UNF Convocation

How do I confirm my intention to graduate?

Eligible students will receive instructions from the Office of the Registrar, including timelines. A graduation application form can be submitted through the Self-Serve Portal.

Is there a graduation application fee?

Yes, there is a graduation application fee of $125. This fee supports the administrative review and verification of degree completion requirements. Deadlines for Fall Convocation 2026 will be shared in the coming weeks.

What happens after I submit my graduation application?

You’ll receive a confirmation email, and the Office of the Registrar will complete a degree audit to verify that all program requirements have been met.

What if my personal information is incorrect?

Students should update their legal name, address, and personal details through the Self Service Portal. If you need help, refer to the provided guide.

Can I still graduate if I have an outstanding balance?

No. All outstanding fees and conditions must be cleared before your diploma can be issued.

I need Confirmation of Graduation letter from the university. How do I get that from UNF?

Confirmation of Graduation (COG) is distributed to all students who successfully meet the graduation requirements. Student accounts must be clear from all outstanding fees and restrictions.

When and where is Fall Convocation?

Fall Convocation will take place on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario.

What time are the ceremonies?

There will be three ceremonies:

• Friday, October 30, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Master of Data Analytics (MDA)
• Friday, October 30, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications (MA.DMGC) and Master of Management – Entrepreneurship (MM.ENTRE)
• Saturday, October 31, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Master of Management – Emerging Technology (MM.EMTEC)

How do I know which ceremony I am attending?

Your assigned ceremony is based on your academic program. Your ceremony date and time will also be provided through your official Convocation communications and Tassel registration. Graduands are only eligible to attend their assigned ceremony based on their official institutional invitation and will not be permitted to attend a different date or time. For graduands who deferred their convocation attendance, they must receive official approval from the Office of the Registrar to attend the appropriate ceremony date and time. Graduands who do not receive approval will not be permitted to participate in any ceremonies.

Can I switch ceremonies if my scheduled ceremony does not work for me?

No. Graduands must attend the ceremony assigned to their program.

Do I have to attend Convocation?

No. Attendance at Convocation is not mandatory. If you know in advance that you cannot attend, please email convocation@unfc.ca.

How long is the ceremony?

Each ceremony is approximately two hours.

Will the ceremonies be livestreamed?

Yes. Each ceremony will be livestreamed on UNF’s official YouTube channel for family and friends who cannot attend in person.

Will my name appear in the convocation program?

Yes, unless you request otherwise. If you prefer not to have your name included, email convocation@unfc.ca at least four weeks before the ceremony.

Will there be a professional photographer at convocation?

Yes. Professional photographers will be on site during convocation to capture moments throughout the ceremonies. These photos will be shared in a gallery after the event.

How do I register for Convocation?

Eligible graduands will receive an email with instructions to set up their Tassel account and complete the Convocation registration process. Follow the instructions in that email to register.

When is the deadline to register for Convocation?

The final date to register for Fall Convocation is Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Do I need a ticket to attend my ceremony as a graduand?

No. Graduands do not require a ceremony ticket, but you must bring your student ID or government-issued photo ID.

How many guests can I bring?

Each graduand may claim up to two guest tickets through Tassel.

Do my guests need tickets?

Yes. All guests requiring a seat must have a valid ticket. Tickets will be scanned upon entry to the ceremony hall. No ticket means no entry.

How much do guest tickets cost?

Convocation guest tickets are free. UNF will never request payment for available Convocation tickets.

Will additional guest tickets be available?

Guest ticket availability is based on venue capacity. Once ticketing closes and all available tickets have been allocated, no additional tickets will be released. Additional tickets will not be available at the venue on Convocation day.

Can I get an extra guest ticket at the door?

No. There will be no additional guest tickets available at the door.

How do I give my guests their tickets?

Use your Tassel account to send guest tickets directly to your guests by email before the ceremony.

Do small children need a ticket?

Children 3 and under who can comfortably sit on an adult's lap for the duration of the ceremony do not require a ticket.

Will my guests have assigned seats?

No. Guest seating is general admission. Guests are encouraged to arrive early. Ushers will be available to assist with seating.

What should I do if someone offers to sell me a Convocation ticket?
Do not purchase Convocation tickets. UNF does not charge for available guest tickets. Official information about tickets and Convocation logistics will only be communicated through official University channels and will not be sent by text message.

When do I need to arrive?

Graduands should arrive 60–90 minutes before their ceremony. Graduand doors open at 9 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 2 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. If you need to pick up your regalia on ceremony day, you must arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony.

Where should graduands enter the Niagara Falls Convention Centre?

Graduands should enter through the North Entrance, closest to the parking lot. Event staff and signage will direct you to the check-in area.

When should my guests arrive?

Guests should arrive 45–60 minutes before the ceremony. Guest doors open at 9:30 a.m. for morning ceremonies and 2:30 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

Where should guests enter?

Guests should enter through the Main Entrance on the Stanley Avenue side of the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.

What identification do I need to bring?

You must bring either your UNF student ID or government-issued photo ID. Identification is required to pick up your regalia and stage card.

What happens if I am late?

Late graduands will not be permitted into the ceremony hall or be able to participate in the ceremony. Please plan to arrive early and allow additional time for parking, check-in and regalia collection.

Where do I get my stage card?

Stage cards will be available for pick-up in Hall C on ceremony day. You must keep your stage card with you throughout the ceremony. It contains important information, including your seat number, and will be handed to the professional orator as you cross the stage.

Do I need to wear academic regalia?

Yes. Graduands participating in Convocation are required to wear the appropriate UNF academic regalia for their program.

How do I order my cap, gown and hood?

Graduands must complete the UNF Regalia Registration Form provided in their Convocation communications to reserve their cap, gown and program-specific hood. Regalia must be ordered through the form by Thursday, October 22.

When and where can I pick up my regalia?

You have two options:

Advance pick-up: Thursday, October 29, from 1–4:30 p.m. in Hall C at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.

Ceremony-day pick-up: Regalia will be available 90 minutes before each ceremony at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.

Can someone else pick up my regalia for me?

No. You must collect your own regalia and show photo identification at pick-up.

What am I responsible for after picking up my regalia?

You are responsible for keeping your regalia clean, presentable and in Convocation-ready condition until your ceremony.

Where do I return my gown and hood?

Following your ceremony, return to Hall C to have your regalia scanned and returned to the regalia provider.

Can I keep my graduation cap?

Yes. Graduands may keep their caps. Gowns and hoods must be returned.

When do I need to return my regalia?

All rented regalia must be returned within one hour following your ceremony.

What happens if I do not return my gown and hood?

Unreturned regalia will be subject to a fee, as outlined in the Regalia Registration Form. Failure to return these items will result in an obligation to purchase them at a total cost of $150.

How can I make sure the orator pronounces my name correctly?

During the Convocation registration process, you will have an opportunity to provide information to assist with the pronunciation of your name. Please complete the pronunciation information carefully so the professional orator can prepare in advance.

How will the orator know when to announce my name?

You will receive a stage card during check-in that you must keep with you. When it is your turn to cross the stage, you will hand your stage card to the professional orator.

Will my photo be taken or could I appear on video at Convocation?

Yes. Convocation is a public event where photography and video recording will take place, and ceremonies will be livestreamed. By attending Convocation, you consent to photography and video capture that may be used in University materials.

Can I use my phone during the ceremony?

Please silence all mobile devices during the ceremony to avoid disruptions.

What should I wear to Convocation?

Business or smart attire is recommended underneath your academic regalia. Each ceremony is approximately two hours, and graduands will be walking and standing at various points, so comfortable footwear is strongly recommended.

Can I bring a large bag or personal belongings with me?
Graduands are asked not to bring large bags to the venue. A complimentary coat check will be available for graduands.

Is the Niagara Falls Convention Centre accessible?

Yes. The venue is fully accessible. If you or one of your guests requires accessibility support, including wheelchair seating, mobility assistance or assistance with stage access, please contact convocation@unfc.ca in advance.

What if I require assistance crossing the stage?

Please contact convocation@unfc.ca in advance so appropriate stage-access arrangements can be made.

Can I bring a stroller?

Yes. Guests bringing strollers or requiring mobility assistance are encouraged to arrive early. Venue staff and ushers will be available to assist with seating.

Can I bring a service animal?

Certified service and guide animals may accompany graduands and guests who require them.

Can my guests take photos during the ceremony?

Guests may take personal photos provided they remain in their seats and do not interfere with the ceremony, aisles, processional routes or other guests. There will also be time following the ceremony to take photos with family, friends, fellow graduates and faculty.

Is parking available at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre?

Yes. Parking is available on site for $20 per vehicle. The Niagara Falls Convention Centre is also accessible by public transportation.

How early should I plan to arrive if I am parking at the venue?

Please build additional time into your arrival for parking and walking into the venue. Graduands should be at the venue 60–90 minutes before their ceremony, while guests should arrive 45–60 minutes before the ceremony.

Will there be signs and staff to help me find where I need to go?

Yes. Signage will be posted throughout the venue, and ushers, volunteers and event staff will be available to help graduands and guests navigate the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.

Can I leave personal items at the venue during the ceremony?

A complimentary coat check will be available for graduands. Please avoid bringing large bags or unnecessary personal belongings.

Will I receive my degree parchment when I cross the stage?

No. Degree parchments are not distributed during the Convocation ceremony.

When can I pick up my parchment?

Parchment pick-up will be available on campus beginning Monday, November 2, 2026.

Where do I pick up my parchment?

Information about on-campus parchment pick-up will be communicated to graduates before Convocation.

Can my parchment be mailed to me?

Yes. Graduates who are unable to pick up their parchment on campus will have an option to arrange for it to be mailed. Additional instructions will be provided by the University.

What happens to my parchment if I do not attend Convocation?

If you cannot attend, your degree parchment will still be available to you. If your plans change on the day of the ceremony, please contact the Office of the Registrar at convocation@unfc.ca to arrange to have your parchment mailed to you.

How do I get a graduate portrait?

UNF has partnered with Studio Nostalgia to offer dedicated on-campus graduation portrait sessions. Graduands can use the Portrait Booking Portal linked through the UNF Convocation Hub to choose a date and time and reserve a session.

What is included in a graduation portrait session?

Sessions include traditional graduation portraits, with opportunities to personalize your photos through casual portraits, props, personal items and photos with friends or family.

How do I purchase my graduation photos?

Studio Nostalgia offers a range of flexible portrait packages and options to suit different needs and preferences. Portrait packages are purchased directly from Studio Nostalgia.

Where can I see portrait package options and pricing?

Visit the Portrait Booking Portal to explore available portrait options, packages and pricing directly through Studio Nostalgia.

How can I contact the portrait studio?

Questions about grad portraits can be directed to: grad@studionostalgia.ca

How do I purchase an official UNF frame for my parchment?

Official UNF parchment frames are available for purchase through the UNF Grad Store, accessible through the Convocation Hub.

Can I pick up my pre-ordered parchment frame on campus?

Yes. Orders placed before 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14 can be picked up on campus with your parchment beginning November 2, 2026.

Can I have a parchment frame shipped to me?

Please review the delivery options available through the UNF Grad Store when placing your order. Graduates who order before the October 14 deadline can choose the on-campus pick-up option and save on shipping.

Will flowers be available for purchase?

Yes. Flowers can be pre-ordered through the UNF Grad Store and will also be available for purchase in person at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre.

What happens immediately after my ceremony?

Graduands and guests may remain at the venue for up to one hour after the ceremony. This is a great opportunity to take photos with family, friends, fellow graduates and faculty. Graduands must also return their rented regalia during this time.

Where do I return my regalia after the ceremony?

Return to Hall C following your ceremony. Your gown and hood must be returned to the regalia provider for scanning. You may keep your cap.

How do I request an official transcript after graduation?

Official transcripts can be ordered through the Graduand Request form. A fee applies. Unofficial transcripts are available for free through the Self Service Portal.

I’m an international student. Is there special information for me?

Yes. Dedicated guides for graduating international graduands are available that include details on post‑graduation career planning, health insurance, work permit considerations.

I want to display my parchment, are there UNF frames?

Yes, there are two frame options available to suit your individual style and preference. For more information, visit the UNF Grad Store. 

What if I cannot attend my ceremony?

Convocation attendance is not mandatory. If you know in advance that you cannot attend, please notify the Convocation Team at convocation@unfc.ca.

Can I attend a different ceremony instead?

No. Graduands may only participate in the ceremony assigned to their academic program.

Will I still receive my degree parchment if I do not attend Convocation?

Yes. Your parchment is not dependent on attending the ceremony. Information about parchment pick-up and mailing options will be provided separately.

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

Please review the UNF Convocation Hub for the latest information. If your question is not answered there or you require accessibility support, contact the Convocation Team at convocation@unfc.ca.