Graduate Information

 6 Months Before Ceremony

• Apply to Graduate! The deadline to submit an application to graduate in the spring is December 1. Missed the deadline? Late applications are accepted with a late fee of $50.
  
  
• You will receive an email confirming the name that will appear on your parchment. As it is a legal document, it must be printed in your legal name. If an update to your legal name is required, please email a copy of a government-issued photo ID to convocation@dal.ca before May 1st.
  
  
• Draft a Letter of Invitation for any guests that require a travel visa. Information to help with writing your Letter of Invitation can be found on the International Centre's website.

4 Months Before Ceremony

• Reserve your academic dress (gown and hood) by March 31st. If you did not receive the email with instructions to access the reservation portal, please contact convocation@dal.ca.

1 Month Before Ceremony

• Ensure all outstanding fees are settled as parchments cannot be released to students with balances exceeding $100. Click here to learn how to check your account balance.
  
  
• Complete the Consent Form to have your photo taken on stage (this will be sent via email in April).
  
  
• Book a portrait sitting on May 29, 30 or June 9-19 (booking link to be made available and distributed via email in April).
  
  Click here to book a portrait sitting outside of the convocation period at Calnen Photography, located at 5495 Spring Garden Road, Halifax. 
  
  
• Indigenous graduands: request recognition by an Elder during your ceremony.
  Black graduands: request a Kente sash to wear during your ceremony.
  See 'Black, Indigenous and International Graduates' below for more information.
  
  
• Email convocation@dal.ca regarding accessibility requests for you or your guests.

1 Day Before Ceremony

• Pick up your parchment (degree or diploma), academic dress (gown and hood), and guest tickets from the Convocation Hub. See 'Convocation Hub' below for location and hours.
  
  - Master and PhD graduands will also receive a graduate cap. 
  - If you are having a friend or family member pick up your items, please send authorization using your official Dalhousie email to convocation@dal.ca.
  - Note: It is not necessary to bring your parchment to the ceremony. You will receive a commemorative token on stage. Should you wish to take photos with your parchment after the ceremony, please leave it with a guest during the ceremony.
  
  
• Don't forget your ID! Your Dalhousie ID or a government-issued photo ID is required to pick up your parchment.
  
  
• Make a parking plan that gives you plenty of time to park and arrive at the Dalhousie Arts Centre on time - 45 minutes before your ceremony.
  
  
• Distribute guest tickets to your guests! Please note that each graduand is guaranteed to receive 2 guest tickets. If you requested more, you would have received an email confirming how many you were allotted.

• Arrive 45 minutes before your ceremony and assemble, wearing your gown and hood (and cap, if applicable), at the graduate line-up area (located on the upper level (4th floor) of the Dalhousie Arts Centre for those graduating in Halifax or at the MacRae Learning Commons for those graduating in Truro).
  
  
• Look for a sign with your degree and ensure you receive your name card from a Marshal.
  
  
• If you are concerned about the pronunciation of your name by the Orator, you may write out the phonetic spelling of your name on the name card. You will also have the opportunity to quietly pronounce your name to the Orator when approaching the stage.
  
  
• You will be lined up in pairs and process into the auditorium 10 minutes before the scheduled ceremony start time.

Curious about what your participation during the ceremony looks like? Click here to find out more about the proceedings.

• Return your academic dress (gown and hood) to the Convocation Hub (see hours below).
  
  
• Graduates who do not return their academic dress to the Convocation Hub before closing time on the last day will be required to return it to the academic dress vendor, at their own expense. The Registrar's Office will not accept late returns of academic dress.
  
  
• Keep an eye out for an email containing a link to a feedback survey about your convocation experience and be entered for a chance to win a prize!

All graduates are welcome to wear traditional dress in a manner that celebrates their heritage with or instead of the gown. In those instances, graduates must still wear their ceremonial hood. 

Indigenous Graduate Recognition by Elders
An Elder will be present on-stage during Convocation to show their support and pride in the accomplishment of graduates Indigenous to North America (Turtle Island). The Elder will gift each Indigenous graduate with a traditional medicine pouch. If you would like to be recognized by the Elders, please identify yourself so we may celebrate your accomplishment by contacting convocation@dal.ca.

Graduate Recognition by Black Student Advising Centre
The Black Student Advising Centre celebrates the achievements of all graduating black students of African descent and is pleased to announce that Kente sashes will be available at the Centre for graduates to wear during their ceremonies. Contact the Black Student Advising Centre at bsac@dal.ca or (902) 494-6648 to obtain a sash.

Livestreaming Convocation Ceremonies
Family and supporters who cannot attend the ceremonies in person can join the celebration virtually through livestreams available here. Videos will also be available for viewing after the ceremonies conclude. 

If you are attending a ceremony in Halifax, your parchment (degree or diploma), academic dress (gown and hood), and guest tickets should be picked up one business day before your ceremony from the Convocation Hub. Graduands attending the Faculty of Agriculture ceremony in Truro will be able to pick up their items during the morning of their ceremony day.

Convocation Hub Location and Hours

Halifax

Location: Student Union Building

• 3rd floor (room 303) - May 29 and 30 only *   
  
• 2nd floor (McInnes Room) - June 9 - 19

* Pick-up of items is only available on these dates to those graduating on May 30.

Hours:

* Parchment and guest ticket pick-up available until 4:00PM only on Friday, May 30, Thursday, June 12 and Thursday, June 19

Truro

Location: MacRae Student Learning Commons

Hours: Monday, June 9, 2025 9:00AM - 6:00PM*

* Parchment pick-up will only be available from 9:00AM - 1:00PM. After the ceremony, parchments will be available for pick-up from the Truro Service Centre (Registrar's Office)