Program Completion and Graduation

When can I graduate?

There are three opportunities per year to complete degree requirements and be eligible for graduation:

By the end of April (Spring Convocation)

By the end of August (Fall Convocation)

By the end of December (March Convocation – in absentia)

You must convocate at the first opportunity after your degree requirements are complete – for example, if you finish all your courses and other program requirements in April, you must convocate in Spring; it’s not possible to defer convocation to a later ceremony.

Students who graduate in November and March will be invited to attend the June convocation reception held in June.

Convocation Checklist

1Step 1: Submit Intent to Convocate form.

Students must submit an Intent to Convocate form during their final session in preparation to convocate and to be reviewed for graduation eligibility. Even though you may still be currently wrapping up your final courses, do not wait until your  grades are available on ACORN to submit the form.

The form will be available during the following time periods:

  • March 1st to April 1st for a Spring Convocation (end of April degree completion)
  • August 1st to September 15th for Fall Convocation (end of August degree completion)
  • November 1st to December 1st for a March Convocation (end of December degree completion)

Upon submission of your form, iSchool Student Services will review your program and academic record, and submit a degree recommendation to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). Students will receive an email from iSchool Student Services once the degree recommendation have been submitted.

2Step 2: Check Fees on ACORN

You won’t be permitted to graduate if you have any outstanding fees. It’s a good idea to check any balances owing well in advance of the end of your final year. If you have completed at least part of your degree part-time, or full-time in less than two years, be sure to review the information about Balance of Degree Fee.

3Step 3: Check Personal Info on ACORN

Make sure your name is displayed exactly how you want it, as this is how it will appear on your diploma. Make sure your gender is correct. Request any changes by submitting the SGS Name or Gender Change form. For name changes, attach any official documentation (e.g. driver’s license, passport photocopy, name change certificate) showing the correct name. Make sure your mailing and permanent addresses are up-to-date, and make any changes yourself directly in ACORN.

4Step 4: Check your email

All relevant information about convocation ceremonies, grad photos, and more will be sent to you once we’ve confirmed that you’re eligible to graduate.

5Step 5: Continue to learn!

Recent grads are eligible for the Alumni Benefit, including a one-course discount of up to $550 CAD for New Grads at UofT’s School of Continuing Studies.

Full details about graduation and convocation ceremonies are available on UofT’s Office of Convocation website.

Confirmation of degree / eligibility to graduate

Students who have completed their degree requirements can request a Letter of Degree Completion (PDF) through SGS. This letter will indicate that the student has completed their degree requirements, the length of the program and the program of study.

SGS is only able to provide such a letter when:

    • ACORN has published all of the student’s final grades
    • SGS and the Faculty have both verified that the student has met all degree requirements

Students with an urgent need for such a letter should contact the Student Services team to discuss.

The Faculty is only able to provide such a letter when:

    • All of your grades are visible on ACORN
    • The Faculty has verified that you have met all degree requirements

Degree Verification

All third-party requests for verification of a graduate’s degree are processed by U of T’s Confirmation of Degree website.

U of T graduates who require a letter of degree confirmation should visit the University’s Certification of Degree website.

Wrapping up at the Faculty of Information

Please return your key fob to the Learning Hub’s Welcome Desk (4th Floor, Bissell Building). You can also mail us your key fob to the following address:

Facilities Coordinator
Faculty of Information, University of Toronto
Claude Bissell Building
140 St. George Street
Toronto, ON M5S 3G6

If you still require building and lab access after graduation, please contact inquire.ischool@utoronto.ca.

If you have a locker rental, please be sure to clear all items and remove your lock from the locker by your convocation date.