In-person fall 2022 dates
Convocation events will take place in-person at FirstOntario Concert Hall (1 Summers Lane, Hamilton ON, L8P 4Y2). Graduands need to arrive one hour before their ceremony. Doors will open 1.5 hours before the start of the ceremony. Ceremonies are approximately two hours.
| Faculty | Convocation date |
|---|---|
| Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts & Science | Thursday, November 17, 9:30 a.m. |
| Health Sciences | Thursday, November 17, 2:30 p.m. |
| Engineering and Science | Friday, November 18, 9:30 a.m. |
Graduate students: find your ceremony schedule here.
Event details
- Limited parking is available at FirstOntario Concert Hall. Additional lots are available close to the venue. Please give yourself plenty of time to park.
- Share our live stream link with guests who couldn’t join you in person.
- Don’t forget your ID! Photo ID is required to pick up your diploma after the ceremony.
- There is a staffed coat check for graduands. It is at your discretion to keep your valuables with you, with your guests or with our coat check.
Please note: All in-person events are subject to evolving guidance and mandates from the province of Ontario and McMaster’s commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our University community. Graduation events will follow McMaster University protocols. Latest updates can be found on the Back to Mac website.
Faculty Alumni Celebrations
- Business (November 17)
- Wentworth A/B (Hamilton Convention Centre), following the ceremony
- Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts & Science Program (November 17)
- Hamilton Convention Centre Concourse (outside of Wentworth Room), following the ceremony
- Faculty of Health Sciences (November 17)
- Visit your alumni table on the Mezzanine level of First Ontario Concert Hall, following the ceremony
- Global Health Convocation Open House: Global Health Office (MDCL 3500) from 9 – 11 a.m.
- Science and Engineering (November 18)
- Mezzanine level of First Ontario Concert Hall, following the ceremony
Next steps
1. Check your eligibility
Undergraduate students: If you are not meeting all of your requirements, now is the time to make an appointment to speak with an academic advisor.
You can check your Graduation Status through Mosaic > Student Centre > My Academics > View my graduation status.
You can also check your Advisement Report through Mosaic > Student Centre > My Academics > View my Advisement Report.
Graduate students: You can contact your Graduate Administrator to confirm there are no further actions needed on your end.
2. Check your name
Make sure your name is correct in Mosaic – Student Centre – Personal Information – Primary Name. If you need to change your legal name, you will need to fill out the name change form and submit a Mosaic Service Request. The deadline for name changes for your diploma and convocation ceremony is October 28.
3. Fill out the convocation tile
Fill out the convocation forms tile in Mosaic. The forms tell us whether or not you are attending, your in-person ceremony needs, your preference for receiving your diploma & more. These forms also contain the information you need to pay your ceremony fee (if attending) and courier fee (if not attending). The deadline to complete the tile is October 28.
4. Check your student account
It’s important to make sure there are no outstanding balances on your student account, otherwise, you won’t be able to receive your diploma until your balance is paid.
5. Invite your guests
Time to start celebrating! You can invite up to four guests to your convocation ceremony. No guest tickets are required.
If you would like to invite extra guests, please add your name to the waitlist when it becomes available.
If required to get a travel visa, guests can request a letter of invitation.
We recommend that the name displayed on your diploma matches that of your legal name as future employers, licensing bodies, or other educational institutions may require proof the documents match. It is also recommended for visa or identity purposes abroad.
Diploma & Medal Pick-Up: From Monday December 5th to Friday December 9th, 10:00-3:30pm; RO Student Services will be distributing Fall 2022 diplomas and medals at the Campus Connect in MUSC. Please bring a government photo ID.
Digital diplomas
- McMaster graduates have the option of receiving a digital version of their diploma.
- The diploma is anchored in the bitcoin blockchain.
- You will receive an email to opt-in to this initiative.
- Please make digital.diplomas@mcmaster.ca a safe sender.
- Want to know more about digital diplomas? Visit our dedicated digital diploma information page.
Parchment (printed diplomas)
- Fall 2022 diplomas will be available after your convocation ceremony or for pick-up on campus in early December.
- Diplomas are available for delivery up to one year following your convocation ceremony.
- After the year, there is a fee to request a replacement or duplicate diploma.
Early conferral details
- Policies and procedures on how early conferrals work.
Request proof of graduation
You can request an Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter later this spring if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Official transcripts stating your degree awarded and conferral date will be available the day after convocation. You will also be able to download a PDF “degree conferred” letter from your Mosaic Student Centre after this date.
Accessibility at Convocation
Accessibility requests for grads and guests are accommodated upon arrival at your scheduled ceremony. We can accommodate the following:
- Wheelchair users
- Limited mobility
- Visual impairments
- Hearing impairments
Photos of the processional route travelled by graduands on the day of the ceremony (including photos of stairs, railings, etc.) are available as a PDF document.
Accessible seating
Please let event staff know of your seating accommodation needs once you arrive at the venue.
FirstOntario Concert Hall has several wheelchairs that can be loaned to guests during the ceremony at no charge. Ask your guests to inquire at the information desk in the main lobby.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking options are available at FirstOntario Concert Hall, as well as additional lots close to the venue.
Live captions
All spoken parts of the ceremonies include live captions (communication access real-time translation), except during the reading of graduate names. The captioned text will appear on the large video screen facing the audience.
FirstOntario Concert Hall also has infra-red hearing devices for guests with a hearing impairment. These are available for loan at no charge and may be obtained at the information desk in the main lobby.
Have questions? Need additional accessibility accommodations from what is listed? Please contact us at convo.accessibility@mcmaster.ca.
Other details
McMaster has a long tradition of graduates wearing academic regalia during convocation celebrations. This includes McMaster-provided gowns and hoods for undergraduates and gowns, hoods and graduate caps for Master’s and PhD graduates. Unofficial memorabilia regalia can be purchased through the Campus Store for those that would like a keepsake.
McMaster is committed to promoting an environment of respect and collegiality that honours the rich diversity of our campus community. We fully support and encourage the inclusion and addition of culturally specific apparel during celebrations.
Event Photos
Access some of the photos taken at convocation on McMaster’s Flickr account.
Graduation Photos
The Lifetouch Graduation Photo studio is located in MUSC. Book your appointment online through their website.
- Click McMaster University Grad sitting
- Click McMaster University for the site
- Click McMaster – all Faculties for the faculty
- Choose a day and time that is best for you
Questions? Reach out directly through mcmasteruniversity@lifetouch.ca or 905-525-9140 ext: 26222.
Note: COVID restrictions might impact or delay bookings.
You can request a letter of invitation for your guest(s) visiting from outside of Canada for your spring convocation ceremony or legacy event. Please complete the form and submit a Parchment order for an educational verification letter.
You can request an Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter later this spring if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Learn more about this process.
Reviewing is completed by your Faculty. Thank you for your patience as your request is processed. Requests made too early will be cancelled. Please remember to follow the steps for timely processing.
Submit the Procession Registration Form to join the Academic Procession or Chancellor’s Procession. The deadline to RSVP for the Fall events is Monday, November 14, 2022.
Staff volunteer sign-up is now closed.
For more information, visit our Faculty & Staff page.
Don’t know what to give your graduate? We’ve got you covered.
The Campus Store will be on-site with frames and other memorabilia. Remember to check out the Campus Store’s Grad page for diploma frames and more! You can arrange to have your diploma framed ahead of time to pick up at convocation.
Flowers can be purchased on-site or pre-ordered through this website.
Give yourself a grad present! There are scholarships specifically for undergrads in their graduating year.
If you are unable to attend your convocation ceremony due to extenuating circumstances beyond your control, you may request to defer your attendance to the next appropriately affiliated ceremony in the next Convocation cycle. Please contact Student Services if you would like to submit a request.
Have questions or concerns around your privacy at convocation? Visit our privacy page to learn more about it.
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