A graduand is someone who is eligible to graduate, but has not yet graduated. Once your credential has been conferred, you become a graduate.

An undergraduate student is someone who is completing an undergraduate certificate, diploma, and/or bachelor’s degree in one of the following programs. 

A graduate student is someone who is completing a graduate certificate, diploma, master's and/or doctoral degree in one of the following programs. A graduate student is not a student who is completing an undergraduate certificate, diploma and/or bachelor’s degree and will be graduating at an upcoming convocation ceremony.

All convocation ceremonies will be livestreamed on YouTube to accommodate graduands, family, friends, and the university community who are unable to attend in-person. The ceremonies will also be available for on-demand viewing following the ceremonies.

If you do not attend your convocation ceremony, you may pick up your degree parchment in the Maggie Benston Centre, starting the week after convocation. Any parchments not picked up by the end of the calendar month of convocation will be mailed out with a souvenir Convocation Program to your mailing address on record.  For more information, see "Can’t Attend?".

Unless following your cultural protocol requires you to carry a symbolic item, graduands should not be carrying anything but their parchment as they cross the stage.

Only certified service/guide animals may accompany graduands and guests with disabilities at convocation.

Convocation ceremonies are held outdoors and the weather can be quite warm or very cool and wet. Please check the weather forecast in advance and plan to wear layers and appropriate footwear. Graduands will regalia over their clothing.

The ceremonies are held in Convocation Mall which is outdoors and covered. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly in layers and bring a blanket as it can be quite cool in the space. Please check the weather before attending. Blankets are available for purchase at the SFU Spirit Shop, located in the Diamond Family Auditorium on the South side of Convocation Mall.

You must return your gown and hood to our Regalia Return station after your ceremony. Please return your regalia no later than one hour after your ceremony.

The health and well-being of SFU’s graduands, students, staff, faculty, guests and the university community is our top priority. Read more about the university is keeping its campuses safe and healthy.

All on-site event staff and volunteers will be trained on convocation event health and safety protocols. If you have concerns regarding health and safety at the event, please notify one of the on-site event staff or security guards.

Yes. Physical printed or e-tickets are required for all guests to enter Convocation Mall for the ceremonies. Graduands do not need tickets, but do need to confirm their attendance (see Graduation Checklist – undergraduate students - step 3; graduate students – step 4).

Read more about guest tickets and better understand the ticketing timeline, graduand claiming instructions, and how tickets can be shared. 

Graduands will be guaranteed up to 3 guest tickets for their ceremony if they claim their tickets in round 1 by 11:59 p.m. PT on Monday, September 30. Additional tickets may come available.

Read more about guest tickets and better understand the ticketing timeline, graduand claiming instructions, and how tickets can be shared. 

Ceremonies will be livestreamed on YouTube. Please encourage your additional guests or guests who cannot travel to watch the livestream or they can watch it on-demand at a later time. Links to each ceremony will be published the week of convocation. 

Unattended stroller parking may be available at the back of Convocation Mall (if capacity allows). Due to fire and safety regulations, seating aisles must remain clear. Strollers cannot be parked in the aisles next to your seat. See more guest information.

Guests who bring balloons need to ensure that they are not blocking the line of sight for other guests while in Convocation Mall. Ushers may request that they're stored outside of Convocation Mall until after the ceremony. See more guest information.

SFU Bag Policy

We strongly encourage guests to not bring bags of any type. Only the following bags are permitted in the guest seating area of Convocation Mall:

• Clutch purse or belt bag no larger than 6.5” x 8.5” 
• Clear plastic bag (including clear plastic freezer bags) no larger than 12” x 12” x 6” 
• Exceptions may be provided for diaper bags for guests with a young child and medically necessary items. These bags will be subject to search prior to being brought into Convocation Mall.

Bags larger than those outlined above will not be permitted into the seating area. A complimentary bag check service will be available near the entrances at the back of Convocation Mall.

The Indigenous Student Centre Honouring Ceremony is a special annual event held once a year in June to honour and celebrate Indigenous students in their degree completion at SFU. October 2024 Indigenous students will be invited to attend the event in June 2025.

Contact the Indigenous Student Centre at iscadmin@sfu.ca.

Undergraduate Students 
Student Services 

• Applying to graduate FAQ
• Email: reginfo@sfu.ca
• Phone: 778-782-6930

Graduate Students
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

• Inquiry ticket system
• Email: gradstdy@sfu.ca