Various university bodies are responsible for different administrative decisions. Each person or administrative body in the following list has responsibilities in specific areas:

The graduate student, supervisor and supervisory committee:

• student's degree program, including required and elective courses or labs
• master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation topic
• master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation research methodology
• structure and content of thesis/dissertation

The graduate program, department or school:

• recommendations to FoGS regarding merit-based awards
• delegation of graduate program teaching assistantships
• delegation of graduate program research assistantships
• nature of the comprehensive exam
• final master’s exam or defense

The Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• admission to graduate school
• selection of merit-based UBC awards and fellowships
• final doctoral defense scheduling and standing
• processing changes to student's academic record or registration
• approving membership in a supervisory committee for people who do not conform to requirements (doctoral only)
• leaves of absence, extensions and transfers
• student withdrawal from graduate program
• informal appeals and mediation

The UBC Board of Governors:

• tuition fee amounts

The UBC Senate:

• approval of academic policies of the University
• approval of requirements of all graduate programs and degrees
• approval of students for graduation

The UBC Senate Committee on Student Appeals on Academic Standing:

• academic appeals
• disciplinary appeals

The President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline:

• decisions regarding suspension

Enrolment Services:

• tuition fee assessment and collection
• graduation and graduation ceremonies

The Office of Awards and Financial Aid:

• recipients of need-based awards and bursaries