Diplomas

Digital diplomas

McMaster University will offer all graduates with an option to receive a secure digital version of their diploma anchored in the bitcoin blockchain.

You will receive an email in November to opt-in to this initiative. Please make digital.diplomas@mcmaster.ca a safe sender.

Want to know more about digital diplomas? Visit our dedicated digital diploma information page.

Parchment (printed diplomas)

We completed the mailing of our spring 2020 diplomas. In order to mail your diploma, we need a current mailing address.

Please follow these instructions depending on your situation:

Missed the Graduation Information Centre (GIC) request: Graduates were asked to provide their address by August 30, 2020 to receive their diploma. If you missed this deadline and require your diploma, please complete the After Convocation Diploma Delivery form and upload it to MacDrive.

Diploma damaged in delivery: If you have received a damaged diploma, please return the diploma via mail to McMaster University, Gilmour Hall 108, 1280 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8 and update your mailing address in Mosaic. We will process your request and courier you a new parchment.

Name change: If you had requested a name change via the GIC and the diploma displays your name incorrectly, please return the diploma via mail to the address above along with the After Convocation Diploma Delivery form and the Name Change form. We will process your request and courier out a new parchment.

In-person details

Convocation is an important part of your university experience but this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing, there will be no in-person ceremonies in 2020.

What does this mean? We will work to find alternative dates that will allow us to celebrate with you in-person during a traditional convocation ceremony. McMaster’s senior leadership is closely monitoring the recommendations made by Public Health, provincial, and federal governments as they develop, and we will share more information when it becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Stay updated on convocation. Follow us on Instagram and please continue to monitor your @mcmaster.ca email account. All convocation email communications will be sent to that email account.

Graduation checklist

Follow our step-by-step guide on the actions you need to take in order to graduate.

Step 1: Check your graduation status in Mosaic

• Confirm your graduation status in Mosaic’s Student Centre by going to My Academics > View my Graduation Status.
• Until final grades and academic standing are reviewed, your status will read ‘Eligible’. For questions regarding your status, please contact your Faculty office.
• If you are a graduate student, visit completing your degree for more information.
• More information on graduation status.

Step 2: Complete your profile in the GIC

• The Graduation Information Centre (GIC) notifies us of key information about your expected graduation, like the degree and program you expect to graduate from.
• It also verifies your name to ensure it appears correctly on your diploma and confirms your mailing address so you can receive your printed diploma.
• The GIC is open from October 1 to 30, 2020 for fall convocation.

Need to request a change to your name?

• Your digital diploma and printed diploma will be produced using the Primary Name McMaster has on record.
• If your name is incorrect on the GIC, you will need to fill out the Name Change form. Submit both the completed form and a copy of your government-issued ID showing your correct name through our secure MacDrive link.
• The deadline to submit a Name Change request is October 26, 2020.

Step 3: Apply for a minor, concurrent certificate and/or a McMaster Mohawk affiliated certificate

• Minor/concurrent certificate – You can apply for your minor/concurrent certificate in the online Minor/Certificate Application Centre from September 15 to October 30, 2020. For more information about minors please see the Undergraduate Calendar. 
• McMaster Mohawk Affiliated Certificate – Faculty of Social Sciences – If you have completed the requirements for the McMaster Mohawk Affiliated Certificate and are preparing to graduate, you can apply in the Minor/Certificate Application Centre.

Step 4: Check your student account to ensure all fees have been paid

• Visit Mosaic to check your student account (Finances > Account Inquiry)
• If you have any questions regarding your student account, contact us.
• Upon graduation, your digital diploma and/or printed parchment will not be released until all outstanding fees have been cleared.

Step 5: Get ready to graduate!

• We will update you via your @mcmaster.ca email address and this website with more information regarding the virtual celebration and in-person ceremony details.

Other details

Early conferral, deferring your ceremony and diploma replacement details

Policies and procedures on how early conferral, deferring your ceremony and diploma replacement works.

Name Change form

If your Primary Name is incorrect on Mosaic, fill out the Name Change form. Submit both the completed form and a copy of your government-issued ID showing your correct name through our secure MacDrive link.

Graduation gifts

Don’t know what to give your graduate? We’ve got you covered.

Graduating student awards

Give yourself a grad present! There are scholarships specifically for undergrads in their graduating year.

Faculty & staff

Send your messages to the fall Class of 2020 here.

• Please make sure your videos are filmed horizontally
• Submit using lastname_faculty
• Length should be 10-20 seconds
• Deadline: Tuesday, October 27, 2020.