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The International Institute Commencement Ceremony
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: UCLA Royce Hall
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ELIGIBILITY
Students eligible to participate are:
• Undergraduates pursuing a major under the International Institute
• Graduate students pursuing a master’s degree under the International Institute
AND
• Those who have completed all degree requirements and graduated in Fall 2025 or Winter 2026 OR who are degree candidates for Spring 2026 or Summer 2026
If you are planning to graduate this Spring or Summer, please be sure your degree expected term is declared as such, which you can do on MyUCLA.
Given space limitations, International Institute minors are not eligible to participate and should seek inclusion in the commencement activities of their major department, instead.
RSVPING & TICKET ORDERING/DISTRIBUTION
RSVP & Ticket Ordering Window:
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 12:00pm through Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11:59pm
During the RSVP & Ticket Ordering window, students participating in the International Institute Commencement Ceremony will be able to RSVP for the event and obtain their own electronic ticket (free of charge) which will allow their entry to Royce Hall.
Students will also have the opportunity to order electronic tickets for their guests during the same RSVP & Ticket Ordering window. Note that guest tickets must be ordered by the graduating student (see below).
• Undergraduates: During the RSVP & Ticket Ordering window (dates and times stated above), students can RSVP for themselves and order guest tickets via the Commencement Feature on MyUCLA. If you encounter issues accessing the system, contact the College Commencement Office.
• Graduate Students: During the RSVP & Ticket Ordering window (dates and times stated above) students can RSVP for themselves and order guest tickets through their Academic Counselor.
Ticket Allowances:
• During the RSVP & Ticket Ordering window, students may RSVP and secure a ticket for themselves, as well as order up to 12 guest tickets.
• The first 4 guest tickets are complimentary.
• Additional tickets beyond the first 4 cost $20 each, billed through BruinBill.
• No refunds are available for unused tickets. Students will be billed for guest tickets ordered whether or not the tickets are used.
Additional Guest Tickets:
Additional tickets (beyond any ordered during the RSVP wjndow) may be requested as of Saturday, May 23, 2026.
To request additional tickets:
• Contact your International Institute Academic Counselor
• Be sure to include:
o Your full name
o UID#
o Number of additional tickets requested
Recall that refunds are not available and students will be billed for all guest tickets ordered whether or not the tickets are used. Because of this, please be clear in requesting the number of additional guest tickets desired, beyond any already ordered.
Ticket Distribution:
Ticket Distribution Window:
Friday, May 29, 2026 at 8:00 AM through Friday, June 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• The Central Ticket Office (CTO) will distribute all student and guest tickets electronically via cto@tickets.ucla.edu.
• All attendees—including graduating students—must have their own electronic ticket to enter Royce Hall.
ACADEMIC REGALIA
All students are expected to wear academic regalia to the International Institute Commencement Ceremony which can be ordered through Grad Etc. (UCLA Store, Ackerman Union A Level, 310 825 2587).
Recommended Regalia:
• Undergraduates: Grad Etc. Bachelor Unit
• Graduate Students: Master Unit Rental
Sashes and other accessories are optional and are also available through Grad Etc.
CEREMONY DETAILS
Student Arrival
• Arrive at Royce Hall no later than 5:45 PM wearing academic regalia.
• Have your student ticket ready for entry.
• Once inside Royce Hall, proceed to the Registration Table in the West Lobby to pick up your name card.
• Note that there is no rehearsal, so punctuality is essential so that you can be directed to the proper location and given more detailed information on the ceremony.
• Bags and purses are not permitted in the processional. Please consider leaving them with guests.
• IMPORTANT: Students arriving after the processional begins will not be allowed to participate.
Guest Arrival
• Guests should arrive no later than 5:45 PM.
• Seating is general admission; early arrival is strongly encouraged.
• Guests much show their guest ticket to obtain entry into Royce. **In order to ease day-of anxiety, it is highly recommended that you distribute your guest tickets well prior to commencement day!**.
• Balloons are not permitted inside Royce Hall.
The International Institute Commencement Ceremony is expected to conclude at 8:00pm (approx.), followed by a small reception in Royce Quad where graduates and their guests can reunite.
ALLOWABLE/PROHIBITED ITEMS FOR GUESTS
Royce Hall will have a clear bag only policy for guests:
• Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12”W x 12”H x 6”D
• One gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
• Small clutch bag 4.5” x 6/5”, with or without a handle or strap. This can be carried separately or within a plastic bag
Please review the Commencement FAQs/Guest Information for a list of allowable and prohibited items.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional photographers from GradImages will be taking individual photos of each student during the ceremony.
• Photos will be available for purchase shortly after the ceremony.
• Students who preregister with GradImages (select UCLA, then search for UCLA International Institute) prior to the commencement ceremony receive a 20% discount.
• While GradImages will be taking the official photos of the International Institute Commencement Ceremony, there is no obligation to purchase any photograph from them, as ordering pictures is completely optional.
• Guests may take their own photos as well, but must remain in their seats and will not be allowed in the aisles during the ceremony.
PARKING PERMITS
As a convenience, parking permits for commencement events may be pre ordered via UCLA Transportation beginning May 1.
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM
The Commencement Program will be distributed via email to students who are eligible to participate in the International Institute Commencement Ceremony.
We ask that you share this with your guests ahead of the ceremony so that they can learn more about the academic programs offered by the International Institute, get a preview of our Commencement Speaker, and so on.
The Commencement Program will include the names of
• degree recipients from this past Fall or Winter
• degree candidates for this Spring or Summer
Note that students who have a privacy restriction will not be included in this year’s program. Inclusion in the Commencement Program does not in any way affect the actual conferring of the degree.
To change your privacy restriction for inclusion (or exclusion) in the Commencement Program, please update your settings through the UCLA Registrar's Office prior to May 22, 2026.
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE ALUMNI
We at the International Institute are very proud of our alumni and we want you to continue to feel connected to us and to each other even long after graduation! Through the following websites, we hope to promote a strong sense of community among all International Institute students, both present and past, which extends beyond the boundaries of our campus, and beyond the period spent attaining their degree at UCLA.
LinkedIn: All of our alumni are welcome to join the UCLA International Institute Alumni Network, our professional network on LinkedIn. It’s also a great way to keep in touch with your former classmates!
UCLA ONE: Another way to continue to connect is to join the International Institute Academic Programs Group on UCLA ONE. The group’s purpose is to promote a strong sense of community among current International Institute students and alumni by
• providing opportunities to network
• encouraging participation in mentor relationships
QUESTIONS?
If you have additional questions about the International Institute Commencement Ceremony after reviewing the above information, please contact the Academic Counselor of your academic program (see below). You are also encouraged to review the College of Letters & Sciences Graduation Checklist.
Global Studies Major
International Development Studies Major
Sandy Valdivieso, 10274 Bunche Hall
Elizabeth Alvarez, 10270 Bunche Hall
idps@international.ucla.edu
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African & Middle Eastern Studies Major
Asian Studies Major
European Studies Major
Latin American Studies Major
Yumi Kinoshita, 10256 Bunche Hall
Karina Barrera, 10254 Bunche Hall
undergrads@international.ucla.edu
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African Studies M.A.
East Asian Studies M.A.
Latin American Studies M.A.
Yumi Kinoshita, 10256 Bunche Hall
idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
UCLA International Institute Academic Programs
Published: Friday, April 3, 2026
