Graduation Process and Timeline

Graduation vs Convocation

Graduation is the formal completion of your degree requirements, officially recognized on the date of the Meeting of Senate in which your degree is approved. This date will appear on your official transcript and your Letter of Attestation (LoA) as your date of graduation.

Convocation is the annual in-person ceremony where your diploma is awarded. It takes place on the first Saturday in June.

Each academic year, Bishop’s has three graduation periods, all recognized at the annual Convocation Ceremony:

If you complete your studies by August in the Spring semester and are approved to graduate at the September Meeting of Senate, your graduation date will be in September. Your diploma will be awarded at the Convocation Ceremony the following June, in the next academic year.

Students can verify the Dates of Senate to see the exact dates of the Meetings of Senate for each year.

If you complete your studies by December in the Fall semester and are approved to graduate at the January Meeting of Senate, your graduation date will be in January. Your diploma will be awarded at the Convocation Ceremony in June.

Students can verify the Dates of Senate to see the exact dates of the Meetings of Senate for each year.

If you complete your studies by May in the Winter semester and are approved to graduate at the May Meeting of Senate, your graduation date will be in May. Your diploma will be awarded at the Convocation Ceremony in June.

Students can verify the Dates of Senate to see the exact dates of the Meetings of Senate for each year.

Graduation Process

Step 1: Applying to Graduate

Each semester, all potential graduates will receive an email announcing when the applications to graduate are open. The Application to Graduate form appears in each potential graduate’s myBU Self-Service once applications have opened.

It is each potential graduate’s responsibility to submit their application to graduate. Not submitting the application indicates that the student does not wish to graduate that semester.

Students who believe they are eligible to graduate in any given semester but have not received the email announcement that applications to graduate have opened and/or do not see the application form on your myBU Self-Service portal should email convocation@ubishops.ca from their B.U. account.

How to Apply to Graduate

Login to the Student Self-Service.

You will see the “Apply to Graduate” box listed as a reminder under “My Tasks”, along with any other required actions from your end. Click on the link “APPLY TO GRADUATE”. You will be directed to the form you need to complete.

In the application form, verify the legal name and gender listed. Once it is printed on your diploma, it cannot be changed.

Review the Degree being granted. Any changes to this information require the Program Change Form, with the signatures from the respective Departmental or Program Chairpersons.

Program requirements can be verified in the Academic Calendar. Questions or concerns about these requirements can be referred to the respective Departmental Chairperson(s).

Personal email addresses should also be reviewed, to ensure any communication after graduation remains possible.

Missed the Deadline to Apply to Graduate?

If you missed the deadline to apply to graduate despite the reminder emails sent throughout the semester, please email convocation@ubishops.ca as soon as possible.

Step 2: Review by Your Departmental Chairperson(s) and Dean

Once you have applied to graduate, your file will be reviewed by your Departmental Chairperson(s) and Dean.

If your file is approved for program completeness, your student file will be presented at the applicable Meeting of Senate for approval to graduate.

Step 3: Meeting of Senate

A Meeting of Senate is held each semester to approve potential graduates:

  • Fall semester – January Meeting of Senate
  • Winter semester – May Meeting of Senate
  • Spring semester – September Meeting of Senate

Specific dates for these meetings can be found on the Senate website. Potential graduates are not expected to attend.

Once the Meeting of Senate has taken place, the following documents will be issued to new graduates:

  • Official confirmation via email within 1-2 business days following the Meeting of Senate.
  • Letter of Attestation (LoA) confirming the program, degree information, and graduation date. This acts in lieu of a diploma and can be used for official applications such as educational, employment, or immigration processes.
  • Invitation to participate in the annual Convocation Ceremony.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact convocation@ubishops.ca.