<University Policies and Regulations

What is the difference between graduation and convocation? Graduation is the term used to acknowledge that you have met your degree requirements and you have been approved by Senate to graduate from the program. Convocation refers to the ceremony where the Chancellor confers the degree.

Students of all Faculties with the exception of Environmental Studies, Graduate Studies, the Schulich School of Business and Osgoode Hall Law School, must apply to graduate. This can be done online by going to the Current Students Web site located at http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/cs.htm, clicking on My Student Records and under My Graduation Status, clicking on Apply to graduate with an undergraduate degree. The deadlines to apply are announced each year, and are usually four months prior to the ceremony. Graduates of the Faculty of Graduate Studies can confirm their status with their Graduate Program Office. Graduates from the Faculty of Environmental Studies should apply to the Office of Student Programs of FES. Graduates from the Schulich School of Business should apply to the Office of Student Programs of the Schulich School of Business. Osgoode students need not apply to graduate. Students must ensure that the University has on file the correct spelling of their full names, so that diplomas are prepared accurately. Students may verify the name which will appear on their diploma through the Web at the Current Students Web site (http://www.yorku.ca/yorkweb/cs.htm), clicking on My Student Records and under My Personal Info, selecting Verify my official name.

Ceremonies are scheduled for June, for those students who complete their course work in the fall or winter terms and in October for those who complete their course work in the summer term. Convocation ceremonies are scheduled by Faculty groupings for all students.

Diplomas and alumni association memberships are normally distributed the day of the convocation ceremonies. For those students who are unable to attend, or who did not receive their diploma the day of the ceremony, diplomas may be picked up from Student Client Services on an official date after convocation has taken place. Students who are unable to attend and wish to have their diplomas mailed to them may do so by making these arrangements with the Registrar's Office. A fee will be charged for packaging and mailing. For more information, contact Student Client Services at 416-872-YORK (9675) or visit the convocation Web site at http://www.yorku.ca/mygraduation/. Diplomas that have not been picked up or mailed will be kept on file for approximately one year. As such, students are advised to pick up or arrange to have their diplomas mailed as soon as possible.

Graduation photographs are arranged through the college or Faculty offices (or by the appropriate student council). Potential graduates can expect to receive information from their college or Faculty inviting them to arrange their sitting time with the photographer. Contact information can be found at http://www.yorku.ca/mygraduation/Convocation/contacts_photo.

Detailed information about the schedule of ceremonies, rsvps, robe rental, guests and receptions are sent out to all prospective graduates several weeks before the ceremony. The information can also be accessed online at http://www.yorku.ca/mygraduation/.

A student obtains a diploma for satisfactory completion of his or her academic program on the condition that all of their University debts have been paid.