As you approach the end of your program, you must submit an application to graduate. This is necessary regardless of whether or not you intend to participate in a convocation ceremony. If it is approved, the application will enable you to receive your parchment and have the notation of graduation added to your official transcript.
If you have questions about your graduation requirements, please contact your Degree Advisor, program coordinator or chair.
How do I apply to graduate?
Academic Programs
- Log on to your student record and select "Apply to Graduate" from the “Academics” option on the left-hand menu.
- Complete the form (make sure all the information is correct).
- Submit the form.
After submitting the application to graduate, you will be directed to pay the Graduation and Alumni Fee. You can pay this fee through online banking or using your credit card in your online student record.
Note: this fee does not cover the rental of regalia (cap, gown, and hood) for a convocation ceremony. You will order that separately.
Once the Graduation and Alumni fee has been paid, your application is available for your Degree Advisor or Program Chair/Coordinator to review. If you have completed all the graduation requirements of your program, the application will be approved. If you have not completed the requirements, your application will remain on hold for up to 12 months until you have completed them. If you are using courses taken at another institution toward your graduation requirements, official transcripts from that other institution must be received by the Registration Centre before your application can be fully processed.
When your graduation application has been approved, it will be forwarded to the Registration Centre for final processing. If you are requesting a bachelor's or master's degree, your request will also be sent to Senate, where the degree will be officially conferred.
Trades and Vocational Programs
If you're in an entry-level trades or vocational program, a graduation application was automatically submitted for you when you enrolled in the program. You will be sent an email and asked to review your graduation application for completeness and to confirm your participation in a convocation ceremony.
When will I receive my parchment?
It may take up to eight weeks after the completion of your program for graduation to be confirmed and your parchment printed. Once your parchment is printed, an email will be sent to you confirming your graduation and letting you know your parchment has either been mailed or held for pick up at the Registration Centre. Please ensure that your address is up to date on your online student record.
Where can I find information about Convocation Ceremonies?
Please visit VIU Convocation.