1. General Information

Last Revised April 24, 2019

These policies and regulations apply to all graduate programs within Western and its affiliated university colleges. Reference to program, department, Faculty, etc. should be interpreted within the context of these institutions. The academic year in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies consists of three terms: Fall term, beginning September 1; Winter term, beginning January 1; and Summer term, beginning May 1.

September 1, 2023 (Beginning of Fall term)
Fall term officially begins. Since this date does not necessarily coincide with the beginning of classes, students should contact their program for the specific date when courses start.

September 8, 2023
Due date for fall term tuition (first installment).

September 14, 2023
Grade submission deadline for summer term grades for continuing students.

September 29, 2023
Last day to enrol in graduate courses starting in the fall term. Students who are not enroled by this date cannot receive academic credit for the fall term.
Last day to declare an audit for a course starting in the fall term.
Last day to drop a graduate course beginning in the fall term without it appearing on the transcript. Students who drop after this date but before November 1 will receive a WDN on their transcript.

October 13, 2023
Due date for second installment of fall term tuition for those paying in 2 installments.

October 18-20, 2023
Autumn Convocation

October 30, 2023
Last day to provide proof of Permanent Residency to have fall term tuition fees reduced to the domestic rate.

October 31, 2023
Last day to withdraw from a graduate course beginning in the fall term without academic penalty. Students who drop after this date will receive an F on their transcript.

November 10, 2023
Final date for doctoral candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the fall term and be eligible for the February In-Absentia Convocation.

November 27, 2023
Recommended deadline to submit to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies any request for a Change of Registration for the winter term (leave of absence, part-time status, transfer from master’s to doctoral degree, intent to be eligible for TDO status etc.).
Recommended deadline to Apply to Graduate for the February In-Absentia Convocation.

November 24, 2023
Final date for master’s candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the fall term and be eligible for the February In-Absentia Convocation.

December 15, 2023
Final date for thesis examination for doctoral and master's candidates to complete the degree within the fall term and be eligible for the February In-Absentia Convocation.

December 22, 2023 (Final Business Day of Fall Term)
Grade submission deadline for fall term grades for students wishing to graduate at the February In-Absentia Convocation.
Deadline for doctoral and master's candidates to submit the thesis for examination to SGPS to be eligible for Thesis Defense Only status for the winter term.
Final thesis submission deadline for students wishing to graduate at the February In-Absentia Convocation.

December 31, 2023
Fall term ends.

January 1, 2024 (Beginning of Winter Term)
Winter term officially begins. Since this date does not necessarily coincide with the beginning of classes, students should contact their program for the specific date when courses start.

January 10, 2024
Due date for winter term tuition (first installment).

January 15, 2024
Grade submission deadline for fall term grades for continuing students.

January 30, 2024
Last day to provide proof of Permanent Residency to have winter term tuition fees reduced to the domestic rate.

January 31, 2024
Last day to enrol in graduate courses starting in the winter term. Students who are not enroled by this date cannot receive academic credit for the winter term.
Last day to declare an audit for a course starting in the winter term.
Last day to drop a graduate course beginning in the winter term without it appearing on the transcript. Students who drop after this date but before March 1 will receive a WDN on their transcript.

February 14, 2024
Due date for second installment of winter term tuition for those paying in 2 installments.

February 23, 2024
February In-Absentia Convocation

February 29, 2024
Last day to withdraw from a graduate course beginning in the winter term without academic penalty. Students who drop after this date will receive an F on their transcript.

March 19, 2024
Final date for doctoral candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the winter term and be eligible for the June Convocation.

March 25, 2024
Recommended deadline to submit to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies any request for a Change of Registration for the summer term (leave of absence, part-time status, transfer from master’s to doctoral degree, intent to be eligible for TDO status etc.).
Recommended deadline to Apply to Graduate for Spring Convocation.

April 2, 2024
Final date for master’s candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the winter term and be eligible for the June Convocation.

April 23, 2024
Final date for thesis examination for doctoral and master's candidates to complete the degree within the winter term and be eligible for the Spring Convocation.

April 30, 2024
Grade submission deadline for winter term grades for students wishing to graduate at Spring Convocation.

April 30, 2024
Deadline for doctoral and master's candidates to submit the thesis for examination to SGPS to be eligible for Thesis Defense Only status for the summer term.
Final thesis submission deadline for students wishing to graduate at the Spring Convocation.
Winter term ends.

May 1, 2024 (Beginning of Summer Term)
Summer term officially begins. Since this date does not necessarily coincide with the beginning of classes, students should contact their program for the specific date when courses start.

May 7, 2024
Due date for summer term tuition (first installment).

May 14, 2024
Grade submission deadline for winter term grades for continuing students.

May 31, 2024
Last day to enrol in graduate courses starting in the summer term. Students who are not enroled by this date cannot receive academic credit for the summer term.
Last day to declare an audit for a course starting in the summer term.
Last day to drop a graduate course beginning in the summer term without it appearing on the transcript. Students who drop after this date but before July 1 will receive a WDN on their transcript.

June 11, 2024
Due date for second installment of summer term tuition for those paying in 2 installments.

June 10-21, 2024
Spring Convocation

June 26, 2024
Last day to provide proof of Permanent Residency to have summer term tuition fees reduced to the domestic rate.

June 28, 2024
Last day to withdraw from a graduate course beginning in the summer term without academic penalty. Students who drop after this date will receive an F on their transcript.

July 20, 2024
Final date for doctoral candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the summer term and be eligible for the October Convocation.

July 26, 2024
Recommended deadline to submit to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies any request for a Change of Registration for the fall term (leave of absence, part-time status, transfer from master’s to doctoral degree, intent to be eligible for TDO status etc.).
Recommended deadline to Apply to Graduate for Autumn Convocation.

August 2, 2024
Final date for master’s candidates to complete the preliminary thesis submission to finish the degree within the summer term and be eligible for the October Convocation.

August 23, 2024
Final date for thesis examination for doctoral and master's candidates to complete the degree within the summer term and be eligible for the October Convocation.

August 30, 2024
Grade submission deadline for summer term grades for students wishing to graduate at Autumn Convocation.

August 31, 2024
Deadline for doctoral and master's candidates to submit the thesis for examination to SGPS to be eligible for Thesis Defense Only status for the fall term.
Final thesis submission deadline for students wishing to graduate at the Autumn Convocation.
Summer term ends.

The University of Western Ontario collects personal information under the authority of the University of Western Ontario Act, 1982, as amended.  The information is related directly to and needed by the University for the purposes of recruitment, admission, registration, progression, graduation, administration, and other activities related to its programs.

The information is used to administer and operate academic, athletic, recreational, student development, student employment, financial aid, and other University programs and activities, including residence operations and alumni and development activities and programs, and to determine eligibility for student awards, scholarships and financial support, and administer financial aid and government financial assistance programs.

It is the policy of the University to consider the following information about current and former students to be publicly available and to provide it to third parties upon request: student's full name; Faculty(ies)/Schools in which student is/was enrolled, with major field of study; degree(s) awarded by Western and date(s) conferred; and academic or other University honors or distinctions.  At any time an individual may request that this information cease to be made publicly available by contacting the Office of the Registrar, in writing.

Personal information may be used for statistical and research purposes by the University, other post-secondary educational institutions, researchers, and the provincial and federal government.  The University discloses specific and limited personal information to recognized student organizations for the purposes of administering their programs including membership administration, health plan, elections, and issuing of bus passes.  Personal information of students enrolled in an Affiliated University College is shared with the Affiliated University College.

Select information may be shared with third parties, including: award donors; government funding agencies to process financial assistance applications; financial institutions to confirm student enrolment; independent student loan administration companies to process student loan documents; collection agencies for outstanding accounts; municipalities for debts owed by students; and contracted service providers acting on behalf of the University.  Credit card information is transmitted to an independent processing company in order to process payments. Personal information may be disclosed to third parties in the course of an investigation of misconduct.  Information relating to misconduct and/or falsified documents may be shared with other educational institutions.

If you have any questions about the University's collection, use, or disclosure of your personal information, please contact the Director of Administration, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Room 1N07 International and Graduate Affairs Building, 519-661-2111 ext. 84636.  For further information please refer to our privacy website.

Revised July 6, 2009

Few experiences in life pose the personal challenge, demand the commitment, or provide the satisfaction experienced during a graduate career. Graduate students play many important roles in the University. They are engaged, at the highest level of their discipline, in study that involves learning the skills of the independent scholar. Students in thesis-based programs design and execute original research and make fundamental contributions to the research and scholarship in their areas of study. Graduate students may also be teaching assistants in our undergraduate programs. A knowledgeable and approachable graduate teaching assistant is often at the core of a rewarding experience for our undergraduate students. 

With 88 different graduate degree programs, and 31 different graduate credentials across 11 Faculties, The University of Western Ontario is committed to providing excellence in graduate education in a full range of academic disciplines and professions. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is responsible for monitoring these graduate programs to ensure that the highest standards are maintained. It oversees the admission of students and the examination of theses and it conducts regular program reviews in all disciplines. In addition, only Western faculty members who also hold a membership in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies are eligible to act as supervisors for graduate students. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sets rigorous standards of admission to initial membership and provides subsequent periodic review for continued membership to ensure that all members of the Faculty are actively involved in scholarship and research and are experienced in graduate education. Finally, the School shares with graduate programs the responsibility for providing scholarships and other forms of financial support to students. Through these awards, Western strives to attract outstanding students and provide the support necessary for students to concentrate their time and energy on their graduate studies. All this is part of a conviction that Western's continued success in higher education, research, and scholarship depends on the quality of its graduate programs and its graduate students.