Thesis Preparations and Defense
The .docx forms has been discontinued as of February 2025.
Please use the new set up form links that can be found below.
Preparing for Thesis Defense
Request to Set Up Thesis Defense Forms
Please note that the old .docx Set Up forms have been discontinued, and going forward supervisors are asked to use the new Qualtrics examination set up forms. The links to this two part form can be found in the box below.
For Supervisors - Request to Schedule Oral Exam
Supervisors are responsible for the oral examination set up. Please note that this request is a two-part form and both parts are due 6 weeks prior to a MSc defense and 8 weeks prior to a PhD defense
Part 1: Request for GSE to Schedule an Oral Exam - Examination Committee
Part 2: Request for GSE to Schedule an Oral Exam - Scheduling Details
Requirements for Defense
The oral defense of your thesis is an FGS requirement. Please review the Examinations section on the FGS website for full details on the policy and rules for examinations
Prepare Your Thesis
Discussions about your thesis research requirements should be ongoing with your supervisor and committee, and should include agreement on a reasonable endpoint for your experimental work and/or data collection.
Complete Program Requirements
These items must be completed before proceeding to defense:
- Research Integrity Day
- Sex and Gender Module(s)
- Completion of course requirements with a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Supervisor and Committee confirmation that the defense is ready to defend
- Completion of Candidacy (PhD only)
Supervisor Schedules Defense
The supervisor submits the Request to Set Up Thesis Defense Form to their program's GPA. This is due 6 weeks in advance of an MSc defense, and 8 weeks in advance of a PhD defense.
Prepare for Defense
Know the regulations, process and get tips on doing well on your exams.
Preparing for Defense and Convocation
Indigenous Cultural Protocol Plan - Defense & Graduation
ii’taa’poh’to’p, the University of Calgary’s Indigenous Strategy, seeks to ensure that policies, practices, and procedures are supportive and respectful of Indigenous ways of knowing, doing, connecting, and being. Indigenous graduate students and those who are working with Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers are encouraged to incorporate Indigenous ceremonies and/or traditions into their exams. Indigenous students are also encouraged to RSVP for the Indigenous Graduation Celebration
Applying for Convocation
Students must apply for convocation prior to their Oral Defense. Typically the application is due at the beginning of the term in which the Convocation Ceremony will occur and and must be submitted through your MyUofC Student Centre. If you miss the deadline to apply for graduation, you must stay registered and pay applicable tuition and general fees until the end of the term in which your degree requirements are met.
International Students
International graduate students may be eligible to continue their stay in Canada after they have successfully defended their thesis. Contact the International Student Services office to have a discussion with one of their Immigration Advisors about what your potential post-defense/post-graduation plans are.
Questions? Please contact your graduate program: Graduate Program Contact Info