Diploma requests

If you are not attending convocation, you must indicate ‘No’ on the RSVP form via Tassel and complete your diploma delivery information.

If you did not complete the RSVP form before your scheduled convocation, you must submit a Service Request in Mosaic to request the delivery of your diploma. Complete the Diploma Delivery Request Form and attach it to the Service Request. You have 12 months from the date of your convocation to submit a Service Request.

In exceptional circumstances, you may require your degree to be awarded prior to your scheduled convocation ceremony. In such cases, you can request that your degree be conferred in advance of the official convocation date through a formal process. Each request will be reviewed in accordance with our Senates policy.

What steps do I need to take to seek approval for early conferral? 

This process is currently only for undergraduate students. Graduate students must reach out directly to the School of Graduate Studies.   

1. Review the Early Conferrals of Degrees policy to determine if you are eligible under the criteria listed.   
2. Make sure you are not currently enrolled in courses and that all of your grades are posted on Mosaic.   
3. Confirm that you are eligible to graduate with an Academic Advisor.   
4. Gather all the required documentation to support your request. Outline the specific reasons why you require your Degree Awarded in advance of your scheduled convocation.   
5. Submit an Early Conferral Service Request in Mosaic and attach all supporting documentation.   
6. Return to ‘My Service Requests’ to view the status of your request and complete any additional information if required.   

When can I apply for an early conferral?

You can apply for an early conferral only in a term in which you are not enrolled. For example, if you finished your last courses required for your degree in December, you can apply for an early conferral as early as January.

If you finish your final courses in April, you can receive an early conferral only if you have an opportunity that outlines in writing that your diploma is required before your Spring convocation ceremony. Your final grades must be posted to Mosaic before you can be considered.

If you have completed your classes in April and need documentation showing you have completed your degree requirements for employment, graduate school applications, etc., you will need to download an “approved to graduate” letter from your Mosaic Student Centre when it becomes available in late May. This letter will only become available once your faculty has finished its review of all students. The process begins in early May and is completed by late May.

How early can I receive my diploma?

The earliest you can pick up your diploma is at your convocation ceremony.  Release of physical diploma will only be considered for exceptional circumstances.

Application deadline

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Deadline for students attending a November convocation ceremony: October 18 

Deadline for students attending a May convocation ceremony: April 30

Deadline for students attending a June convocation ceremony: May 9

The Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter is available if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Official transcripts stating your degree awarded and conferral date will be available the day after convocation. Please only request a letter or transcript if necessary for reasons such as immigration, employment, admission etc.

Follow these steps to make sure your credential is available as soon as possible:

1. Complete the convocation forms tile in Mosaic. 
2. Before submitting a request, check your graduation status in Mosaic. 
3. Once your Mosaic Student Centre is updated to ‘approved to graduate’ by your Faculty Office, an ‘Approved to Graduate’ letter becomes available to you.
4. Download your letter via Mosaic Self-Serve (Mosaic Student Center > Other academic > Enrolment/Financial letters).
5. For post graduate work permit letter requests and/or third-party delivery, submit your order through Parchment ordering services.
6. Visit the Transcript Request Page in Mosaic after convocation to order your official transcript stating your degree awarded. 

Reviewing is completed by your faculty. Requests made too early will be canceled. Please remember to follow the steps for timely processing.

If you finish your courses in the fall or winter term, Approved to Graduate letters will become available in mid to late May until the date of your Convocation in June.  

If you finish your courses in the spring/summer term, Approved to Graduate letters will become available in late August until the date of your convocation in November 

Have follow up questions? You can connect with the Office of the Registrar via our online chat.

Please submit an order via Parchment to request the re-issue of your diploma for pick-up or courier.

If you are requesting your original diploma more than 12 months after your convocation date, you will need to place an order through Parchment. Additional fees apply. 

If you have earned more than one degree from McMaster, please specify the convocation month and year for the diploma you are requesting. A separate order must be submitted for each diploma you would like issued.