When to apply
Submitting your application as early as possible ensures that all steps are completed before Convocation, including:
- Reviewing your academic record and graduation standing
- Confirming any certificates you’ve earned
- Printing your parchment
- Adding your name to the online Convocation list
- Ensuring your name is announced at the ceremony
- Booking your academic dress
Late applications make these steps harder to complete and may affect your Convocation experience. Apply early to avoid delays and extra fees.
Application deadlines
To graduate during Spring Convocation:
- Complete your degree requirements: Fall and/or winter terms
- Submit application: December 1
To graduate during Fall Convocation:
- Complete your degree requirements: Summer term
- Submit application: July 2
How to apply
To be considered for graduation and participate in Convocation, you must apply to graduate via DalOnline.
- Log in to DalOnline and navigate to Web for students > Student records > Apply to graduate.
- The first screen will show the last term in which you completed courses. This is not your graduation term, just click the “Submit” button to move through the application process. The application will guide you through submitting the application into our system.
There is no fee to apply before the deadline and no fee to cancel before the cancellation deadlines. So even if you're not sure you'll complete your requirements in time or haven't yet finalized your registration, apply before the deadline.
In addition to your application for your primary program, you must submit separate applications for each of your certificates.
Late applications
If you miss the deadline, submit a late application to graduate via DalOnline, and pay a $50 fee.
- Late applications will not be assessed or processed until the fee has been paid.
- Late applicants may not receive guest tickets for convocation ceremonies, due to seating limitations.
Cancel your application to graduate
If you decide to postpone receiving your degree you will need to submit a Request to Cancel Application to Graduate form [PDF - 558 KB] to graduation@dal.ca. This form must be received before Senate awards degrees and diplomas.
Cancellation deadlines
- Spring Convocation: May 1
- Fall Convocation: September 1
Graduate students must check with the Faculty of Graduate Studies by emailing fgs.convocation@dal.ca to confirm that their request can be accommodated.
Graduation notification
Although your degree is not officially awarded until Senate meets in the weeks prior to Convocation, you will be notified by your Faculty when you have completed the requirements for your program.
See how and when each Faculty notifies graduating students:
Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty notifies students
Spring Convocation: Early May
Fall Convocation: Mid-July
Faculties of Arts and Social Science and Science (Undergraduate)
Registrar mails status letter
Spring Convocation: Early May
Fall Convocation: Mid-July
Faculties of Health, Computer Science, and Management
Faculty/School notifies students
Spring Convocation: Early May
Fall Convocation: Early October
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Check final graduation list
Spring Convocation: Mid-May
Fall Convocation: Mid-September
Faculty of Dentistry
Dean's Office notifies students
Spring Convocation: Early May
Fall Convocation: Early October
Schulich School of Law
Dean's Office notifies ineligible students
Spring Convocation: Early May
Fall Convocation: Early October
Faculty of Medicine
Check final graduation list
Spring Convocation: Mid-May
Fall Convocation: Mid-September
Faculties of Engineering and Architecture and Planning
Check with School or Department head, or view final graduation list
Spring Convocation: Mid-May
Fall Convocation: Mid-September
