Convocation details

Convocation is an important part of your university experience. We’re currently planning online celebrations for you, your family and friends. The virtual celebrations will take place in June.

Please monitor your @mcmaster.ca email address. More important details around convocation will be emailed to this account. Follow @macstudentservices to keep on top of our convocation updates on social. Important updates will be communicated on both channels.

Please note that the timing of the conferral of your degree will remain the same. Those eligible to graduate will be granted their degree on time. If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact your Faculty Office.

We are excited for the week-long celebration of all of our 2021 McMaster graduates!

Online celebrations

A link to your online celebration will be posted here on the following dates and times. We can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone in your lives.

Faculty	Convocation date
Humanities and Arts & Science	Monday, June 14, 2021 – 10 a.m.
Nursing	Monday, June 14, 2021 – 12 p.m.
Business	Tuesday, June 15, 2021 – 10 a.m.
Social Sciences	Wednesday, June 16, 2021 – 10 a.m.
Science (including Med Rad Sci)	Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 10 a.m.
Health Sciences (excluding Nursing)	Thursday, June 17, 2021 – 12 p.m
Engineering	Friday, June 18, 2021 – 10 a.m.

Share your well-wishes!

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 a Faculty below to submit your well-wishes.

Faculty of Humanities	Arts & Science Program	School of Nursing	DeGroote School of Business
Faculty of Social Sciences	Faculty of Science	Faculty of Health Sciences	Faculty of Engineering

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)

Diplomas will be couriered in June-July 2021 to graduates who complete the graduation tile in Mosaic by the May 31 deadline.
If you miss the graduation tile deadline, complete the Diploma Request form and submit the Service Request in Mosaic to have the parchment couriered to you.
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.

Forms

Potential graduates will find a Graduation Tile in their Mosaic Home at the beginning of the graduation period. The deadline to complete this tile is May 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 & address details: This form is for all graduating students (including undergraduate, graduate and medical graduates). This form will verify the name to be displayed on your diploma and the address to which your diploma will be mailed. Accurate information is important. Please make sure you are only submitting one form.
The form lists the primary name we have on file. This 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.
In the tile, there are also forms to apply for a Minor, Concurrent Certificate and Mohawk certificate. If you need to update the content of any of the forms, you can do so by selecting ‘Update Graduation Form.’

Need help? Visit us on the online chat or email convocation@mcmaster.ca.

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.

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.

Request proof of degree awarded

You can request an Approved to Graduate/Post-Graduate Work Permit letter in late May if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Status updates begin May 17.

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 by April 19 for June delivery.

Graduation gifts

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

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 in late May if you have a graduation status of ‘Approved to Graduate’ in Mosaic. Learn more about this process.