Academic deadlines and events

Academic term deadlines

Note: For information on payment instructions and graduate student fees please refer to the Finance website.

Deadlines for submission of the Graduate studies intention to graduate/program completion form to the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) are:  

Note:

1. Students who have completed all program requirements must submit the Graduate studies intention to graduate/program completion form to their department to initiate a formal review and verification of their program completion status and approval to graduate. Once approved by the department the form will be submitted to Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) for completion processing.
2. Receipt of this completed form (in GSPA) by the deadline indicated above, acknowledges a student's intention to graduate and completion of all degree requirements (for programs with a thesis, completion includes submission and approval from GSPA of the thesis in UWSpace).
3. The completion, degree, and convocation dates will appear on student academic records/transcripts.

Full Convocation information is available through the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) website.

Holidays

Note: Some University departments may be open for limited service on these days.

Mid-term study break

A mid-term break (e.g., Winter Reading Week) is intended to act as a pause for students in an academic term, to reflect upon and catch up on their term’s work to date and, as necessary, prepare for any upcoming mid-term assignments and assessments.

During this pause, there are to be no scheduled meetings or assignments for students (e.g., classes, labs, tutorials, seminars, exams, TA-related work). While exceptions may exist (e.g., co-operative employment interviews, clinical rotations, PhD comprehensive exams, graduate thesis defenses), the pause applies to meetings involving both undergraduate and graduate students.

Deadlines for student submissions will not be scheduled during the break. Student services such as student advising support, Health Services, Counselling Services, the library, and residences are expected to continue to provide service.

The above terms of reference are not meant to include responsibilities associated with graduate students in their roles as research assistants or in any other employment capacity (excluding TA-related work as mentioned above) with the university. In these situations, students and employers should clarify their mutual expectations concerning work-related responsibilities during the mid-term break.

University of Waterloo Committees and meeting dates

• University of Waterloo Committees and councils
• Senate Executive Committee
• University Senate
• Board of Governors
• Senate Graduate and Research Council

Legend