Attending your ceremony

What to expect on graduation day

Navigate the logistics of your graduation ceremony with confidence. To get the most out of your celebration, watch our video on what to expect on graduation day. From arriving to crossing the stage, we'll guide you through what you need to know. 

On the day

Graduation ceremonies include the formal presentation of degrees, diplomas and certificates, addresses by dignitaries and members of the University. The formal proceedings last for approximately one to one and half hours, with light refreshments and photography and framing services available for one hour after the ceremony concludes.

  • July 2024 Graduation Ceremony Programs and student lists
  • Viewing Ceremony Online Via Free Livestream Link

    For friends and family who are unable to attend your physical graduation ceremony, they will be able to view your graduation ceremony live via this link here. This link will be available to access for up to a week after the ceremony date. Please note this is different to viewing the ceremony from the on-campus live-stream venue. Tickets do not need to be purchased to view the ceremony remotely via the live-stream link.

  • REGISTERING YOUR ATTENDANCE

    It is imperative that you register your attendance for your graduation ceremony via the GFP online ordering portal. The purpose of registering your attendance is to ensure that you will be allocated a graduand ticket and seat number.

  • Cancelling your attendance

    Cancelling your attendance: ensure you let the Graduations Team know via askUWA before your graduation ceremony. If you do not advise us prior to your ceremony that you are unable to attend your given ceremony, your award will be conferred in absentia.

    Be sure to include the following in your message:

    • Student ID number
    • Full name
    • A statement that you:
    • Are unable to attend your Graduation ceremony
    • Want your award to be conferred in absentia 
    • Are aware that once your award has been conferred in absentia you will not be permitted to attend any future ceremony for this award

    If you are experiencing any extenuating circumstances, or have any queries about attending your ceremony, contact the Graduations Team.

  • Guest Tickets

    Complimentary Winthrop Hall Guest tickets: To collect up to two complimentary guest tickets for Winthrop Hall, please log in to the GFP online ordering portal from Monday, 8 July 2024. You will be able to send your guests their electronic tickets via the portal.

    Reception tickets with complimentary live-stream access: As each graduand receives up to two complimentary Winthrop Hall guest tickets, ticket sales for our on-campus livestream venue are available for your guests who wish to come to campus to view your graduation ceremony and attend the post-ceremony reception.  Additional guest tickets can be purchased from GFP online ordering portal for the Reception tickets with complimentary live-stream access. Please ensure you order Guest Tickets via the online portal before the portal closes at midday the day prior to your ceremony.  Reception tickets with complimentary live-stream access are still available to purchase on the day from the Information Tent at the entrance to Winthrop Hall, one and a half hours prior to your ceremony. The live-stream venue for July 2024 will be confirmed soon.

     Your children are welcome to attend your graduation ceremony. Children who are two or under can sit on an adult's lap (one of your guests), if you would like them to have their own seat, they will need their own ticket. If you have a pram for your child, please leave it with the Front of House staff before you go into Winthrop Hall or the Live Streaming venue. These are Occupational Health and Safety rules are in place for the safety of all patrons.

    A limited number of tickets for Winthrop Hall may become available due to the reallocation of tickets resulting from late cancellations. If this happens, you will be able to exchange some or all of your Reception tickets with complimentary live-stream access for guest ticket(s) in Winthrop Hall, at the Information Tent outside Winthrop Hall, one and a half hours before your ceremony. Tickets will be exchanged on a first come first served basis. There is no guarantee that there will be any unallocated tickets for any of the ceremonies.

    If you have any problems with the GFP Online Ordering Portal, please contact GFP directly: [email protected], call GFP's customer support team at Australia: 1300 360 445 - International: +61 8 8154 1388

    For friends and family who are unable to attend your physical graduation ceremony, they will be able to view your graduation ceremony live via this link here. Please note this is different to viewing the ceremony from the on-campus live-stream venue. Tickets do not need to be purchased to view the ceremony remotely via the live-stream link.

     
  • Arriving

    You should arrive one hour before the ceremony.  PhD graduands gather at Margaret Fairweather Education Space; all other graduands gather at the Student Muster Marquee (details to be provided soon). It is important that you register your arrival by scanning the "Registration QR Code". Guests can enter Winthrop Hall and the Live Stream venue by ticket only; ensure that all guests are sent their e-tickets prior to the ceremony. Guests are asked to be seated 30 minutes prior to the ceremony starting.

  • Parking

    Complimentary parking is available for Graduands and Guests in all marked bays across campus (including green, yellow and red bays). This excludes ACROD, Reserved and Service Bays where the appropriate permit must be displayed at all times.

    Parking details to be provided soon.

    Graduands are advised to allow plenty of time to find parking, collect your regalia from Fay Gale Studio, and arrive (robed in regalia) at the Student Muster Marquee (details to be provided soon) at promptly 60 minutes before your ceremony start time.

    Download your copy of the UWA car park map here,

    Please note: Vehicles must be parked in a designated parking bay. This excludes ACROD, Reserved and Service Bays where the appropriate permit must be displayed at all times.

  • Your seat number

    To obtain your ticket and seat details, be sure to:

    1. Register your attendance for your graduation ceremony via the GFP online ordering portal
    2. Scan the “Registration QR Code” onsite, when you collect your regalia or on the day of your ceremony. You will receive a text message, containing a link to your seat number and ticket. Your seat number and ticket will only be available on the day of your ceremony. 
  • ACADEMIC DRESS

    Academic dress for your graduation ceremony includes a gown, hood and trencher cap (mortarboard). In keeping with the formal occasion, we suggest you wear smart personal attire that is suitable for photographs. When selecting shoes, remember you will be processing with your peers from the Gillett Promenade Marquee to Winthrop Hall and will navigate a small number of stairs, including up to and down from the stage.

    • From July 2023, the graduation headwear for PhDs, Higher Doctorates and Honorary Doctorates is as follows:

      A. a black, velvet bonnet with a red tassel for: 

      • Doctor of Philosophy
      • Doctor of Business Administration
      • Doctor of Education
      • Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy
      • Doctor of Juridical Science
      • Doctor of Musical Arts
      • Doctor of Architecture
      • Doctor of Social Work
      • Doctor of Podiatry

      B. a black, velvet bonnet with a gold tassel for Higher Doctorates and Honorary Doctorates:

      • Doctor of Commerce
      • Doctor of Dental Science
      • Doctor of Economics
      • Doctor of Engineering
      • Doctor of Laws
      • Doctor of Letters
      • Doctor of Medical Science
      • Doctor of Music
      • Doctor of Science
      • Doctor of Science in Agriculture
      • Doctor of Surgery

      Please note: black trencher caps (mortarboards) will not be accepted as official academic regalia for Doctor of Philosophy and other Doctorates, Higher Doctorate and Honorary Doctorate awards.

      If you are ordering your academic regalia (to hire or purchase) through a supplier other than GFP Events, please take note of this update to the University Policy on Graduation: Academic Dress.

      Graduation gowns are not the same for certain awards. If you have graduated previously with an Undergraduate qualification, you cannot reuse the same gown for a Masters or Doctorate award.

  • How do i order my regalia

    Once you’ve completed your Confirmation of Attendance, you’ll receive an email from us with information and a link to order your academic dress and retrieve your complementary guest tickets for Winthrop Hall or order additional guest tickets for the livestream venues . You won’t be able to order until you’ve confirmed your attendance. If you don't receive the email within 24 hours, contact us so we can check your confirmation details.

    GFP Graduations is the University's preferred provider of academic dress. You can obtain your academic dress from any supplier as long as the academic dress complies with the University Policy on Graduation Academic Dress (Policy Number:UP11/49). Should your academic dress not comply, GFP Graduations will supply a replacement on the day at your cost.

    Academic dress prices vary according to the award that is being conferred. Full details are available on the Academic Dress Ordering Service website.

    If you have any problems with the GFP Online Ordering Portal, please contact GFP directly: [email protected], call GFP's customer support team at Australia: 1300 360 445 - International: +61 8 8154 1388

     

  • WHEN AND WHERE DO I COLLECT MY REGALIA

    Your graduation regalia is available for collection on the day of your ceremony. Please note collection windows and deadlines for collection for your ceremony. Ensure you allocate sufficient time to collect your regalia and arrive in the Student Muster Marquee (details to be provided soon) for student registration and the graduand briefing one hour before the start of your ceremony. Regalia collection location: Faye Gale

    Regalia collection days and times:

    • Tuesday, 23 July 2024
      • 5pm Ceremony: Collection between 1.30pm & 3.30pm, to be gowned by 3.30pm
    • Wednesday, 24 July 2024
      • 5pm Ceremony: Collection between 1.30pm & 3.30pm, to be gowned by 3.30pm
      • 11am Ceremony: Collection between 7.30am & 9.30am, to be gowned by 9.30am
    • Thursday, 25 July 2024
      • 5pm Ceremony: Collection between 1.30pm & 3.30pm, to be gowned by 3.30pm
      • 11am Ceremony: Collection between 7.30am & 9.30am, to be gowned by 9.30am
    • Friday, 26 July 2024
      • 11am Ceremony: Collection between 7.30am & 9.30am, to be gowned by 9.30am
      • 5pm Ceremony: Collection between 1.30pm & 3.30pm, to be gowned by 3.30pm

    Regalia collection location: Faye Gale

  • The difference between an undergraduate and postgraduate gown

    Graduation gowns are not the same for certain awards.

    If you have graduated previously with an Undergraduate qualification, you cannot reuse the same gown for a Masters or Higher Doctorate award. See below for to find your specific degree for reference.

    • Bachelor, Honours, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma & Advanced Diplomas

    Your black graduation gown should have sleeves that reach to your wrist. Your arm should go all the way through, do not insert your arm through the slit in the sleeve.

    • Masters and Higher Doctorates

    Your black graduation gown should have sleeves that open just above the elbow. The length of the sleeve should be as long as the gown. 

  • HOW TO WEAR YOUR REGALIA VIDEOS

    ·        How to wear your UWA Graduation Regalia – Bachelor Degree - video

    ·        How to wear your UWA Graduation Regalia – Bachelor Degree with Honours - video

    ·        How to wear your UWA Graduation Regalia – Master Degree - video

  • I NEED HELP WITH MY REGALIA

    Getting your academic regalia on correctly can be confusing, so it’s a good idea to get advice from GFP Graduations when you collect your regalia. There will also be someone to adjust your regalia right before you go on stage.

  • Multimedia services and merchandise

    GFP Graduations is the official supplier of photography, framing and DVD services at all graduation ceremonies and will be located in the Undercroft at Winthrop Hall during the graduation round.

    The team will:

    • take group and individual photographs before and after the ceremony
    • take a photograph of each graduand standing with the Chancellor on stage
    • provide a large range of frames for immediate framing (a photocopy of your certificate is taken prior to framing)
    • capture every graduand’s special moment on DVD
    • provide you a free digital download of your stage photograph

    For complete product and pricing information, visit the GFP website.

    UWA merchandise

    A range of UWA merchandise, including official clothing and souvenirs, will be on sale on Whitfield Court (outside Winthrop Hall) before and after the ceremony.

  • TYPICAL GRADUATION CEREMONY ORDER OF PROCEEDING
    • The graduands and academic procession will enter and the assembly is required to stand
    • The National Anthem – all graduands and academics are requested to remove their cap
    • Proceedings will be opened by the Chancellor
    • Opening Address
    • Graduation Address
    • Conferral of Awards
    • Warden of Convocation's Welcome Address
    • Valedictory Address
    • Proceedings will be closed by the Chancellor
    • The assembly is requested to stand and the procession will retire
    • On occasion the University may also award Honorary Degrees and/or Chancellor’s Medals to distinguished invitees who have made an invaluable contribution to the University and the community.
View from the rear of graduates entering Winthrop Hall

Your procession to Winthrop Hall

Graduands and members of the School will be processing (walking in formation in regalia) from Student Muster Marquee (details to be provided soon) to Winthrop Hall. As such, you are asked to arrive at Student Muster Marquee (details to be provided soon) no later than one hour before the ceremony start time so you don't miss out on this part of the celebration.

After gathering at your assembly area, you’ll be assigned to a row according to your seat number. Don’t switch places with another graduand as you’ll be called onto stage and seated in the order in which you lined up.

If you arrive late, visit the information tent outside Winthrop Hall.

Crossing the stage (dais)

Graduands with a seat number from A-Z

Number 1
When prompted by staff, take the folder on your chair, rise with your row and move to the left aisle of the hall.
Number 2
Identify yourself to the staff member attending, have your academic dress adjusted (if necessary) and wait here until the presenter calls your name.
Number 3

Proceed halfway towards the Chancellor, stop, "doff" your mortarboard (stop next to the Chancellor for the stage photo) and walk back to your seat via the stairs in the centre of the dais. Please be aware there will be no handshaking.

Number 4
When the last graduand returns to their seat, staff will prompt you to stand and the Chancellor will confer your award. Staff will then prompt you to sit.

Graduands with a Stage (dais) ticket number

Doctorate graduands are seated on the dais. In some graduation ceremonies, postgraduate graduands may also be on the dais. A higher doctorate is a prestigious and rare honour conferred by the Senate to exceptional scholars in recognition of their contribution to a particular field of research. The rigorous process of evaluation means this degree is awarded to scholars of outstanding merit.

Number 1
When prompted by staff, take the folder on your chair, rise with your row and move to the right-hand side of the dais.
Number 2
Proceed to the presenter and wait until you are presented to the Chancellor.
Number 3

Proceed halfway towards the Chancellor, stop, "doff" your mortarboard (stop next to the Chancellor for the stage photo). Return to your seat via the centre aisle and sit down. Please be aware there will be no handshaking.

Number 4
When the last graduand returns to their seat, staff will prompt you to stand and the Chancellor will confer your award. Staff will then prompt you to sit.
View of graduation ceremony from the balcony of Winthrop Hall

How to "doff"

To "doff", walk halfway towards the Chancellor and stop.

Then, ‘pinch’ the right side of your cap with your thumb and index finger of your right hand.

Nod slightly towards the Chancellor.

Your graduation documents

At your ceremony you'll receive your original hard copy award certificate (testamur). After your ceremony you'll receive an email with a registration link for you to access digital copies of your testamur and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS).

 

Joining your global graduate community

Upon conferral of your degree, you will join a global community of over 145,800 UWA graduates and begin to find avenues for personal growth, life-long learning, volunteering, social engagement and fellowship with your peers. All graduates of The University of Western Australia become members of the Convocation of UWA Graduates, a legally constituted body, unique to UWA, which provides you with the opportunity to share in and contribute to the future intellectual and cultural prosperity of the University. Update your details now to benefit from career connections, event invitations and to ensure your voice is represented by Convocation.

 

What if I can't make it to my ceremony anymore?

If you are suddenly unable to attend, let the Graduations team know via askUWA using your student email account. When you send the email, include:

• your student ID number

• your full name, and

• a statement that you:

• are unable to attend your Graduation ceremony

• want your award to be conferred in absentia at the ceremony

• are aware that once your award has been conferred in absentia you will not be permitted to attend any future ceremony for this award

If you experienced any extenuating circumstances or have queries about not being able to attend your ceremony, contact the Graduations team.

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