Ceremony Day Instructions

Graduation ceremonies are held in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

For Fall Graduation, graduands will collect their regalia and degree parchment in Brock Hall, then gather in Brock Commons South before processing together to the Chan Centre. The outdoor walk between Brock Commons South and the Chan Centre takes approximately 7 minutes. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Before the Ceremony

Student Marshalling Area

To prepare for the procession into the Chan Centre, graduands should arrive at the Student Marshalling Area, beginning in Brock Hall, 1 hour and 30 minutes before their ceremony start time. Enter Brock Hall through the South Entrance.

Bring your UBC ID or government issued ID for entry.

Prior to arrival, log in to your graduation application and note your procession number, as you will need it to collect your degree parchment and reader card.

There is no secure storage available in the Student Marshalling Area. Please bring only essential items that you can carry with you and arrange for any personal belongings to be given to your guests before entering the marshalling area.

Step 1: Collect Your Regalia

Pick up your regalia, mortar board (hat), and hood.

  • Graduates of diploma programs will not have a hood.
  • If you have not rented your regalia in advance, please arrive early to rent on-site. Visit the UBC Bookstore website for advance and day-of rental information and costs.

Step 2: Collect Your Degree Parchment and Reader Card

  • Your procession number is required to pick up these items (available in your graduation application).
  • Procession numbers will also be posted throughout the Student Marshalling Area for reference.

Step 3: Dress in Your Regalia

Put on your regalia, mortar board, and hood.

  • Pins will be available to secure your hood to your gown.
  • Graduates of diploma programs will not receive a hood.
  • PhD graduands do not need to pin their hood, as they will be hooded on stage during the ceremony.

Step 4: Assemble for the Procession

Follow staff directions to Brock Commons South, where you will line up in ascending order according to your procession number.

Approximately 45 minutes before the ceremony begins, the Graduand Marshal will ask graduands to assemble for the Student Procession.

Your procession number is printed on your reader card. This number determines your place in line and the order in which you will cross the stage.

Please remain in your assigned order while lining up in Brock Commons South, walking to the Chan Centre, and once seated in the concert hall.

The Procession

The Student Procession will depart 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

Graduand Marshals will lead the procession in two lines along the sidewalks from Brock Commons South to the Chan Centre, entering through the Royal Bank Entrance.

The outdoor walk will take approximately 7 minutes.

After entering the Chan Centre, you will proceed down a hallway to a set of stairs leading into the lobby. An elevator is available for graduands who are unable to use the stairs.

In the lobby, Graduand Marshals will guide the procession into the concert hall and direct you to your seat.

The Ceremony

Please remain seated until all graduands have been seated in the concert hall. You will then be asked to rise from your seats by the Senior Marshal on stage for the entrance of the Faculty Procession. During the ceremony, there will be several points where guests and graduands will be asked to rise and sit, as directed by the Chancellor and/or President. This is part of the ritual of the graduation ceremony, and we hope these points offer opportunities to recognize your supporters, reflect on your achievement, and congratulate your peers and graduates.

When the conferring of degrees is about to start, the Graduand Marshals will ask successive rows of candidates to rise and prepare to cross the stage. As you line up, a photographer will take your first photo at the bottom of the stairs before you go on stage.

Once on stage, you will hand your reader card to the Reader, who will read out your name and degree as written. The Graduand Marshal may assist you with this. If you are a doctoral graduate, your citation will be read, and you will have the option of being hooded on stage. As you pause in front of the Reader’s lectern and face the audience while your name is read out, a second photo will be taken of you.

After your name is read, you will cross the stage and the President or designate will greet you and pose for a third photo with you. After the photo has been taken, you will continue crossing the stage, and will be greeted by your Dean and alumni representatives from your faculty. After crossing the stage, an usher will direct you back to your original seat where you will remain until the end of the ceremony.

Marshals and ushers will be on hand to provide guidance throughout the ceremony. Ceremonies vary in length from approximately 75-90 minutes.

The Recession

After the speaking program, you will remain in your seat until marshals and ushers provide instructions. Graduand Marshals will lead you in procession out of the concert hall to Flag Pole Plaza, where you will meet your friends and family after the ceremony.

Once you’ve connected with your guests, please return your regalia to the UBC Bookstore. All gowns must be returned within one hour of your ceremony ending.

After returning your regalia, you and your guests are invited to join alumniUBC at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre for your graduation welcome reception and light refreshments.