to confirm the deadline by which you must complete all your degree requirements and submit your thesis (if applicable) to qualify for the next convocation session.

Please review the Office of Convocation website for information about ceremonies, RSVP, obtaining your diploma, and more.

Name changes and accents

Your name as it appears in ACORN is the name that will appear on your diploma and must match the name of your thesis title page and abstract.

Deadlines are early: typically mid-September for October convocation, early February for March (in absentia) and early April for June convocation. The name correction deadlines for each convocation session are strict. If changes are not made by the deadline, the Office of Convocation will require you to pay a fee to reprint the diploma with your updated name.

Confirming your degree

There are several ways to document the completion of your degree, depending on your timing and needs.

Before your degree is conferred (pre-convocation)

If you have completed all degree requirements but your degree has not yet been conferred at convocation, you can request a Confirmation of Degree Completion letter from SGS. This letter confirms that you have met all requirements to graduate and are waiting to have your degree conferred at your convocation ceremony.

To request this letter, complete the Confirmation of Degree Requirements form (PDF). There is no charge.

  • For master’s students: You must have no outstanding fees, all your grades must be submitted, and your department must have recommended you for graduation before you can obtain this letter.
  • For doctoral students: You must have no outstanding fees or have paid your anticipated final-year prorated fees, all your grades must be submitted, and your final thesis must have been accepted in ProQuest before you can obtain this letter.

Important Information for Confirmation of Degree Requirements Letters

  • The Centre for International Experience (CIE) has advised that the release of final grades or the issuance of a confirmation of degree completion letter ends a student’s work eligibility (on or off campus). Consult with an International Student Immigration Advisor at the CIE before requesting this letter to fully understand the impact on your immigration and work status.
  • Final grades for the current term will not be published on your transcript until the beginning of the next term. Consult the current SGS Sessional Dates calendar to find out when grades will be published.
  • A notation that your degree has been conferred (awarded) will not appear on your transcript until after your convocation ceremony. Check your Academic History in ACORN for the degree conferral note before ordering a transcript.

After your degree is conferred (post-convocation)

You will receive your final diploma at your convocation ceremony. If you choose to graduate in March in absentia, you may pick up your diploma or have your diploma mailed to you.

Please contact the Office of Convocation for more information about how to obtain your diploma.

Once your degree has been conferred (awarded) at convocation, your transcript will be updated with your degree conferral date and thesis title (if applicable) shortly after your convocation date. Before ordering an official transcript, check your academic history in ACORN to confirm that the notation that your degree has been conferred appears there.

Please contact the Transcripts Office at the University Registrar’s Office for information about how to order a transcript.

If you need an official document confirming your degree, you can request a Certification of Degree from the Office of Convocation. This is a signed and sealed document printed on letterhead stating your name, degree, and date of graduation. A fee is required. Visit the Office of Convocation’s Certification of Degree page for details and to submit your request.

Third-party verification

If an employer or other institution needs to verify your credentials directly, you can direct them to the University of Toronto Degree Confirmation website. This service is available after your degree has been conferred.

Outstanding fees and your diploma

If you have outstanding fees at the time of convocation, you may still attend your ceremony, but you will not receive your diploma. A financial hold will be placed on your account, and transcripts and confirmation letters will not be released until fees are paid.  If a Balance of Degree Fee has been assessed, and this is the only outstanding fee on your account, you may still attend your ceremony and receive your diploma.

Beyond graduation

As a U of T graduate, you have access to alumni benefits and services including career advice, the Graduate Dossier Service, continuing education (including a free course for new graduates through Alumni Circle), and many other alumni benefits and privileges.

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