Note: Information on this page is for Peterborough ceremonies. If you are a student attending a Durham ceremony, please visit the Durham Convocation site.
Review the information below to make sure you are all set for your ceremony.
Before Convocation
On Convocation Day
- Send your guests their tickets
- Arrive at least 1 hour before your ceremony to check-in
- Check-in
- Gowning
- Take the green pledge
- Line-up
- Ceremony flow and stage directions
- Capture the moment
- Return your gown
- Pick-up your degree
- Enjoy your new alumni status
After Convocation
Not Attending Convocation?
Still have questions? Visit our frequently asked questions page.
Before Convocation
1. Apply to graduate
- 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.
- To learn more about the application process, watch the How to Apply to Graduate video or visit the Office of the Registrar website.
- If you have questions about the status of your application to graduate, please contact:
- Undergraduate Students: the Office of the Registrar (registrar@trentu.ca)
- Graduate Students: the School of Graduate Studies (graduaterecords@trentu.ca)
2. Invite Your International Guests
If your relatives are international and require an entry visa to attend your Convocation ceremony, please complete the following steps:
- Review the Inviting Your Family to Canada Checklist to understand the visitor visa application process and documents required.
- Once it's available, provide a copy of the schedule to your family members for their entry visa application.
- General Convocation invitations for all guests will be available here.
If you have questions, please contact Trent International.
3. RSVP & Book your Guest Tickets
- The RSVP to let us know you're attending your convocation ceremony and to book your guest tickets will be emailed to students that are eligible to graduate (or that graduated in September or January) after the Application to Graduate deadline in mid April.
- Guest tickets are required for the Peterborough ceremonies for all guests over the age of three. There will be a link at the end of the RSVP to book your guest tickets.
- Graduates will be able to claim 4 tickets and join a waitlist for up to 2 additional tickets. Waitlist tickets will only be issued for ceremonies that have space available.
- Graduates are responsible for sending their tickets to their guests.
On Convocation Day
1. Send your Guest(s) their tickets
- Graduates who successfully secure tickets will receive an email confirming their order and a digital copy of the tickets.
- Graduates are responsible for sending their tickets to their guests.
- Guest tickets will be scanned upon entry, and seating is first-come first first-served.
- Guests who do not have tickets are welcome to view the ceremonies in Stohn Hall (room 1.22 in the Student Centre) and meet up with you after the ceremony for pictures around campus.
2. Arrive 1 hour before your ceremony to check-in
- Please check in at the Student Centre one hour before your ceremony. This will leave you plenty of time to check-in, get your gown and hood, and soak in the excitement.
- Don't forget to bring your Student ID or another piece of photo ID (i.e. driver's license or health card). This will be required for check-in and degree pick-up.
- Please leave bags or purses with your family as there is no room for them. Please arrange for your guests to care for your children as they cannot be with you in gowning or in the student area. Just bring your ID, phone and a water bottle if you would like one.
- Once checked in, you will receive your name card, which lists your degree, program, and line-up number. HOLD ON TO IT - this is how your name will be called as you cross the stage.
3. Gowning
- After you have checked in and received your name card, you will be guided to the gowning room (TSC 2.02). Hand your name card to the gowning volunteers, who will provide you with a gown and hood. Take a look at the Official Trent Convocation Academic Regalia document to see what regalia you will be wearing.
- You MUST return your regalia by 12:30 p.m. for morning ceremonies or 4:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies.
4. Take the green pledge
- Upon exiting the gowning room, you can choose to take the green pledge and wear a green ribbon during the ceremony:
"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organization for which I work."
5. Line up
- Once you have been gowned, you join the student procession line-up on the second floor of the Student Centre.
- Volunteers will assist you in lining up by degree and walk graduates to the ceremony before the scheduled start time.
- In the case of inclement weather, you will be given disposable ponchos with hoods to cover you during the quick walk from the Student Centre to the Athletics Centre. You will have time once inside the Athletics Centre to remove the poncho before entering the ceremony.
6. Ceremony flow & stage directions
- Following the Indigenous procession and bagpiper, graduates will process into the ceremony, through the middle aisle, and take their seats to the left of the stage.
- Students will be called row by row to cross the stage. Hand your name card to the stage marshal and cross the stage when you hear your name called.
- On stage, you will shake the hand of the Chancellor Stephen Stohn and a member of Trent University's Senior Leadership team. Miranda Studios will capture a few photos of the special moment.
- Upon exiting the stage, you will be greeted by a representative of the Trent Alumni family and directed to Miranda Studio's portrait area for another photo, then head back to your seat. (Note: Photos taken by Miranda Studios will be available for purchase. Proofs and purchasing options will be sent to your Trent email in the weeks following the ceremony.)
7. Capture the moment
- After the ceremony, you can take photos with your family and friends on our beautiful campus or in front of backdrops in the Student Centre.
- The flags representing the countries of this year's International graduates will be hung at the Student Centre, facing the river.
8. Return your gown
- Please return your gown and hood no later than:
- 12:30 p.m. for morning ceremonies, or
- 4:30 p.m. for afternoon ceremonies
9. Pick-up your degree
- Your degree will be available for pick-up at the Event Space in the Student Centre following the ceremony.
- Make sure to bring your student card or a piece of photo ID. This is required for degree pick up.
10. Enjoy your new alumni status
- While in the Event Space, head over to the Alumni table to meet the Alumni Engagement & Services team.
- They will welcome you to the Alumni family and help get you connected with the Trent Alumni Perks app to unlock all of your new exclusive discounts and benefits.
- Visit trentu.ca/alumni for information on the benefits, services, programs and events offered to you for free!
After Convocation
1. Purchase your personalized StageClip video, featuring your moment on stage.
- Instantly share on social media.
- Easy to download and save forever!
- Delivered shortly after ceremony.
Scan the QR code or visit findmyclip.stageclip.com and enter your Trent email.
2. Order Your Ceremony Photos
You will be emailed proofs of the photos taken of you on the stage and in front of the backdrop (with the hat!). They are available for purchase and will be emailed by info@mirandastudios.ca in the weeks after their ceremony.
Not Attending Convocation?
Degree certificate pick-up
- Students who have successfully completed their degree requirements and are free of financial obligations to the University are eligible to receive a degree or diploma.
- Degree certificates will be held for two years. After this period, you must request and pay for a replacement.
| Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students | |
| Spring Graduates (following the Winter term) |
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| Fall Graduates (following the Summer term) |
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NOTE: Convocation ceremonies are public events that are photographed, recorded, and livestreamed on trentu.ca/live. By attending, you are providing consent that Trent University may use your likeness in any future Trent materials without compensation. If you have any questions, please contact convocation@trentu.ca.