Academic Services

Graduations: Steps to Graduation

Course Qualification & Completion

- Following the release of final results the School/Faculty officially 'qualify' you for admission to your degree
- Paperwork is submitted to the central Student Administration Office for processing
- Your course is updated to a status of 'complete' and you are now considered to have successfully completed your course, making you a graduand (eligible to graduate)

Graduation Package & 'Conferring of an Award' application form

- You are identified by the Graduations Unit as a graduand
- A Graduation Information Package inviting you to a graduation ceremony and a 'Conferring of an Award' application form is mailed to your official correspondence address
- You submit the 'Conferring of an Award' application form notifying the Graduations Unit of your intentions (graduate at the ceremony, graduate 'in absentia', or defer your graduation)

-Failure to return the 'Conferring of an Award' application form by the specified due date will result in the award being conferred 'in absentia'

Academic Board Approval

- Your name is submitted to the Academic Board for approval to have your award conferred (graduate)

Conferral of Award by Council

- Your award (degree) is conferred by Council at a graduation ceremony. You are now a graduate
- The date of conferral is the date that appears on your testamur
- If you are attending the ceremony you are presented with your testamur (degree certificate)
- If you choose to graduate 'in absentia' your testamur is mailed to you after the ceremony

Please note: An award may only be conferred ONCE. Students that graduate 'in absentia' will not be eligible to attend a graduation ceremony at a later date.

Students who have discontinued honours and now wish to graduate with their bachelor degree should contact the Graduations Unit to ensure that they are included on the next graduation ceremony round.

Students that have not responded to graduation information and subsequently graduated 'in absentia' will need to contact the Graduations Unit to confirm their postal address in order to receive their testamur.

Students who have debts to the University are not permitted to graduate. Students are advised to clear any outstanding debts as soon as possible.