Application Procedures for Convocation and Graduation

February 2025 Convocation

Application for Graduation

Graduate students who wish to graduate at the February 2025 convocation must submit an application by Friday, October 18, 2024. Applications submitted via WebAdvisor after Friday, October 18, 2024 will be assessed a non-refundable $65.00 late application fee, which will be charged against your student account.

Also note the WebAdvisor application closes on Friday, November 1, 2024, after which students will have to submit a hard copy application. 

Once you have submitted your application please access My Application for Graduation on WebAdvisor again and review your application information.  Note that any subsequent changes you would like to have made must be requested via e-mail to gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca. The last day changes will be accepted is January 17, 2025. 

You must submit an application for graduation regardless of your intent to attend or not attend your ceremony. 

Change to the Name to be printed on your Diploma 

Please note that the names appearing on the degree parchment will be printed in UPPERCASE.  The names that appear on the WebAdvisor application are the names under which you are currently registered.  If you wish to submit a different name you may do so on your application, but you will need to provide supporting documentation. You may change the surname with appropriate documentation such as marriage license or proof of a legal name change. If you wish to add a middle name(s) a copy of your birth certificate or passport must be presented to Enrolment Services, UC Level 3 immediately or emailed to gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca. Name changes and supporting documentation will be accepted until January 17, 2025. 
Please also note that reference to maiden names (in the format: née SMITH) are not permitted, nor are titles (eg. Dr.), nicknames, or previously earned academic degrees (eg. D.V.M.) 

IMPORTANT: If you plan to work overseas or in the USA, please make sure the name(s) you request to appear on the degree parchment match the name(s) on your current passport. 

Program/College 

This displays the degree, specialization(s) and college in which you are currently registered.  If the program displayed is not the one to which you wish to apply to graduate you must contact the Graduate Convocation Coordinator at gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca immediately indicating the program to which you wish to apply. Note that once you have graduated the degree and specialization information will appear on your official transcript.  Only your degree program (i.e. Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, etc.) appears on your parchment. 
Select Degree Designation 

You may choose an alternate, gender neutral degree designation on your diploma.  For example: 

• Instead of "Master of Arts", the diploma would read "Magisteriate in Arts” 
• Instead of "Master of Science", the diploma would read "Magisteriate in Science"
• Instead of "Doctor of Philosophy", the diploma would read "Doctorate in Philosophy"

The last day changes to this designation will be accepted is May 16, 2024. 

The Convocation Ceremony 

There is no longer a winter ceremony. All winter graduates are invited to participate at the ceremonies taking place the week of June 9, 2025. More information regarding the S25 convocation ceremonies will be communicated to you at a later date. 
As a service to graduands, during the convocation a photographer will take a personal photo of each graduate on stage with the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor and another personal photo will be taken off stage just prior to the graduand receiving their parchment.  You will be able to view your photos and order copies online at 
www.orderphotos.ca immediately following the Convocation ceremony.  
If you have any questions, please contact Liz Dunne at gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca.