Attending your ceremony

On the day

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

  • Arriving

    You should arrive one hour before the ceremony at Great Court South with your ticket. Guests can enter Winthrop Hall and the lecture theatre by ticket only. Guests are asked to be seated 30 minutes prior to the ceremony starting.

  • Parking

    This table will be updated to July 2020 ceremony information when available.

    Ceremony Date and Time Car Park
    Tuesday 10 December at 2pm Riley Oval
    Tuesday 10 December at 6pm Car Parks 1 & 20
    Wednesday 11 December at 10am Car Parks 1 & 23
    Wednesday 11 December at 2pm Riley Oval
    Wednesday 11 December at 6pm Car Parks 1 & 20
    Thursday 12 December at 10am Car Parks 1 & 23
    Thursday 12 December at 2pm Riley Oval
    Thursday 12 December at 6pm Car Parks 1 & 20
    Friday 13 December at 1am Car Parks 1 & 23
    Friday 13 December at 2pm Riley Oval
    Friday 13 December at 6pm Car Parks 1 & 20
    Saturday 14 December at 10am Car Parks 1 & 3
    Saturday 14 December at 2pm Car Parks 18, 20 & 17
    Saturday 14 December at 6pm Car Parks 1 & 20

    Download the UWA parking map.

    Vehicles are required to be parked in a designated parking bay. This excludes ACROD, Reserved and Service Bays where the appropriate permit are required to be displayed at all times.

  • Your seat number

    Log into studentConnect, select 'Graduation' and click on 'View ceremony and attendance details' to view your seat number. You will line up according to your seat number before processing to Winthrop Hall.

  • 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 shaking the Chancellor's hand 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 graduand and academic procession will enter and the assembly is required to stand
    • The National Anthem – all graduands and academic are requested to remove their cap
    • Proceedings will be opened by the Chancellor
    • Opening Address
    • Graduation Address
    • Conferral of Awards
    • Musical Interlude
    • 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 Faculty will be processing (walking in formation in regalia) from Great Court South in front of Reid Library (see map below) to Winthrop Hall. As such, you are asked to arrive at Great Court South 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 to, and shake hands with, the Chancellor. If you don’t want to shake hands, indicate as you approach by momentarily putting your right hand on your left shoulder. Return to your seat via the centre aisle, keep your cap on and sit down.

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 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 to the Chancellor, doff (doctorate and higher doctorate graduands only) and shake hands. If you don’t want to shake hands, indicate as you approach by momentarily putting your right hand on your left shoulder. Return to your seat via the centre aisle and sit down.

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 towards the Chancellor and stop approximately one metre away.

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

Nod slightly towards the Chancellor.

Continue the last two steps and shake hands with the Chancellor.

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