Graduation & Commencement

IB Graduate Students

The IB Commencement Ceremony was held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 starting at 7pm in Zellerbach Auditorium (reception to follow at Lower Sproul Plaza).

Commencement Information:

IB Graduate Students receive 4 complimentary tickets.

General timeline for sign-up and tickets:

March 19 - Last day to RSVP to be listed in the program.
April 16 - deadline to apply to be the graduate commencement speaker.
April 30 - deadline to nominate someone for the Gabriel Trujillo Memorial Award.
Early May - Tickets (free for graduating students who RSVP'd) will be distributed out of the Graduate Advising Office.
May (TBD) - Ticket distribution will end. All tickets not picked up will be available at the ceremony.
May (TBD) - Tickets may be on sale at the Zellerbach Auditorium (if any remain).

If you would like to attend the Campus-wide UC Berkeley Commencement Convocation, tickets can be purchased here: https://commencement.berkeley.edu/

Commencement FAQ

General UC Berkeley Commencement questions answered here (link: https://commencement.berkeley.edu/faq/). Please be aware that there is a campus ceremony for everyone, and then there is the IB Department Ceremony where you will actually be hooded.

REGALIA: https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/ucberkeley/

The department has two "loaner" regalia cap, gown, and hoods that people can borrow. Please contact the IB Graduate Program Manager (ibgradsao@berkeley.edu) if you would like to reserve one for the ceremony. First come, first serve. Students who borrow these are responsible for returning them clean in a timely manner after the ceremony.

(You can also check to see if you might be able to borrow a gown from this lending program: https://eop.berkeley.edu/graduation-gown-lending-program.)

WHEN WILL I KNOW THE IB COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY DATE? The department typically identifies the commencement ceremony date by late in the Fall semester. If you do not see this website updated by January, check in with the Graduate Program Manager to see if the date has been identified.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COMMENCEMENT CONVOCATION AND DEPARTMENTAL COMMENCEMENT? The Commencement Convocation and the IB Commencement Ceremony are two different events. The Convocation celebrates all majors who are graduating at UCB and the IB Commencement Ceremony is restricted to IB majors only. The following information pertains only to our departmental ceremony.

DO I NEED A TICKET FOR MYSELF IF I AM GRADUATING? Graduates do not need a ticket; your ticket is your name card. IMPORTANT: Please bring the name card that will be inside the envelope we give you with your tickets. If you wish to receive proofs of the professional photos taken, fill in the info on the back with your contact information. Anyone who misses the opportunity for the free tickets, you can still pick up the envelope with your name card and information about the ceremony. Tickets for sale: Additional tickets will most likely be on sale through Cal Performances beginning in April. More details to follow. All seating, regardless of what the tickets say, is General Admission - no designated seats.

HOW DO I GET MY DIPLOMA? Diplomas will be sent to all graduating seniors for no charge. If you have not already done so, please log onto CalCentral to designate a specific address for your diploma.

VISITOR INFORMATION AND PARKING: Visitors from out of the Bay Area may wish to contact UC Berkeley Visitors Services at 642-5215. Information on local accommodations can be found at the Berkeley Visitors Bureau. Information on the campus's Disability Access Services. In general, during commencement ceremonies, visitors may park in lots that are typically designated for student parking (s permits). Parking and Transportation will SELL parking spaces near Zellerbach. Fees and parking information can be found at the Parking & Transportation website here. Please observe and obey parking signs and regulations. Each campus lot will display the most up-to-date information on the sign at the entrance.

GUESTS WITH SPECIFIC NEEDS: Guests with specific needs (mobility issues, etc) are eligible for the special seating. Special seating is the available in Zellerbach. The area will be roped off and guests will be directed to designated areas when they arrive. For guests needing to be dropped off at Zellerbach, drivers will be able to pull into a nearby parking lot up to the entrance to the Auditorium to unload. Drivers will be directed to find parking elsewhere on campus.