Congratulations on your candidacy for a degree from one of the most distinguished universities in the United States. Graduation from UC Santa Barbara signifies high achievement for the Class of 2025. Please find important information, Commencement policies and resources below.
Alcohol, including celebratory champagne, is not permitted at Commencement and will be confiscated and discarded.
Only service animals specifically trained to assist a person with a disability are permitted on campus during Commencement exercises. For the safety of your pet and all guests, please leave your pet at home.
All graduates must wear regalia (cap and gown) at Commencement. Regalia should be bought from the UCSB Campus Store.
Undergraduate diplomas are mailed approximately 3-4 months after the date of graduation. Please see information on diplomas at the Registrar’s website or email questions to GraduationMatters@sa.ucsb.edu.
Candidates participating in the June Ceremonies will receive their electronic stage pass via email in early June. Passes are unique to each graduate and the ceremony they reserved. Candidates must present their electronic stage pass at the Event Center (student line-up) to gain entrance and again before crossing the stage. Specific instructions with day-of details including what time to report and what to bring will be outlined on your electronic stage pass.
Please visit the UCSB Campus Store website for more information.
Each graduate participating is allotted eight [8] guest tickets for family and friends. Each guest, 2 years or older, must have a ticket to enter. Guests are subject to security screening. Instructions on claiming guest tickets will be provided to participating graduates during the reservation period. The Bren School and College of Creative Studies do not require guest tickets
Indoor on-site live streaming for those with disabilities and the elderly will be available in Theater & Dance 1701, located adjacent to the Commencement Green. Seating is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Please see Directions & Parking page
Our official Commencement photographer, GradImages, will photograph all graduates as they cross the stage. Only official photographers will be permitted around the stage area. Visit the GradImages website or call (800) 845-3686.
Guests are subject to security screening. A clear bag policy will be in effect.
The following items are prohibited at Commencement:
- Alcohol
- Artificial noisemakers
- Backpacks, large bags, luggage (anything over 12" x 12" x 6")
- Balls or other projectiles
- Balloons, poppers and confetti
- Banners, flags, and signs
- Bicycles
- Cans or glass bottles
- Drones
- Hard coolers
- Hard plastic or metal bottles
- Illegal substances
- Laser pointers
- Lawn chairs or furniture
- Outside food
- Pets (except for service animals)
- Picnic blankets or seat cushions
- Skateboards or scooters
- Sticks/Poles
- Tobacco
- Umbrellas
- Weapons of any kind (knives, firearms, sharp instruments)
Permitted Items
- Bags that comply with the clear bag policy
- Cameras with lenses 6 inches or shorter
- Diaper bags accompanying an infant or toddler
- Soft Plastic bottles (bottled water, soft drinks, no alcohol)
- Strollers, Walkers, and Wheelchairs (cannot block aisles, emergency paths, or exits)
Out of respect for everyone having their names called, please remain seated until all of your peers have been recognized and the ceremony has ended. Pre-arrange a specific site to meet your family and friends after the ceremony. Once the ceremony ends you can meet your family and friends at your pre-selected meeting place.
Please see Special Accommodations page.
Specific instructions with day-of details including what time to report and what to bring will be outlined on your electronic stage pass.
Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco or unregulated nicotine products (such as electronic cigarettes) is prohibited on and within UCSB managed property. We thank you for not smoking or using any tobacco products.
Complimentary drinking water will be available at student line-up and the Commencement Green next to the Lower Information Tent.
Summer days in Santa Barbara can be foggy and cool or sunny and hot. Guests should prepare for varied weather conditions by bringing a jacket or light sweater and sun protection.
Please see Additional Resources page.
#UCSB2025
Join us on social media to celebrate and congratulate our graduates.
Questions About Commencement?
Visit our FAQ page to find answers to frequently asked questions or contact us by email at Commencement@ia.ucsb.edu.
This event will be photographed and/or recorded. By entering this space, you agree and grant irrevocable permission to have your likeness, image, voice, and appearance photographed and recorded for any University business-related purpose and used as embodied in UC Regents Product[s] whether recorded on or transferred to videotape, film, slides, photographs, audiotapes or other media, now known or later developed, and to be included in various University marketing, outreach, or news campaigns.
The UCSB Alert system is intended to enhance and promote safety on campus by providing community members and visitors with timely access to important information. Visitors who would like to receive temporary access to UCSB Alerts can subscribe to our NIXLE channel by texting UCSBAlert to 888777. (Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.)
Temporary subscriptions to UCSBAlert expires at 9:00am the following day, but can also be canceled by replying STOP at any time. Visitors must renew subscriptions to continue receiving alerts after they expire.
For alerts and information about incidents that occur outside of Clery geography (e.g., Isla Vista, Goleta, Santa Barbara) the campus community is encouraged to sign up for Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency alerts in Goleta or Santa Barbara. For additional information on the UCSB Alert system please visit the UC Santa Barbara Police Department website.