This page talks about what happens during the graduation ceremony itself.

Seating

  • Graduates are in allocated seats to ensure they cross the stage in the correct order. If you are a graduate and require special seating arrangements (such as to accommodate crutches), please contact UNSW Graduations as soon as possible.
  • Guest seating is general admission. If your guests require special seating, please contact UNSW Graduations.
  • Prams are not permitted inside the auditorium because of fire and safety regulations. They can be left in the cloak room in the auditorium foyer.

Order of events

Programs for 10am, 2:30pm and 6.30pm graduation ceremonies at Kensington campus are presented below, as well as a running order for the ceremony itself. Each ceremony runs for approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Large ceremonies may run to an hour and a half.

For an overview of key locations such as Academic Dress collection and Registration, please visit Where is the Graduation Ceremony?

10am ceremony program

Academic dress collection from 7:45am
  • 7:45 am to 9:15 am: Academic Dress collection
  • 8:00 am: Portrait Photography services commence
  • 9:15 am: Venue doors open and graduate registration commences in the foyer
  • 9:30 am: Registration closes. Graduates and guests must be seated.
  • 10:00 am: Ceremony begins
  • 11:15 am: Conclusion of ceremony (approximate), light refreshments served
  • From 11:15am: Visit graduation services and download your stage photo
  • 1:00 pm: Latest return time for academic dress to Arc's Gown Return

2:30pm ceremony program

Academic dress collection from 12pm
  • 12:00 pm to 1:45pm: Academic Dress collection
  • 1:00 pm: Portrait Photography services commence
  • 1:45 pm: Venue doors open and graduate registration commences in the foyer
  • 2:00 pm: Registration closes. Graduates and guests must be seated.
  • 2:30 pm: Ceremony begins
  • 3:45 pm: Conclusion of ceremony (approximate), light refreshments served
  • From 3:45 pm: Visit graduation services and download your stage photo
  • 5:30 pm: Latest return time for academic dress to Arc's Gown Return

6.30pm ceremony program

Academic dress collection from 4pm
  • 4:00 pm to 5:45pm: Academic Dress collection
  • 5:00 pm: Portrait Photography services commence
  • 5:45 pm: Venue doors open and graduate registration commences in the foyer
  • 6:00 pm: Registration closes. Graduates and guests must be seated.
  • 6:30 pm: Ceremony begins
  • 7:45 pm: Conclusion of ceremony (approximate), light refreshments served
  • From 7:45 pm: Visit graduation services and download your stage photo
  • 9:30 pm: Latest return time for academic dress to Arc's Gown Return

What happens during the ceremony?

Detailed order of events

Before the ceremony

  1. We advise guests to arrive and be seated at least 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony.
  2. All graduates must be wearing their academic dress, registered and seated be in their allocated seats 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the ceremony.

During the ceremony

  1. An announcement is made prior to the start of the ceremony detailing the members of the official party.
  2. Graduates and guests are asked to stand while the academic procession enters. Graduates must put their hats on while standing.
  3. Graduates and guests remain standing for the singing of the National Anthem. Graduates must remove their hats for the anthem.
  4. Graduates and guests are then seated while the officiating Chancellor (Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor or Pro-Chancellor) welcomes the assembly.
  5. Graduates are then directed onto the stage, individually, to receive their testamur.
    • Ceremony staff will ask you to stand and file out of your seating row; they check your name and take your registration card, and then direct you towards the stage.
    • You will wait on the first white maker and pick your testamur up from the table to your right. Stay here until the Master of Ceremonies reads your name (Doctoral candidates wait until their thesis title is read as well). Graduates who have already received their testamur are encouraged to bring their testamur along to the ceremony for the stage photo.
  6. Crossing the Stage:
    • You must wait at the first marker and pick up your testamur from the table to the right. Wait until your name is read by the Duty Dean. Doctoral candidates will wait until their thesis title is read as well.
      • If you have already received your physical testamur and do not bring this back with you to cross the stage, you will be given a blank folder which we would encourage you to return at the registration desk at the conclusion of your ceremony.
    • When your name is called walk towards the centre of the stage and at the second marker turn to your Right and Doff your cap to the Chancellor by touching the tip of your cap and nod your head once.
    • Then turn back towards the camera and smile for your stage photograph.
    • Then turn towards the audience and walk down the centre stairs back to your seat. You must return and sit in your original seat.
  7. After all graduates have been presented with their testamur, the Chancellor introduces the guest speaker, after which there is a Vote of Thanks.
  8. All graduates and guests are asked to stand while the academic procession retires. Graduates are directed by ceremony staff to follow the academic procession from the auditorium to the foyer. This is the conclusion of the ceremony.

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