Convocation Information for Students
Steps to Graduation
Eligible students will be sent an email advising them when graduation application is available. Application for graduation is available at:
UNTIL the 40th class day: WebAdvisor.
AFTER the 40th class day: Fill out the Application For Graduation form and submit via e-mail to undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca For more information, please visit Graduation Application Instructions.
An acknowledgement email will be sent after the 40th class day and will indicate important timelines to be met by the student, and the date and time of ceremonies.
Application for graduation is available at:
In-person: Graduate Program Services, Level 3, University Centre.
Online: www.uoguelph.ca/graduatestudies/forms.
Please be sure to check the Graduate Calendar for deadlines.
Register for Your Ceremony
Convocation Ceremonies
Ceremony registration for WINTER 2024 and SUMMER 2024 grads will open WebAdvisor on Wednesday, March 20 and will close on Friday, May 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Graduates MUST REGISTER through WebAdvisor and complete the gown rental payment in order to participate in a ceremony. Payment deadline for all gown rentals and guest tickets is May 31st at 4:00 p.m. ET.
All ceremonies will be held in the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre.
Graduating in Absentia
If you are a Class of 2024 graduate and are unable to attend your convocation you will graduate in absentia.
To participate in a future convocation, please contact:
- Undergraduate students: undergradconvocation@uoguelph.ca
- Graduate students: gradconvocation@uoguelph.ca
All unclaimed degree/diploma parchments will be mailed to the home address the University of Guelph has on file for the graduate. If your address has changed please email the appropriate contact above.
Pre-ceremony
Guest tickets are required for all ceremonies.
Only graduating students may purchase tickets. Upon registering for a ceremony, each student will receive two (2) complimentary tickets and may purchase one (1) additional ticket for $25 (space permitting).
Each ticket has a unique QR and alphanumeric code and may be scanned only once for entry to the ceremony.
Approximately two weeks before the ceremony, students will receive an email to indicate whether any further guest tickets (beyond the single purchased ticket) are available to purchase.
All electronic tickets will be sent to graduates by the Friday prior to their ceremony. Tickets may be printed or scanned directly from a smartphone.
We actively address the needs of our graduands and their guests who require accommodations including but not limited to physical disabilities, vision, hearing or sensory disabilities, gender inclusivity and mental health challenges. When required, we will work in consultation with Student Accessibility Services to accommodate your needs.
Wheelchair
The Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC) is wheelchair accessible and there is an accessible drop off point outside the Larry Pearson Entrance.
Following each ceremony, a Convocation Tea will be held in the Gryphon Fieldhouse. Please be advised the route to the Fieldhouse involves several flights of stairs, however an alternative accessible route is available. Event staff will be available to assist any guests with mobility challenges.
Vision Challenges
The GGAC is equipped with the electronic wayfinding system called BlindSquare to help people with vision challenges find their way around the facility.
Hearing Challenges
Each ceremony is closed captioned.
If you or your guests require a sign language interpreter, please advise the convocation team.
Do You Require Accommodations?
We appreciate being advised, prior to the ceremony, of any accessibility requirements so that accommodations can be arranged. If graduands and/or guests require accommodations, please contact the convocation team.
Gown rental is required for each graduating student. Graduands can order their regalia when registering for their ceremony on WebAdvisor.
The rental cost is $25 (plus applicable taxes) and can be paid online using VISA or MasterCard when registering for your ceremony.
Update your contact info with the Alumni team to stay informed about alumni news, discounts, benefits, and career resources. Your U of G email expires after a year, so we recommend updating with your personal email if possible. Link here: Update Your Alumni Info
Day of Ceremony
Please visit the Schedule page for details on each ceremony.
During the ceremony, you may NOT carry any articles in your arms including purses, flowers, coats, etc. The University does not accept responsibility for articles lost, stolen or removed in error from the lining up area. We suggest asking your guests to attend to any items of value during the ceremony.
All ceremonies take place in the Event Centre of the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre (GGAC). Event staff will be present to ensure you find your way.
The week before: All graduands will be emailed their guest tickets.
One hour before: All graduands must report to the West Gym of the WF Mitchell Athletics Centre to pick up their gown, name card and hood.
30 minutes before: The lining up process will begin. Graduands will then process from the West Gym to the GGAC Event Centre.
Immediately following each ceremony the college deans will host a tea in the Gryphon Fieldhouse for our newest alumni members, family, friends, faculty and staff.
Grads and their families will have a chance to walk along the #GuelphGrad Red Carpet and snap photos at a variety of U of G backdrops. Our U of G Ambassadors will be available to escort you along the carpet and take photos with your handheld device - they know all the best angles!
Please return your gown and hood to the Gryphon Fieldhouse after you have taken all your photographs. Failure to return your regalia may result in suspension of access to university services.
Updates
Effective February 2020, students graduating from the winter semester may attend a summer convocation ceremony.
As of 2019, Our campus is a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment. Smoking, vaping and the use of smokeless tobacco is not permitted on campus. A map of campus boundaries is available at uoguelph.ca/smokefree.
Post-Ceremony
Grads receive vendor discounts and preferred interest rates from insurance providers. Grads can continue to enjoy library services, career support, and a 20% discount on Continuing Education courses. Learn more here: Your Alumni Benefits
Have Questions?
For more information, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.