Graduation

The Okanagan Senate approves undergraduate degrees twice annually. Graduate degrees may be approved at any regular meeting of the Senate. Graduation ceremonies (Convocation) are only held in June of each year. All students (undergraduate or graduate) whose degrees are granted throughout the academic year will be invited to attend the following June ceremonies. Ceremony dates are listed in the Academic Calendar. Details regarding individual ceremonies may not be available until May and/or may change.

Read our frequently asked questions about graduation:

Graduation FAQ

In order to graduate, you must:

• Complete all of your program requirements on time
• Complete a formal application process that consists of two components:
  • The Program Completion Application in Workday
  • The Graduation Application
• Ensure your financial account with UBC is settled

Applying to graduate

In order to graduate, students applying for Spring Graduation in May 2025 must complete a formal application process that consists of two components:

• The Program Completion Application in Workday
• The Graduation Application

Visit students.ok.ubc.ca/workday/tutorials and toggle to the ‘graduation’ category for step-by-step tutorials on how to apply for graduation and how to view your Program Completion Application Status.

You are required to complete both the Program Completion Application and the Graduation Application, even if you don’t plan on attending the ceremony.

While completing the application process, check your legal name and your listed specializations for accuracy. Contact gradapps.okanagan@ubc.ca if there are any errors.

Note: UBC has no graduation fee.

Eligibility to graduate

Spring graduation in May: Your program requirements must be completed by April 30.

Fall graduation in November: Your program requirements must be completed by August 23.

• If you are completing Term 1 courses in December, you are not eligible for fall graduation in November and should wait to apply for spring graduation in May. If you have questions about your degree requirements, contact an Academic & Career Advisor.

Make sure your financial account with UBC is settled. You will not receive a parchment, formerly called a diploma, or be able to order transcripts with an outstanding balance of fees. You’ll still be able to attend the ceremony, but will not receive your parchment when you cross the stage. If you have questions about your finances, contact gradapps.okanagan@ubc.ca.

Learn more about preparing to graduate.

Timelines

Getting your parchment (diploma)

Normally, you will receive your original parchment, formerly known as a diploma, at your in-person graduation ceremony.

If you’re not attending the ceremony

You can pick up your parchment or pay to have your parchment delivered by courier.

Instructions to receive your original parchment by courier are available on the ordering a parchment (diploma) page.

Parchments are not printed until just before the conferral periods. Your original parchment will only be available at the ceremony, or by pick up or courier in early June and December for all students.

Already received your parchment? You can order a replacement or copy of your original parchment by accessing the UBC Official Documents Tool with your Campus Wide Login (CWL) from within Workday, or you can directly log in to the UBC Official Documents Tool. Learn more about ordering parchments.