Graduation
Students can now apply to attend the August Graduation Celebrations through myUC. Applications for the August Celebrations will remain open until Friday 20 May 2022.
Applications for the December Graduation Celebrations will open in September 2022.
April 2022 Graduation update
After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision that April 2022 Graduation will not go ahead due to the current COVID-19 situation. Students who were due to attend Graduation ceremonies in December 2021 and April 2022 are invited to attend Graduation celebrations, scheduled for 29 – 31 August 2022 at Christchurch Arena.
We understand this will be disappointing for students who have been looking forward to their Graduation and for their whānau too. Under the current COVID-19 Red setting only 100 people would be able to attend ceremonies in person, and while we explored alternative options to enable whānau to attend, we do not believe any of these would provide a good experience for either graduands or their whānau.
What are the options?
Students eligible to graduate in December 2021 and April 2022 have the following options:
- Apply to graduate through myUC and choose to attend Graduation celebrations in August 2022 (between 29 – 31 August)
- Apply to graduate through myUC and choose to graduate in absentia only (will not attend an in-person Graduation celebration in August, the qualification certificate will be sent to student)
Students who choose to attend a Graduation celebration in August will be able to access documentation confirming they have completed their qualification before the August event – this is in case students need documentation earlier for employment or other purposes.
Qualifications will be conferred at a regular monthly UC Council meeting, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month before the Graduation celebration event. An application to graduate must be received two weeks prior to the Council meeting for the conferment to take place (please see the relevant application and conferment dates below). After the UC Council meeting that the student’s qualification is conferred at, they will be sent a link to My eQuals where they will be able to access their qualification certificate and transcript (usually within 48 hours of the UC Council meeting). Students will be given the physical copy of the qualification certificate at the Graduation celebration event in August.
| Applications received for graduation* | Council conferment date |
|---|---|
| 20 April 2022 | 4 May 2022 |
| 18 May 2022 | 1 June 2022 |
| 22 June 2022 | 6 July 2022 |
| 20 July 2022 | 3 August 2022 |
| 24 August 2022 | 7 September 2022 |
| 21 September 2022 | 5 October 2022 |
| 19 October 2022 | 2 November 2022 |
* If an application is not received by the deadline listed above, the conferment at Council will automatically be deferred until the following month's Council meeting.
Please note there will be no street parade in August.
*Faculty Graduation celebration dates will be announced shortly after applications close, please note these can be subject to change.
Students who choose to graduate in absentia and NOT attend a Graduation celebration in August or December, will have their qualification conferred in absentia at a regular monthly UC Council meeting, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month. An application to graduate must be received two weeks prior to the Council meeting for the conferment to take place (please see the relevant application and conferment dates below). After the UC Council meeting that the student’s qualification is conferred at, they will be able to access their qualification certificate and transcript (usually within 48 hours of the UC Council meeting). The physical copy of the qualification certificate will be posted to the student.
| Applications received for graduation* | Council conferment date |
|---|---|
| 20 April 2022 | 4 May 2022 |
| 18 May 2022 | 1 June 2022 |
| 22 June 2022 | 6 July 2022 |
| 20 July 2022 | 3 August 2022 |
| 24 August 2022 | 7 September 2022 |
| 21 September 2022 | 5 October 2022 |
| 19 October 2022 | 2 November 2022 |
* If an application is not received by the deadline listed above, the conferment at Council will automatically be deferred until the following month's Council meeting.
Photo Opportunity
Students who opt not to attend an in-person Graduation celebration will have the opportunity to hire regalia and book a photo with either the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic or Deputy-Vice Chancellor Research. Whānau are also welcome to participate in this photo opportunity.
Various 5 minute time-slots will be available to book professional photos on the following dates:
- Tuesday 12 April - applications closed
- Thursday 14 April - applications closed
- Thursday 9 June - applications close 18 May
- Friday 10 June - applications close 18 May
Bookings are now available under the Graduation Photo Opportunity section.
Photo setting:
A professional photo will be taken of you being capped as if you were on stage, and you will also have the opportunity for a professional photo to be taken of you with either the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic or Deputy-Vice Chancellor Research. Whānau are welcome to participate.
(Please note students who choose to graduate in absentia, cannot then graduate with the same qualification in-person at a ceremony or attend a later graduation celebration event.)
Photo Opportunity
To help you mark your graduation the University of Canterbury is providing a professional photo opportunity for students who will not be attending an in-person Graduation celebration. To book a photo opportunity, a student must have already had their qualification conferred in absentia at Council prior to the event. This involves applying to graduate by a specific date - please see the relevant deadlines in the 'Information for students who graduate in absentia only' section.
Five-minute bookings are available on these days:
- Tuesday 12 April - bookings closed
- Thursday 14 April - bookings closed
- Thursday 9 June - bookings close 18 May
- Friday 10 June - bookings close 18 May
Photo setting:
A professional photo will be taken of you being capped as if you were on stage, and you will have the opportunity for a professional photo of you with either the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic or Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research. Your whānau are welcome to participate.
(Please note students who choose to graduate in absentia, cannot then graduate with the same qualification in-person at a ceremony or attend a later graduation celebration event.)
Linton photography fees
The professional photos will be taken by Linton Photography. You will have the opportunity to view and purchase your photos after they have been taken on the day.
Depending on which photos you choose the Linton Photography fee will be $100-$120 with no obligation to purchase. No personal photography is permitted.
On the day
Photos will be taken on Level 6 in the Matariki building. Please arrive 10 minutes before your booked timeslot.
After your photo session, you can visit the Matariki Gallery where UC Graduation merchandise from the University Bookshop (UBS) will be available to purchase.
UCSA Graduation deals available around campus for graduates and whānau:
Café 1894
- Coffee and muffin deal for $7.00
The Foundry:
- Coffee and muffin/scone deal for $6.00
- Eggs benedict deal for $10 available from 8am to 12pm
- Cocktail slushy for $10 available all day
How to book
Book your photo opportunity here
Regalia hire
To hire your academic regalia for photos please visit the GWC website and click ‘Hire your regalia here’.
