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Frequently Asked Graduation Questions

Do I need to apply for graduation?

If you are completing the requirements for your degree at the end of the semester, Winter or Summer School, you need to apply with a graduation notification form to begin your graduation processing.

The Faculty may have sent you an email requesting you to provide this information, however if you did not receive an email from the Faculty you should complete the graduation notification form. Please ensure you answer the questions correctly and provide all additional documentation when required to the Student Information Office.

I will be completing my studies at the end of the semester and I wish to attend the graduation ceremony: how do I find out which ceremony I will attend?

You will be issued your completion letter which will inform you what day your graduation ceremony will be held. As a guide, students graduate in a ceremony taking place during the semester after they complete their studies. If you are attending the ceremony you will not receive your testamur and academic record until this date. However, you may gain copies of your academic record beforehand from the Student Centre if you require them.

The Graduations Office will send you a Graduations Pack including guest invitations, and information regarding the hiring of academic dress about 3 weeks before the date of your ceremony. It is your responsibility to ensure that your correspondence address is correct on your MyUni for the posting of this pack.

I will be completing my studies at the end of the semester and I wish to not attend the ceremony: what do I do?

If you choose not to attend the graduation ceremony (you will graduate in absentia) you will receive a completion letter with no graduation date. Your degree will be conferred in the next available University Senate meeting (held in the first week of each month) and then your documents will be posted to you. Please ensure that your correspondence address is correct on your MyUni for the posting of your documents from the Graduations Office . Note that by taking this option you will not be able to attend a ceremony in Sydney at a later date.

I will be graduating at the end of the semester and I wish to attend a graduation ceremony overseas: what do I have to do?

If you wish to attend an overseas graduation ceremony, you should mark on the graduation notification form not to attend the graduation ceremony here at the University of Sydney. You should then register your interest for a ceremony at http://www.usyd.edu.au/world_events/events/index.shtml or on the Graduations Office website.

You may attend the ceremony in Sydney and one overseas; in this case you need to mark that you wish to attend the graduation ceremony on the graduation notification form, and you also register your interest for a ceremony overseas.

If you need to contact the organisers of the overseas ceremonies directly you should email: grad.international@usyd.edu.au.

I am unsure whether I can attend the graduation ceremony.

If you are unsure whether you can attend the graduation ceremony at the time of submitting your graduation notification form, you should mark that you wish to attend. You cannot be placed into a graduation ceremony later if you mark you wish to not attend the graduation ceremony.

I now find I cannot attend the graduation ceremony: what do I do?

Once you have received your completion letter including a graduation ceremony date, and you find you now cannot attend; you need to email the Graduations Coordinator at the Faculty to have your degree conferred 'in absentia': the Graduations Office will then arrange to have your documents posted to you. You must ensure that your correspondence address is correct on your MyUni for the posting of your documents.

When will I receive my completion letter?

The University has official completion dates when completion letters are issued, and even though your results are showing, your letter can only be issued after these dates. The following is a guide to when these dates are;

  • Semester 1 - 20th July
  • Semester 2 - 31st December
  • Summer School - 4th March
  • Winter School - 8th August

Please note: the dates shown are a guide only, and may change slightly from year to year.

I have changed my address. What do I do?

You must at all times ensure the validity of your contact details on MyUni , making sure your correspondence address is correct for the posting of your Graduation Pack or testamur and academic record.

The Level of my Award is 'Pass': what does this mean?

Undergraduate degrees are offered either at the 'Pass' level or with 'Honours' (for those completing the appropriate Honours units of study). Postgraduate degrees are offered at the same, but may also be awarded 'with Merit' for those who average over 75.