Graduation FAQs

I've finished my program requirements, when can I get my testamur (certificate)?
Congratulations! If you were doing an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program, your degree will be formally conferred upon you at the next appropriate graduation ceremony. Your testamur will be given to you as part of the conferral process.

Can I get my testamur before the next ceremony?
Not if you were doing an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program. These degrees are conferred at graduation ceremonies. Until the degree is actually conferred upon you, you cannot get the testamur. You can, however, ask for written confirmation that you have completed the program requirements.

What if I've just been awarded my Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy (MPhil or PhD)?
Congratulations! Because these degrees are conferred differently from undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, you are eligible to receive your testamur after you receive confirmation from The Graduate School. Your testamur and transcript wil be produced within 10 days of the conferral of your award, and then posted to your mailing address.

When are Graduation Dates decided?
The Graduation weeks are usually set one year in advance while the exact dates and times for each year's ceremonies are decided at the start of each semester. For more information about ceremony dates and times, please see Ceremony dates and times.

Can I choose which date I graduate on?
Gaduation ceremonies are determined by Faculty and School and you are not able to alter which ceremony you attend.

If I'm enrolled in a Graduate Diploma, can I graduate from the Graduate Certificate instead?
You can take out a lesser award in a postgraduate suite if the program rules allow. Please note though that you will not automatically be graduated from the lesser award, you must request this via your Faculty or School. If you are considering doing this, you should discuss the potential implications with your School or Faculty.

Will I be told if I'm going to graduate?
If you have kept your graduation semester up-to-date in mySI-net, Graduations Section will contact you in either June or November (depending on whether you'll complete your program in first or second semester) to advise you of your graduation status.

Will I need to complete any forms?
If you are identified as a potential graduand you will have to complete a Graduation Application Form. Depending on your current enrolment status you may be able to complete this form online via mySI-net. Alternatively, Graduations Section will mail a paper version of the form to you.

What will it cost?
There are no charges to graduate but, if you attend a graduation ceremony you must wear academic dress. A fee is payable for the hire of academic dress. For information about the fees visit the Academic Dress Hire Service. If you do not attend a ceremony your testamur and transcript will be posted to you free of charge. Please be aware that you cannot graduate if you have outstanding fines.

What if I don't hear from Graduations?
If you have not heard from Graduations by the end of June or the middle of November, and you expect to graduate, you should contact us.

Does Graduations acknowledge receipt of my Graduation Application Form?
If you complete the online Graduation Application form you can view a copy of the information entered. These details will also be included in the email sent to you after the results are released and your eligibility to graduate has been confirmed. If you think there has been a problem in submitting your Graduation Application to us please contact us.

What if I'm going to do Honours next year?
If you are finishing a program this semester and plan on enrolling in an honours program next semester, you will graduate from your pass degree (eg, Bachelor of Science) at the end of the current semester and then graduate a second time when you have completed the requirements for the Honours degree (eg Bachelor of Science(Honours)).  

Will I have a specialisation printed on my testamur and academic transcript?
Whether you can have a specialisation printed on your testamur and academic transcript depends on the rules for your program. Providing the program rules allow for a specialisation (often called a major or field of study), and you have completed the appropriate courses, the specialisation will be printed on your testamur and transcript. You must, however, advise your Faculty at least 4 weeks before your graduation what your majors or fields of study are. Alternatively, if you do not wish to have your specialisations printed on your testamur or academic transcript you must advise your Faculty at least 4 weeks before your graduation.

If your program rules do not include provision for specialisations then they cannot be printed on your testamur or academic transcript.

You can use the Programs & Courses website or the hardcopy Program Information book to check whether your program's rules include provision for specialisations.

What about my class of Honours?
Graduation checks are usually performed before the final results are known so your Graduation Application Form may not include a reference to Honours. Your eligibility for Honours will be checked after the final results are available and displayed on mySI-net.

How will I know I have completed my program requirements and can graduate?
Between June and July and November and December your mySI-net record will display graduation options if you are eligible to graduate. If your graduation status is listed as Eligible or Final, congratulations, you have completed all your program requirements and are eligible to graduate.
 

I'm attending my Graduation ceremony, what else do I need to do?
You will need to arrange Academic Dress for your ceremony. Please do this as early as possible. DO NOT wait until your results become available before trying to arrange Academic Dress. You should also familiarise yourself with the procedures to be followed on the day of your graduation.

I'm not attending my ceremony, what do I need to do?
You should still complete the Graduation Application Form even if you will not attend a ceremony. You will be graduated in absentia and Graduations will mail your testamur to you in August or January. For this reason it is important that you remember to update your mailing address in mySI-net if you change address. 

Can I attend a later ceremony?
You can nominate to attend a later ceremony on the Graduation Application Form. Please note though that you are only deferring your attendance at a ceremony and not your graduation itself. You will still be graduated in absentia and Graduations will mail your testamur to you in August or January.

When will I receive my testamur (award certificate) and academic transcript?
If you attend your graduation ceremony, you will receive these documents there. If you do not attend a ceremony they will be mailed to you during the following January (if you graduated in December) or August (if you graduated in July).

How many guest tickets can I order?
In most instances, graduands attending a ceremony are allocated 4 guest tickets - provided their graduation application form is completed within 2 days of release of results. There are exceptions to this allowance, where a large cohort of graduands is being accomodated. In semester 2 2012, the MBBS ceremony allows for only 3 guest tickets per graduand. The actual number of guest tickets allocated is confirmed via your electronic Conditional Graduation Application. You will be asked to nominate on your Graduation Application Form how many guest tickets you require. Graduands do not require a ticket for themselves.

How much do the guest tickets cost?
All tickets are free-of-charge.

Can I bring more than 4 guests?
That will depend on how many other people are attending your ceremony. Graduations usually does not know this figure until approximately 1 day before the ceremony and makes a decision on the availability of extra tickets one week before the ceremony. for information on extra tickets, please visit the Tickets page.

Where can I collect my tickets?
Ticket collection points are (1) The St Lucia Student Centre; (2) The Ipswich Student Centre; and (3) The Gatton Student Centre. For the December graduations, tickets for the Dental and Medical School graduations may also be available from the School Offices at Turbot Street and Herston. Generally, you can collect your allocated tickets in the week before your ceremony. If necessary, tickets can be collected on the day of the ceremony from the venue.  Please note that additional tickets, when available, can only be collected on the day before the ceremony. If someone is collecting your tickets for you, they will need to have a written authority from you.
 

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