Graduation

It is with much regret we confirm that the University of Canterbury’s December graduation ceremonies have been cancelled.

To our graduands: we are incredibly proud of your mahi, particularly over the past 18 months, and can assure you that much thought and consideration was invested before coming to this decision.

Despite working closely with Venues Ōtautahi to ensure our graduation ceremonies incorporated event safety considerations under Covid-19 Alert Level Two, and in anticipation of the ‘Orange’ category of the incoming Covid-19 Protection Framework, it became increasingly clear that even the strongest plans are no match for the unknown, which include the opening of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s borders, the recent community cases in Ōtautahi Christchurch and the scarcity of guidance around incoming Covid-19 restrictions.

We appreciate this outcome will be disappointing to many and hope you understand that ensuring the safety of our graduands, staff and the wider University of Canterbury community, including our friends and whanau, was of utmost importance.

This decision is reinforced by Ngā Uara | Our Values and the practice of Tiakitanga, which underpins the importance of integrity and doing what’s right while demonstrating care and protection of others.

If you are unable to access MyUC, please get in touch with the Contact Centre (0800 827 748 or email enrol@canterbury.ac.nz)

Cancelled Graduation FAQs:

April Graduation Dates

The ceremonies for 2022 will take place on the week of 11th April 2022. The specific day and time for each ceremony will be confirmed in March 2022. This information will be emailed to you at that time, and you will be able to find it here.

Options to graduate

What are my options to graduate?
You have the option to either graduate in absentia, or to defer your graduation until a future date. If you choose to graduate in absentia, you cannot graduate again at a future ceremony. Please complete this web form by 1 December to confirm your decision. If you do not complete the form by 1 December, you will graduate in absentia.

If I chose to graduate in absentia in December, when will I get my certification?
If you chose to graduate in December, your certificate will be sent to you via post on Wednesday 15 December.

If I chose to defer my graduation, is there a way I can show that I have completed my studies?
Yes, if you require evidence that you have completed all requirements for your qualification, you can order an Eligibility to Graduate Letter here.

Am I able to start my Master’s degree in 2022 if I hold off graduation to do the in-person graduation in April?
Yes, discuss your options with your student advisor.

I need to rebook by travel arrangements. What are the April Graduation dates?
The ceremonies for 2022 will take place on the week of 11th April 2022. The specific day and time for each ceremony will be confirmed in March 2022. This information will be emailed to you at that time, and you will be able to find it here.

Regalia

What happens with the regalia we have paid for?
Refunds – Please email info@gwcregaliahire.nz as soon as possible if you want a refund for your regalia. You will need to attach your receipt, original email, or the email you originally ordered regalia with.

Deferring - If you are deferring your graduation to a future ceremony, you don’t need to do anything. If you would like to, you can choose to get a refund and rebook your regalia next year.

Absentia - If you are graduating in absentia, you can hire regalia for photos. Please complete the GWC regalia hire form. You will need to collect and return within the standard GWC Regalia Hire Hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am-2.30pm).

Flights

Questions around flight refunds:
We recommend talking to your airline, or travel agent to see their policies around refunds and flight credits. The University of Canterbury is unable to reimburse flights.