Ceremony Instructions

The graduation ceremonies are held in the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Graduands meet at the Student Marshalling Area in Brock Commons South and process together to the Chan Centre. The walk between the two buildings will take 5-7 minutes outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

Before the Ceremony

To prepare graduands for the procession into the Chan Centre, we ask you to arrive at the Student Marshalling Area in Brock Commons South 1 hour and 30 minutes before your ceremony start time. Bring your UBC ID or government issued ID for entry. This is the area where you will:

  1. Look up your procession number and note this number to pick up your reader card.
  2. 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 UBC Bookstore for advance and day-of rental costs.
  3. You will require your procession number to pick up your degree parchment and reader card.
  4. Line up for the Procession in ascending order by processional number.

There is no secure storage available in the Student Marshaling Area. Please bring only what you can carry on your person and avoid bringing personal items. Before entering the Student Marshaling Area, give any belongings to your guests.

Approximately 45 minutes before the ceremony begins, the Graduand Marshal will ask graduands to assemble in the Student Marshaling Area according to their procession number for the Student Procession. Your procession number is printed on your reader card. This number determines your place in line and in the order in which you will cross the stage. Please remain in your assigned order while lining up in the Student Marshaling Area, walking to the Chan Centre, and once seated in the concert hall.

Procession numbers for the line will be posted throughout the Student Marshaling Area for your reference.

The Procession

Once assembled in the correct order, the Student Procession will leave the Student Marshalling Area approximately 25-30 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 5-7 minutes. After entering the Chan Centre and proceeding down a hallway, you will reach a set of stairs leading down into the lobby. An elevator is available for anyone who is unable to use the stairs. In the lobby, the two Student Procession lines will follow the Graduand Marshals into the concert hall, where you will be directed 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.

Walk Through

To find out more you can watch this video. The video covers everything you can expect at your UBC graduation ceremony.