Student Checklist
Make sure you have everything in order, to graduate this year:
- Apply to Graduate
- Get Grad Photos Done
- RSVP to Your Convocation Ceremony
- Invite Your Guests & Tell Them the Inclement Weather Plan
- Prepare for the Day
- Arrive at Least One Hour Before Your Ceremony
- Unable to Attend Convocation?
- Check Out Your Alumni Perks
1. Apply to Graduate
You will not graduate and receive your degree/diploma/certificate unless you complete the Application to Graduate.
Graduation means successfully completing the requirements of your program. You must meet both the general university requirements and your specific program requirements, which are in the Academic Calendar. To ensure that you are on track to graduate, start with the Do It Yourself Degree Check, then connect with an Academic Advisor.
Undergraduate students must have applied by APRIL 11, 2023 for their names to appear in the convocation listings (printed program or document on the website).
You can only complete the undergraduate Application to graduate once. For a helpful guide, please click here to view a short video on how to Apply to Graduate.
If you have any changes after completing it, or for more information: trentu.ca/registrar/records-registration/graduation or contact registrar@trentu.ca.
Graduate-level students: trentu.ca/graduatestudies/graduate-program-degree-completion or contact graduate@trentu.ca
2. Get Grad Photos Done
Graduation photos are a wonderful memento of your years of hard work.
You can take your own photos. The Conference & Hospitality department rents both undergraduate & graduate regalia (gowns & hoods) for photos, they are bookable through Conferences Marketplace website. Contact conferences@trentu.ca with any questions.
Trent Peterborough Symons Campus: Miranda Studios is a local Peterborough business that offers in-studio or on-campus appointments all year, and has a full supply of Trent regalia and props. Book an appointment: (705) 742-8338; email info@mirandastudios.ca; web site: www.mirandastudios.ca. She takes bookings for photos with family in regalia before or after ceremonies and takes photos of every student as they cross the stage, so your guests can sit back and enjoy your moment and not worry about getting the perfect photo. Proofs of those photos will be sent to you shortly after the ceremony with the option to purchase.
Trent Durham GTA and George Brown Nursing: For both of these groups, there is a contract in place with New Paramount Studios for graduation portraits. Call them toll-free: 1-877-677-1930. They usually offer sessions on campus. Durham GTA students - for details or to borrow regalia to take your own photos on campus, please contact the Trent Durham Student Association (TDSA) at admin@mytdsa.ca.
Take a look at the Official Trent Convocation Academic Regalia document to see what regalia you will be wearing during the Convocation ceremonies, and to know which regalia to request from Conference if taking your own photos.
3. RSVP to Your Convocation Ceremony
Please complete the RSVP form here.
You MUST complete the RSVP form in order to attend your Convocation ceremony. This will let us know which ceremony you are attending if you are a Durham student or have a joint major/specialization, as well as confirm which ceremony is for your program.
4. Invite Your Guests & Tell Them the Inclement Weather Plan
It is not necessary for guests to have invitations to attend Trent's convocation ceremonies. An electronic invitation is available for graduates to download and use, if they please. Each graduate may bring six (6) guests to watch them if the ceremony is held outdoors in good weather. There is no shade for students and very little for guests, so please come prepared for the weather. Sunscreen and a hat are strongly recommended.
In the case of inclement weather, the call to move Peterborough ceremonies indoors will be made 1 hour prior to the ceremony's start. Ceremonies will move indoors to the Athletics Centre gymnasium, and there is a limit of three (3) guests to watch the graduate. Additional guests may watch the ceremonies live streamed in a number of locations around campus: Stohn Hall in the Student Centre, Wenjack Theatre in Otonabee College, Champlain College Lecture Hall Room 307, and the Bata Library Theater Room. All seats are on a first-come, first-served basis, they are not assigned. Please determine which guests will go to the gym prior to the ceremony.
Durham GTA ceremonies are held indoors at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa regardless of weather.
For more information on inviting International guests go to Guest Information
5. Prepare for the Day
Peterborough ceremonies are held outside the Bata Library in good weather so wear sunscreen. Students process from the Student Centre via Lady Eaton College to the convocation stage so comfortable shoes are also recommended. In inclement weather, ceremonies move to the Athletics Centre Gym. This is announced one hour before the ceremony. Note that only three (3) of your guests can attend in the Gym.
Durham GTA ceremonies are held indoors at the Tribute Communities Centre in Oshawa regardless of weather.
Take a look at the Ceremonial Traditions which occur at every Trent Convocation ceremony!
6. Arrive at Least One Hour Before Your Ceremony
To the Student Centre (Peterborough ceremonies) or the Tribute Communities Centre (Durham GTA ceremonies) with your student card. Check in and receive your regalia (gown and hood) for the ceremony. After the ceremony take photos with your family and friends, then return your regalia and pick up your degree in the Student Centre (Peterborough ceremonies) or in the Tribute Communities Centre (Durham GTA ceremonies).
7. Unable to Attend Convocation
You must complete the Application to Graduate to graduate, and receive confirmation from the Registrar’s Office, to graduate. If you are unable to attend Convocation, you will be granted a degree in absentia. Please email registrar@trentu.ca prior to Convocation to arrange to pick-up your degree or have it mailed.
You can obtain your Degree Certificate by visiting the Office of the Registrar after convocation with your student ID card; or sending a written request via your myTrent email account to registrar@trentu.ca. In the subject line, please note the term you graduated (January, Fall, Spring) and follow this example: “MAIL DEGREE – SPRING". In your email please include your name, student ID number, and full mailing address.
Take note that degrees will only be held for a period of two years, after which you must request and pay for a replacement degree. In addition, your degree and official transcripts will not be released if you have an outstanding balance owing to the University or have outstanding Library fines.
Although all degrees from the previous Fall and January are available at the Spring Convocation Ceremonies, they are also available after Senate meets, in the Fall and January for pick up or mailing for students who don’t wish to attend or wait until the Spring Convocation Ceremonies. Spring graduates may pick theirs up at Convocation or in person by email request after the week of Convocation.
Graduate Students please contact graduate@trentu.ca about obtaining your degree parchment.
8. Check Out Your Alumni Perks
You're a Trent Alumni Now! Visit trentu.ca/alumni for information on the benefits, services, programs and events offered to you for free!
NOTE: Convocation ceremonies are public events that are recorded in various ways including webcast, video and photography. The ceremonies will be live streamed on trentu.ca during Convocation and will be available to view after Convocation for the benefit of friends and family who are unable to attend in person. These images and recordings may be used for official purposes, such as promoting Trent University. If you have any questions, please contact joannesokolow@trentu.ca.