This page outlines the procedures required for a student to earn their degree at UCSB.
Degrees are not automatically granted when students complete degree requirements. Students must officially apply for graduation the quarter they will be completing all degree requirements. Failure to declare degree candidacy before the deadline will delay the awarding of the degree.
Students may declare their degree candidacy for any quarter--Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer--depending on when they will complete all degree requirements.
Undergraduate Students
Declaring degree candidacy in GOLD for a particular quarter means that you intend to complete all coursework for you degree requirements by the last day of that quarter.
This is the only way to officially graduate and earn your degree and diploma from UCSB.
Students are charged a one-time diploma processing fee when they declare candidacy in GOLD.
Students who will not complete all degree requirements must withdraw their degree candidacy via GOLD. Students must then re-declare candidacy via GOLD for the quarter when all degree requirements will be completed.
The Office of the Registrar verifies completion of all undergraduate degree requirements.
Students should check U-mail frequently, even after the quarter has ended.
Deadlines
Quarterly declaration of candidacy deadline:
The deadline is usually within the first two weeks of each quarter.
If you miss the deadline, please email GraduationMatters@sa.ucsb.edu.
How to Declare Degree Candidacy
In GOLD:
- Select "Progress"
- Select "Graduation & Commencement"
- Choose the appropriate quarter from the drop-down
- Click the blue "Declare Candidacy" button
If you miss the deadline, please email GraduationMatters@sa.ucsb.edu.
Seniors attending EAP
It is strongly recommended that students participating in a UC Education Abroad program during their final quarter at UCSB declare candidacy for the next quarter. For example, students studying abroad Spring quarter who do not plan to return to UCSB are encouraged to declare candidacy for the Summer quarter. This is due to the delay in receiving final grades from UC Education Abroad programs. Please visit UCSB’s EAP website for more information.
Complete all Degree Requirements
Complete all degree requirements, including Incomplete grades, by the last day of the degree candidacy quarter.
Check your status towards completion of all degree requirements using the "Major & GE Progress Check" in GOLD (under "Progress").
| Degree requirement | Who to contact with questions |
|---|---|
| University requirements | College academic advising office |
| General Education requirements | College academic advising office |
| Major requirements | Major department advising office |
| Minor requirements | Minor department advising office |
Transfer work
Send official transcripts for any work completed at other institutions to the Office of Admissions. This includes UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (formerly UCSB Extension), other UC campuses, and Non-UC Study Abroad. Once a degree is awarded, no further transfer work can be added to the UCSB undergraduate record.
Graduate Students
Contact your department for information on filing and degree conferral. Contact the Graduate Division for more information.
Students are charged a one-time per level (master’s, doctorate, etc.) diploma processing fee when their degree is conferred.
The Graduate Division verifies completion of all graduate degree requirements.
Students should check U-mail frequently, even after the quarter has ended.
All Students
Closure of the student record
The student record is closed to changes once a degree has been finalized. Degree finalization typically occurs 6-12 weeks after the end of the quarter in which the degree was awarded.
The student record is closed to revisions in enrollment, grading, and academic actions upon finalization of a degree. Students are responsible for requesting review of their record prior to finalization of their degree.
Changes requested by an individual after finalization of a degree are considered by the Office of the Registrar only under extraordinary circumstances. Supporting documentation is required.
Please contact the Office of the Registrar if you have any questions.
If you have any questions about information on this page, please email GraduationMatters@sa.ucsb.edu.