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
• Fall convocation: Sept. 1

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 an 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 spring, note the due dates and activities (these dates are firm):

Jan. 15, 2022: Apply to graduate (on LORIS) due without 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 apply to graduate. 

April 1, 2022: Last day to submit an application to graduate (on LORIS). Late fee applies with no exceptions.

April 4, 2022: Last day of classes for second six-week winter term. See the Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework.

April 11, 2022: Last day of classes for 13-week spring term (make-up classes for Good Friday (April 2). See the Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework.

April 26, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. to May 5, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.: CR option available (tentative). 

April 29, 2022: Deadline for 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 and for consideration for medal competition (no exceptions).

May 12, 2022: For students expecting to graduate, final date for submission of course work (only where an extension has been approved and documentation has been received in the FGPS). This deadline and its criteria address eligibility to graduate only, and not the medal competition.

• for submission of work to your instructor where an approved extension to complete coursework was granted (with documentation submitted to FGPS) and GSAC-approved extensions
• for completion of all coursework including submission of final (post-defence) copy of dissertation/thesis/MRP (if applicable) to Scholars Commons, and receipt in FGPS of signed program/defence documentation

May 31, 2022: Last day to submit MRP/thesis/dissertation (no exceptions) for possible refund of Spring term fees; will be eligible to graduate (and eligible for medal competition) in fall 2022.

June 3, 2022: Celebrate your success! Brantford campus convocation ceremonies. 

June 13 to 17, 2022: Celebrate your success! Waterloo campus convocation ceremonies. 

Academic medals are awarded on the basis of overall academic standing. Only students who have met all the degree requirements by Sept. 8, 2021 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.