Note: The Okanagan Senate grants degrees twice annually, in the fall and in the spring. The Chancellor confers degrees once annually at the UBC Okanagan campus Convocation, a ceremony held each June. Students whose degrees are granted in November will be invited to attend the following Spring Convocation.
Every candidate for a degree must make formal application for graduation. Students make a formal application for graduation via Workday.
The application deadline for Spring graduation is February 28. The earliest date to make an application for Spring graduation is November 1 of the previous year. For 2024 only, Fall graduation has different deadlines: the application deadline for Fall graduation is July 31. The earliest date to make an application for Fall graduation is May 1. Students apply for Fall graduation using the Student Service Centre.
An application must be submitted if the student plans to graduate, regardless of whether they intend to participate in the scheduled Spring Convocation. If the student's request to graduate is not approved by their faculty, a reapplication for the next Convocation will be required.
Applications for Spring graduation are not acknowledged until the end of March when graduation ceremony information is emailed. Acknowledgment for Fall applications to graduate will be emailed in August. The receipt of graduation information does not confirm the satisfactory completion of a degree program. The Senate approves candidates for degrees, upon recommendation from the faculty, in collaboration with Enrolment Services. Students can access Workday one week prior to the ceremonies to confirm graduation.
Students completing degree requirements at another institution are also reminded that, because of the delay in obtaining official transcripts, all applications for degrees for such students will be treated by Enrolment Services as applications for fall graduation.
No student will receive a graduation diploma until all academic fees have been fully paid (see Financial Hold). Students on Academic Hold may not graduate without permission of the Registrar.
Graduate Programs - Rolling Graduation
The general regulations for graduation notwithstanding, graduate degrees may be approved at any regular meeting of the Senate during the Winter Session; however, graduation ceremonies (Convocation) are only held in June of each year. Although the granting of a degree will be noted on the student's transcript once approved by the Senate, degree certificates will normally only be issued once conferred at the Convocation ceremonies following approval.
For application deadlines and expected approval dates, please see the College of Graduate Studies website.
Please see Graduation at UBC Okanagan campus for the latest information on graduation.