No. These are two separate processes.

To Graduate: For information on applying to graduate, please visit the graduation tab on the Registrar’s Office web page.

To Attend Convocation: During the specified timeframe announced on MUN Newsline, the Convocation web page and in your @mun.ca email, log on to Memorial Self-Service to register to attend Convocation.

Note that “applying to graduate” and “registering to attend Convocation” are two separate processes.

You can apply to graduate through Memorial Self-Service by submitting an Application to Graduate located under the Graduation and Convocation menu before the appropriate deadline as outlined below.

Even if your graduation status is pending, you should go ahead and register to attend Convocation.

For additional information on applying to graduate, please visit the graduation tab on the Registrar’s Office web page.

While Convocation is reserved for degree graduates, our university celebrates the achievements of all students. Diploma and certificate graduates may be recognized by their faculty or through other special gatherings.

For those graduating at the end of the Fall semester, degrees are awarded at a regular meeting of the University Senate in February which graduates do not attend, referred to as an “in absentia graduation.” Following this meeting, parchments for graduates will be sent in the mail. Thereafter, you will be assigned to the upcoming Spring Convocation ceremonies and will have the option to postpone attendance, if you wish, by registering at Memorial Self-Service when the announcement is made to register to attend Convocation.

Although you will have already received your parchment in the mail, your experience at Convocation will be exactly the same as it is for all graduates. The only difference is that you will not receive your parchment at Convocation (given out backstage after crossing the stage) as you would have already received it following the in absentia graduation in February.

You will need to log onto Memorial Self-Service to register to attend Convocation.

Graduates receiving two degrees may attend both sessions of Convocation, or you may choose to attend one session and have the parchment for the second degree mailed to you.

The deadline to register for Fall 2025 Convocation is September 24, 2025. Registering by the deadline ensures that you pay the reduced gown rental fee ($50) and receive your guest tickets.

If your application is still pending, you should still register to attend Convocation. Note that your tickets and registration will not be finalized until you are deemed as eligible to graduate. If you are deemed ineligible for Convocation, you will be refunded the rental fee.

If you miss the deadline to register to attend Convocation, email convocation@mun.ca. Late registrants will be required to pay the on-site gown rental fee of $80 and cannot be guaranteed guest seating, although all efforts will be made to provide them.

The cost of academic dress/gown rental ordered before the registration deadline is $50. After the deadline the rental cost is $80 payable when picking up your academic dress/gown on the day of Convocation, available at the Arts and Culture Centre one hour prior to your Convocation ceremony. Please note that we cannot guarantee your specific academic dress (size, hood, etc.) beyond the rental deadline. 

Indigenous students are not required to wear the traditional black gown. However, you must wear or carry the hood that represents your academic degree and field of study.

For some ceremonies, seating capacity may limit graduates to two guest tickets. For most sessions, graduates can request up to three guest tickets. There is no cost for guest tickets, and they will be sent electronically to you, the graduate, at your MUN email address. Please provide your guests with their tickets in advance of the ceremony. Your guests will be asked to display the unique barcode on their cell phone or to produce a printed e-ticket for admission at the Arts and Culture Centre.

Should additional guest tickets become available, an announcement will be posted on the St. John’s convocation webpage.

All ceremonies will be live-streamed in the MMaP Gallery at the Arts and Culture for guests without tickets. This space is also a great option for families with young children who may find it difficult to sit through the full two-hour event. If you are interested in viewing Convocation from the MMaP Gallery, please contact convocation@mun.ca to reserve your space. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

International graduating students may need a letter from the University inviting named family members to attend convocation for entry visa purposes. Students who have submitted an application to graduate may request an invitation letter from the Registrar’s Office by emailing graduation@mun.ca.

To request accessibility accommodations, you must do so while registration for your assigned Convocation is open on Memorial Self-Service. The convocation team will contact you prior to your ceremony to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please contact the Arts and Culture Centre directly to make the necessary arrangements

Yes, graduates may defer their attendance at Convocation to one of the next two Convocation ceremonies.

To request a deferral, you must do so while registration for your assigned Convocation is open. Log into Memorial Self-Service, navigate to Graduation and Convocation, select Convocation (degrees only), and then choose “I wish to defer my attendance to a future Convocation period.” 

Once you have submitted your deferral request, it will remain on file until you are ready to attend. You do not need to submit the request again. However, please note that you must attend Convocation within the next two available ceremonies, as further deferrals are not permitted.

After deferring your Convocation and to register to attend one of the next two Convocation ceremonies, you must return to Memorial Self-Service during the registration period for the Convocation you wish to attend. The registration dates will be posted on the Convocation webpage (St. John’s and Corner Brook tabs). The dates of future Convocation ceremonies are currently available on the webpage and the registration period for each is normally within 6-8 weeks prior to each date. When you determine which ceremony you wish to attend, you are advised to check the Convocation website frequently so that you are aware of the upcoming registration periods.

Log onto Memorial Self-Service to view your Convocation ceremony information (see sample image below.) You would have received a confirmation email from Gaspard confirming your gown and hood rental, as well.

While registration is open through Self-Service, you can edit your registration details to reflect you are not attending. You can request a refund for your academic dress rental by contacting Gaspard, the deadline to request a refund is May 6, 2025. Once registration has closed, you will need to contact convocation@mun.ca.

Degree parchments are held at the Registrar's Office for one week after Convocation for pick-up. The Registrar's Office will then begin a mail-out and the parchment will be sent to your permanent address, which you can verify or update via Memorial Self-Service.

For Spring Convocation graduates and their families/guests may avail of affordable overnight accommodations at Macpherson College on St. John’s Campus. Unfortunately, there are no campus accommodations available in the fall.

For more information, please visit: https://mun.ca/stay/reservations/convocation-housing/.

Arts and Culture Centre
95 Allandale Road
St. John’s, NL  A1B 3A3
Click Here for Map

Graduates and their guests should arrive one hour prior to the ceremony.

If all the parking spaces at the Arts and Culture Centre are full, the Office of the Chief Risk Officer is providing free parking in all pay-per-use and permit areas on the St. John’s campus. Please respect blue zones, fire lanes and no parking areas. In particular, we recommend Parking Lot 15 (campus parking map).

Graduates must enter the Arts and Culture Centre from the North Accessible Entrance (facing Prince Philip Drive). Guests are required to enter via the main theatre doors (under the archway). Your guests will need to present tickets for admission to the theatre.

Graduates should minimize bringing personal belongings to Convocation. Backpacks or other large bags or items will not be permitted in the auditorium and therefore should be left at home. There will be a coat check service available to graduates to hang their outerwear; guests can take their coats to their seats. Memorial University and the Arts & Culture Centre cannot be responsible for securing personal items.

Guest tickets will be sent electronically to the graduate at their MUN email address. Graduates are asked to provide their guests with their tickets in advance of the ceremony. As a guest, you will be asked to display the unique barcode on your cell phone or to produce a printed e-ticket for admission at the Arts and Culture Centre.

Pick-up: Academic dress/gowns can be picked up in the Gown Room at the Arts and Culture Centre one hour prior to your Convocation ceremony. As graduates pick up their academic dress, they will proceed to pick up their stage card and then seated in the auditorium.

Drop-off: For return of academic dress, there will be a drop-off area just outside the Gown Room for up to one hour after the ceremony ends. The mortarboard hat is yours to keep! Please note that academic dress that is not returned on-site will be the responsibility of the graduate to return to the vendor at your personal expense.

Your gown is designed to stay open at the front, while your hood drapes around your neck and over your shoulders, showcasing the silk lining at the back. Do not use pins to secure the hood – it should rest naturally in place. Since your attire underneath will be visible, business casual or semi-formal attire is recommended for this special occasion.

Make the most of your convocation experience by following these important steps:

• Arrive Early: Graduates must arrive at least one hour before the ceremony begins.
• Pick Up Your Academic Dress: Gowns and hoods are available in the Gown Room at the Arts and Culture Centre. After collecting your academic dress, proceed to pick up your stage card and take your assigned seat in the auditorium.
• Hold On to Your Stage Card: Keep your stage card in hand at all times—it’s your key to crossing the stage!
• Crossing the Stage: Graduates will walk the stage in order of degree and program. When it’s your turn, you’ll be recognized by a presiding university official as you make your big moment count. If you have received an award it will be announced as you cross the stage
• Receiving Your Degree: Your parchment will be presented backstage immediately after you cross the stage.
• Capture the Moment: A professional photo will be taken backstage before you return to your seat.
• Respect the Ceremony: Graduates and guests are expected to remain seated for the entire ceremony to honor all graduates.

Congratulations—we can’t wait to celebrate your achievement!

Yes! A professional photographer from GradImages will be present to capture your special moment as you cross the stage and during a backstage photo session. Photo proofs will be sent to your MUN email approximately two to three weeks after Convocation, along with details on how to purchase your photos. You can also visit the GradImages website to search for your photos by name and grad year.

Unfortunately, for logistical reasons we cannot permit privately hired photographers to be in attendance during the ceremonies. However you are welcome to avail of their services prior to or following the ceremony. Keep in mind that the academic dress is only available one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Once graduates arrive and pick up their academic dress, they will proceed to the auditorium for a briefing by the university marshal.

Please allow for approximately two hours from the start time to the end of each session. Out of courtesy for all graduates, all graduates and guests are asked to please remain in their seats until the end of the convocation ceremony

The Convocation ceremonies will be live-streamed so family and friends may view the ceremonies from the comfort of their home. Fifteen minutes prior to the start of each ceremony, a livestream link will be available on the Memorial home page.

For the convenience of graduates and guests, during Convocation there is a Bookstore kiosk on the upper concourse of the Arts and Culture Centre offering an assortment of MUN branded gift items.

Branded merchandise can also be purchased at any time online by visiting the Memorial University Bookstore website.

Rose bouquets can be pre-ordered for graduates on the Bookstore website. If ordered in advance, a quick and convenient pickup is available at the Arts and Culture Centre before the ceremony. If you have not pre-ordered flowers, a selection of floral arrangements will also be available for purchase at the Arts and Culture Centre before each ceremony.

It took years of hard work! So protect your parchment with a Memorial University matted frame.

You can pick out and purchase a frame in-person during the spring and fall convocations. Just look for the frames booth onsite at convocation. Only frames with a Memorial University branded mat are available in-person.

Debit, Visa and Mastercard accepted.

Photo proofs will be sent to your MUN email approximately two to three weeks after Convocation, along with details on how to purchase your photos. You can also visit the GradImages website to search for your photos by name and grad year.

Degree parchments are held at the Registrar’s Office for one week after Convocation for pick-up. The Registrar’s Office will then begin a mail-out and the parchment will be sent to your permanent address, which you can verify or update via Memorial Self-Service.

Graduates who are not attending Convocation or wish to have photos taken outside the scheduled convocation period can rent academic dress from the Memorial University Bookstore.

Please email convocation@mun.ca for assistance.

The Memorial University Bookstore has a wide variety of MUN branded gifts and apparel available at their St. John’s location on the second floor of the University Centre. Branded merchandise can also be purchased at any time online by visiting the Memorial University Bookstore website and select “Convocation” in the top banner for a selection of MUN branded gifts available for purchase.

It took years of hard work! So protect your parchment with a Memorial University matted frame. There are in-person and online options available for purchasing your frame.

Stay connected with your alma mater, in person and online, from anywhere in the world. As a Memorial graduate, you’ll enjoy exclusive benefits and always remain a valued part of our family.

Congratulations to the newest members of our alumni community!