Graduation & Convocation
Graduation and convocation are an important and meaningful part of your academic career!
The dates of the upcoming convocation ceremonies are available in the Schedule of Dates.
Make sure to apply for your upcoming graduation by following the application procedures:
Every candidate for a degree or diploma is responsible for submitting an application for graduation via WebAdvisor, regardless of their intention to attend the convocation ceremony.
There are three graduation periods throughout the year: early October, mid-February, and early June. Formal convocation ceremonies are only held in October and June. The last day that WebAdvisor is open for applications to graduate in the next semester’s graduation period is the 40th class day of the semester prior to the graduation period (e.g., Fall semester for Winter graduation, Winter semester for Summer graduation, and Summer semester for Fall graduation). The specific application deadline for a given graduation period can be found in the Schedule of Dates.
Unclaimed diplomas will be held in the Office of Registrarial Services for up to two years following graduation. After that time, they will be destroyed.
Notice about QR codes on diplomas: As of October 2021 convocation, University of Guelph diplomas will no longer include a QR code.
Diploma Pick-Up
Students who attend convocation in person will receive their diploma parchment at the ceremony.
**All S25 June graduates --- more information will be sent via email by June 18, 2025 regarding options for parchment pick up or mail/courier at a cost. You will have access to a survey link for a couple of options:
- To provide specific information (first and last name) to designate someone to pick up the parchment for you. This designate will need to provide ID when they come to the Linc, OR
- To confirm your current mailing address and you will be directed to a secure payment site for mail or courier.
For S24/F24/W25 graduates, parchments are still available for pickup at the Linc during office hours. Please take a ticket from the machine and wait for your number to be called to speak to a Service Assistant at the front counter.
All students who did not attend previous convocation ceremonies have been previously sent details via your uoguelph.ca email with information on requesting your parchment to be mailed or couriered to you for a fee. If you need this link resent, please email the contacts below.
Please contact gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca or undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca if you have additional questions
Parchment Replacement
Inquiries about the replacement of a U of G parchment (degree) should be directed to the Graduation and Convocation Coordinators at thelinc@uoguelph.ca
Download the Degree Parchment Re-Issue Order Form on the Forms & Downloads page.
Undergraduate Students
An email is normally sent to each student registered at the University in the 4th semester of an associate diploma program, in the 6th semester of a general program, and in the 8th semester of an honours program, inviting the student to apply for the upcoming graduation period via WebAdvisor. Students who wish to apply for graduation but are not eligible to do so via WebAdvisor can download a hard copy application or email the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator to request one.
Review the complete graduation application instructions and download the application form or email the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator to request a hard copy application.
Students who have NOT convocated and require a letter confirming their upcoming graduation from the University should make this request to the appropriate Program Counselling Office.
Students who HAVE convocated and require a letter confirming graduation from the University should make this request via email to the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator.
Third-party degree verification: To verify the credentials of a University of Guelph graduate, third parties (e.g., prospective employers and educational institutions) can email verify@uoguelph.ca. The types of information that can be released to third parties are outlined in the Departmental Policy on the Release of Student Information.
Graduate Students
The application must be completed in the semester in which the thesis is submitted to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies or, where a thesis is not required, not later than the last date for thesis submission for the relevant graduation period.
After the deadline for the WebAdvisor application to graduate has passed, students may apply for late acceptance to graduate by completing a paper application and paying a late graduation fee. The paper application must be submitted to the Graduate Convocation Coordinator. Once the application has been processed, the late fee will be applied to the student's account. The last day for submission of a paper application is listed in the Schedule of Dates.
For more information, graduate students should consult the Graduate Academic Calendar and the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Students who have NOT convocated and require a letter confirming their upcoming graduation from the University should submit the request form (select Confirmation of Program Completion letter under "Type of letter requested").
Students who HAVE convocated and require a letter confirming graduation from the University should make this request via email to the Graduate Convocation Coordinator.
Third-party degree verification: To verify the credentials of a University of Guelph graduate, third parties (e.g., prospective employers and educational institutions) can email verify@uoguelph.ca. The types of information that can be released to third parties are outlined in the Departmental Policy on the Release of Student Information.
Undergraduate Application Procedures for Graduation & Convocation
For February 2026 (Winter 2026)
Students who wish to graduate at the Winter 2026 convocation must submit an application to graduate by Friday, October 17, 2025, through WebAdvisor. If you are having issues with WebAdvisor, it is possible to submit the Application to Graduate form (available on the Forms webpage) via email to undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca. Applications submitted after October 17, 2025 will be assessed a $65.00 late application fee, which will be charged to your student account. After Friday, October 31, 2025, students will need to email the application form included in the link above.
THE LAST DAY APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED IS FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026, AT 4 P.M.
You must submit an application to graduate regardless of whether you plan to attend a convocation ceremony.
Students who wish to cancel their application to graduate must do so by noon on January 23, 2026, by emailing the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator at undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca.
Note for WebAdvisor Online Applications
For step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application through WebAdvisor, see the WebAdvisor Guide: Applying to Graduate.
Once you have submitted your application, please access the Application for Graduation on WebAdvisor again and review your application information. Note that any subsequent changes you would like to have made must be requested via email to undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca. The last day changes will be accepted is January 23, 2026.
Change to the Name to Be Printed on Your Diploma
Please note that the names appearing on the degree parchment will be printed in UPPER CASE. The names that appear on the WebAdvisor application are the names under which you are currently registered. If you wish to submit a different name, you may do so on your application, but you will also need to complete the Change of Given Name(s) and/or Gender Identity Information Form (available on the Forms webpage) and send an email to undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca from your University of Guelph email account with an attachment of the completed form.
To change your surname, please contact Enrolment Services at es@uoguelph.ca for instructions.
Name changes and supporting documentation will be accepted until January 23, 2026.
Program from Which You Wish to Graduate
Only your degree program appears on your parchment. Your major(s) does not appear on your parchment. Once you have graduated, the degree and specialization information will appear on your official transcript.
Note for WebAdvisor Online Applications
The application displays the degree, specialization(s) and college in which you are currently registered. If the program displayed is not the one to which you wish to apply to graduate, submit the Undergraduate Schedule of Studies Change Request form (available on the Forms webpage) first before submitting the application to graduate (this should be submitted at least a week before the application deadline). If you have already submitted the application, you must contact the Undergraduate Graduation and Convocation Coordinator at undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca immediately, indicating the program to which you wish to apply. Please include your student ID number in your email.
Note for Hard Copy Applications
Please indicate the degree program, degree program type (i.e., honours or general) and specializations for which you are applying to graduate (e.g., Bachelor of Arts, Honours, Major Psychology, Minor History).
Options to Be Selected:
Degree Designation
In February 1996, Senate approved the adoption of the alternate designation of Baccalaureate for Bachelor. The term Baccalaureate is gender neutral. This is an option for all students graduating except those receiving the DVM degree. For the alternate degree designation (e.g., Baccalaureate in Arts) click or check the appropriate box. The last day changes to this designation will be accepted is January 23, 2026.
Honours to General
Only applicants registered in Bachelor of Arts Honours (BAH), Bachelor of Science Honours (BSCH) or Bachelor of Computing Honours (BCH) may ask for consideration for a general degree should the honours degree be denied. If for any reason you do not meet the requirements for the honours degree during the preliminary approval process but would like to be considered for the general degree, click or check the appropriate box and your application will be reassessed for the general degree. If this request is not made, your application will be cancelled, and you will have to apply for a subsequent convocation.
Home Address Verification
This address will be used as a contact point following your departure from the campus. Please review it carefully and update it if necessary by following the instructions for address changes. All correspondence relating to your convocation will be sent to your @uoguelph.ca email account.
The Convocation Ceremony
Effective February 2020, Senate approved a notion to end the practice of holding Winter (February) Convocation ceremonies. This decision only affects the ceremony. Students who finish their studies in the Fall semester will receive their degree parchment in the Winter semester and will be welcome to attend the June Convocation ceremony and formally cross the stage at that time.
If you have any questions, please contact undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca.
Colleague Specialist and Graduation Coordinator
Enrolment Services, Level 3, University Centre.
University of Guelph
Guelph ON N1G 2W1 Canada
undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca