Graduation

The Okanagan Senate grants degrees twice annually at the UBC Okanagan Campus, with one graduation ceremony held in June. Students whose degrees are granted in November will be invited to attend the following June ceremony.

Read our frequently asked questions about graduation:

Graduation FAQ

In order to graduate, you must:

Graduation ceremony

For information regarding ceremony schedules, guests, and gown rentals, visit the UBC graduation website.

Graduation website

graduation, student, cap, gown

Spring 2021 graduation ceremony: UBC will follow Public Health Orders and guidelines in planning the Class of 2021 Spring Graduation ceremonies. Please visit the UBC Okanagan graduation ceremony website for updates.

Applying to graduate

In order to graduate, students must submit a formal application for graduation via the Student Service Centre (SSC).

You are required to apply for graduation, even if you don’t plan on attending the ceremony.

While completing your application, check your legal name and your listed specializations for accuracy. Contact gradapps.okanagan@ubc.ca if there are any errors. Once you have completed your grad application, hit the SUBMIT button to ensure your application is sent to Enrolment Services.

Note: UBC has no graduation fee.

Eligibility to graduate

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

November graduation: Your program requirements must be completed by October 31.

  • If you are completing term 1 courses in December, you are not eligible for November graduation and should wait to apply for May graduation. If you have questions about your degree requirements, contact your academic advising office.

Make sure your financial account with UBC is settled. You will not receive 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 diploma when you cross the stage. If you have questions about your finances, contact gradapps.okanagan@ubc.ca.

Learn more about preparing to graduate.

Timelines

Spring Graduation in May 2021

The following dates for Spring Graduation in May 2021 are tentative based on campus policies and public safety guidelines.

Application period December 15, 2020 – February 28, 2021
Degree requirements must be completed by April 30, 2021

Graduate students: Visit the College of Graduate Studies website for specific deadlines
Order ceremony gown and guest tickets Visit the ceremonies website for specific dates
Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record End of May

Your grad application status on SSC will be updated from ‘approved’ to ‘conferred’
Graduation ceremony dates Visit the ceremonies website for information about the graduation ceremony

Fall Graduation in November 2021

The following dates for Spring Graduation in May 2021 are tentative based on campus policies and public safety guidelines.

Application period June 15 – September 15, 2021
Degree requirements must be completed by October 31, 2021

Graduate students: Visit the College of Graduate Studies website for specific deadlines
Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record Your grad application status on SSC will be updated from ‘approved’ to ‘conferred’

November 25

Getting your diploma

Normally, you will receive your original diploma at your in-person graduation ceremony.

If you’re not attending the ceremony

You can pick up your diploma (temporarily unavailable due to COVID-19) or pay to have your diploma delivered by courier.

To receive your original diploma by courier, log into the Student Service Centre (SSC) and select Graduation > Courier Original diploma. View the Ordering Diplomas page for information about courier fees and timelines.

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

Already received your diploma? Learn how to request a replacement or copy of your original diploma.