Step-by-Step Guide to Graduating

You are required to apply to graduate regardless of whether you intend to participate in the ceremony. If you are unable to attend, your degree/diplomas will be mailed approximately two weeks following convocation to the address provided on your application. Degrees/diplomas are not available for pick up in advance and will not be released until any holds on your account have been cleared.

If you need to make a change to your selection for ceremony attendance please email convocation@wlu.ca.

You'll be able to confirm the date and time of your ceremony under "Unofficial Record of Course Work" on LORIS. The status of your application will change from "Applied" to "Granted" once all your final grades have been received, your record has been reviewed and you have met all program requirements for graduation.

As dates and times are subject to change, any changes will be updated on LORIS. We also keep a list of ceremony dates and times on this web site.

Within the Convocation Portal students will confirm their attendance, rent their academic regalia, claim up to three guest tickets, and advise of any accessible accommodation needs. Students who have applied to graduate will be advised via their myLaurier email account when the convocation portals are open. It is recommended that you check frequently as deadlines apply. 

Ceremony RSVP

All students who have applied to graduate are required to advise whether or not they plan to attend their convocation ceremony.  Graduates who do not attend, please see Step 8 regarding receipt of your degree/diploma.

Academic Regalia Rental

All attendees are required to wear academic regalia. 

Rental fees are as follows:

• undergraduate and master's regalia: $25 
• PhD and DMin regalia: $115

Regalia is picked up at graduate check-in on the ceremony day.

Students who wish to attend convocation in traditional Indigenous attire (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) must submit a Traditional Indigenous Regalia Request Form and this request must be received at least one week prior to the ceremony. For more information on convocation services for Indigenous students please visit Indigenous Initiatives Support and Services. 

Claiming Guest Tickets

Tickets are required for all convocation ceremonies. 

Tickets can only be claimed by the graduate through the convocation portal an email will be sent to your myLaurier account when the convocation portal opens.  Tickets are not available for purchase. 

Looking for More Than Three Tickets?

If there are unclaimed tickets available after the close of Round One, an email will be issued to your myLaurier account. Students will be prompted to re-enter the portal to claim tickets. Additional tickets can only be processed through the convocation portal. 

Guests Without Tickets

For friends and family who cannot join you, all Laurier convocation ceremonies are broadcast live online.

Guests to the Waterloo campus who do not have tickets will be invited to watch a live stream of the ceremony in LH2094.

We want your guests to enjoy the day and are here to help you make their experience in Brantford and Waterloo wonderful. 

If your international guests require a visit to enter Canada, please review the Temporary Resident Visa information. 

Is there a special someone who helped you get to graduation day? Tell them how much you appreciate their support by making a Class of 2018 Gift. Your donation will support Laurier's Student Emergency Bursary Fund. Your message of thanks will appear on the live feed at convocation for your parents, friends and professors to see prior to your convocation ceremony.

Before the Ceremony

• Waterloo: Arrive 60 minutes before your ceremony to complete the graduate check-in process on the third floor of Lazaridis Hall.
• Brantford: Arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony to complete graduate check-in process in the Research and Acadmic Centre Lobby.
• Personal items must be left with your guests.

Photography

After the Ceremony

• Return your regalia within one hour following your ceremony to the graduate check-in area.
• Collect your class composite if you have had your photograph taken by LifeTouch Photographers and have paid your sitting fee.
• Join your classmates at the faculty reception. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the celebratory receptions.

Spring Convocation

Graduates who attend their convocation ceremony receive their degree/diploma after they cross the stage. Class Composites are available for pick up from WLUSP at your ceremony or the WLUSP office. You may request for your composite to be mailed by completing the class composites form.

Graduates who do not attend their ceremony may pick up their degree/diploma from Service Laurier:

• Brantford campus: June 11 - June 29
• Waterloo campus: June 20 - July 6

Degrees and diplomas not picked up during this time are mailed to the address on the application.