Completing Your Degree

Congratulations! You are in the final stages of completing your graduate degree. Before you begin the next phase of your life, take the time to ensure that your plans to complete your degree are well in hand. Please review each stage carefully.

Please note – for information about copyright, go to Queen’s Library at: Queen's Copyright Office.

For Resources to support timely completion go to the Expanding Horizons website, academic resources, progressing towards degree completion.

Note: In person on campus thesis defenses during COVID restrictions

SGS recommends the following for in-person on-campus thesis defence examinations: 

• The defending student may remain unmasked and +2m away from everyone else. 
• All in-person committee members should remain masked, whether speaking or not. The maximum capacity of the room under COVID protocols should be respected. If feasible, it is recommended that all in-person attendees sit +2m away from each other.  
• All attendees must comply with university vaccination protocols and must have the SeQure check completed (app, website, or paper form). If necessary, an attendee could use the Ontario selfcheck process. The Chair should check that this has been completed for all in-person attendees.  
• There should be no eating in the room during the defence. Non-alcoholic drinks may be consumed, and attendees may remove or lower their masks briefly only when drinking.  
• Any post-defence celebrations with food or drink should be held outdoors or in an establishment where that is regulated and controlled. 
• Visitors may attend only remotely. 

Thesis-based programs

Stage 1 – Writing: Thesis Formatting and Other Resources

Stage 2 – Defense: Prepare for Your Oral Examination

Stage 3 – QSpace: Final Submission

Final checklist before submitting to QSpace (PDF, 196 KB)

Questions about degree completion?

Please contact:

Rose M. Silva, Thesis Coordinator
613-533-6000 ext. 77313