Convocation 2026 dates, programs and ceremony location
June 9 and 10, 2026
Edmonton Expo Centre
7515 - 118 Avenue
- Ceremony 1 - June 9, 10:00 am
- Ceremony 2 - June 9, 2:30 pm
- Ceremony 3 - June 10, 10:00 am
- Ceremony 4 - June 10, 2:30 pm
Eligibility to participate
All graduates and potential graduates from the Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 terms who applied to graduate and have met, or are on track to meet, program requirements before August 31, 2026 are invited to participate in Convocation 2026.
View the official 2025-2026 Convocation list showing all students eligible to attend Convocation.
If you meet the eligibility requirements to participate, we will email the invitation and registration package to your MyMail account in March.
Caps and gowns
You must pick up your convocation package (Gown, Mortarboard, Tassel, etc.) at the Edmonton campus.
SCFL Atrium, Downtown Edmonton Campus
- Thursday, June 4, 2026, 8:30 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday, June 5, 2026, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Convocation is an academic event. Business casual or business formal wear is suggested. All program graduates wear red gowns, white vee stoles, and traditional red mortar boards. Wear your cap parallel to the ground with the tassel to the right side.
Guest tickets
All guests must have tickets for the specific ceremony to be admitted. Guest tickets are general seating and not assigned.
Ticket information will be provided in the invitation and registration package sent your MyMail account in March.
Children are welcome to attend Convocation but must have a guest ticket and be seated with another guest in the audience. The ceremony lasts approximately 2 hours and young children can get very fidgety. As this may be disruptive to other guests and we would like everyone to have the opportunity to fully enjoy the ceremony, please consider making alternative arrangements for very young children. Due to fire marshal regulations, baby carriers, strollers or wagons will not be allowed in the ceremony venue.
Important note: Graduands do not need a ticket for the ceremony but ALL guests attending the ceremony in support of graduates, including children, require a ticket for admission.
International guests
Convocation guests coming outside Canada from a visa-required country, will need to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) in advance. Otherwise, if they are visa-exempt, they would need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to board a flight to Canada. Entry requirements by country are listed on this page.
If a TRV is required, you will need to provide your guests with an invitation letter, which they must include in their TRV application. Invitation letters must be written by the person who is inviting and hosting the foreign citizens in Canada. So, if you are inviting your family members or friends, then the invitation letter must be written by you. Review the instructions on how to write an invitation letter on this page.
In addition to the standard documentation required for TRV application, the invited guests will need to enclose the following supporting documents demonstrating evidence of your student status and the purpose of the visit:
- Letter of invitation written by you. Invitation letters must be written by the person who is inviting and hosting the foreign citizens in Canada. There is no need to make any notarial attestation of the letter. Follow instructions on how to write an invitation letter on this page.
- Copies of your passport and your study permit. Your documents should be valid for the length of your family members’ stay in Canada
- An enrolment verification letter, which you can print from MyQuest
- A printout of the web page showing the convocation ceremony’s location, date, and schedule
- Proof of relationship to the invited person(s), if applicable, e.g. birth certificate
If your guests require support with filling out and submitting a TRV application, they should seek advice from a licensed immigration professional - a lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant in good standing. You can verify a consultant’s license through this link.
Be on time
Make sure you arrive at least one hour prior to the ceremony. Listen carefully to the Champions backstage. They will inform you of what you need to do when you get to the stage.
If you arrive after the platform party procession has begun, you will be held at the entrance until after O’ Canada.
Stage behaviour
Receive your diploma with your left hand and shake hands with your right. A hand on your heart will indicate no handshake. We expect that you be respectful of the solemnity of the ceremony and calmly continue across the stage after receiving your parchment. You will not be able to take another person, such as a child, across with you. If you require assistance, contact Convocation@NorQuest.ca to make arrangements prior to your ceremony.
Personal/valuable Items
The gowning area is for students only. All students are required to be in the gowning area and make their way to their seat 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. Make the necessary arrangements to give valuables such as purses or cameras to one of your guests prior to this time.
While you may want to reflect personal taste, style, or interests, please do not alter appearance of the graduation gown. If you would like to decorate your cap, it must not interfere with your gown. We ask that you dress appropriately in formal or business casual clothing in ways that respect the different religions, ages, and ethnicities at the ceremony.
After crossing the stage, return to your seat and remain seated and silent. The ceremony is not over until all graduates have crossed the stage and returned to their seats.
After the ceremony
Students will process out after the platform party exits. This is the time to take photos with your family and friends in the multiple photo opportunities around the venue. Your gown must be returned within one hour after the end of your ceremony.
Parking
If you are attending Convocation as a graduate or guest, you have the option to pay for parking or take public transit to the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
For more information and directions please visit the Edmonton Expo Centre website.
Platform party
The platform party includes NorQuest College's Board of Governors, deans and directors, student representatives, and dignitaries who take part in the ceremony.
Platform party and faculty members wear a black academic gown and an accompanying hood representing their degree and alma mater.