Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions Before Graduation Day
When will the schedule with ceremony dates and times be available?
Graduation planning is underway and graduands will receive an update in mid-September (tbc) with the full schedule with ceremony dates and times. The schedule will also be posted at https://graduation.ubc.ca/schedule/.
How do I get my composite photo (Grad class) and graduation photos?
- Each department makes separate arrangements to have composite photos that are often framed and hung in their premises. Please contact the undergraduate coordinator in your program for more information.
- The Ceremonies and Events Office (that’s us) works with Grad Images on your graduation day. Each graduate for whom Grad Images has an email and/or mailing address should receive a copy of their proofs within a few days after their graduation date. Grad Images’ Customer Service Department will assist you with anything you need regarding your photos: (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email giservice@gradimages.net.
To attend graduation, my family needs a letter of invitation for their visa applications. Can you provide this?
UBC does not provide invitation letters. You can write a letter yourself, inviting your family to come to your graduation. A template for a letter of invitation can be found at https://students.ubc.ca/international-student-guide/immigration/inviting-friends-family-visit.
‘Program Completion letters’ to be included as proof of graduation can be downloaded from the Student Service Centre under ‘grades’ or provided by your Faculty.
I am not able to attend my graduation ceremony this term (Spring/Fall). Can I attend the next one around?
Students should attend the ceremony for which they are graduating. Extenuating circumstances around ceremony scheduling should be directed to Enrolment Graduation at graduation@ubc.ca.
I am a person with accessibility requirements – who should I contact?
If you are a graduand, faculty or guest in need of captioning or interpreting services for a ceremony, please fill out this form by October 24 (four weeks in advance of graduation) and the Centre for Accessibility will assist with these arrangements. You can also contact 604-822-5844 if you have any questions.
If you are a graduand or faculty member who has physical accessibility needs/mobility issues, please email ceremonies.graduation@ubc.ca by October 24.
If you are a guest of a graduand who has physical accessibility needs, please arrive at the Chan Centre 45 minutes prior to your graduand’s ceremony start time. The Chan Centre ushers would be happy to assist you with pre-seating in advance of the start of ceremony.
What is a procession number?
This is the order in which you’ll cross the stage at your ceremony. Your procession number is listed in the Graduation Summary Details in your Graduation Application. Access your Graduation Application to find your procession number.
How do I rent regalia?
Regalia/gown rental period will open in early October (date TBC). If you missed the advanced rental period, you can rent your regalia on-site before your ceremony. Please arrive at the Student Marshaling Tent in Buchanan Courtyard 1.5 hours before your ceremony start time. The cost to rent your regalia is $70 (cash, debit or credit)
I have not rented my gown yet, what do I need to do and who do I contact?
Please contact UBC Bookstore Gown Rentals at gown.rentals@ubc.ca. For full information, please visit the UBC Bookstore’s student gown rental FAQ page.
Enrolment Services and the Graduation Application Process
How can I get my diploma? My plans changed and I wasn’t able to attend my ceremony.
All diplomas are handled by Enrolment Services at Brock Hall. To have your diploma mailed or pick up in person, please contact Enrolment Graduation at graduation@ubc.ca or call 604-822-9836.
I am graduating with a Dual Degree, what are my options for attending the graduation ceremonies?
Scheduling of Dual Degrees is handled on an individual basis. You must contact Enrolment Graduation at graduation@ubc.ca.
I am graduating with a Double Major, which ceremony should I attend?
You have been assigned to attend the ceremony for the first major that is listed on your student record; e.g. if your double major is French and Economics, you are assigned to French. To check your student record, log into the Student Service Centre (SSC), select “Registration,” and then “My Program.”
I am not able to attend my ceremony, what should I do?
Inform Enrolment Services by emailing them at graduation@ubc.ca.
My plans have changed, and I want to attend graduation, but the option to apply through my CWL is no longer available. What can I do?
Email your request to Enrolment Services at graduation@ubc.ca.
I graduated from UBC Okanagan and moved to Vancouver. Can I receive my degree at a ceremony in Vancouver?
Unfortunately, students must attend ceremonies at their home campus.
I am confused about my graduation status on my SSC?
For all inquiries about your graduation status (Applied, Approved, Not approved, Pending and Pending Approval), please contact your faculty advisor.
Ticketing for Guests of Graduands
Do my guests need tickets for Congregation? Even small children?
Yes. Each guest, including children and infant who might sit on your lap, needs to have a ticket. The ticketing system is designed to ensure everyone’s safety; Fire Regulations dictate the maximum number of people, big or small, who may occupy the room at one time.
Are my tickets for reserved seats or general admission?
Seating for all graduation ceremonies is GENERAL ADMISSION and is on a first-come, first served basis.
How do I get extra tickets?
Due to the large number of graduates in each procession and limited seating, each student can request up to a maximum of two (2) guest tickets (graduating students DO NOT require a ticket for themselves). The ticketing page will open on early October (date and time TBC).
After the ticket request deadline has passed, the UBC Ceremonies and Events Office in conjunction with the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts makes every effort to provide extra tickets if available. More information will be posted on the Grad Tickets Reservation Page when available.
Can I use tickets from a classmate who is not attending graduation?
Due to the large number of graduates in some ceremonies, we would appreciate if you would return unused tickets to the Chan Centre Ticket office. If you are unable to bring the tickets in person, please email chan.tickets@ubc.ca.
I have tickets, but now I find that I am ineligible to graduate – what do I do with my tickets?
Due to the large number of graduates in some ceremonies, we would appreciate if you would return unused tickets to the Chan Centre Ticket office. If you are unable to bring the tickets in person, please email chan.tickets@ubc.ca.
I cannot pick up my tickets in person, what can I do?
We strongly encourage graduands to select the “Email Ticket Delivery Method” to avoid line-ups. You can forward the PDF ticket attachment to your guests. If you are sending the PDFs to multiple recipients, please ensure you let the recipient know the barcode number of the ticket they should use.
What is the Stand by line up?
If your ceremony is sold out, your guests are welcome to come early and wait in the Stand by line up in case last-minute non-attendance. It is recommended that you line up about half an hour before the ceremony begins.
Graduation Day
What precautions are you taking to ensure everyone’s safety?
Graduation ceremonies are being planned in accordance with public health guidance as well as UBC policies. Graduating students and guests are encouraged to review and adhere to UBC COVID-19 Campus Rules. Campus rules may be updated from time to time, and further details will be shared in communications with graduating students and in these FAQ as we get closer to graduation ceremony dates.
What should I wear?
Glad you asked! Rule of thumb – wear what would make your parents proud, and remember, you’ll be looking at these pictures for a long time.
In advance of your graduation ceremony, you will have rented regalia. Prior to your ceremony, you will be picking up a loose-fitting, black (or doctoral), below-knee-length gown/regalia to wear over your clothes. The gown is warm, and it will cover most of your clothing, but your collar (and necktie) will be visible, as will your legs and feet, especially when you walk across the stage to receive your diploma. Handbags are not part of the academic regalia; if you must bring one, you can leave it at your seat in the Chan Centre Concert Hall. Some prefer to bring a very small one with a shoulder strap that can be worn underneath the gown.
How long do the ceremonies last?
Ceremonies run approximately 75 – 90 minutes, depending on the number of students graduating.
Are the ceremonies filmed?
There will be a live webcast of all ceremonies here: https://graduation.ubc.ca/event/live-webcast/. Links to archived recordings of past ceremonies are also available from the same page.
Are cameras and video recorders allowed at the Graduation ceremony?
Yes, your guests can bring their cameras and recording devices as long as they stay at their seat while doing this.
Where should I/my guests park?
- For ceremony days, the Rose Garden Parkade is being reserved solely for graduation attendees (graduating students and their guests) and Fraser River Parkade will be used as overflow parking.
- Faculty/Staff Parking permits are NOT valid in Rose Garden Parkade during Congregation. Faculty/Staff permit holders are encouraged to park at Fraser or North parkades.
- Student parking permits valid for Rose Garden parkade will be accepted at Fraser and North parkades.
How do I pay for parking?
- Option 1: When reserving guest tickets using the Grad Tickets Reservation Page, you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase passes for the Rose Garden Parkade or the Fraser River Parkade.
- Option 2: Save time and avoid line ups by purchasing parking for Rose Garden Parkade via Honk Mobile App up to 14 days in advance.
Parking costs $10 and can be obtained through the Honk Mobile App Zone ID 5650 or by scanning the QR code (see Honk Mobile App instructions link below) and following the prompts without the need of the mobile App.
After the Graduation Ceremonies
My degree is listed incorrectly, what should I do?
Contact the Graduation department of Enrolment Services at graduation@ubc.ca.
I am a UBC graduate and I would like to purchase UBC’s official regalia (i.e. hood, cap and gown). Where can I purchase this?
You can purchase UBC regalia (i.e. gowns, hoods, caps, Ph.D. regalia, etc.) at Gaspard & Sons Ltd.
I am a past graduate; how do I access my StageClip video?
All past graduate StageClip videos can be accessed at https://ubc.stageclip.com. Note: StageClip videos are only available for one year after your graduation date.
For Graduates from 2020 and Spring 2021
I am a graduate from Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021, and my graduation ceremony was virtual. Will there be a make-up graduation ceremony for me?
Planning is underway for an in-person celebration for graduates of Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and/or Spring 2021. The timing of this celebration is in November 2022. Information about the ceremonies is available here: https://graduation.ubc.ca/special/. If you are a graduate from one of these classes and would like to receive updates about the celebration, please ensure your email address is up-to-date – visit https://alumni.ubc.ca/address-update/.
I am a graduate from the Class of 2020 (Spring and Fall) or Spring 2021. Can I attend the Fall 2022 graduation ceremonies?
We are organizing ceremonies for all Graduates that attended a virtual ceremony prior to the Fall 2022 graduation. The date range for these ceremonies is November 14 – 22 for UBC Vancouver alumni. More information will be posted here when available: https://graduation.ubc.ca/special