Registrar's Office

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Graduation and Convocation

image of grads at convocation

Review the following graduation checklist for undergraduate students to ensure everything is in order.

Registrar's Office graduation checklist

Step 1: Submit an Application to Graduate

Submit an Application to Graduate according to the deadlines listed below once you are confident that you will meet your degree requirements and would like to graduate.

  • December 1 for spring Convocation (if degree requirements are completed during the fall term)
  • March 1 for spring Convocation (if degree requirements are completed during the winter term)
  • August 1 for fall Convocation (if degree requirements are completed during the spring term)

You can check receipt of your form and graduation details on Quest. For step-by-step instructions, view the How do I view my intention to graduate information? web page.

Step 2: Verify your name for your diploma

In Quest, verify the name that appears on your unofficial transcript is correct; this is the name that will be printed on your diploma.

If you'd like to make changes/additions/deletions to your name (including middle names), submit a Change of Name form with the required documentation to the Registrar's Office by the following deadlines:

  • May 1 for the spring Convocation
  • September 1 for the fall Convocation

Step 3: Verify your home and email addresses

Home address

In Quest, verify that your home address is current. This is the address that will be used to send:

  • your Convocation invitation
  • your diploma after Convocation if you are unable to attend Convocation.

Deadlines to update information:

  • May 1 for spring Convocation
  • September 1 for fall Convocation

Email address

Important Convocation information is sent via email to your Waterloo account.

Step 4: Verify your degree status

After the grades become official (e.g., mid-May for June ceremony), you can view your degree completion status in the Degrees Awarded section at the beginning of your unofficial transcript.

Ensure all options, minors, specializations, and also co-operative programs are present. Check with the appropriate faculty/department if you have  any questions.

Important: If you do not meet degree requirements and our office is unable to reach you, your request to graduate will be cancelled.

Step 5: Pay outstanding University accounts

In Quest, check whether you owe the University money (for parking fines, library fines, tuition balances, etc.). Your diploma and transcript may be withheld if outstanding fees aren't paid by:

  • June 1 for spring Convocation
  • October 1 for fall Convocation

Next steps

Information about convocation ceremonies is available on the Convocation event website, such as:

Note: Alumni have access to Quest indefinitely after graduation to generate account statements and to access tax receipts.