Important Dates
Thesis Defense Timeline Planning: Note the office closures and blackout periods during the summer term and over winter break. Office closure dates are not included in the minimum submission requirement. There will be no thesis defenses during the blackout periods. Blackout dates are not included in the SCA validity period. Please contact GradStudies@twu.ca to determine your thesis submission deadline if your anticipated thesis date overlaps a blackout period or university holiday.
Dates subject to change. For the most current information, refer often to the table below.
See the Office of the Registrar website for more important TWU Academic Calendar dates.
|
CONFERENCE, SCHOLARSHIP & THESIS ITEMS |
DATE |
DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
|
Information Session for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
October 12, 2023 |
Hosted by TWU’s Office of Graduate Studies. Interested applicants will learn about the CGS-M award and application process. |
|
Applications due for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) Program |
October 17 (annually) |
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Visit the CGS-D Overview webpage for further details. UPDATED institutional due dates for the 2024 competition only:
NOTE: Applicants submitting directly to an agency must apply by the agency due date posted on the respective agency's webpage. |
|
Last day to submit Supervisory Committee Approval – Master’s Thesis (SCA-MT) for December 31 conferral |
October 20, 2023 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Application workshop for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
November 2, 2023 |
Hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Applicants are guided through the application process. As CGS-M applications cannot be revised after submission, workshop attendance is encouraged. Event Contact: GradStudies@twu.ca Time: 11:30a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
|
Competition opens for SSHRC Storytellers |
November (annually) |
SSHRC’s Storytellers contest challenges postsecondary students to show Canadians, in three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better. |
|
November 17, 2023 |
Students wanting to participate in TWU's 3MT Competition in the spring semester must submit their registration form by this date. Competition date is announced in January. |
|
|
Application due for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
December 1 (annually) |
The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. Visit the CGS-M Overview webpage for further details. |
|
Submission of final master’s thesis for December 31 conferral |
December 1, 2023 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
| Applications due for the CIHR Strategic Master's Award | December 14, 2023 |
The CIHR Strategic Master's Award program provides financial support to scholars who are engaged in an eligible master's program in Canada and that are relevant to specific CIHR priority research areas. All signatures on the Routing Slip are required prior to submission. The Routing Slip must be signed by your supervisor prior to requesting the institutional signature from the Graduate Studies Office. The deadline to forward the signature form to the Graduate Studies Office for institutional signature is December 7th, 2023. |
| Online submissions close for National Student Paper Competition | December 15, 2023 |
The National Student Paper Competition (NSPC) offers a unique opportunity for talented graduate students to connect with senior public servants, expand their networks, nurture their leadership skills, and foster employment opportunities with the federal public service. The Grand Prize winner(s) of the competition will receive the following:
The winner and the top five finalists will:
IMPORTANT: Interested students must find a professor or supervisor to submit the paper on their behalf. |
|
WINTER BREAK |
December 18, 2023 to January 2, 2024 |
The Office of Graduate Studies is closed for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. |
|
WINTER THESIS DEFENCE BLACKOUT |
December 18, 2023 to January 5, 2024 |
Thesis defences are not scheduled during this time. The blackout period is a result of the degree completion deadline, office closures, and limited faculty member availability to attend and to chair examinations during this time period. |
|
Completion of all degree requirements for December 31 conferral |
December 31 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |
|
2024 |
||
|
WINTER RETURN |
January 3, 2024 |
The Office of Graduate Studies reopens. |
|
THESIS DEFENCE SCHEDULING for 2024 |
January 8, 2024 |
Master’s thesis defences anticipated for the 2024 year may be scheduled to occur between January 8 and May 31 or September 4 and December 20. |
|
Story submissions due for SSHRC Storytellers |
January 2024 (TBD) |
SSHRC’s Storytellers contest challenges postsecondary students to show Canadians, in three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better. |
| Applications due for the Soroptimist Grants for Women Graduate Students | January 31, 2024 |
The Soroptimist Foundation of Canada annually offers several $8,500 grants to female graduate students in Canada who are pursuing careers that focus on improving the quality of women’s lives. Examples of such careers include, but are not limited to providing medical services, providing legal counselling and assistance, counselling mature women entering or re-entering the labour market, counselling women in crisis, counselling and training women for non-traditional employment, and positions in women’s centres. |
|
Apply for graduation |
January 31 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |
|
Applications due for Mackenzie King Open Scholarship |
February 1 (annually) |
Eligibility open to graduates of Canadian institutions entering or enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs in Canada or elsewhere. |
|
Applications due for Mackenzie King Travelling Scholarship |
February 1 (annually) |
Eligibility open to graduates of Canadian institutions entering or enrolled in graduate or doctoral programs in the US or UK, within specific fields. |
|
Last date to submit Nominations for Third Reader (NTR) for May 31 conferral |
February 2, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Submission of final master’s thesis for participation in spring convocation |
February 15 (annually) |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
March 14, 2024 |
See Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition for more details. Event Contact: GradStudies@twu.ca Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Location: Norma Marion Alloway Library's Glass Room |
|
|
Last day to submit Supervisory Committee Approval – Master’s Thesis (SCA-MT) for May 31 conferral |
March 22, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Last master’s thesis defence date for May 31 conferral |
May 3, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Applications due for Canada Graduate Scholarship-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS) |
May and September (annually) |
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) Program supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian and foreign institutions. Visit the Canada Graduate Scholarship-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS) webpage for further information and the agency’s application deadline. NOTE: TWU's institutional due date is five weeks in advance of the agency’s deadline. |
|
Submission of final master’s thesis for May 31 conferral |
May 17, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Completion of all degree requirements for May 31 conferral |
May 31 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |
|
Apply for graduation |
July 15 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |
|
SUMMER THESIS DEFENCE BLACKOUT |
June, July, and August (annually) |
Thesis defences are not scheduled during this time. The blackout period is a result of office closures and limited faculty member availability to attend and to chair examinations during this time period. |
|
Applications portal opens for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) Program |
July (annually) |
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Visit the CGS-D Overview webpage for further details. NOTE: Applicants submitting directly to an agency must apply by the agency due date posted on the respective agency's webpage. The Office of Graduate Studies hosts an CGS-D Information Session annually in September. See details below. |
|
SUMMER BREAK |
TBD |
The Office of Graduate Studies is closed for three weeks during the summer term. |
|
Submission of final master’s thesis for participation in fall convocation |
August 15 (annually) |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
SUMMER RETURN |
TBD |
The Office of Graduate Studies reopens. |
|
Last date to submit Nominations for Third Reader (NTR) for Dec 31 conferral |
August 23, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Application portal open for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
September (annually) |
The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. Visit the CGS-M Overview webpage for further details. The Office of Graduate Studies hosts an CGS-M Information Session annually in October. See details below. |
|
THESIS DEFENCE SCHEDULING for Fall 2024 |
September 4, 2024 |
Master’s thesis defences anticipated for the Fall 2024 semester may be scheduled to occur between September 4 and December 20. |
|
Applications due for Canada Graduate Scholarship-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS) |
September and May (annually) |
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) Program supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian and foreign institutions. Visit the Canada Graduate Scholarship-Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (CGS-MSFSS) webpage for further information and the agency’s application deadline. NOTE: TWU's institutional due date is five weeks in advance of the agency’s deadline. |
|
Information Session for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) Program |
September 2024 (TBD) |
Hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Interested applicants will learn about the CGS-M award and application process. Event Contact: GradStudies@twu.ca Time: TBD Virtual Location: TBD |
|
Applications due for Vanier Scholarship |
September (annually) |
Applicants seek endorsement from host institution to apply, prepare and submit application (institutions may have internal deadlines). Candidates must be nominated by a Canadian institution with a quota (i.e., a predetermined number of applications that can be put forward to the national competition) to host Vanier scholars. Candidates should only seek a nomination from the institution at which they want to study. The Government of Canada launched the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) program in 2008 to strengthen Canada's ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students and establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health. Visit the Vanier webpage for further information and the agency’s application deadline. NOTE: TWU's institutional due date is five weeks in advance of the agency’s deadline. |
|
Last day to submit Supervisory Committee Approval – Master’s Thesis (SCA-MT) for December 31 conferral |
October 11, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
Information Session for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
October 2024 (TBD) |
Hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Interested applicants will learn about the CGS-M award and application process. Time: TBD Virtual Location: TBD |
|
Applications due for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) Program |
October 17 (annually) |
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a federal program of scholarships awarded through national competitions by the granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Visit the CGS-D Overview webpage for further details. NOTE: Applicants submitting directly to an agency must apply by the agency due date posted on the respective agency's webpage. |
|
Competition opens for SSHRC Storytellers |
November (annually) |
SSHRC’s Storytellers contest challenges postsecondary students to show Canadians, in three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better. |
|
Application workshop for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
November (TBD) |
Hosted by the Office of Graduate Studies. Applicants are guided through the application process. As CGS-M applications cannot be revised after submission, workshop attendance is encouraged. Event Contact: GradStudies@twu.ca Time: TBD Virtual Location: TBD |
|
Applications due for Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) Program |
December 1 (annually) |
The objective of the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master’s (CGS M) program is to help develop research skills and assist in the training of highly qualified personnel by supporting students who demonstrate a high standard of achievement in undergraduate and early graduate studies. Visit the CGS-M Overview webpage for further details. |
|
Last master’s thesis defence date for December 31 conferral |
November 22, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
December 6, 2024 |
Students wanting to participate in TWU's 3MT Competition in the spring semester must submit their registration form by this date. Competition date is announced in January. |
|
|
Submission of final master’s thesis for December 31 conferral |
December 6, 2024 |
See the Thesis Guidebook for further information and Forms & Procedures for current forms. |
|
WINTER BREAK |
December 23, 2024 to January 3, 2025 |
The Office of Graduate Studies is closed for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year's holidays. |
|
WINTER THESIS DEFENCE BLACKOUT |
December 23, 2024 to January 10, 2025 |
Thesis defences are not scheduled during this time. The blackout period is a result of the degree completion deadline, office closures, and limited faculty member availability to attend and to chair examinations during this time period. |
|
Completion of all degree requirements for December 31 conferral |
December 31 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |
|
2025 |
||
|
WINTER RETURN |
January 6, 2025 |
The Office of Graduate Studies reopens. |
|
THESIS DEFENCE SCHEDULING for 2025 |
January 10, 2025 |
Master’s thesis defences anticipated for the 2024 year may be scheduled to occur between January 10 and May 31 or September 3 and December 19. |
| Nominations due for the SWAAC's Graduate Student of Merit Award | January 12, 2024 | Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada's (SWAAC) Graduate Student of Merit Award is valued at $4000 and is awarded annually to women graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the university or general community while maintaining exemplary academic records. Deans must submit nominations to the Office of Graduate Studies by January 12, 2024, for consideration. See Graduate Student of Merit Award for further information. |
|
Story submissions due for SSHRC Storytellers |
January 2025 (TBD) |
SSHRC’s Storytellers contest challenges postsecondary students to show Canadians, in three minutes or 300 words, how social sciences and humanities research is affecting our lives, our world and our future for the better. |
|
Apply for graduation |
January 31 (annually) |
See the Office of the Registrar for further details. |