Step-by-Step Guide to Graduating

Confirm with your academic advisor that you've met all your graduation requirements. This information is also in the academic calendar.

You are required to apply to graduate regardless of whether you intend to participate in the ceremony. 

An invitation to attend your ceremony will be emailed to your MyLaurier account approximately late March. Details regarding the invitation can be found under Step 4.

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. This could take up to two weeks prior to your ceremony date. The most up-to-date information that university staff have is available on your LORIS account.

Ceremony 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.

For up to date convocation information and reminders follow the convocation Twitter account @WLUConvocation.

Ceremony Invitation & RSVP Deadlines

The following dates and details offer general guidelines. For specific, up-to-date details regarding the changes that are being made due to COVID-19 please visit COVID-19 Convocation FAQs.

Ceremony Invitation

Students will receive a ceremony invitation to their myLaurier email addresses once the ceremony is rescheduled at a later date.

Ceremony RSVP

All students who have applied to graduate are required to advise whether or not they plan to attend their convocation ceremony via the convocation portal.  The link will be provided in the ceremony invitation.  Graduates who do not attend, please see Step 8 regarding receipt of your degree/diploma.  

Attendance Fee

All graduates participating in the ceremony are required to pay an attendance fee.  

The fees are as follows:

• Undergraduate and Master's: $49.18
• PhD and DMin: $139.18

Your attendance fee includes the rental of your academic regalia. 

All attendees are required to wear academic regalia.

Regalia is picked up at graduate check-in on the ceremony day. There is a variety of sizes available for all body types.

Students who wish to attend convocation in traditional Indigenous attire (First Nations, Metis, Inuit), instead of a black robe, must submit a Traditional Indigenous Regalia Request Form and this request must be received by the application deadline. For more information on convocation services for Indigenous students please visit Indigenous Initiatives Support and Services. 

Guest Tickets

Tickets are required for all convocation ceremonies.

Tickets can only be claimed by the graduate through the convocation portal.  Each graduate is entitled to claim up to 3 tickets in Round One. Specific dates will be posted at the time the ceremony invitation is sent.

Tickets are not available for purchase. 

Accessibility & Accommodation Requests

Laurier convocation ceremonies have: a large screen on which a video image of the stage can be viewed throughout the room, professional sound technicians who have taken the facility's acoustics into consideration, and accessible washrooms.

For any accessibility requirements not noted above, the graduate has an opportunity to request additional accommodations for themselves, and their guests, within the convocation portal.

Looking for More Than Three Tickets?

If there are unclaimed tickets available for your ceremony after the close of Round One, an email will be automatically 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 LH1009 and LH1010.

Guests to the Brantford Campus who do not have tickets will be invited to watch a live stream of the ceremony in SCJ217.

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 visa 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 2020 Gift. Your donation will support Laurier's Mental Health Initiatives.

Wonder What You Should Wear?

• Most graduates dress in semi-formal attire to celebrate the day.

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 60 minutes before your ceremony to complete graduate check-in process in the lower level of One Market (former Market Square Mall).

• Personal items must be left with your guests.

During the Ceremony

• Guided by Marshals, graduates will hear their name called, cross the stage, shake hands and then receive their degree.
• Photos will be taken by a professional photographer that will be available for purchase.
• Video footage is recorded and a personalized StageClip will be sent to your MyLaurier email address.
• Most ceremonies are approximately 60 - 90 minutes in length. 

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 paid your sitting fee.
• Join your classmates at the faculty reception. Family and friends are encouraged to attend the celebratory receptions.

Graduates who attend their convocation ceremony receive their degree/diploma after they cross the stage. 

If you did not attend your ceremony you may pick up your degree/diploma from Service Laurier:

• Fall 2020 ceremonies: Date to be determined (at the campus where your ceremony was held)

• Spring 2020 ceremonies: Date to be determined (at the campus where your ceremony was held)

Information to request having your degree/diploma forwarded will be sent to your MyLaurier email approximately one week following convocation. Courier fees will apply. Failure to follow instructions and communicate your ceremony RSVP may result in a delay in receiving your degree/diploma. Should you have any questions please email convocation@wlu.ca.

Degrees/diplomas are stored up to seven years.

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.