Frequently asked questions

Registration to attend convocation is mandatory for grads and their guests. Registration for Fall 2024 convocation is now closed.

While guest registration is still open, you may change your seat location if tickets are still available. 

1. Once you have logged into your account, in the top right corner of your screen select “Your Orders”.
2. Under the orders section, select “View (Order Number)”. Your order number will be unique to your tickets.
3. You will now have the option to return each ticket you have reserved. Under the notifications subheading select “Return Ticket”. You cannot return more than one ticket at a time.
4. In the pop-up “Return Ticket” notification, select “Return”. By clicking “Return” your ticket will be cancelled and you will receive an email confirmation. Once you have returned your ticket you will be able to select a new seat. For each ticket you wish to return you will need to complete steps 3 and 4. 
5. Select your new seats.

We want to ensure that you are supported during your special day. If you are a graduating student who requires accessibility arrangements for convocation, please review our Accessibility page. 

Please note:

1. The University does not have wheelchairs for public use.
2. A registered nurse will be on duty during the convocation ceremonies. The nurse's station is located at the rear of the main gymnasium.

You must notify the Convocation Team by email (convocation@uwaterloo.ca) and cancel your tickets. To cancel your tickets, follow the instructions below.

1. Once you have logged into your account, in the top right corner of your screen select “Your Orders”.
2. Under the orders section, select “View (Order Number)”. Your order number will be unique to your tickets. 
3. You will now have the option to return each ticket you have reserved. Under the notifications subheading select “Return Ticket”. You cannot return more than one ticket at a time. 
4. In the pop-up “Return Ticket” notification, select “Return”. By clicking “Return” your ticket will be cancelled and you will receive an email confirmation. For each ticket you wish to return you will need to complete steps 3 and 4.

Rental and purchasing of hoods and gowns for grads is coordinated through the W Store. Discounts are available to those who reserve their gown in advance. Advance gown rental for Fall 2024 Convocation is now closed.  Grads who have not pre-ordered their regalia can still rent the gown and hood on the day of their ceremony in Studio 1 room 1212 and 1208 in the Student Life Centre. Please arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony to rent your gown and hood if you have not pre-ordered. 

A regalia guideline is available to review if you have any questions about what can be worn at convocation.

View the ceremony dates and times for current convocation ceremonies.

If you a student and unsure which ceremony you should attend or don't see your program listed, contact the Office of the Registrar if you are an undergraduate student or Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs if you are a graduate student.

If you are an undergraduate student, the Office of the Registrar has a graduation checklist (on The Centre website) to ensure you have completed all the necessary steps leading up to convocation. If you are a master’s or doctoral student, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs also has a similar graduation checklist with the necessary information.

Your legal name is used on your diploma and during the convocation ceremony. Yes, you can have a preferred name announced while crossing the convocation stage. On the day of your ceremony, a staff volunteer at the name card table in the Graduand Check-In, located in Studio 1, room 1212 and 1208, in the Student Life Centre, can update the name displayed on your name card with your preferred name.

Additionally, you can add the phonetic pronunciation of your name during your convocation registration. 

What you are wearing underneath your gown will show (less for doctoral gowns), so don't be afraid to dress up. Suits or sports jackets and ties, dresses and dress pants are all good choices. If the culture you identify with has traditional regalia that you would like to wear, please feel free to do that at convocation. When considering footwear, know that you will be going up and down stairs next to the stage and high heel shoes may be unsafe.

Many aspects of your convocation will take place outdoors, please ensure you and your guests are dressed appropriately for the weather.

It is not appropriate to carry flowers, purses, or other articles in the convocation ceremony. We do not provide storage facilities so it is best to leave these items with your guests for safekeeping.

Visit our playlist in the UWaterloo Convocation Youtube Channel to watch the in-person ceremonies from Spring 2024 Convocation and earlier. 

If you're an alumni who did not attend your own convocation ceremony and would like to participate in an upcoming ceremony, please visit returning as an alum page for instructions on how to join a future ceremony.

If you are an alumni who graduated at a previous ceremony, you are eligible to attend any upcoming ceremony. Visit the returning as an alum page to find out the deadline and instructions on how to let us know your intentions.

We are sorry to hear about your disappointment in not receiving your diploma at the ceremony. However, we are glad that you were still able to cross the stage with your class.

Unfortunately, although you applied to graduate, our records indicate you did not register to attend the ceremony, by either obtaining guest tickets or by registering without guests. The need to register for the ceremony was outlined in several communications to graduates in advance of convocation, including notification that your diploma would be shipped if you did not register in advance. As such, you will still receive your diploma by courier.

For online purchases, visit W Store's online store to view our selection of diploma and portrait frames and to place your order.

If you pre-order a diploma or portrait frame, you can pick it up at the frames tent on the BMH Green on the day of your convocation ceremony. Online and in-person sales accept debit and credit; no cash sales.

Mark your time spent at the University of Waterloo and graduation achievement with a gift. The W Store located in South Campus Hall offers a wide range of souvenirs and gifts.

For inquiries, please contact W Store at wstore@uwaterloo.ca.