Frequently Asked Questions
Before the Ceremony
You can apply to graduate through Acadia University Self-Service. Under Academics, select Graduation Overview.
Deadline to apply for graduation for Spring 2027: January 15, 2027
For more on graduation from the Registrar’s Office, visit their FAQ page.
If you choose not to attend, notify the Registrar’s Office (regis@acadiau.ca) and provide a mailing address — your parchment (diploma) will be mailed to you.
If you will be graduating in the fall, please apply to graduate for the Fall Convocation.
Students can now choose to graduate in the Fall and participate in the October convocation ceremony. Information about attending Fall Convocation will be sent to your email address during the spring/summer months in preparation for the ceremony. If you have applied to graduate for Fall, then you are unable to attend the Spring Convocation.
Each student graduating is guaranteed two (2) guest tickets each, which must be reserved in advance. The deadline to reserve your guaranteed tickets is September 30, 2026.
Tickets are available through the Box Office. Tickets must be booked by the student who is graduating and need to be booked using their Acadia email address.
Beginning on October 1, remaining tickets will be released for booking through the Box Office on a first-come-first-served basis. Each graduand is able to book up to an additional four (4) tickets each.
While we may not be able to accommodate all of our graduands’ guests in University Hall, we welcome graduates and all of their guests to celebrate with us at the Welcome to Alumni reception at Clark Terrace at the Wu Welcome Centre (rain location, Festival Theatre). after the ceremony.
Graduands must order regalia (cap and gown) via the online service through the GradCo website by September 30, 2026 to pay the regular price of $52.00 + tax. If the deadline is missed, they can still obtain regalia on the day of their ceremony but the charge is $57.00 + tax.
The pick-up of regalia is in the Acadia Bookstore on the day of their ceremony (2 hours prior to the start) and the gown and degree hood is to be returned to the Bookstore 1 hour after the ceremony ends. The cap and tassel are souvenirs for the graduates to keep.
You may still get regalia on the day of convocation. You will need to go to the Acadia Bookstore and pay a slightly higher fee of $57.00 + tax.
We have plenty of accessible seating in University Hall, but we recommend you arrive early so we’re able to ensure we can meet your needs.
For other accessibility accommodations, please contact convocation@acadiau.ca ahead of time to make arrangements.
On Tuesday, October 6 at 4:00-5:00 we hold a rehearsal in Convocation Hall to familiarize graduands with the ceremony.
Attendance is not mandatory, but this will be the only chance for potential grads to become familiar with the procession, seating arrangements, and the flow of the ceremony itself. It will only take 30 minutes of your time, and will be an important opportunity for you to understand the ceremony so that on the Big Day, your enjoyment of the event will be the best it can possibly be.
If you have any questions related to the rehearsal, please contact Dr. David Duke, the University Marshal, at david.duke@acadiau.ca.
Parchments are available in May (Spring) or October (Fall) the day after the Convocation ceremonies.
Pick up by graduate - An ID and a signature is required at the time of pickup.
Pickup by third party - Permission must be granted in writing by the graduate for third party pickups. The name of the designate must be included; ID and signature are required at time of pickup.
Parchments are sent through regular mail at no charge unless you specify another method of delivery. You can elect courier delivery for a fee, for which a civic address and telephone number are required. Fees are based on the destination.
Flower orders are available through the commencement group and will be ready for pick up on convocation day.
To retrieve your order, please stop by the booth located conveniently at University Hall before the ceremony begins.
Day of the Ceremony
Go to the Acadia Bookstore on convocation day, no later than two hours before your ceremony. That’s where you’ll pick up your cap, gown, hood, and name card.
Graduates will line up at the base of Perkin Way on the South side of Main Street about one hour before the ceremony begins (with name cards in hand).
Do not bring phones, confetti, sparklers, noise-makers, or other disruptive items into the hall or on stage.
Please remember (and remind your guests!) that Acadia is a scent-free campus. We ask that you refrain from wearing scented products to Convocation.
In case of rain, the assembly location may change — the convocation office will send a day-of email with updated instructions.
After the ceremony, graduates and all of their guests are invited to the Welcome to Alumni reception at Clark Terrace at the Wu Welcome Centre (rain location, Festival Theatre). .
The hood and gown must be returned to the Bookstore. The cap and tassel are yours to keep!
Yes! All ceremonies are livestreamed online in real time.
The videos will be posted later on the convocation site for those who cannot watch in real time.
Yes! There will be plenty of parking for you and your guests available at the Athletics Complex, and a shuttle to bring folks with limited mobility up the hill to Convocation Hall.
If you require the shuttle, call Safety & Security at (902) 585-1103.
Yes. A framing service will be available in the Wu Welcome Centre after the ceremony.
Special Events
After the convocation ceremony, the Acadia Alumni Association hosts a reception with entertainment and refreshments on Clark Terrace at the Wu Welcome Centre (rain location, Festival Theatre). It’s a chance for you to celebrate with your classmates, family, and guests as you become an alum.