Convocation

In order to officially graduate from Cape Breton University, you must be approved by the Cape Breton University Senate. The Cape Breton University Senate is responsible for the educational policy of the University, such as conferring degrees. The next scheduled date for a Senate meeting related to Graduation matters is Tuesday May 10, and Spring Convocations are scheduled for May 19 and 20, 2022.

All students must apply to graduate.

If a student plans to graduate, they must submit an application regardless of whether or not they intend to participate in the scheduled ceremonies. It is your responsibility to ensure you are checking your email accounts regularly for messages from convocation@cbu.ca or directly from the Registrar’s Office. It is a good practice to check it daily.

2022 Spring Convocation Application to Graduate:

The Spring 2022 Application to Graduate is now live. Before you apply to graduate, please review this important information below:

• The deadline to apply to ensure that your program requirements have been audited by the Registrar’s Office is December 10, 2021. Students that apply to graduate after this date are not guaranteed to have their program requirements audited in time for the closing of the winter 2022 registration period. Students are responsible for their academic progress through to graduation and must follow all requirements of their plan(s), including co-operative education, if applicable.
• Carefully review your legal name (first, middle, last) exactly as it appears in your CBU Student Portal. This is the name that will be used for Convocation and will be printed on your diploma and any other documents related to Convocation (programs, graduation list, invitations, etc.).
• Carefully review your current active program and confirm that all program information is correct, including all majors, specializations, concentrations, options, etc. are listed correctly (if applicable).
• Students currently enrolled in a 3-year Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts Community Studies, or Bachelor of Science program must declare their specialty area or academic field before applying to graduate. To declare your specialty/academic field, email Convocation@cbu.ca to have this updated.
• Students currently enrolled in a 4-year Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts Community Studies, or Bachelor of Science Major program must declare your Major before applying to graduate. To declare your Major, please email Convocation@cbu.ca to have this updated.
• Students enrolled in the general Master of Business Administration program and are planning to graduate with a program option, please email Jenny_Beaton@cbu.ca to update your program option.
• Upon submitting your application, your student financial account will be charged a $21.00 graduation application fee. Students are responsible to have this fee paid in order to receive transcripts, final grades, any participate in all Convocation events.
• To complete the Spring 2022 Application to Graduate, log into your Compass Student Portal here.
• Details regarding the Spring Convocation Ceremony will be made available in the Winter Term 2022.

The application for Letters of Completion will open on Monday, November 15, 2021.

Letter of Completion

International students who have completed their studies and plan to graduate in Spring 2022 must complete the graduation application prior to applying for a Letter of Completion. A Letter of Completion will only be issued to students who have applied to graduate and have paid their fees in full.

Request a Letter of Completion here.

Fall Convocation – Saturday, November 6th, 2021 – Canada Games Complex

There will be two in-person Convocation ceremonies, subject to Public Health Protocols and changes in local epidemiology. Each Convocation ceremony will be held in the Canada Games Complex at Cape Breton University at the following times

10:00 am – School of Arts and Social Sciences and Shannon School of Business

3:00 pm – School of Nursing, School of Education and Health and School of Science and Technology

Convocation is an important celebratory milestone for students, and we are very proud of the hard work and dedication our students have put in to reach this goal. Please refer to this page regularly for updates on upcoming convocation ceremonies.

The Final Fall 2021 Grad list is now posted here. Congratulations!

Convocation Live Stream: Ceremony 1

Convocation Live Stream: Ceremony 2

What You Need to Know

Day of

• A small reception will take place following each ceremony in the CBU Cafeteria and Pit Lounge.
• Parchments will not be available for pick up until after each convocation.
• Campus Bookstore is open from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
• Face masks cannot be removed for indoor photos.

All grads are asked to arrive one hour prior to the ceremony and go directly to the Sullivan Fieldhouse for the lineup.

Gowns and Tickets

Graduation gowns and guest tickets (maximum 5 per graduate) can be picked up in CBU’s Multipurpose Room (CE-241B) during the following times:

• Wednesday, November 3, from 11:00am-7:00pm
• Thursday, November 4, from 11:00am-7:00pm
• Friday, November 5, from 9:00am-4:00pm

Learn how to put on your graduation regalia in this short video here.

Please note, unofficial and official transcripts will not be available to graduating students until after November 8. To request a transcript, please fill out the form here and send it to transcripts@cbu.ca. Please allow 3-5 business days for processing.

COVID-19 Protocols

According to CBU’s COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Mask Policy, all graduates and their guests are required to be fully vaccinated, must show proof of vaccination upon entering and must wear a mask at all times (pre, during and post-ceremony). Fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least 14 days past their second dose of a World Health Organization approved vaccine. In this case, all individuals must have received their second dose by October 23.

Next Steps for Grads

 Review and/or Update Your Address

• Please review your current address in the Compass Student Account. It is crucial to have the accurate address listed. Replacing a lost credential is a time-consuming and difficult process, so we want to make sure your parchment gets to the right place. If credentials need to be re-shipped due to an invalid or out of date address, the cost will have to be paid by the graduate.

Financial Matters 

• Credentials will not be provided to students with an outstanding balance on their account. Before convocation, ensure you have paid all outstanding fees. 

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact convocation@cbu.ca

Transcript Information