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 from the Faculties of Education, Fine Arts, Health, Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and Science and Engineering must apply to graduate online. Students from the Faculties of Environmental Studies, Glendon, Osgoode Hall Law School and Schulich School of Business are strongly encouraged to apply online. This can be done 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. If not applying online, graduates from the Faculty of Environmental Studies should contact their Office of Student and Academic Services. Graduates from the Osgoode Hall Law School should contact the Osgoode Student Services Office. Graduates from the Schulich School of Business should contact the Schulich Office of Student Services and International Relations.

Students must ensure that the University has the correct spelling of their full names on file 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 Personal Information, 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.

Diplomas 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 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 Student Client Services or via fax to 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.

Some Faculties and colleges arrange composite photographs. Contact information for photographs can be found at http://www.yorku.ca/mygraduation/memorabilia/.

Detailed information about the schedule of ceremonies, rsvps, robe rental, guests and receptions is available 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.