Graduation & Convocation
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
In order to meet degree requirements, your thesis must be submitted to the digital library repository. Graduate units must also submit degree recommendations to SGS on behalf of their master’s students by these dates.
November 2023 Graduation
To graduate in November, all degree requirements must be met by September 29, 2023.
March 2024 graduation in absentia
Students who complete all degree requirements by January 19, 2024 may graduate either in March in absentia or June.
June 2024 Graduation
To graduate in June, all degree requirements must be met by April 12, 2024.
Convocation
Students must graduate at the ceremony immediately following completion of their degree requirements. Delay of graduation is not permitted. You must graduate once all degree requirements have been completed.
Information on time, location, and tickets for convocation ceremonies are normally emailed to the student’s UTOR email account approximately three weeks prior to convocation. Please ensure your address is correct in ACORN. You are encouraged to check this website regularly as information concerning dates and deadlines may change. Further details can be obtained at the Office of Convocation.
Name Changes
Your name as it appears in ACORN is the name that will appear on your diploma. Your name on the title page and abstract of your thesis must also be exactly the same as the name that appears in ACORN. To change your name/gender, please complete this Change of Name or Gender Request Form.
Questions? Please contact SGS Student Academic Services at graduate.information@utoronto.ca.
Name Accents
If your name requires accents, please download and complete the appropriate convocation Name on Diploma form by the appropriate deadline set by the Office of Convocation. Please note that this form is only for accents.
If the necessary change(s) are not made by the deadline for name changes set by the Office of Convocation, there is an $80.00 fee to have a new diploma printed. Please note the deadlines are quite early; typically mid-September for November Convocation and early February for March (in absentia) and June Convocation.
Certification of Degree and Confirmation of Degree Requirements
If you have received your diploma and require a certification of degree, please complete the Office of Convocation’s Certification of Degree Form. A Certification of Degree is a signed and sealed document printed on letterhead stating your name of record, degree conferred, and date of graduation. More information is available on the Office of Convocation website. A fee is required.
If an employer or other educational institution is requesting verification of your credentials beyond your diploma and/or transcript, then you can direct them to the University of Toronto Degree Confirmation website.
If you have competed all degree requirements but your degree has not been conferred, you may request a letter from SGS prior to Convocation, to confirm that you have met the degree requirements to graduate. To request such a letter, complete the SGS confirmation of degree requirements form. The SGS confirmation of degree requirements form is only for students who have not yet had their degree conferred at Convocation. OISE students, please consult your registrar for letters confirming that you have met your degree requirements. There is no charge to students for this letter. Please allow five days (or more during peak periods).
Outstanding Fees
Students who have outstanding fees will be permitted to attend convocation. However, such students will not receive their diploma, and a financial hold will be placed on the student’s financial account and transcripts and confirmation of degree letters will not be released until fees have been paid. Students with outstanding fees who are attending the ceremony will receive an empty envelope, which will be identical to the other envelopes containing diplomas. Please note that owing a balance of degree fee is the exception to the diploma hold rule.
Fees for doctoral students in their final year are based on the date the final thesis is submitted to SGS. Fees are adjusted by the end of the month. Refer to Graduate Fees for complete details.
Beyond Graduation
You have access to many benefits and services, such as career advice, the Graduate Dossier Service, continuing education (free course for new grads, more information at Alumni Circle), and many more alumni benefits and privileges. Remember to read the graduation edition of Gradschool e-news!