Welcome to your graduation

Once you have completed your studies and your degree has been conferred, you will receive the date and time of your graduation ceremony on myUNSW, opens in a new window. 

The full graduation schedule can be viewed here. 

Every graduate attending a ceremony will receive 3 guest tickets which are included in the graduation fee. Occasionally there may be extra tickets available. However, extra tickets are not guaranteed.

As a graduate, you don’t need a ticket to attend your graduation ceremony. Graduates will receive an email with details on how to claim guest tickets in the lead up to their graduation ceremony.

Graduation ceremonies are a family event, and children are most welcome. Infants who do not need their own seat are not required to have a ticket.

Your academic dress hire is included in your graduation fee. If you are hiring your academic dress, all you need to do is turn up to the Academic Dress Collection point at your designated collection times on graduation day.

If you would like to purchase your academic dress at an additional cost, please contact the Arc Grad Shop directly to organise purchase and collection.

On your graduation day, you'll be allocated a seat to ensure you and your fellow graduates cross the stage in the correct order. You'll be fitted for your academic dress gown prior to your ceremony and will have the chance to take photos pre- and post-event!

Find out more about your graduation day, including academic dress collection and venue opening times, below.

If you are not attending a graduation ceremony, you'll need to let us know by updating your attendance status in myUNSW. Update your status to 'Not Attending - Mail' to arrange for your testamur to be mailed to your registered mailing address, free of charge. Please allow up to 6-8 weeks for delivery from the date of your graduation.

You can also opt to attend a later ceremony if you'd still like to attend your graduation but are unavailable on your original allocated ceremony. 

Check out this list of post-nominal letters for Awards to be used as a reference for recent graduates of UNSW. 

Your $225 graduation fee includes:

• 3 x guest tickets 
• Hire of your academic dress
• A trencher (or bonnet for PhD graduates) for you to keep 
• A digital copy of your professional stage photo 
• Livestream of your ceremony

We have also introduced exciting changes to improve the overall graduation experience this year, including:

• An enhanced post-ceremony celebration, where you and your guests can celebrate your achievements with refreshments and entertainment
• Revamped venue and celebration spaces, including more activations and photo moments to capture your special day
• A more seamless graduation that will see the day run smoother for you and your guests
• Improved accessibility with live event captioning, an AUSLAN interpreter, hearing loop in both auditoriums and accessible seating. 

We’re here to help you cross the stage! If you can’t attend your allocated ceremony date and time but would still like to attend a ceremony, email graduations@unsw.edu.au. We will do our best to find you a spot in another ceremony during the week based on availability. 

If you’ve already confirmed your attendance and paid your graduation fee but can no longer attend, please email graduations@unsw.edu.au as soon as possible. If we are notified prior to the beginning of the ceremony period, we’ll arrange a full refund of your fee and let you know your options, whether it’s attending a ceremony later in the year or getting your testamur mailed to you.

You will attend one graduation ceremony even if you are in a dual degree program (e.g. Arts/Law or Commerce/Science). You will be allocated to the ceremony of the Faculty that administers your program.

For example, combined BA LLB graduates are allocated to a Faculty of Law ceremony. BSc BA students are allocated to a Faculty of Science ceremony.

You may request to attend a ceremony in a later graduation period if you are cannot attend your allocated ceremony. First, let us know that you are not attending your allocated ceremony by updating your attendance type to 'Not Attending - Mail' in myUNSW. Ensure your mailing address is correct as we will send your documents to you after your scheduled ceremony.

Approximately 3 months prior to the graduation ceremony you would like to attend, please complete the expression of interest form to request to return to attend a ceremony in that period.

Yes, however you are asked not to cross the centre aisle or get in the way of graduates. The use of tripods inside the auditorium is prohibited.

A photo of each graduate is taken as they receive their testamur from the Presiding Member. Graduates receive a digital copy of the stage photograph. The stage photographs can be ordered from Ambassador Productions.

Once your degree status is 'Awarded' you can request an Award Statement. This Statement shows when you completed your program and when you will graduate. You can use this Statement as an invitation for visa purposes.

This official document can also be used to verify your degree for employment purposes if you are still waiting on your testamur to be issued. 

Should you or your guests require accessible seating during the ceremony, please email us to make appropriate arrangements at graduations@unsw.edu.au.