To graduate, students must submit a formal application for graduation. If a student plans to graduate, they must submit an application regardless of whether or not they intend to participate in the scheduled ceremonies.
Before applying to graduate, make sure you’ll have completed all program requirements by the specified dates below.
There are 2 graduation periods, one in spring, and another in fall:
You can find the graduation ceremony schedule on the UBC Graduation website. Please review the important dates and information below to ensure you are eligible to graduate at your desired time.
You are required to apply for graduation, even if you don't plan on attending the ceremony.
| Timeline | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens |
Thurs, Dec 15, 2022 Graduate, undergraduate, diploma, and certificate program students planning to graduate in May can start submitting their applications. |
| Application deadline | Fri, Feb 24, 2023 |
| Deadline for diploma name change requests | Fri, Apr 14, 2023 |
| Degree requirements must be completed by |
End of April 2023 If you’re a graduate student, there are specific deadlines for you. |
| Order ceremony gown and guest tickets |
Visit the ceremonies website for specific dates. |
| Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record |
Late May 2023 Your grad application status on Student Service Centre (SSC) will be updated from "approved" to "conferred". |
| Graduation ceremony dates | May 24 to 26, 2023 and May 29 to Jun 1, 2023 |
If you’re planning to graduate in November, you must complete all your program requirements by the end of October.
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.
| Timeline | Date |
|---|---|
| Application opens |
Thurs, Jun 15, 2023 Graduate, undergraduate, diploma, and certificate program students planning to graduate in November can start submitting their applications. |
| Application deadline |
To be determined This is the last day to submit an application to graduate in November. |
| Deadline for diploma name change requests |
Fri, Oct 13, 2023 |
| Deadline to complete all degree requirements |
End of October 2023 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’re a graduate student, there are specific deadlines for you. |
| Order ceremony gown and guest tickets |
Visit the ceremonies website for specific dates. |
| Degree conferred (awarded) and credential added to UBC record |
Late November 2023 Your grad application status on Student Service Centre (SSC) will be updated from 'approved' to 'conferred'. |
| Graduation ceremony dates |
Nov 22 to 24, 2023 |
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.
If you are an international student and 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.
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 will still be able to apply to graduate and 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.
If you are an international student, and 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.
If you are a student completing a double major, you will be assigned to the ceremony for the major that is listed first on your student record (e.g., a double major in French and Economics will be assigned to French). To check your student record, log into your Student Service Centre (SSC) and select "My Program" under Registration. For any changes to your specializations or the major that is listed first, contact your faculty or departmental advising office before you apply to graduate.
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.
Find out what to do if you'd like to change your name on your diploma.
Applications are now closed, as of Fri, Feb 24, 2023.
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 procession number is your place in line and indicates the order of appearance of when you will cross the stage.
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 your Student Service Centre (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.
Review the graduation checklist to find the ceremony schedule, ticket, and gown ordering information, as well as ceremony instructions for students and guests.
You can also check your personal ceremony details on your Student Service Centre (SSC). When the ceremony details are assigned, you'll be able to check your ceremony date, time, and procession number in the Graduation Details box of your graduation application.
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.
If you're graduating in May 2023, you can pick up your diploma starting Mon, Jun 12, 2023 from the Advising Centre in Brock Hall.
You may pick up your diploma or have it picked up by someone else on your behalf with a third party pick up form (pdf).
Students who have selected the courier option on their graduation application can pay the courier fee through the Student Service Centre (SSC). You will not be able to pay online until your degree has been conferred. Couriers cannot deliver to PO boxes.
| Destination | Cost | Estimated delivery time |
| Within Canada | $22.00 | 1 to 2 business days, depending on destination |
| United States | $42.80 | 1 to 3 business days, depending on destination |
| International locations | $42.80 | 3 to 5 business days, depending on destination |
You can change your selection for the Spring graduation in your Student Service Centre (SSC) until Fri, Apr 28, 2023.
If you miss the deadline and would like to change your selection to attending, please email graduation@ubc.ca. Please include your full name and UBC student number.
The Ceremonies Office cannot 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 no longer make it, you can pick up your diploma at the Enrolment Advising Centre in Brock Hall in early December for the Fall ceremony or early June for the Spring ceremony. If you prefer courier delivery, email graduation@ubc.ca.
You may request to defer attendance to the next ceremony. Email graduation@ubc.ca to submit your request.
Please note that the office receives 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 the Graduation Department confirms attendance numbers from those applicants, deferrals are considered where possible.
For information regarding graduation application and diplomas, contact:
Contact the Graduation Ceremonies Office by emailing ceremonies.graduation@ubc.ca for information about tickets, gown rentals, guests, or the ceremony schedule.
