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Graduation & convocation for undergraduate students

students in grad robes

Graduation vs convocation

Graduation is the awarding of your credential (degree, diploma or certificate) by the University of Victoria Senate. You must apply to graduate in order to be awarded your credential and receive your parchment.

Convocation is a ceremony where your graduation is celebrated. Visit UVic Ceremonies for information about convocation, grad photos, guest tickets and more.

Graduation timeline

The graduation timeline for undergraduate students is based on the term when you take your last course.

If you're a graduate student, your application deadlines are different. Refer to the graduation timeline for graduate students.

Deadlines and approvals for undergraduate students

Spring 2023 graduation

You can graduate in Spring 2023 if your last course takes place in Fall 2022 (September - December) or Spring 2023 (January - April):

  • Application deadline: December 15, 2022
  • Late application deadline*: February 15, 2023
  • Faculty approval: mid May 2023
  • Graduation approved by Senate: May 25, 2023

Fall 2023 graduation

You can graduate in Fall 2023 if your last course takes place in Summer 2023 (May - August):

  • Application deadline: July 15, 2023
  • Late application deadline*: September 10, 2023
  • Faculty approval: mid October 2023
  • Graduation approved by Senate: mid October 2023

*Late applications are subject to additional fees. If you miss the deadline, you can apply for a future graduation period.

Application fees

You must pay your graduation application fee online when you submit your application. You can use Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Contact mygrad@uvic.ca for alternate payment methods.

The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If your application is cancelled, you'll need to re-apply for a future graduation. You'll have to pay the fee again.

  • Application fee: $40
  • Late application fee: $10

Review your eligibility to graduate

Before you apply to graduate, make sure you meet UVic's minimum degree requirements.

  • Review your Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) report. It will show you the graduation requirements for your program. This is not required for Juris Doctor students. Contact your academic adviser if you have any questions about your program requirements.
  • Make sure your program details appear correctly, including honours, minors, specializations or concurrent programs. If you're also completing a diploma or certificate program, make sure it is listed too.
  • If you are graduating with surplus credit, you may be able to hold it toward a future credential. To do this, you must get permission from your academic adviser at least two months before you graduate.

Check your transfer credit

You can check your transfer credit in the Transfer Credit Information section of your administrative transcript. Make sure that all your transfer credit appears correctly.

If you're currently attending another college or university, you must arrange for an official transcript with all your final grades to be sent to the Office of the Registrar by:

  • February 15 for spring graduation
  • September 10 for fall graduation

When these dates occur on a weekend, the transcript deadline is extended to the next business day.

Apply to graduate

Before you submit your application, make sure your preferred email address, phone number, and mailing address are up to date in Online tools. We'll use your preferred email to contact you about your application to graduate.

Review the graduation timeline and application fees, then submit your application by the deadline.

  • The application will display your current declared program(s).
  • If part of your declared program is missing or incorrect, you must indicate it on your application. Components that could be missing or incorrect are honours, double or combined majors, minors, concentrations, specializations, options, co-op or work experience.
  • You must submit a separate application for each credential you plan to graduate from.

After you apply

Monitor your CAPP report

Review your Curriculum, Advising and Program Planning (CAPP) report any time you add or drop a course. Any duplicate or mutually exclusive course registrations won't be reflected on your CAPP report until the course has been graded.

You can also review the status of your graduation eligibility on your CAPP report (graduation status) or in Online tools (application status).

CAPP Online tools Details
Submitted Submitted Application received
Applied to Graduate In progress Application is under review*
Records Approval In progress You will be recommended for graduation
Awarded Awarded

Congratulations, you've officially graduated!

- Cancelled Application cancelled

*It's normal for your application to stay in this status until early May (spring graduation) or early October (fall graduation).

Check your preferred email

We'll notify you when your graduation has been officially awarded or if there are any issues with your eligibility to graduate. If you fail to respond, your application for graduation might be cancelled.

Order a degree completion letter (optional)

If you need to show that your program requirements have been met and that you will be recommended for graduation, you can order a degree completion letter. International students may need this document in support of a post-graduation work permit. The letters are issued after all of your final grades appear on your transcript.

You can order a degree completion letter after your application to graduate has been received.

International convocation guests

If your guests need a visa to travel to Canada to attend your convocation ceremony, they might need an invitation letter. Complete the Invitation letter for international guest to attend convocation form.

Your parchment and other documents

A parchment is an official document that shows you have successfully completed an academic program. You'll receive your parchment after your graduation has been approved by the UVic Senate.

Parchments and graduation documents

Need help?

If you need to change information on your application or if you have any questions, contact mygrad@uvic.ca or 250-721-8121