Iron ring – Faculty of Engineering
Iron ring in the foreground, with the John Hodgins Engineering Building in the background.

Iron ring

Symbolizing the engineer’s duty to maintain the highest ethical standards and to serve society with integrity, honesty and expertise.

Student smiling in a blue suit by the iron ring statue

Iron ring replacements

Iron ring replacements will continue to be done by mail.

Please note the office is not open daily. If you would like to come in and replace your iron ring, email ironring13@mcmaster.ca to make an appointment.

If you are a Camp 13 obligated engineer, and you have misplaced your ring, you can replace your ring in-person or by mail for $35.00 CAD.  

To order online, fill out the replacement form and pay by credit card. Please allow 10-15 days for processing.  

If you would like to do the replacement in-person, please email ironring13@mcmaster.ca to make an appointment.  

Camp XIII will offer ring exchanges only to new obligated engineers or new replacement purchases within 30 days of the processing date – please email ironring13@mcmaster.ca to make arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

Eligibility for the iron ring extends to all potential BEng graduates, however students in the BTech or Computer Science programs are not eligible. 

BTech students, including those with MEng, MASc, or PhD degrees, must fulfill eligibility criteria by completing PEO challenge exams before being eligible to receive the iron ring. 

For more information, please refer to the comprehensive guide for BTech students.

The Calling of an Engineer – Camp 13 Ceremony will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026 at McMaster University in the Burridge Gymnasium.

No, during the Iron Ring Ceremony (Calling of an Engineer Ceremony), engineering students will receive their Iron Ring, symbolizing their commitment and obligation to the engineering profession.
Convocation, on the other hand, is McMaster’s official graduation ceremony held in June, where students walk the stage and receive their degrees. These are two different events with separate registration processes, timelines, and purposes.

Please check your McMaster email for all Iron Ring related communications.

If you believe you should have received these updates but did not, you must contact your Academic Advisor to review your academic plan/status. Once your name is added to the Potential Graduand List, you will receive the necessary communications.

Yes! Briefing sessions will be held prior to the ceremony and is a mandatory element that all candidates must attend. This session provides background information about the ceremony, a brief explanation of its elements, and an outline of what is expected of the candidates during the event. More information about these briefing sessions will be shared with you in the new year.

Yes, candidates will be allowed to invite one Ring Presenter to present their ring. The Ring Presenter must be an obligated engineer, someone who participated in the Calling of an Engineer ceremony in 2021 or earlier. The intent of this requirement is to have engineers of some experience welcoming and encouraging you as a new engineer.

The Presenter Form will be available in January and must be completed by February 27, 2026, to allow the Camp with time to check and verify submissions prior to the ceremony date. Confirmation emails will be sent out to both the student candidates and the presenter mid-March.

Camp XIII Wardens and Alternate Wardens will be at the ceremony to present rings to Candidates who do not have Ring Presenters.

Two guest tickets will be available per candidate at a small cost. More information about tickets will be shared in January. For those with family and friends that cannot join in person, Camp XIII will be live streaming the ceremonies.

To receive your iron ring, attendance at the Calling of an Engineer – Camp 13 Ceremony is necessary. If you are unable to attend, you may wait until the following year or explore participation in a ceremony at a different camp. 

For details on other ceremonies please refer to the iron ring website