FAQ

Convocation 2026 will be held June 11 and 12, 2026, in our home community of Athabasca, Alberta.

Thursday, June 11 – Faculty of Health Disciplines and Faculty of Science and Technology

Friday, June 12 – Faculty of Business and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

All requirements for your credential must be received and processed by the Office of the Registrar by April 30, 2026. Please visit graduation procedures to learn more.

Questions regarding requirements for graduation and application status can be emailed to the Office of the Registrar.

If you complete all your course requirements and submit your application to graduate prior to April 30, 2026, then you will be eligible to participate in Convocation 2026. If you finish your program after this date, then you will be invited to participate in Convocation 2027.

You can find more information regarding the graduation process and convocation online.

Convocation is an optional activity for our graduands—but we hope you will join in the celebration to acknowledge your incredible achievement!

Yes!

Details on how to register will be shared with eligible graduates. Remember to keep your contact information up to date in your myAU account to ensure you receive convocation communications.

Applying for graduation does not automatically register you for convocation. When registration for convocation opens, and you have successfully completed and submitted your registration form online, you will receive an email confirming your registration and responses. You can also email the convocation team.

AU holds one convocation ceremony each year in June for students who graduate from July to May. Participating in convocation is optional, however if you do not attend convocation for the year you graduate, you cannot participate in future ceremonies unless extenuating circumstances prevented your attendance. These requests are reviewed by the convocation committee to ensure consistent criteria are applied.

AU celebrates more than 2,000 graduates each year—but since many of our learners are also full-time employees, caregivers, parents, or face travel barriers, approximately 200 typically attend each ceremony in person. If we were to read every graduate’s name, we’d be announcing more than 800 names per ceremony—most who aren’t present. This would add hours to the program and significantly change the experience for graduands and their guests who are attending in person.

To make convocation special for graduates who can’t attend in person, we offer the option to be included in our pre-produced, virtual presentation of degrees. Every graduate is also featured in our interactive graduate list to ensure all AU graduates are celebrated.

Yes! It wouldn’t be a celebration without them.

To ensure we stay within the capacity limits of the venue, we request that each graduate limit their guests to a maximum of five. Lap-sitting infants and toddlers are not included in guest limits.

Additional guests above the limit of 5 are invited to view the ceremony from the overflow area. Depending on registration numbers, additional guest spots in the ceremony hall may become available.

Yes! The in-person convocation ceremonies are livestreamed on the convocation website. Recordings are then available following convocation.

Athabasca University encourages all students to celebrate their convocation day with friends and family. However, only those individuals eligible to graduate are permitted to sit with the graduating class and cross the stage.

GradPhotos.ca is the official photographer for Athabasca University and will be available onsite at convocation for portraits. Convocation day sessions will be available to book soon! Stay tuned!

You may book an appointment at any time of year to visit their studio in Edmonton, Alta. for a photo session in the official AU cap, gown, and hood for your degree.

Most photography studios in your area that offer graduation portraits will have a standard black graduation gown and cap available for use. Convocation hoods are available for purchase.

Once your application to graduate is approved, the Office of the Registrar mails your parchment on, or shortly after, the graduation date provided in your confirmation letter.

No. When you cross the stage, you will receive a congratulatory letter from AU. Please do not bring your parchment with you.

Your name, as it is recorded on your student academic record, will be displayed on your parchment. If you have recently changed your name or would like to make changes to the name on your student file, you must contact the Office of the Registrar by completing and submitting the student change of information form and emailing Academic Records.

Parchment frames, rings, clothing, gifts, and other AU merchandise can all be found at the AU Store.

We’d be happy to help! Please reach out to the convocation team.