At the ceremonies
Learn what to expect and how to get there.
Academic regalia
The gown, the hood: you will look great at convocation! Regalia, or academic dress, is worn by all participants in the ceremonies, including members of the faculty on stage.
How to wear the gown
Put on your gown over your clothes as if you are putting on a coat. The gowns remain open in the front. Your clothing underneath is visible. Dress for the occasion: somewhere between business casual and semi-formal.
Place your hood over your shoulders so it will drape in the back and reveal the colour of the silk lining. Do not use pins to hold the hood in place.
How to wear your gown
Put on your gown over your clothes as if you are putting on a coat. It will stay open in the front.
Place your hood over your shoulders so it will drape in the back and reveal the colour of the silk lining. Please do not use pins to hold the hood in place.
How to wear your gown
Put on your gown over your clothes as if you are putting on a coat. It will stay open in the front.
Place your hood over your shoulders so it will drape in the back and reveal the colour of the silk lining. Please do not use pins to hold the hood in place.
- You must be registered for convocation to access gown distribution.
- We give you your personal marshalling card and the date and time of your ceremony. We use the marshalling card to place students in the correct order at the ceremony.
- You will pick up guests tickets for your convocation ceremony. Graduating students do not require a guest ticket.
- You will pick up your gown and hood if your degree is a bachelor/baccalaureate, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or a master/magisteriate.
- NOTE: If your degree is a doctorate, you will reserve a gown at gown distribution but pick it up at Place des Arts before the ceremony and you will be hooded on stage.
- Have an official photo taken (optional). If you are not attending Convocation, you may borrow a gown for an official graduation photo.
If you can’t attend gown distribution, a friend or family member can pick up your gown and marshalling card on your behalf. Please check your graduation approval and account balance before you send a friend or family member to Concordia. That person must have written authorization from you that includes the following:
- Your student ID number
- The type of degree (e.g., BEng in Mechanical Engineering).
Bring your gown and hood backstage after the ceremony before you leave Place des Arts.
If you do not return your gown and hood, the gown supplier will bill you for their full value. We will also withhold university transcripts until the gown and hood are returned or their full replacement cost has been paid.
Doctorate
If you’re receiving a doctorate, you’ll wear a modified Cambridge cut garnet coloured gown, bordered with a one-inch band of gold material. Your hood will be lined in a colour according to your degree:
| Degree | Lining colour |
|---|---|
| Laws | gold |
| Letters | pale blue |
| Philosophy | white |
| Science | pale green |
Master/Magisteriate
If you’re receiving a master/magisteriate, you’ll wear a modified Oxford cut gown in black material. Your hood will be lined in coloured silk according to your degree:
| Degree | Lining colour |
|---|---|
| Applied Science | pale yellow |
| Arts | pale blue |
| Business Administration | mauve |
| Computer Science | peach (pale orange) |
| Engineering | orange |
| Fine Arts | blue |
| Science | pale green |
| Science (Administration) | magenta |
| Teaching of Mathematics | deep green |
Graduate Diploma / Graduate Certificate
If you’re receiving a graduate diploma or a graduate certificate, you will wear a black gown and no hood unless you have a previous degree. If you have a previous degree from Concordia University, you can wear the hood representing that degree.
Bachelor/Baccalaureate
If you’re receiving a bachelor/baccalaureate, you’ll wear a modified Oxford cut gown made of black material. Your hood will be lined in coloured silk according to your degree.
| Degree | Lining colour |
|---|---|
| Administration | mauve |
| Arts | pale blue |
| Commerce | mauve |
| Computer Science | peach (pale orange) |
| Education | half pale blue silk and half golden yellow |
| Engineering | orange |
| Fine Arts | blue |
| Science | pale green |
Undergraduate Certificate
If you’re receiving an undergraduate certificate, you will wear a black gown and no hood unless you have a previous degree from Concordia University. If you do have a previous degree, you can wear the hood representing that degree.
Graduation caps
Mortarboards (square academic cap) are not part of Concordia's tradition, however, it is possible to purchase one as a souvenir. You can do so at gown distribution. Simply mention to the gown rental company that you would like to purchase one. You will be required to pay for it at that time and will be given a receipt. You will then claim your mortarboard after your convocation ceremony.
Diploma frames and fresh cut flowers are available for purchase at the ceremonies. A pre-sale of cut flowers also allows to order them in advance.
© Caroline Bergeron, CC BY-SA 4.0 
