How much do you know about graduation at UBC?

June 18, 2026

Birds-eye view of seated graduands—with tops of caps in view

Photo by UBC Brand and Marketing

This is the season of gowns, caps, tassels—and new beginnings.

Whether you crossed the stage this spring or did so many moons ago, graduation is a rite of passage shared by all alumni. From ceremonial traditions to academic regalia, see how much you know about graduation history at UBC—and learn some fun facts along the way about this year’s graduating class!

When did UBC's first convocation ceremony (captured below!) take place?
Grainy black and white gif of UBC's first graduation procession exiting the Hotel Vancouver. The graduates are dressed in black robes and tasseled hats, there is a woman wearing a dress and a man with a mustache and a bowler hat.
How big was UBC's first graduating class?
The University Mace, a symbol of the authority of UBC’s Chancellor, is displayed on ceremonial occasions like convocation ceremonies. This image is of the University Mace for…
The University Mace sits on a pedestal. The base is facing the camera, showing the UBC coat of arms—an open book reading "Tuum est" and a sun rising over stylized waves..
Photo by UBC Brand and Marketing
At the UBC Okanagan convocation ceremonies, the University Mace is carved in the shape of a...
UBC’s undergraduate gown is black, with a unique colour of hood assigned to each degree. Which colour is assigned to the Bachelor of Applied Science?
How about the colour assigned to the Bachelor of Arts?
Along with an honorary tree, each year’s graduating class gives a gift to the university to benefit future students. Which of the following are this year’s gifts in honour of the Class of 2026?
How large was this spring’s graduating cohort across the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses?
The most popular first name for the Class of 2026 was…
What percentage of this year’s undergraduates completed a co-op job assignment during their studies?
What was the age difference between the oldest and youngest graduates this year?
Among the Class of 2026, what was the most popular undergraduate major within UBCV’s Faculty of Science and UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science?
What was the most popular undergrad major overall?
What was the most popular choice of minor for the Class of 2026?

Selected Stories

Dr. Craig Jones.
How can Canada fix its housing crisis?
Richard Littlemore
9 Min
Dr. Tony Yang and students in UBC's Smart Structures Lab.
The instant high-rise
Chris Cannon
6 Min
Illustration of a housing cooperative.
Shared spaces
Bruce Grierson
9 Min
Dr. Lisa Tobber's seismic engineering practices.
Stress lines
Jared Downing
6 Min
Six UBC experts offer their perspectives on the future of housing.
What might become standard for future homes that isn’t common today?
6 Min
The outside of Brock Commons Tallwood House.
Model homes
Rachel Glassman, BA'18, MA'20
6 Min

Podcasts

Colourful sticky notes on a blue and orange background with "From here Forward" text at the top
6 years, sticky notes, and a selkie: How Loghan Paylor won Canada Reads
33 Min
Front of skytrain with a colourful chevron pattern in back
What’s happening with extending SkyTrain to UBC?
23 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
Is innovation too masculine? Uncovering the hidden gender gap
30 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
Where the wild things matter
30 Min
Carol Eugene Park and Jeevan Sangha
The secret lives of orcas
27 Min