November 2020 degrees will be conferred on November 18. It will be updated on your academic record on November 23.
If you are a November 2020 graduate, we are aiming to begin the couriering process for physical diplomas starting early December. It may take extra time for processing and delivery.
Visit Graduation FAQs for more information.
Last updated: Oct 1, 2020 12:30 PM
There are two graduation periods. You are required to apply for graduation, even if you don't plan on attending the ceremony.
| Application period |
Graduate, undergraduate, certificate, and diploma programs June 18 - September 11, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Degree requirements must be completed by |
End of October 2020 If you are completing term 1 courses in December, you are not eligible for November graduation and should wait to apply for May graduation. Graduate students: Visit the G+PS website for specific deadlines |
| Order ceremony gown and guest tickets |
Not applicable Visit the ceremonies website for specific dates |
| Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record |
November 18 Your grad application status on SSC will be updated from 'approved' to 'conferred' |
| Graduation ceremony dates | November 25 |
The following dates for Spring Graduation in May 2021 are tentative based on campus policies and public safety guidelines.
| Application period |
Graduate, undergraduate, diploma and certificate programs |
|---|---|
| Degree requirements must be completed by |
End of April 2021 Graduate students: Visit the G+PS website for specific deadlines |
| Order ceremony gown and guest tickets |
April 2021 (to be confirmed) Visit the ceremonies website for specific dates |
| Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record |
Mid-May Your grad application status on SSC will be updated from 'approved' to 'conferred' |
| Graduation ceremony dates |
May 26 – May 28, 2021 and May 31 – June 3, 2021 (to be confirmed) |
If you don't apply for the graduation period after you complete your requirements, you can apply in the following period. This is an option if you or your family members are unable to attend the ceremony during the earlier graduation period.
International students: If you plan to invite family from abroad to attend your graduation, be sure to apply for the necessary travel documents for your family in advance.
May graduation: Your program requirements must be completed by the end of April.
November graduation: Your program requirements must be completed by the end of October.
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 your Enrolment Services Advisor. If you don't have an assigned advisor, they're still available to help.
While completing your application, check your legal name and your listed specializations for accuracy. Unless specified, the name on your official student record will be the name printed on your diploma.
May graduation: Name change requests for diplomas must be submitted by April 14, 2021.
November graduation: Name change requests for diplomas must be submitted by October 16, 2020.
Go to Changing the name on your diploma
You'll be able to check your application status in the Graduation Details box on your application at the top of the screen (this is also where you'll find your ceremony details and procession number, closer to the date of the ceremony).
Your faculty will assess your application and approve your graduation application status if you have met your program requirements. Approval decisions should be updated by your faculty on the SSC by mid May or mid November, and conferrals will appear on the SSC about a week before the ceremony.
If you have concerns about your application status or whether you've met your degree requirements, please contact your academic advising office.
Use the graduation checklist to find the ceremony schedule, ticket & gown ordering info, and ceremony instructions for students & guests.
Go to Graduation ceremony checklist
Check your personal ceremony details on SSC, including:
When ceremony details are assigned, you'll be able to check your details in the Graduation Details box on your graduation application.
Wednesday Nov 25, 2020
The following dates for Spring Graduation in May 2021 are tentative based on campus policies and public safety guidelines.
May 26 – May 28, 2021 and May 31 – June 3, 2021 (to be confirmed)
Diplomas are not printed until just before the May and November ceremonies. Diplomas will only be available at the ceremony or by pick up or courier in early June and December for all students.
You can start planning at the Graduation at UBC website. You'll receive your diploma on the day of your ceremony.
You can pick up your diploma or pay for your diploma to be couriered.
Diploma pickup is not available for 2020 virtual ceremonies.
You may pick up your diploma or have it picked up by someone else on your behalf with a third party pick up form.
Students who have selected courier on their graduation application can pay the courier fee on SSC. Online payment is not enabled until your degree has been conferred.
| Destination | Cost | Estimated delivery time |
| Within Canada | $20.80 | 1-2 business days |
| United States | $26.00 | 1-3 business days, depending on destination |
| International locations | $31.20 | 3-5 business days, depending on destination |
Please note: Couriers cannot deliver to PO boxes
May graduation: You'll be able to change your selection on the Student Service Centre (SSC) until May 7, 2021.
If you miss the deadline and would like to change your selection to attending, please email us at graduation@ubc.ca.
The Ceremonies Office can't guarantee ticket availability.
Your diploma may not be available at the ceremony, but will be available for pickup or courier in either December or June.
If you indicated that you were attending the ceremony on the application but can't make it, your diploma will be at the Enrolment Advising Centre in Brock Hall. You can pick it up in early December for the Fall ceremony or early June for the Spring ceremony. Please email us at graduation@ubc.ca to set up courier delivery.
You may request to defer attendance to the next ceremony. Email graduation@ubc.ca to submit your request.
Please note that we receive many requests to defer ceremony attendance from students who are not able to attend their own ceremony for various reasons. However, because our graduation ceremonies are held at the Chan Centre which is a small venue and has limited seating, we are only able to guarantee attendance ahead of time to those students who have applied to graduate in the period for which the ceremony occurs. Once we are able to confirm attendance numbers from those applicants, we do our best to fit in deferrals where we can.
For info regarding graduation application & diplomas
For info regarding tickets, gown rentals, guests, and ceremony schedule
Telephone: 604 827 1881
Web: www.graduation.ubc.ca
