Commencement

Graduation vs. Commencement

What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

Commencement is a ceremony held once a year that honors students who just have or will soon graduate, which means completing all requirements of their degree programs. Participating in commencement does not automatically mean that a student has graduated. In order to graduate, a student must complete all requirements of his or her degree program before the end of the summer term.

• When students apply to graduate, advisors and the registrar will check to certify that all programme requirements have been satisfied or will be satisfied within the designated time frame (by the end of the summer term). Once degree audits have taken place, students are informed by the registrar’s office whether they can graduate.
• Participating in commencement is a separate process from graduating. When a student confirms participation in commencement, the University College of the Cayman Islands will reserve a place for the student to ‘walk’ in the ceremony and provide tickets for guests.

The UCCI Commencement Ceremony will be held on July 4, 2024.

The new date for the deadline to apply for graduation, is April 30, 2024. Download the Graduation Application Form.

PLEASE NOTE: Even if you do not wish to participate (walk) in the ceremony, you MUST still submit the completed  application form by the application deadline in order to receive your degree/certificate.

Important Note for 2024 applicants:

The commencement ceremony is scheduled for July 4, 2024 and students enrolled in Spring 2024 and/or Summer (1) 2024 should apply to graduate if all classes will be completed by Summer (1) 2024. Degrees/certificates will be conferred after Summer (1) 2024 grades are released. Diplomas will be ordered after that.

Academic Requirements for Graduation

Please note that you must have met all your degree/programme and GPA requirements by the end of the Summer (1) 2024 semester in order to have your degree conferred in 2024. This includes:

• Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Minimum credit requirement met (depending on the degree programme)
• All courses completed from programme plan
• Resolution of incomplete grades
• Resolution of Course Substitutions/Waivers
• Resolution of grade forgiveness applications
• Resolution of transfer of credits
• Resolution of Change of Major
• Resolution of Change of Degree Plan
• No outstanding account balances

PLEASE NOTE: No grade changes will be made to the student’s academic records after the degree has been conferred. Should you need to apply for Grade Forgiveness   for a class that you have already re-taken, please do so prior to applying for graduation.

Completion of Degree Plans:

Please meet with your advisor to review this before submitting the application to the Registrar’s Office for processing.

To include with your application form:

You must submit the following items with your Graduation Application form:

• Completed degree plan
• Unofficial transcript
• One valid form of identification (passport, birth certificate, driver's license)

Regular graduation fees:

• Attending graduation: $135 CI
• Not attending graduation: $100 CI

Not Approved for graduation:

Students who have applied for graduation but have not met the requirements listed above will be determined to be ineligible and will be contacted and informed of this decision. Students meeting the requirements will be emailed a confirmation and further instructions regarding items such as graduation rehearsal.

Change of name:

Potential graduates who provide identification with a name that is different from the name on their graduation applications, and without supporting documents, will be required to file an affidavit. Students wishing to change the name on their student files should complete a Change of Name Form and submit it with the supporting documents at the time of application.

Making Payments for Graduation