The complete schedule of ceremonies will be available and communicated to Potential Graduates on August 15, 2025. Ceremonies will take place between November 13-14, 2025.
Convocation will take place in the McNally Main Auditorium. Students are to arrive in Loyola 290, one hour before their Convocation Ceremony in order to be dressed in their Academic Regalia, lined up for the academic procession and marshaled in to the ceremony.
Academic Regalia Rental, Dean's Card & Guest Invitations
In preparation for this special celebration, you will be ordering your academic regalia (robe, hood, and cap, if applicable) from our regalia provider, Harcourts. Through their online portal, you can order the regalia specific to you and your program for pick-up on campus the day before your ceremony.
The rental portal for Fall 2025 graduation will open on Monday, September 8, 2025. The link will be sent directly to all students that have applied to graduate in the Fall. Please ensure you submit your order prior to Friday, October 10, 2025 to ensure your regalia will be available for the ceremony.
Guest Invitations and Name Card
Each graduate will receive two guest invitations and a name card that will be available for pick-up the day before your ceremony with your academic regalia rental.
The name card is what the Orator uses to announce each graduate's name as they cross the stage. Please ensure this is brought with you to your ceremony.
To request extra invitations, please visit our related information section.
Live-stream
Graduates and guests who are unable to attend the ceremony in person can watch the live-stream on smu.ca/graduation at the time of the ceremony. No sign up is required.
Graduating in Absentia
If you are unable to attend the convocation ceremony, you must submit an Application to Graduate in Absentia in addition to your graduation application. Absentia forms are due by Friday, October 10, 2025.
Students graduating in absentia can choose to have their parchment (degree) mailed or picked up at the Service Centre at a later date.
Graduation Audits
Students are encouraged to review their Degree Works audit to ensure that all program requirements will be satisfied by September 1, 2025. Please connect with your Academic Advisor for Undergraduate programs or Program Coordinator for Grad Studies programs if you have any questions or need to make any program changes. Students should withdraw their application to graduate if they will not meet the program requirements by this date. Enrolment Services will conduct a final audit in September once all student grades from the Spring and Summer terms have been submitted and finalized. You can expect a final decision on your file by the end of September, at which time you will be able to request your potential graduate letter. We will be reviewing hundreds of files, and we appreciate your patience as we work through them. Please avoid reaching out to inquire about the status of your audit before the end of September, as we are unable to prioritize individual files.
Official Transcripts
You will be able to order your official transcript that shows your degree awarded date the day following your graduation ceremony.