CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATION
- Date: May 4, 2026
- Time: 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Venue: Katara Hall, Raffles Doha, Lusail City
graduation Information
Regalia & Ticket Distribution
- Date: April 28 – 30, 2026
- Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Location: NU-Q Bookstore
*A physical NU-Q ID is required for pick-up. If you are unable to collect regalia and tickets yourself, please provide the person collecting on your behalf with your NU-Q ID number.
Graduation Rehearsal
- Date: May 3, 2026
- Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Fairmont Doha Ballroom
- Arrival Time: Please arrive no later than 2:30 p.m.
Please be on time for the rehearsal, we will do a full run-through, including the processional, names, and recessional. Academic regalia is not required. All graduates are required to attend.
*Valet service will be provided outside the Fairmont Doha Ballroom entrance.
Graduation Day
- Arrival Time: Graduates should arrive by 3:30 p.m. to allow sufficient time for dressing in regalia and lining up.
- Robing Location: Fairmont Doha Ballroom
- What to Bring:
- Graduation regalia - cap and gown
- NU-Q Stole
- Tassel
- Honor cords (if applicable)
The class photo will be taken immediately following the graduation ceremony in the Fairmont Doha Ballroom.
*Valet service will be provided for graduates outside the Fairmont Doha Ballroom entrance.
Guest information
Tickets
Each graduate will receive a set number of six guest tickets. Tickets are free of charge and non-transferable. Physical tickets are required for entry.
- Doors Open: 4:00 p.m.
- Doors Close: 4:45 p.m. (Doors will close for processional. Please let your guests know)
- Ceremony starts: 5:00 p.m.
Parking
Guests are encouraged to use the valet service at Katara Hall. If you prefer to self-park, please use Gate 1 (Raffles parking basement).
Northwestern graduation weekend 2026
- Date and Time: Friday, June 12 - Monday, June 15, 2026
- Click here for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know the name of my guest who will be attending?
Entry will be granted only to guests with a valid physical ticket.
Why are we receiving six tickets?
Due to venue capacity, each graduate has been allocated six tickets.
Can extra tickets be bought or sold?
No. Graduation tickets are the property of the University and are offered free of charge. Buying, selling, or duplicating tickets is strictly prohibited. Anyone found engaging in ticket sales may face disciplinary action, including the revocation of the privilege to participate in the graduation ceremony.
What is the process if my guest requires diplomatic protocol arrangements?
If you have a guest who requires diplomatic protocol arrangements, please contact Firas Villanueva, NU-Q’s Events Manager.
Will the graduation ceremony be recorded?
Yes, the graduation ceremony will be filmed, photographed, and broadcast. Unless previously indicated, by attending, you consent to the use of your image and/or likeness for promotional and/or archival purposes.
Will the graduation ceremony be livestreamed?
Northwestern University in Qatar’s graduation ceremony will be live-streamed to allow family, friends, and the broader community to join in celebrating this important milestone. A full recording of the event will also be published on NU-Q’s official YouTube Channel after the ceremony. As part of this coverage, all graduating students who consented to have their image appear as they walk across the stage will appear in both the live stream and the final video. Crowd scenes where no single person is the dominant feature are exempt from individual consent, as these are considered part of the overall event coverage.