Convocation details

Congratulations, Class of 2021! Access your virtual convocation celebration here.

Fall 2021 dates

Faculty	Convocation date
Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts & Science	Thursday, November 25 9:30 a.m.
Health Sciences (including Nursing)	Thursday, November 25 2:30 p.m.
Engineering & Science	Friday, November 26 9:30 a.m.

Master’s and Undergraduate

We’re pleased to invite you and up to three guests to an in-person drop-in campus connection event to celebrate this incredible milestone.

Cross the stage to receive your diploma, get pictures taken by a professional photographer and visit the celebratory stations.

If you have purchased keepsake regalia from the Campus Store, we encourage you to bring it for the photo ops.
Physical distancing, masks and proof of vaccination are required for all attendees.
Please monitor your @mcmaster.ca email throughout this month for more information on the events.

Select your faculty to RSVP for one of the following dates:

Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts & Science: Monday, November 29, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Health Sciences (including Nursing): Tuesday, November 30, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Engineering & Science: Wednesday, December 1, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Registration is done through OSCARplus with your MacID and is required for all events. The deadline to register is November 17.

Ph.D.

We’re pleased to invite you, your supervisor and up to three guests to an in-person drop-in campus connection event to celebrate this incredible milestone!

Cross the stage and be hooded by your supervisor as they welcome you to McMaster’s community of scholars!

You will receive your diploma, get pictures taken by a professional photographer and visit the celebratory stations.

Gowns and hoods will be available but if you have purchased keepsake regalia from the Campus Store you are welcome to bring it!
Physical distancing, masks and proof of vaccination are required for all attendees.
Please monitor your @mcmaster.ca email throughout this month for more information on the events.

Select your faculty to RSVP for one of the following dates:

Health Sciences (including Nursing): Thursday, November 25, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Business, Humanities, Social Sciences, Arts & Science: Thursday, November 25, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Engineering & Science: Friday, November 26, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Forms

The deadline to complete the tile for Fall 2021 Convocation was October 31.

Can’t find your graduation tile? Please reach out to your faculty to confirm your eligibility.

The forms in the tile will offer the following:

Name details: Complete the “Confirm your Name on Diploma” form to verify your name. The form lists the primary name we have on file and is the name that will appear on your diploma. Within the form you will be able to remove a middle name, correct capitalization and punctuation and request an initial only. If you need to change your legal name, you will need to fill out the Name Change form and submit a Mosaic Service Request.
Address details: Complete the “Diploma Pickup/Mailing” form to confirm the address that your diploma will be mailed to. Accurate information is important.
There are also forms to apply for a Minor, Concurrent Certificate and Mohawk certificate (Social Sciences only). If you need to update the content of any of the forms, you can do so by selecting “Update Graduation Form.”
Please make sure you are only submitting your forms once.

McMaster University recommends 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, travel or identity purposes abroad.

Visit us on the online chat or email convocation@mcmaster.ca if you need help.

Graduation form glossary

Status	Description
Saved	You have created a form and saved it. It has not been submitted for review. You can select Update Graduation Forms to modify it further and click Submit when ready.
Pending	Your form has been submitted for review. If it has not yet been reviewed, you can still select Update Graduation Form to modify it and Resubmit.
Recycled	Your form has been reviewed and sent back to you for revisions. Select Update Graduation Forms to edit it. Once completed please click on Resubmit or Withdraw.
Resubmit	You have updated your form and have resubmitted it for review.
Denied	Your form has been denied. No further action is allowed on this form.
On hold	Your form is under review.
Withdrawn	You have decided to withdraw your form. No further action is allowed on this form.
Executed	Your student record has been updated with the approved form.
Authorized	You have submitted your Alumni Survey.

Upload your photo

There will be an opportunity to upload your photo for when your degree is awarded in the virtual celebration. Please be sure to upload your photo from October 15 to 30 to be included. More details to come via your @mcmaster.ca email!

If you do not want to upload a photo, your name and program will still show up during the ceremony.

In order for your photo to be accepted, your photo:

Must be a headshot
Needs to be in portrait orientation
Should be of you alone
Can’t include writing or graphics
Must be respectful and appropriate for an academic audience
Can be a selfie
Can have a maximum file size of 5 MB and be in .jpeg or .png formats

Legal name change

To request a formal name change, please complete the Name Change Request form and submit a Service Request within Mosaic with the form and required supporting documentation attached.

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 2021 grads: Complete the graduation tile in Mosaic by October 31.
If you missed the graduation tile deadline, please submit a Service Request with your full mailing address and phone number in the textbox to request delivery. The Diploma Delivery form is not required for those who missed the deadline.
Diplomas are available for delivery up to one year following your convocation ceremony.
After the year, there is a fee to request a replacement diploma.
Diplomas are couriered free of charge for two months following the last convocation ceremony. Fees apply after the two month period.

Early conferral details

Policies and procedures on how early conferrals work.

Request proof of degree awarded

You can request an Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter later this fall 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.

Learn more about this process

Other details

Attire

McMaster has a long tradition of graduates wearing academic regalia during convocation celebrations. 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 both virtual and in-person celebrations.

Grad 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.

Unofficial graduation regalia

Celebrate at home with your very own unofficial graduation keepsake bundle! The bundle includes a gown, cap and McMaster stole. Order from the Campus Store now.

Graduation gifts

Don’t know what to give your graduate? We’ve got you covered.

Remember to check out the Campus Store’s Class of 2021 diploma frames and other grad gifts. Use the code MACGRAD10 for 10% off of any frame during this month.

Graduating student awards

Give yourself a grad present! There are scholarships specifically for undergrads in their graduating year.

Your privacy at convocation

Have questions or concerns around your privacy at convocation? Visit our privacy page to learn more about it.

Request proof of degree awarded

You can request an Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter later this fall if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Learn more about this process.

Share your message!

Convocation is a time of celebration for your families, friends, instructors and supporters.

We encourage all graduands, loved ones and members of the McMaster community to share a congratulatory video or message to the Class of 2021.

Choose your link to share your message:

Faculties of Business, Humanities, Social Sciences and the Arts & Science program

Faculty of Health Sciences, including Nursing

Faculties of Engineering and Science

Convocation FAQs

Will McMaster hold any in-person celebrations for convocation this fall?

This fall, our grads will experience a virtual convocation ceremony with opportunities for in-person interactions and celebrations.

More details will be communicated throughout the month of October, but we look forward to celebrating you and your accomplishments online and in-person! Stay tuned for updates via your McMaster email, on our website and our Instagram.

How do I access the virtual ceremony?

Check back on this page right before your ceremony for a link to the celebration website.

How do I upload my photo for the virtual ceremony?

You can upload your photo for your graduation slide from October 15 to 30 through Marching Order. You will receive an email to your McMaster account that will provide you with the upload link.

This includes your very own graduation slide that will play during your virtual ceremony. Your slide will include your name, program and photo, which can also be downloaded and shared on social media after your ceremony.

Photo tips:

Keep the background simple.
Avoid distracting backgrounds.
Take the photo in soft, natural light.
Dress how you would when meeting a new client or what you would wear to work in your field of study.

How do I know if my photo is acceptable for the virtual ceremony?

In order for your photo to be accepted, your photo:

Must be a headshot.
Needs to be in portrait orientation.
Should be of you alone.
Can’t include writing or graphics.
Must be respectful and appropriate for an academic audience.
Can be a selfie.
Can have a maximum file size of 5 MB and be in .jpeg or .png formats.

What happens if I don’t upload a photo?

If you don’t upload your photo in time, or at all, your name and program will still show on your graduation slide, there just won’t be a photo with it.

How will I know if my photo is declined?

You will receive an email asking you to re-upload if your graduation slide photo is not accepted.

How do I apply to graduate?

Your Faculty Office will mark you as eligible to graduate if you have completed all of your course requirements. All you need to do is go through the “Graduation Forms” tile on Mosaic by October 31 to confirm your name and address for your diploma. Stay tuned to this webpage for access to your virtual ceremony and your McMaster email for in-person celebrations.

Where can I get graduation photos taken?

Graduation photos can be booked through The Lifetouch Graduation Photo studio, 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.

How do I know if I am eligible to graduate?

If you have questions about your eligibility to graduate, please contact your Faculty Office.

I’ve submitted my graduation forms on Mosaic but the status says “on hold.”

If your graduation form is on hold, your form is under review. You can find more information in the Graduation form glossary on the “next steps” tab of this page.