Convocation
Prepare to Graduate
There are several important steps you must take in order to graduate from the University of Alberta.
Graduation Checklist
Apply for graduation in Bear Tracks under Graduation in Academic Records. You can see the status of your application by clicking Graduation Status after submitting your application.
You are required to apply for graduation even if you don't plan to attend your convocation ceremony. See below for application opening dates and deadlines.
Undergraduate Students
- Apply for Winter (March) Convocation between July 1 and October 15.
- Apply for Spring (June) Convocation between November 1 and February 15.
- Apply for Fall (November) Convocation between March 1 and June 15.
Graduate Students
- Apply for Winter (March) Convocation between October 15 and January 8 (before 4 p.m.).
- Apply for Spring (June) Convocation between February 1 and April 1 (before 4 p.m.).
- Apply for Fall (November) Convocation between May 1 and September 29 (before 4 p.m.).
For thesis submission, please contact the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Regardless of your attendance status, you must verify your name for your parchment.
Parchment Name:
Find your Parchment name on the Graduation Status page in Bear Tracks. This is where you will see how your name will be printed on your parchment. Primary and Preferred names will not be printed on parchments. Changing your Primary or Preferred name will not change your Parchment name.
Names will be printed in capital letters on parchments. Initials and single letters will not be printed on parchments even if they appear in your Legal name on your student record. If your legal name contains initials or single letters, you must contact the Convocation and Ceremonies office. If you need to change your Parchment name, you must submit a Name Change form and supporting documentation to update your Legal name.
Failure to confirm and update your Parchment name before the name change deadline prior to Convocation will result in a $100 parchment reprint fee being applied if your parchment needs to be reprinted.
If you are a gender-diverse student and would like to discuss the available options regarding legal names and convocation, please reach out to the Student Service Centre.
Program and Platform Card Name:
Choose which name you want printed in the list of graduates and announced when you cross the stage. The list of graduates will also be posted online. Open your Application for Graduation in Bear Tracks and move the slider to Select to Edit. Choose your name for the list of graduates in the program and your platform card in step 2 in the application. If necessary, make any changes to either your Primary or Preferred name in this step.
Due to printing deadlines, you must select the name you want published in the list of graduates at least one month prior to the start of Convocation. Name selection and changes made after the deadline will not be reflected in the published list of graduates. If no selection is made, your Preferred name will be printed. Note: the name you select here will not be printed on your parchment.
Update your mailing address in your Application for Graduation, or on the Profile page in Bear Tracks. International students should ensure that their postal code is included and their telephone number and email address are updated on the Contact Information page.
If you attend your ceremony, make sure you select Yes in step 4 in your Application for Graduation to be able to view your photos after your ceremony. There is no obligation to purchase, but you will only receive the free digital proofs if you provide your consent prior to your ceremony.
View Ceremony Details to determine your ceremony date and time.
If you plan on attending Convocation
Reserve your seat! Go to the Graduation Status page in Bear Tracks to indicate that you will attend. You may change your selection up to one week before the start of Convocation if your plans change.
If you are not attending Convocation
Please let us know if you will not be able to attend Convocation. Go to the Graduation Status page in Bear Tracks to indicate that you will not be attending. You may change your selection up to one week before the start of Convocation if your plans change.
If you do not attend your Convocation ceremony, you can receive your degree either by picking it up in person or having it mailed. Please see Degree Parchments for more information.
Reserve your academic apparel in Bear Tracks, through the Apparel Reservation link on the Graduation Status page. Apparel reservations will be available in late spring for June Convocation, early fall for November Convocation, and early winter for March Convocation.
Apparel and convocation packets (including your parchment and name card) must be picked up from the University Bookstore the day before your ceremony.
Parchments and other official documentation will not be released to students who have outstanding accounts with the University of Alberta. Therefore, you are urged to clear all outstanding accounts at least two weeks prior to Convocation to ensure that your parchment is available.
You can view any financial holds in Bear Tracks, under Financial Account.
Be sure to check out our video for a look at what to expect on convocation day—it’s everything you need to know before, during and after the ceremony!