Fall 2025 graduation and convocation

Prior to your last academic term, verify the degree and academic plan(s) you are currently enrolled in. This is done in Quest - see How do I apply to graduate instructions. Your Application to Graduate should be a confirmation of what's already listed in Quest; it is not the appropriate time to add/remove plans (exception: certificates and diplomas). Need to make a change? Submit a Plan Modification Form.

Review the criteria listed in the Apply to Graduate in Quest section to determine if you qualify.

Submit an Application to Graduate in Quest during the application window listed below for your desired convocation ceremony. Do not wait until you have received your spring 2025 final grades.

Note: Refer to your responsibility as a student regarding convocation and your application to graduate.

Important: If your degree requirements are not met and our office is unable to reach you, your Application to Graduate will be cancelled.

Cancel your application to graduate

If you have decided you no longer want to graduate after submitting your Application to Graduate, email the applicable convocation contact in the Office of Registrar so your Quest record can be updated. All existing convocation-related processes will be terminated and you will need to reapply again when you are ready to graduate.

Once you have Applied to Graduate in Quest, you will be presented with a confirmation page. If you select View Graduation Status you can review your application status, as well as your legal name and mailing address that will be used for convocation purposes.

Verify your legal name

Your legal name (first, middle, last) - exactly as it appears in Quest - is the name that will be used for convocation: it is the name printed on your diploma, the official ceremony program, as well as the ceremony name card.

• Check for: missing names, repeated names, incorrect title case/capitalization, spelling errors, etc.
• Any accents, hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces must be reported manually, as they are not recorded in Quest. If additions/changes to your name are required after you have Applied to Graduate in Quest, email askthecentre@uwaterloo.ca.
• Note: If you request an updated name on your diploma after convocation - for any reason - you will be required to submit a request for a replacement diploma and pay the associated fee.

To make changes to your legal name, complete and submit an Update Legal Name form with the required documentation by the following deadlines:

• September 1 for fall convocation

Contact The Centre with any questions about how your name is recorded in Quest.

Verify your mailing information

Your mail addressis the address that will be used to ship your diploma after convocation (if you are unable to attend convocation). Photography proofs from your convocation will also be mailed to your address on file.

The accuracy and format of your listed address in Quest is important for postal and courier services. To avoid your diploma from being sent to the wrong address or not being accepted by courier services, review our detailed instructions for reviewing and updating your address. Additionally, ensure you have an up-to-date telephone number listed in Quest (needed for courier services). Updates should be made by:

• October 1 for fall Convocation

Note: If your diploma is shipped to you and then returned to the University as it was undeliverable, you will be required to pay courier fees before the diploma is re-shipped to you.

Important: If you move any time before convocation, sign in to Quest and update your Mail address to keep it current.

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:

• October 1 for fall Convocation

Learn more about holds on your student account. If you have questions about your holds, contact The Centre.

Up-to-date information about upcoming convocation ceremonies is available on the Convocation event website, review it frequently. Some details you will find on the website:

• Your ceremony date and time
• Convocation checklists, including key deadlines and what to expect at your convocation ceremony
• Convocation ceremony registration information: Although you have applied to graduate, you are not yet registered for a convocation ceremony. Registration is mandatory to obtain tickets and participate in convocation.

Watch for emails from convocation@uwaterloo.ca beginning 1.5-2 months prior to the ceremony with specific details for that ceremony.

Prior to your last academic term, verify the degree and academic plan(s) you are currently enrolled in. This is done in Quest - see How do I apply to graduate instructions. Your Application to Graduate should be a confirmation of what's already listed in Quest; it is not the appropriate time to add/remove plans (exception: certificates and diplomas). Need to make a change? Submit a Plan Modification Form.

Your legal name (first, middle, last) - exactly as it appears in Quest - is the name that will be used for convocation: it is the name printed on your diploma, the official ceremony program, as well as the ceremony name card.

Sign in to Quest to verify that your legal name is as it should be (see the Names section under Personal Information).

• Check for: missing names, repeated names, incorrect title case/capitalization, spelling errors, etc.
• Any accents, hyphens, apostrophes, and spaces must be included on your Application to Graduate web form as they are not recorded in Quest.
• Note: If you request an updated name on your diploma after convocation - for any reason - you will be required to submit a request for a replacement diploma and pay the associated fee.

To make changes to your legal name, complete and submit an Update Legal Name form with the required documentation by the following deadlines:

• September 1 for fall convocation

Contact The Centre with any questions about how your name is recorded in Quest.

Review the criteria listed in the Apply to Graduate by webform section if you need to apply to graduate via the webform. If you do not, apply in Quest.

Submit an Application to Graduate during the application window listed below for your desired convocation ceremony. Do not wait until you have received your spring 2025 final grades.

You will receive an automated email copy of your application; this is your confirmation that your form has been received for processing.

Note: Refer to your responsibility as a student regarding convocation and your application to graduate.

Determine if you'd like a gender-neutral degree

When completing your Application to Graduate, you may request that the word "Bachelor" be replaced with the gender-neutral term "Baccalaureate" on your diploma. This option is available for all applicable undergraduate degrees offered by the University of Waterloo.

Graduates who have previously been awarded a Waterloo degree may request that their degree be re-issued in the gender-neutral nomenclature by contacting The Centre.

The term "Baccalaureate" will only appear on your diploma. Transcripts and any degree verification will only refer to "Bachelor". This terminology discrepancy between documents may result in border-crossing issues.

Verify your application status

In Quest, you can view the degree and plan information you provided on your application to check and ensure that it is correct. For step-by-step instructions, view the How do I apply to graduate page. The timing of appearance will vary depending on the time of year you submitted the application, the volume of submissions, and the status of your degree completion.

Important: If your degree requirements are not met and our office is unable to reach you, your Application to Graduate will be cancelled.

Cancel your application to graduate

If you have decided you no longer want to graduate after submitting your Application to Graduate, email the applicable convocation contact in the Office of Registrar so your Quest record can be updated. All existing convocation-related processes will be terminated and you will need to reapply again when you are ready to graduate.

In Quest, you need to confirm your Mail address - this is the address that will be used to ship your diploma after convocation (if you are unable to attend convocation). Photography proofs from your convocation will also be mailed to your address on file.

The accuracy and format of your listed address in Quest is important for postal and courier services. To avoid your diploma from being sent to the wrong address or not being accepted by courier services, review our detailed instructions for reviewing and updating your address. Additionally, ensure you have an up-to-date telephone number listed in Quest (needed for courier services). Updates should be made by:

• October 1 for fall Convocation

Note: If your diploma is shipped to you and then returned to the University as it was undeliverable, you will be required to pay courier fees before the diploma is re-shipped to you.

Important: If you move any time before convocation, sign in to Quest and update your Mail address to keep it current.

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:

• October 1 for fall Convocation

Learn more about holds on your student account. If you have questions about your holds, contact The Centre.

Up-to-date information about upcoming convocation ceremonies is available on the Convocation event website, review it frequently. Some details you will find on the website:

• Your ceremony date and time
• Convocation checklists, including key deadlines and what to expect at your convocation ceremony
• Convocation ceremony registration information: Although you have applied to graduate, you are not yet registered for a convocation ceremony. Registration is mandatory to obtain tickets and participate in convocation.

Watch for emails from convocation@uwaterloo.ca beginning 1.5-2 months prior to the ceremony with specific details for that ceremony.