Graduation Guidelines

Find everything you need to prepare for your graduation in one place. From required forms and fees to ceremony details and important dates, this page will guide you through every step toward celebrating your achievement.

Congratulations

on achieving this

milestone in your UB academic journey!

As you prepare for graduation, remember that being a Black Jaguar is a lifelong connection—one that continues long after you cross the stage.

Application for Completion

At the University of Belize, students who have completed their academic requirements must submit an Application for Completion to the Records Office in order to be included on the tentative graduation list. This application includes a section where students will provide important information related to their graduation. Please ensure you fill out the entire form before turning it in. This form allows you to indicate if you will participate in one of our graduation ceremonies. If you indicate your intention to participate in one of our graduation ceremonies, save a copy of the form to remember what you requested.

The deadline is one semester before the anticipated semester of completion and is listed on the official academic calendar.

Please note that there are two financial clearances, each with its own cost, and you must not confuse them. The first is your Application for Completion Form which has a cost of $125.00. That fee is for your academic clearance and will get you on the tentative graduation list. The fee also covers the cost of your diploma, certificate or degree, our unique UB Diploma Cover, and a souvenir program.

The second fee is to Participate in a Graduation Ceremony which has a cost of $150.00. This fee covers the cost of your graduation regalia, invitations, and the various costs of producing Belize's premier graduation ceremony.

Application for Completion of Program

Paying Your Graduation Participation Fee

The graduation fee is $150.00 and is payable before the deadline of August 31. The fee can be paid online into your student account following the normal procedure for paying tuition. You can also pay in person at the account’s office on any UB campus. If you pay online, please be sure to send proof of payment to [email protected] and you will receive an official UB receipt in a few days. Be reminded that to participate in any of UB’s graduation ceremonies you must pay the graduation fee no later than August 31st. Please plan ahead to pay this fee on time as we cannot extend this deadline.

If you do not plan to participate in a graduation ceremony you do not have to pay this fee.

Dates and Venues of the 2026 Graduation Ceremonies

The University of Belize hosts two face-to-face graduation ceremonies in Belize City at the Civic Center and one face-to-face ceremony in Punta Gorda at the Sports Complex. These shorter, comfortable, and engaging ceremonies enhance the experience of our graduates and their guests.

On Saturday, October 17th, UB will host two graduation ceremonies at the Civic Center in Belize City for students who studied on the Belize City, Belmopan, or Central Farm Campus. The first ceremony will be from 10:00 am sharp to 12:00 pm noon for students who are graduting from the Faculty of Science and Technology and students who are graduating from the Faculty of Education and Arts. The second ceremony will be from 2:30 pm sharp to 4:30 pm for students who are graduting from the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences and students who are graduating from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

On Sunday, October 25th, UB will host its third graduation ceremony at the Punta Gorda Sports Complex for all students who studied on the Punta Gorda Campus. The ceremony will run from 10:00 am sharp to 12:00 noon.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR STUDENTS WHO PREFER A SUNDAY CEREMONY:

Any student who is unable to participate in one of the Saturday ceremonies in Belize City due to religious reasons is welcome to participate in the Sunday ceremony in Punta Gorda with the understanding that such travel to Punta Gorda will have to be covered by the student.

Students who are not from the Punta Gorda campus who decide to participate in the Punta Gorda ceremony must inform the Office of Student Affairs and can do so by emailing [email protected] before August 31st.

New Virtual Rehearsal

The university has moved away from face to face graduation rehearsal sessions for the Belize City ceremonies to save students time and the cost of travel. In lieu of face-to-face prractice sessions in Belize City, all graduates will be informed exactly what they need to do to participate and maintain the professional effect that the university expects. In addition, all graduates are now required to report inside the Civic Center or Punta Gorda Sports Complex no later than 1 hour before their respective graduation ceremony. We will upload detailed instructions in a Rehearsal Video a week before the ceremonies.

Students who will participate in the Punta Gorda ceremony will be invited to a face-to-face practice in Punta Gorda before the ceremony.

Distribution of Graduation Regalia

Each tentative graduate who fills out the Application for Completion form saying they will participate in a university graduation ceremony and who pays the $150 participation fee, will receive a new graduation gown, cap, tassel and stole. All Associate and Bachelor Graduates who achieve outstanding cumulative grade point averages will also receive academic honor stoles to drape over their gowns. The honor stoles are awarded as follows:

Associate Honors – Silver Satin HONOR stole

3.50 to 3.64 – White Satin Cum Laude stole

3.65 to 3.84 – Gold Satin Magna Cum Laude stole

3.85 to 4.0 – Purple Satin Summa Cum Laude stole

To save time and money, the entire set of regalia will be distributed to tentative graduates along with their invitations, honor stoles and name cards at the same time so they only have to come into campus once before graduation. This will be done based on the preferred campus you indicate on your application for completion form.

Where and When You Will Collect Your Graduation Regalia

ALL STUDENTS WHO INDICATED BELIZE CITY CAMPUS AS THEIR PREFERRED PICK UP VENUE

You will collect your regalia, invitations, name cards and honor stoles on the Belize City Campus at the Faculty of Management in West Landivar, Belize City. The distribution will take place in the library on the second floor of the main building on the FMSS Campus. The regalia will be distributed on the dates indicated below from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, including during lunch, to accommodate those who work. To prevent any overcrowding we ask that you come in for your package based on your Faculty following the schedule below. If you cannot come in on the day of your Faculty, you can send someone on your behalf with a copy of your Social Security Card.

Tuesday, September 15, Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA)

Wednesday, September 16, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS)

Thursday, September 17, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST)

Friday, September 18, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)

Saturday, September 19, Anyone who missed his or her designated day

ALL STUDENTS WHO INDICATED BELMOPAN CAMPUS AS THEIR PREFERRED PICK UP VENUE

You will collect your regalia, invitations, name cards and honor stoles on the Belmopan Campus in Belmopan City in the Audio Visual Room on the ground floor of the library. The regalia will be distributed on the dates indicated below from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, including during lunch, to accommodate those who work. To prevent any overcrowding we ask that you come in for your package based on your Faculty following the schedule below. If you cannot come in on the day of your Faculty, you can send someone on your behalf with a copy of your Social Security Card.

Tuesday, September 22, Faculty of Education and Arts (FEA)

Wednesday, September 23, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS)

Thursday, September 24, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST)

Friday, September 25, Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)

Saturday, September 26, Anyone who missed his or her designated day

ALL STUDENTS WHO INDICATED PUNTA GORDA CAMPUS AS THEIR PREFERRED PICK UP VENUE

You will collect your regalia on the Punta Gorda Campus in Punta Gorda Town at the main office in the Administration Building. Please take note of the day and time for you to show up ready to collect your regalia. The regalia will be distributed on the dates indicated below from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, including during lunch, to accommodate our working students. You can come on any of the two days allotted.

Friday, September 25, All Faculties

Saturday, September 26, All Faculties

Dress Code

Standard dress code for the graduation will be as follows:

Males

Dress shirt with necktie as the V neck on the graduation gown will highlight your necktie. Dark coloured trousers or dress jeans with dress shoes look very smart but please, don’t wear athletic socks.

Females

If you wear a dress it should not be longer than 15 inches above your ankle. The graduation gown has a V neck so plan for your jewelry to be highlighted. Be careful with your choice of shoes as the carpet on the stage and the steps to the stage can be a little difficult to navigate.

Invitations

UB will give each tentative graduate five (5) invitations to their graduation ceremony. Tentative graduates will collect their invitations when they collect their regalia.

Photographers

Only professional photographers authorized by the University of Belize and clearly identified with official tags will be permitted to take photos in front of the stage during the ceremony. Family and friends are asked to remain in their seats when taking pictures. This ensures a smooth flow of graduands to and from the stage and guarantees that an official photo is taken of each graduate. After the ceremony, the official photographers will be available for contact should you wish to purchase photographs. They will also have stations set up inside the Civic, where graduates can take photo sessions with friends and family. The photography stations will not be open during the ceremonies.

Graduation Rings

Nancy’s Jewelry is the official jeweler making the UB-sanctioned graduation ring for the past 20 years. The Official UB Ring can be purchased from any of the Nancy’s Jewelry Stores across the country including:

Belize City
#4 Cemetery Road
Tel: 227-8969

Orange Walk Town
#24 Belize-Corozal Road
Tel: 322-0175

San Ignacio Town
#7 Burns Avenue
Tel: 632 2882

Distribution of Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees

Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees will not be given out during the graduation ceremonies. Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees will be issued at the Records Offices on the Belize City, Belmopan and Punta Gorda campuses, based on the location indicated on the Application for Completion form.

To manage the number of students collecting their Certificates, Diplomas or Degrees on any given day, the Records Office asks those of you who are picking up at the Belize City, Belmopan or Central Farm Campuses to collect your diploma or degree following the schedule below: (Please note that you have up to a year to collect your diploma so you don’t have to rush but you should come to collect it within a year. If you don’t collect your diploma, certificate or degree within a year of your graduation date you may be asked to pay for a reprint) In case you cannot come to collect your diploma, degree or certificate in person, you can send someone on your behalf with a copy of your social security card and an email or note from you authorizing the person to collect it on your behalf.

Schedule of Diploma distributions

Faculty of Health Sciences

Tuesday, October 20th

Faculty of Education and Arts

Wednesday, October 21st

Faculty of Management and Social Sciences

Thursday, October 22nd

Faculty of Science and Technology

Friday, October 23rd

Students who will attend the graduation ceremony in Punta Gorda can collect their diplomas or degrees on any work day after their graduation ceremony at the Records Office on the Punta Gorda campus.

Early Release of Diplomas and Degrees

Any student who completes his or her graduation requirements and pays all attendant fees can apply for an early release of his or her degree or diploma. This is done in an organized manner at specific times. Students who complete in December can apply for an early release in January which they will receive in March. Students who complete all their graduation requirements in June can apply for an early release in June and collect it in August. If you complete your studies in July, the earliest you can receive your degree is during the week after graduation in October. To apply, students should contact the records office at [email protected] for the relevant form and pay the early release fee of $150.00. Please note that this is a special fee and should not be confused with the other two fees. This fee is optional as you only have to pay it if you want an early release of your degree or diploma. If this fee is not paid before the deadline in January or June, there will be a $50 late fee.