Convocation FAQ
Convocation ceremonies are once again in person. All graduates must apply to graduate and register to attend convocation ceremonies using an online form once ceremonies are announced. Registration will open in mid-April for students graduating in the spring. Those who have requested a deferral will be able to register in early May. Find your ceremony on our main page.
Information about spring 2023 convocation ceremonies will be available in early 2023.
For measures in effect, please consult www.placedesarts.com/en/coronavirus-covid-19
The number of guests tickets is based on our anticipated attendance at each ceremony. Two (2) guest tickets will be guaranteed per participating graduate. Graduates do not require a guest ticket. Children 5 and under do not require a ticket if seated on the lap of a ticket holder.
The availability of additional tickets will be based on the number of graduates who sign up. You will have the option to indicate additional tickets when you register for convocation. Should additional tickets be available once registration closes, they will be distributed to you at your gown/marshaling card pick-up appointment (to be booked when you register).
An appointment to pick-up your gown and guest tickets must be selected when registering for a ceremony. If you are unable to attend during these dates/times, please designate a proxy to pick up on your behalf. The proxy must bring a written authorization letter from you with the following:
- Your full name
- Your student ID
- Your program of study (ex: Bachelor of Commerce, Accountancy)
- The full name of the person authorized to pick-up on your behalf
- Your signature
Graduates and their guests should use the entrance of Place des Arts, located at 175 Ste-Catherine St. W.
We recommend using public transit whenever possible, as parking is limited in and around Place des Arts. Those arriving by metro should be aware that there will be construction in the tunnel leading from Place des Arts metro station to Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier. You will exit Place des Arts metro station on the corner of Jeanne-Mance Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard. From there, make your way to the entrance at 175 Ste-Catherine St. W.
If driving, be sure to check out your parking options.
Place des Arts is an accessible venue and can accommodate graduates and guests with mobility issues. Should your guest(s) have mobility issues (ex: wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.), they should present themselves to the same door that the graduates use to enter the venue, one hour prior to the ceremony start time. Place des Arts ushers will escort guests with mobility issues to designated wheelchair and accessible seating. Graduates with special needs or accommodation requests (ex: mobility issues, the need for ASL interpretation, visual and hearing impairments, etc.) are asked to communicate with either the convocation organizers or the Access Centre for Students with Disabilities.
Invitation letter requests have a charge of $20. The request is to be sent to students@concordia.ca. The request must include the following:
- Full Name of graduate
- Student ID of graduate
- Name of invitee(s) as they appear in their passports
- The relationship of invitee(s) to the graduate (ex: Father, Mother, etc.)
Students wanting to participate in a convocation ceremony are expected to attend the ceremony of their graduation term*. It is understood that under extenuating and exceptional circumstances, there may be times when a student is unable to attend their convocation. The Deferral Request form provides all the details on requesting a deferral. The completed form and supporting documentation must be sent to convocation.deferral@concordia.ca.
*Fine Arts ceremonies are only held in the spring, so fall graduates would participate in the following spring graduation.
Non-Academic Medals and Awards are awarded each spring to graduates from the previous academic calendar year. They are open to both the current spring graduates, and the preceding fall graduates. Fall graduates may apply for non-academic medals that will be awarded the following spring.
The deadline to apply for non-academic awards is April 7, 2023. Get details on nominations.
There are various options for graduation photos:
- Graduation portraits by Lassman studios
- GradImages will be onsite at gown distribution. This service is optional and there is no sitting fee. Photos will be available for purchase after the ceremonies.
- GradImages will photograph all graduates at the ceremony. These photos are available for purchase after the ceremony.
The fee is a graduation application processing fee and is not related to convocation participation.
Attendance at convocation ceremonies is optional and there is no cost to participate. However, you must register to attend your ceremony! Registration will open in early May 2023 for the Spring ceremonies. The link to register will be posted on the main convocation web page and will be sent via email to all students who apply to graduate by the January 15 application deadline.
