Convocation

Students who successfully finish their course work and meet their graduate requirements in the Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 terms, or who were approved to be deferred from previous terms for appropriate reasons, are eligible to attend these ceremonies.

Registration for Summer 2026 Convocation will open between approximately 6 weeks in advance of the ceremonies. This timeline is subject to change. Eligible graduating students are encouraged to consistently check their MyUCW Student Portal email address to ensure they do not miss any important updates.

Ceremony times will be listed above. Graduating students will be emailed with the ceremony they must attend.

The doors will open for graduating students 1 hour and 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Student will be informed by email about which ceremony they are scheduled to attend. Late students will not be allowed to take part in the ceremony, so please ensure you arrive on time.

Guests should arrive 60 minutes before the scheduled ceremony start time so they are seated for when the ceremony starts.

Convocation is a public event where photographs and videos will be taken, and the ceremonies will be streamed live on the internet. By attending the convocation, you are giving University Canada West permission to use any photos and/or videos (and to include your name) in all media, future promotional materials, programs and websites, as the case may be.

No. You must attend the ceremony you have been assigned to.

Each graduating student may bring up to two guests.

After the initial ticket window for getting a convocation ticket closes and our graduating students have had a chance to secure two tickets for their guests, any remaining tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Graduating students will receive an email if more tickets become available.

Yes, you and your guests will need tickets. More details regarding tickets will be shared in the coming weeks.

No. There will be general admission for convocation, so guests are encouraged to arrive early to get the seats they want.

Yes, everyone attending the convocation needs a ticket, even children three years old or younger. Tickets for children three and under won’t count against the two-guest limit per grad as long as they sit on a lap.

Yes. However, all wheeled items other than wheelchairs must remain in the lobby or at the coat check during the ceremony. These items are considered hazardous if an evacuation becomes necessary.

The Convocation Ceremony is free, but you will be required to enter your UCW Student ID number to secure tickets. There is a limit of three tickets per graduating student (one graduating student + two guests).

Late students will not be allowed to take part in the ceremony, so please ensure you arrive on time.

You will be able to arrange to pick up your degree parchment and graduation gift.

Keep checking this page for the announcement about the next convocation ceremony.

You can pick up your convocation regalia at Queen Elizabeth Theatre before your ceremony and you MUST drop the gown and hood off before you leave. You can keep your graduation cap.

Students who fail to return their gown and hood (students can keep their caps) will be charged for them.

The Pop Up Shop will not be at the upcoming Convocation ceremony, but check out our online store to shop for UCW merchandise.

No. There are four flower shops near the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, where you or your guest can purchase flowers for convocation:

Flower d’amour – 437 Robson St, Vancouver, BC
Bay Fresh Flowers – 650 West Georgia Street #1b21, Vancouver BC
Kado Flower Studio – 449 Hamilton St, Vancouver, BC
D&D Flowers – 531 Richards St, Vancouver, BC

After graduation, you can sign in to the UCW Alumni Portal and stay informed about networking opportunities, mentorship programs and events such as career development workshops and panel discussions. You can also learn about exclusive discounts and services available to the UCW Community. Feel free to email alumni@ucanwest.ca if you have any questions, concerns or issues signing in.

When our grads secure tickets for convocation, they will be offered the opportunity to write out their name phonetically or record their name to have the phonetic spelling auto-generated, which they will be able to correct. This will help the orator pronounce your name correctly.

All graduating students attending UCW’s Convocation ceremonies will have the opportunity to have a graduation portrait taken. The portraits will be available online one hour after the ceremony has ended and it will be free of charge. A QR code linking to the photos will be shared at convocation.

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