Whakaritea kia whakapōtaengia

Prepare to graduate

Learn about what you need to do to prepare for our May and December graduation ceremonies.

Prepare to graduate

Here are considerations to keep in mind once you've applied to graduate.

Usual cohorts

  • Students completing at the end of Trimester 1 normally attend December ceremonies.
  • Students completing at the end of Trimester 2 normally attend May ceremonies.
  • Students completing their studies in Trimester 3 may be eligible to attend the May ceremonies. However, this is subject to the timely submission of final grades and the completion of a qualification audit by the Student Success teams.

Academic dress

Once you have applied to attend the graduation ceremonies, you can order your academic dress through Grad Gear. There is an early bird discount.

Check your full legal name is correct

When you complete the application form, you have an opportunity to confirm if your full legal name is correct. This will be the name printed on your qualification certificate, a legal document, so getting this right is important. If you have recently changed your legal name, email certified documentation of your legal name changes to enrolment-enquiries@vuw.ac.nz.

Check your preferred first name is correct

Your preferred first name and your legal last name will be announced during the ceremony and printed in the graduation programme. You can update your preferred first name in Pūaha. Your legal first name will be used if you have not indicated a preferred name.

Pronunciation of name

The Graduation Office will email you a link where you will be able to record the pronunciation of your name.

Tickets

The Graduation Office will email you when it comes time to order your guest tickets for the Michael Fowler Centre ceremonies. You do not need a ticket for yourself. You are guaranteed three guest tickets. You will be emailed a link to a form where you can request additional tickets OR return some/all of your guaranteed guest tickets. If you only require your guaranteed three guest tickets, there is no need to complete the form.

Additional requirements

If you have additional requirements, including wheelchair access, there will be a form for you to complete. We will work to accommodate you so there are no barriers to your big moment.

If you have guests who have additional requirements, they can also complete the same form. For guests, there is step-free access to all floors and step-free access to seating on the lower level of the auditorium. We recommend that guests requiring easy access arrive when auditorium doors open, 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Even if your requirement is invisible, we want to hear from you. This form will be sent out via email.

Doctorate summaries

If you are graduating with a Doctorate qualification, you will be asked to submit a short summary of your thesis. You will be emailed a link to a form to complete this.

All doctorate graduates must complete the form confirming the pronunciation of their name, including the audio recording.

Livestream

The graduation ceremonies will be live-streamed.  This is an opportunity for your friends, family and supporters to watch you cross the stage. They can also view a recording after the ceremony. Check our photos and livestream page for the links on the day of the ceremony.

Graduation ceremony dates

We hold graduation ceremonies twice a year, in May and December. The ceremony that you attend depends on your faculty and when you submit your graduation application.

A women performing a dance on the stage at graduation.

May 2025 graduation timeline

Get all the information you need to attend a graduation ceremony in May, and find out when your ceremony will be held.

 A smiling graduate wearing academic robes speaking at the ceremony.

December 2025 graduation timeline

Get all the information you need to attend a graduation ceremony in December, and find out when your ceremony will be held.