Yorkville University Ontario Convocation Celebration
Save the date for March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. (ET)
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
We at Yorkville University can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishments with you at Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street East., on Thursday, March 26, 2026
Watch the Graduation Live Stream
Convocation Ceremony:
2:00 p.m. (ET) – Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Creative Arts (BCA), and Bachelor of Interior Design (BID).
Dress code: Formal attire encouraged.
For those of you who are unable to attend your Yorkville University 2026 Gala Convocation in person, we will be livestreaming the ceremony below. We also encourage everyone to share this link with your loved ones, so they might celebrate with you in this moment of great achievement.
***Please note this will be a livestream only and not an interactive online graduation.
View Graduation Booklet:
Graduation Ceremony Schedule
BBA, BCA, and BID
Arrive early 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Collect your gowns and get in place for the event.
Main doors open for guests at 12:30 p.m. (ET)
Guests can access the lobby area but cannot get into the theatre until 1:00 p.m.
Theatre doors open for guests at 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Graduates get ready for the ceremony 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Line-up in order to enter the ceremony
Ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. (ET)
The Convocation Ceremony will begin.
Light reception at 4:00 p.m. (ET)
There will be a light reception following the graduation ceremony.
Gown Process
Your gowns will be ready for pick-up at the Meridian Hall, 1 Front Street E., on Thursday, March 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (ET)
Once you arrive at Meridian Hall please proceed to the Castle Point Numa Lounge, located on the lower level of Meridian Hall.
Convocation Day Entering the Ceremony
Once you have your gown, please meet in the lower lobby and find the Marshal holding a sign with your program and group letter. Here, you will be directed to form a line in alphabetical order. You will enter the ceremony together as a graduating class.
Getting to the Ceremony
Yorkville University’s 2026 Graduation Ceremony will take place at Meridian Hall, which is located at 1 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1B2.
The main entrance to the building is on Front Street East between Yonge Street and Scott Street.
Meridian Hall is easily accessible by car, TTC, GO Transit, and UP Express. It is a short drive north of the Yonge Street exit off Lakeshore Boulevard/Gardiner Expressway. Transit users can reach us with a short walk two blocks east of Union Station.
Photos
There will be a photographer covering the ceremony and taking photos of each graduate on the stage. After the graduation, we will send out a link where you will be able to download your photos for free.
What to Expect During the Convocation Ceremony
The ceremonies are expected to last approximately 2 hours. We kindly ask that you stay in your seat for the duration of the ceremony and keep noise to a minimum.
Each graduate will be called up on stage to be recognized and have a picture taken with Dr. Julia Christensen Hughes, President & Vice Chancellor. Each graduate is expected to return to their seat after crossing the stage.
Following the ceremony there will be a light reception, where you will have the opportunity to socialize with your fellow graduates, faculty, family members and friends.
Professional photos taken during the ceremony will be shared with you at a later date.
Guidelines for Academic Regalia at Convocation
The wearing of academic regalia is a tradition that has persisted from the Middle Ages, derived from the monasteries and wearing of clerical robes, and continued in a new way as universities were founded. The degree hood was originally part of the monk’s habit and eventually, the hood became separate from the gown, variegated in colour, and emblematic of fields of study, degrees, and universities.
For the mortarboard, the tassel is worn to left until graduation and is moved to the right during the ceremony. For photographs, the tassel should be worn on the right.
Today, academic regalia at convocation is to allow for inclusion while maintaining the tradition of academic regalia. Graduates are to wear the appropriate gown and hood for the degree or diploma being conferred at the convocation ceremony.
Special Gift at Convocation
Every year at convocation, Yorkville University and Toronto Film School honour our Indigenous graduates (First Nation, Métis or Inuit) by presenting them with a Blackfoot Peoples Blanket – a special gift thoughtfully chosen by our Indigenous Student Advisory Council to celebrate these graduates’ achievements.
Indigenous graduates who would like to receive this gift must complete the online form here to confirm arrangements with event organizers. Please submit the form by Wednesday, February 18th.
“Receiving an Indigenous Student Bursary, and the inaugural gifting of a beautiful blanket at the convocation ceremony was not only a great honour, but was also deeply healing for all my relations. Hiy Hiy. Chi Miigwetch. Thank you.”
– T. Schenkeveld (MACP 2024)
Convocation and Traditional Regalia
Indigenous graduates and faculty may choose to wear traditional Indigenous attire (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit), in lieu of a gown and hood, at all convocation ceremonies. Traditional regalia refers to the traditional and often sacred clothing, accessories, and artifacts worn or carried during various ceremonies, such as powwows, celebrations, and gatherings. Yorkville University and Toronto Film School acknowledge the diversity of Indigenous peoples, communities, and nations. As such, it is recognized that traditional Indigenous attire may vary. All forms of traditional regalia are welcome and respected.
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If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
The Alumni Network
As you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your journey after graduation, we want to remind you that your connection with Yorkville University doesn’t end here. You are now part of the YU Alumni Network. To ensure you receive updates on perks, benefits, upcoming alumni events, and networking opportunities, please take a moment to update your contact information with us below:
We look forward to seeing you thrive as part of our alumni community!
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