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Convocation for Graduate Students
Congratulations, you've almost completed your graduate degree at Laurier!
Convocation ceremonies take place in June (spring ceremonies) and October (fall ceremonies). Additional information on our convocation ceremonies including our guide to graduation can be found in the convocation section.
Use this guide to learn more about this last step in your academic career and how to prepare for graduation and convocation.
Remember that you are required to apply to graduate, regardless of whether you intend to participate in the scheduled ceremony events.
You can apply to graduate before the end of your degree requirements through LORIS by the application deadlines below to avoid the late application fee:
- Spring convocation: Jan. 15 (to avoid penalty fees); April 1 (final deadline; no forms will be accepted after this date and penalty fees apply)
- Fall convocation: Aug. 1 (to avoid penalty fees); August 31 (final deadline; no forms will be accepted after this date and penalty fees apply)
After you apply to graduate, check your status on LORIS under "Unofficial Record of Course Work."
The status of your application changes from "Applied for" to "Granted" once all of your final grades have been received, your record has been reviewed and you have met all program requirements for graduation.
If you require an extension to complete your coursework, complete the Request for a Religious Accommodation or Extension to Complete Coursework form.
If you do not complete all your requirements by the deadline, your application will be postponed until the next convocation cycle. You do not need to re-apply to graduate in the next cycle.
If you expect to be eligible to graduate this fall, please note the following deadlines and activities (these dates are firm):
August 1, 2026: Applications to graduate on LORIS due without a late fee - we strongly encourage you to apply to graduate before this date (you do not have to have completed all degree requirements in order to submit an application)
August 5, 2026: Last day of classes for 13-week Spring 2026 courses; see Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework
August 17, 2026: Last day of classes for 6-week Summer Intersession 2026 term; see Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework
August 31, 2026: Last day to submit an application to graduate on LORIS (no exceptions; late fees will apply)
August 31, 2026: Final date for submission of MRP/thesis/dissertation and receipt in the FGPS of signed program/defence documentation to be eligible to graduate in the Fall term. Note: In order to be eligible for the medal competition, students must have completed all requirements including submission of forms by this date.
September 8, 2026: Final grades due for students who were granted an extension for a Spring 2026 course and who are expecting to graduate in the Fall 2026 term (no exceptions)
September 30, 2026: Last day to submit MRP/thesis/dissertation (no exceptions) for possible refund of Fall term fees; not eligible to graduate until Spring 2027
October 20, 2026: Brantford Campus ceremony
October 14-16, 2026: Waterloo Campus ceremonies
Academic medals are awarded on the basis of overall academic standing. Only students who have met all the degree requirements by September 2, 2025 are eligible for consideration.
It is the responsibility of your graduate program coordinator or your advisor to nominate you, and to complete the nomination package. They may ask for a copy of a current CV. If nominated, you will be notified of the decision of the selection committee in advance of convocation.
Governor General's Academic Medal
This medal is awarded at the fall convocation to the graduate student who achieves the highest academic standing in a master's or doctoral degree program at either the spring or fall convocation.
Medal of Academic Excellence: Doctoral Level
At each of the spring and fall convocations one Medal for Academic Excellence at the doctoral level may be awarded.
Medal of Academic Excellence: Master’s Level
At each of the spring and fall convocations the Medal for Academic Excellence will be awarded to the top master’s students in research-intensive and professional master’s program. Awards will be distributed as follows:
- Research-intensive master’s programs: For the first 50 research students graduating at convocation, one medal shall be awarded; for each additional 25 students, an additional medal shall be awarded.
- Professional master’s programs: For the first 50 master’s students graduating at convocation, one medal shall be awarded; for each additional 25 students, an additional medal shall be awarded.
Award for Outstanding Graduate Work
All students nominated by a graduate program, but unsuccessful, for the Medal of Academic Excellence (doctoral and master’s) competition will be eligible to receive the Award for Outstanding Graduate Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to graduate before I have finished my degree?
Yes; if you are nearing the end of your degree requirements, you should apply to graduate (on LORIS) before August 1, 2026 as a late fee of $72.00 will apply to all applications submitted between August 2-31, 2026.
What happens if I apply to graduate, but I don’t complete all the requirements by the deadline?
See academic dates in the graduate calendar (Wilfrid Laurier University - Graduate Calendar - 2026/2027 - Academic Dates). Your graduation application will be postponed until the next convocation cycle (Spring 2027). You do not need to re-apply to graduate in the next cycle, but you will be contacted by the Registrar’s Office to confirm whether you would like to re-activate your application for the next cycle.
I’m not interested in being considered for the medal competition, so what is the latest that I can finish all degree requirements (including any approved extension to complete coursework) and still graduate this fall?
August 31 is the final day for completion of all coursework, receipt of final grades and/or submitting post-defence copy of dissertation/thesis/MRP to Scholars Commons, and receipt in the FGPS of signed program/defence documentation to be eligible to graduate in spring term. All final grades for coursework extensions are due by September 8.
How do I apply to graduate?
You can apply to graduate via LORIS under the "Student Services" tab by clicking directly on Apply to Graduate
I have applied to graduate but need to request an extension to complete coursework. How do I do that?
Complete a Request for a Religious Accommodation or Extension to Complete Coursework form.
I am graduating this fall and took a course at another university; will my grade arrive in time to meet Laurier’s deadline?
We are not able to guarantee receipt of grades expected from other institutions. You are encouraged to connect with your instructor(s) at your host institution to advise them that you are expecting to graduate, pending successful completion of the course(s). You may also need to arrange for the submission to the FGPS of an official transcript (joint program students exempted).
I want to be considered for the medal competition – what do I need to do?
Only students who have met all the degree requirements by August 31, 2026, are eligible for consideration. It is the responsibility of your graduate program coordinator or your advisor to nominate you and to complete the nomination package. They may ask for a copy of a current CV.
If nominated, you will be notified of the decision of the selection committee in advance of convocation.