This checklist will help you successfully navigate your graduand journey. The convocation-timeline.pdf can also be used as a quick reference.
June, 2024
Apply to Graduate
The application for graduation is available online between June 15 to March 31 every year. Eligibility for degree conferral (i.e. getting your degree) is determined by the Office of the Registrar.
Students completing their degree requirements must apply to graduate. If you are applying to graduate for the first time, please apply online via myUNBC. Otherwise, please complete an application for graduation form.
Obtain An Invitation Letter for Family Members Needing a VISA for Travel
For family members requiring a VISA for travel to a Convocation Ceremony in Prince George, complete the Confirmation of Graduation Form. Under the "REQUEST" area select the box/option "International Invitation to Graduation Letter".
Each individual and their relationship to the graduand will need to be indicated on the form. The form should be submitted to credentials@unbc.ca on or before April 30, 2025.
January, 2025
Check Your UNBC Email Regularly
In order to ensure privacy, all email communications related to your official degree audit and Convocation are sent to your UNBC student email account. If you are having issues with your email please reach out to support@unbc.ca.
All communications regarding Convocation Day schedules and events will be communicated via email and through the Convocation website. Please check your UNBC email regularly and the Convocation website for updates.
Nominate Valedictorians
The Valedictorians are the most outstanding graduates from each Ceremony, who deliver a farewell speech, or valedictory, meant to commemorate the time spent by all graduates at UNBC. The speeches provide an opportunity for reflection and celebration for the graduates who journeyed through classes, papers, projects, and exams to the final culmination of all that hard work, their degree. Visit the Valedictorians page for further nomination information.
Register for Grad Photo Session
A photographer will be at the UNBC Main Campus in Prince George February 24 to March 8, 2025 and again May 26 to 29, 2025 for individual graduand photo sessions. To register for either session visit the Artona booking page.
February, 2025
RSVP for First Nations Centre Graduation Celebration
Each year, the UNBC First Nations Centre honours First Nations Centre and Indigenous graduates by hosting a small celebration the day before UNBC’s Convocation where graduand achievements are celebrated with story, song, ceremony, and gifting. Graduands are asked to RSVP by March 1 by sending their full name, degree program, mailing address, and community where they are from (optional) via email to FirstNationsCentre@unbc.ca. Whether participating in the Graduation Celebration or not, students identifying as First Nation, Metis, or Inuit can request a red stole to be worn with regalia by emailing FirstNationsCentre@unbc.ca by March 1.
Attend the Grad Fair
Each year, the UNBC Convocation Office hosts a Grad Fair to provide the opportunity for graduands to ask questions related to applying for graduation and preparing for Convocation Day. The 2025 Grad Fair will be held in the Bentley Centre on Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Representatives from Continuing Studies, the Career Centre and the Alumni Council will be on-hand to offer insight into post-graduation service offerings. A cap decorating station will be available with supplies to personalize your cap. Please purchase your cap ahead of time from the Bookstore and bring it with for decorating purposes.
April, 2025
Complete the Online Graduand RSVP
Students who have applied to graduate, or who have had a degree conferred in the September or January semesters, must submit an online Graduand RSVP. The RSVP will be be accessible via myUNBC on April 7. Included in the RSVP will be instructions on how to:
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Register for Guest Tickets
When guest ticket registration opens, each graduand can register for up to two (2) guest e-tickets, with the ability to waitlist for an additional two (2) guest e-tickets. If venue space permits, waitlist e-tickets will be allocated in early May on a first-come first-serve basis in the event there are not sufficient waitlist e-tickets to allocate the same amount to each graduand. Graduands will receive an email to their UNBC email account with instructions to claim waitlist e-tickets. Graduands issued waitlist e-tickets will have until May 16 to claim their waitlist e-tickets. If guests using waitlist e-tickets have accessibility needs, please email convocation@unbc.ca to inform us of those needs so accommodations can be found.
Please note: Campus Celebrations are not ticketed events and therefore do not require students to register for tickets.
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Rent Regalia
As part of attending a Convocation Ceremony in Prince George, and Campus Celebrations in Terrace, Fort St. John, and Quesnel, regalia (gown and hood) rental is mandatory. Caps must be purchased separately through the bookstore as they are not included as part of the gown and hood rental.
In preparation for Convocation Day, please watch this Convocation Gowning Tutorial.
Use this Hood chart.pdf to determine the hood colour for your degree program.
The RSVP, including guest ticket registration, and regalia rental will close on April 30, 2025.
Request Graduand Accommodation
Graduands who have accessibility needs are asked to complete the online Impact Assessment Form by Friday, May 2, 2025 to allow time to review your information and develop an accommodation plan on your behalf.
Ensure Submission of Official Transcript for Coursework Completed on a Letter of Permission at Another Institution
Official transcripts for coursework completed on a Letter of Permission at another institution must be received by the Office of the Registrar on or before May 3 to allow time for a degree audit.
Ensure Fees are Paid
Outstanding fees, parking and library fines, must be paid to receive your parchment. To verify if your account is in good standing, log into myUNBC and click the Student Records tab or contact the Cashier's Office to confirm your status: cashier@unbc.ca or call 250-960-5631.
May, 2025
Check Your UNBC Email for Allocated Waitlist Tickets
If venue space permits, waitlist tickets will be allocated in early May. You will receive an email to your UNBC email account with instructions on claiming waitlist tickets, should one or more be allocated to you.
Prepare for Convocation Day
In accordance with the British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, UNBC publicly discloses the names, hometowns, and credentials of graduates in the Convocation Program. Graduates may also be recorded or photographed on Convocation Day. By participating in Convocation Day activities, you are consenting to the use of recordings and photographs taken during Convocation being used for promotional purposes.
If you would like an exemption from the above, please contact the Convocation Office via email at convocation@unbc.ca.
Know Your Schedule
Being on time for regalia pickup, gowning, registration, parchment pickup, phonetics, your class photo and ultimately to get into processional lineup is critical and ensures that the hundreds of Event Assistants that we have helping out on Convocation Day can seamlessly do their part to get you where you need to be so the Ceremony can begin on time, making your guests very happy. Please take the time to familiarize with the Convocation Day Schedule so you know where you need to be and at what time.
Send Information to your Guests
Ensure you have informed your guests that Ceremony admittance requires a valid ticket, except for children under 3 who will sit on the lap of their guardian. Guest seating opens an hour before each Ceremony. Please have your guests arrive early and ensure your guests have a printed ticket, or have their e-ticket, to present at the door. In the event a guest cannot find a valid ticket, please have them visit the front desk of the NSC for assistance.
Guests without tickets can watch the live stream in the Canfor Theatre (Room 6-213) or from home.
Please also direct your guests to the Guests FAQ, Accessibility, and Parking information for review.
Register, Pickup Regalia and Parchments on May 29
We encourage all graduands that can to register and pick up their regalia and parchment on Thursday May 29. Please refer to the Convocation Day Schedule for times that these services are available.
Leave Personal Items Behind
There is no secure storage available to graduands on campus or at the Northern Sports Centre. You will need your UNBC ID to register and pickup your parchment. Once you have done this, we recommend leaving these items with your guests.