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. International students completing in Trimester 2 must complete the Expression of Interest form by Friday 27 September to attend December ceremonies. This has been sent by your Student Success Advisor.
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 name is correct
When you complete the application form, you have an opportunity to confirm if your 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 enrolments@vuw.ac.nz.
Tickets
The Graduation and Transition office will email you when it comes time to order your guest tickets. 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.
You do not need guest tickets for Te Hui Whakapūmau.
Announced name
You will be announced on stage and listed in the graduation programme by your preferred name and your legal last name, as indicated in Pūaha. Your legal first name will be used if you have not indicated a preferred name. Your full legal name, which may be different to your preferred name, will be printed on your qualification certificate.
Pronunciation of name
The Graduation and Transition office will email you a link where you will be able to record the pronunciation of your name.
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.
December 2024 graduation timeline
Get all the information you need to attend a graduation ceremony in December, and find out when your ceremony will be held.
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.