Frequently Asked Questions

Review our graduate checklist to make sure you are all set for your ceremony! 

No, Trent only holds Convocation in June. Everyone that graduated in the fall or January are encouraged to attend the June ceremonies and their name will be included in the electronic program. 

If your guests are international and require a VISA to attend convocation, please read and follow the information on Guest Information webpage, prepared by Trent International. Please note the Convocation office does not provide letters of invitation.

Yes! Check back in March to learn more about the RSVP process.  But before that, you must apply to graduate. The deadline to apply to graduate is April 7, 2026. Watch the How to Apply to Graduate video, or visit the Office of the Registrar website for more information. If you have questions about your application to graduate or status, please contact:

• Undergraduate: Registrar's Office (registrar@trentu.ca)
• Graduate: School of Graduate Studies (graduaterecords@trentu.ca) 

No, regalia is provided to graduates for their ceremony and you can take photos in it after, but it must be returned by the time indicated. 

Peterborough

• Undergraduate and Graduate regalia is available to rent for $50. Rental dates are very limited and may be subject to change based on resources and inventory available.
• To order visit Trent University Marketplace and select "Peterborough Campus Gown Rentals"
  • Select an available date for pick up (**we highly recommend placing your order before confirming a photographer as only select dates are offered).
  • Provide your student number and degree type.
  • Payment by debit or credit is processed at the time your order is placed.
• The rental service location is changing to Alumni House and rentals will resume in March. 
   

Miranda Studios

• Has a complete inventory of Trent University Regalia (included in your booking fee) and offers professional, experienced on-campus (as low as $60) and in-studio (as low as $25) photography sessions. Please visit the mirandastudios.ca or contact info@mirandastudios.ca for specific details and availability.

Durham

• Photography services are offered through New Paramount, who also have a supply of Trent Regalia. Please contact the TDSA for more information. 

Come to the Student Centre 1 hour before your ceremony. Bring your student card! (If you don’t have it, bring photo ID).

Please leave bags or large purses with your family as there is no room for them. It is not safe for children to be on the stage so please ensure your guests can care for them.

If possible, you can go to the Card Office and get a replacement. If it’s too late to get a replacement for Convocation, simply bring government photo ID with you. 

The ceremonies are 1 to 1.5 hours

Each graduate can invite up to four guests to the Athletic Centre for their convocation ceremony.

Other guests are welcome to come to campus and view the ceremonies live in Stohn Hall, then join their graduate to celebrate and take photos around campus after the ceremony. 

Guest tickets are required for the Peterborough ceremonies for all guests over the age of two. Tickets will be scanned upon entry, and seating is first-come first first-served.

Graduates can claim up to 4 tickets when completing the RSVP. Check back in March for more information about guest tickets.

Note: Graduates are responsible for sharing these tickets with their guests.

If you are a student with accessibility needs (i.e. difficulty walking or sitting in a crowd, experience hearing or vision impairments, require a place to breastfeed, etc.) please email convocation@trentu.ca or contact Student Accessibility Services.

Guest accessibility:

• Parking: Accessible permit parking is provided in the lot closest to the Convocation ceremonies. Please identify yourself to the parking attendants. If you require mobility assistance devices such as a cane, walker or wheelchair, we recommend you bring it with you to convocation.
• Guests may be dropped off at the ceremony site.
• Accessible Guest Seating: Ushers will assist guests at the ceremonies. Seats are available on a first come, first served basis.
• If you or your guests need a sign language interpreter please email convocation@trentu.ca.

For a private space, please visit the designated Breastfeeding Room located in the Athletic Centre. Directional signage will be placed outside of the room. If you are having trouble find it, please speak with a volunteer in a vest. 

Proofs of photos, available for purchase, will be emailed by info@mirandastudios.ca in the weeks after their ceremony.

Convocation ceremonies will be held in the Athletics Centre due to disruptions caused by two major campus projects:

Rehabilitation of the Faryon Bridge, a critical connector between East and West Bank facilities. While this work strengthens the bridge to meet modern safety standards, it is being done in a way that preserves its iconic design and heritage significance, so it remains a landmark for future generations of Trent students. The project will extend the lifespan of the bridge for decades to come.  

Construction of Gidigaa Migizi College, which involves sustained noise, vibration, and restricted access near the Bata Podium.

While these projects ensure long-term safety, accessibility, and connectivity for our campus community, they also create noise, vibration, and access limitations that would significantly disrupt an outdoor convocation ceremony. Construction timelines cannot pause for convocation because they are tied to academic-year schedules and essential safety requirements. Full details are available at the capital project website.  

Convocation ceremonies are being held in the Athletics Centre because it is a proven, accessible, and well-equipped venue that can safely accommodate all graduates and guests. It has long served as the alternative location when outdoor podium ceremonies aren’t possible due to weather or other issues, and all 2025 ceremonies held there received positive feedback from participants regarding comfort, accessibility, and overall experience.  

The rehabilitation of the Faryon Bridge and construction of Gidigaa Migizi College are essential projects tied to campus safety, accessibility, and long-term infrastructure reliability. Both projects follow strict engineering timelines and environmental regulations and cannot pause or shift without causing significant safety risks, cost increases, and delays to academic-year schedules.

Postponing or altering these projects would jeopardize critical campus operations, emergency access routes, and future connectivity between East and West Bank facilities. These improvements are necessary now to prevent larger, more costly issues down the road and to preserve the heritage value of the Faryon Bridge for future generations. 

We explored multiple options - including alternative campus spaces and off-campus venues. After assessing:

• Capacity needs (up to 1,500 arrivals and departures per ceremony)

• Accessibility requirements

• Safety and logistics

• Availability for multiple ceremonies

The Athletics Centre is the only venue that can reliably and safely deliver the full convocation experience this June. 

Yes! Your ceremony will include all the traditions that make Trent convocation special, including the academic procession, regalia, stage recognition, and celebrating alongside your graduating class. Past graduates have shared what made their indoor ceremonies memorable:  

“I loved getting my gown and seeing my friends from my classes in line. I also enjoyed the convocation parade and all the decorations that were in the Athletic Centre.”

“The opening procession felt very meaningful for me - walking over with all the other students in our gowns, seeing the eagle staff bearers and water bearers, etc. Also seeing several of my professors - I wasn’t really expecting them to be there, so it felt very special.”

Our goal is to create a memorable experience that reflects Trent’s traditions. Take a look at last year’s Convocation highlights and discover why this tradition is so special. 

With rehabilitation work active during convocation ceremonies, the University discourages taking photographs from the bridge due to load capacity restrictions and visibility of materials and equipment. Trent’s Symons campus offers many other beautiful backdrops for photos, including many angles featuring the Otonabee River behind the Athletics Centre and Student Centre. 

• To graduate and receive your degree, you must complete the Application to Graduate and receive confirmation from the Registrar's Office (undergraduate students) or the School of Graduate Studies (graduate students) that you have completed all of your requirements to graduate.  

• Degree certificates will be held for two years. After this period, you must request and pay for a replacement.  

• Degree certificates and official transcripts will not be released if you have any outstanding balance owing to the University or have outstanding library fines.  

• 	Undergraduate Students	Graduate Students
  Spring Graduates  (following the Winter term)	You can pick up your degree certificate at your Convocation ceremony from the Office of the Registrar (student or government ID required).   Alternatively, you can visit the Office of the Registrar in Blackburn Hall to pick up your degree. Please see your degree conferral email to confirm the date that your degree will be available. If you have any questions, please contact registrar@trentu.ca.	You can pick up your degree certificate at your Convocation ceremony from the School of Graduate Studies (student or government ID required).  If you cannot attend Convocation, you can pick up your degree certificate from the School of Graduate Studies in Blackburn Hall after the Convocation ceremonies (student or government ID required). If you have any questions, please contact graduaterecords@trentu.ca.
  Fall Graduates (following the Summer term)	Please visit the Office of the Registrar in Blackburn Hall to pick up your degree. Please see your degree conferral email to confirm the date that your degree will be available. If you have any questions, please contact registrar@trentu.ca.  Alternatively, you can wait to pick up your degree certificate at the next Convocation ceremonies.	Please visit the School of Graduate Studies in Blackburn Hall to pick up your degree certificate after you have received your "Degree Parchment Available for Pick Up" email from the School of Graduate Studies. If you have any questions, please contact graduaterecords@trentu.ca.  Alternatively, you can wait to pick up your degree certificate at the next Convocation ceremonies.