Graduation

All UC students who complete their qualification must apply to graduate so their qualification can be conferred (legally awarded) by the UC Council before their graduation celebration.

You cannot graduate if your qualification has not been conferred. 

An application to graduate can be made at any time in your final year of study via myUC.  However, if you wish to attend a graduation celebration event, you must apply during specific time periods, and choose "Attend a graduation celebration” as your graduation option. 

• If you wish to attend the August 2026 Spring Graduation Celebration you must apply to graduate before Sunday 12 July 2026.  Apply now.
  
  
• Applications to attend the April 2027 Graduation Celebrations will open on 24 August 2026 and will close on 13 December 2026. 

If you do not wish to attend a graduation celebration you can submit your graduation application via MyUC any time during your final year. Select the ‘in absentia’ option in your application.

Qualification Conferral Dates

Conferral, the legal process of awarding your qualification, is subject to a successful completion check of academic requirements. Your application to graduate must be received prior to the UC Council meeting by the deadline detailed below to ensure the completion check and conferment can take place. Applications received after the deadline will automatically be deferred until the following month. 

Usually, you will be able to access your digital qualification testamur (certificate) and transcript via the My eQuals document platform within 10 working days after the UC Council conferment. The physical copy of your testamur will be couriered to you if you are not attending a graduation celebration.  If you are attending a celebration you will receive the physical copy of your testamur at your graduation celebration event.

Faculty Graduation Celebrations

Date:    Tuesday 25 August 2026

Morning celebration 10am

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Health

Afternoon celebration 2pm

Faculty of Arts

UC Business School

Faculty of Education

Faculty of Law

Venue:  Wolfbrook Arena, Addington, Christchurch

There is no Graduation Street Parade for the Spring (August) Graduation Celebration.

Eke Tangaroa | Māori Spring Graduation Celebration

Date:    Wednesday 26 August 2026
Time:    1.00pm
Venue:  TBA

Please note: If you are only attending Eke Tangaroa Graduation Celebration you will still need to order regalia from GWC Regalia Hire and indicate in the order that you are only attending the Eke Tangaroa Graduation Celebration.  

Pacific Spring Graduation Celebration

Date:    Wednesday 26 August 2026
Time:    9.00am - 12.00pm
Venue:  Haere-roa, University of Canterbury, 90 Ilam Road

Please note: If you are only attending the Pacific Graduation Celebration you will still need to order regalia from GWC Regalia Hire and indicate in the order that you are only attending the Pacific Graduation Celebration. 

Graduation is a special event. To ensure the day is enjoyable we have a couple of things to help you prepare for your celebration. Here's a video on what to expect at your graduation.

Full academic regalia is required to participate in a graduation celebration. You will hire your academic regalia and wear it over your own clothing. 

Your academic regalia includes:

• a gown
• a hood
• a trencher or bonnet (depending on which degree you are receiving). 

View the full Academic Dress and Specification Regulations (including hood colours). 

Hiring academic regalia

Detailed instructions on hiring academic regalia will be emailed to you when hire orders open. You will need these instructions in order to hire your regalia, so please keep an eye out for this email.

Learn how to wear your academic regalia.

What do I wear underneath my regalia?

Graduation is a special milestone and a formal university event, we ask all graduates to dress in a way that reflects the significance of the occasion, and makes them feel proud. You will need shoes that allow you to comfortably stand and walk for much of the day. 

UC graduation processions and celebrations are filmed and photographed. Footage and photos may be publicly accessible on UC's website, social media and print publications. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the use of your image please email events@canterbury.ac.nz. 

Official Graduation Photography 

Linton Photography is the official University of Canterbury graduation photographer. They will photograph every graduand on stage. View your on stage photos after the celebration on the Linton Photography website.

A studio portrait service is available either at the Linton Photography studio or at the venue on the graduation celebration day, so you can have formal portraits taken with family or friends. Portrait session times may be booked in advance. It is also possible to be photographed without a booking on a first in, first served basis following your celebration. 

UC holds two graduation celebration weeks throughout the year, during the autumn (April) and spring (August) mid-semester breaks.

Future UC graduation dates are listed below:

• 2027 Autumn Graduation Celebrations *
  13-15 April 2027 Faculty Celebrations
  16 April 2027 Eke Tangaroa and Pacific Celebrations
  
  
• 2027 Spring Graduation Celebrations *
  Week commencing 30 August 2027, inclusive of Faculty, Eke Tangaroa, and Pacific celebrations.
  
  
• 2028 Autumn Graduation Celebrations *
  11-13 April 2028 Faculty Celebrations
  Dates for Eke Tangaroa and Pacific Celebration TBC
  
  
• 2028 Spring Graduation Celebrations *
  Dates TBC

*Please note these dates are subject to change