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Your graduation day

Your UNSW graduation ceremony is finally here! Here's what to expect
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Graduation August 2023

Welcome to the day you’ve worked so hard for

After countless hours of study and commitment, your graduation day is finally here. This page has all you need to know about your UNSW graduation ceremony, so you can relax and enjoy this hard-earned achievement.

Check your eligibility

Make sure you’ve done everything you need to before your graduation ceremony.

Where are UNSW graduation ceremonies held?

UNSW Sydney ceremonies

Sydney Graduation Ceremonies for UNSW Kensington and Paddington students are held at theÌýÌý²¹²Ô»å on the UNSW Kensington Campus.

If you are unsure of your ceremony location, please look at your myUNSW Graduation, which includes the ceremony venue.Ìý

Find detailed ceremony information below, including accessibility information.

91³ÉÈ˰涶Òôceremonies

91³ÉÈ˰涶Òôceremonies are held in the Adams Auditorium at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).

Please be sure to check where your ceremony will take place. The location of your ceremony can be confirmed on your myUNSW Graduations Details page.

Find an updated list of 91³ÉÈ˰涶Òôgraduation ceremonies, including locations, dates and times below.

Important information for your graduation day

To ensure the day runs smoothly, here’s what you need to know before, during and after your graduation ceremony. This includes important information for you and your guests, so please pass these details along if required.

Key points of interest:

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýCeremony Venue:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Gown Collection:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Registration:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýMerchandise:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Gown Return:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýPost-ceremony Refreshments:

Order of events

    1. Reserve your tickets
      As part of your graduation fee, you can register for up to 3 tickets for your guests. You’ll receive an email with details on how to claim guest tickets in the lead-up to your graduation ceremony. Children are welcome and infants who do not need their own seat do not require a ticket.

    2. Accessibility
      If any of your guests require special assistance, please contact UNSW GraduationsÌýbefore your ceremony.

    3. Getting to UNSW
      Please plan ahead and allow enough time to get to the venue for your ceremony. Public transport options include the Light Rail and Buses. If you’re driving, is available.

    4. Arrival and ceremony times
      Graduates should arrive:
      - 2.5 hours before ceremony: Academic dress collection opens
      - 45 minutes before ceremony: Graduates must arrive and register at their ceremony venue
      - 30 minutes before ceremony: All graduates should be in the correct academic dress, registered and seated for their ceremony

      Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony start time to find their seats.

    5. Collect your academic dress
      If you're hiring academic dress, you can collect these from your ceremony venue at the allocated collection times on Graduation day. Please follow the ‘Academic Dress Collection’ signs.

      For all Graduates attending a ceremony at Sir John Clancy Auditorium, please collect from .

      You should arrive at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before your ceremony to allow time to be fitted in your academic gown. See more information on Academic Dress.

    6. Registration and briefing
      You must arrive and register at the venue at least 45 minutes prior to your ceremony. The registration desk is located inside your ceremony venue. You must be gowned, registered and in your allocated seat 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.

      Graduation staff will explain graduates' participation in the ceremony. You must follow the instructions of staff during the ceremony. Please leave all your belongings with your guests prior to registration.
    1. Seating
      Graduates are in allocated seats to ensure they cross the stage in the correct order. If you are a graduate and require special seating arrangements, please contact UNSW Graduations as soon as possible.

      Guest seating is general admission. If your guests require special seating, please contact UNSW Graduations. Prams are not permitted inside the auditorium because of fire and safety regulations. They can be left in the cloakroom in the auditorium foyer.

    2. Order of events
      Ceremonies run for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ceremonies begin at 10.30am, 2:30pm and 6:30pm. Graduation ceremonies typically follow the below structure:

      - Announcement of the members of the official party
      - Academic procession enters
      - National anthem
      - Chancellor’s welcome
      - Graduates invited to the stage one-by-one to accept their testamur
      - Guest speaker
      - Vote of thanks
      - Academic procession retires

    1. Celebrate with us!
      You and your guests will be invited to enjoy some lightÌýcanapés and refreshments after the ceremony outside the main entry of your ceremony venue. Here, you’ll be welcome to take photos, purchase merchandise and mingle with your fellow graduates and their families.

    2. Return your academic dress
      Once you've graduated and had your photograph taken, return your academic dress to . Please follow theÌýAcademic DressÌýReturn signs.
    3. Graduation services
      Services such as portrait photography, degree framing, plaques, gifts and UNSW merchandise are available on graduation day.

      Arc @ UNSW
      Academic dress, flowers and memorabilia
      Ìý

      Silver Rose Photography
      Family and portrait photography is available before and after the ceremony in the Matthews Pavilions.


      Ambassador Productions
      Digital stage photographs, ceremony video download and graduation Plaques. Each graduate will be emailed a link to a live stream and ceremony recording.


      Jackson Frames
      Get your testamur framed after graduation.


      UNSW Gift Shop
      Purchase UNSW gifts and merchandise.

Venue information

  • Ìýis limited at UNSW Kensington campus. We encourage graduates and guests to takeÌý. If you’re travelling to UNSW via the Sydney light rail network, please use the L2 Randwick light rail line and disembark at the UNSW High Street stop. There are also multiple express bus services available.

    Car Parking

    All day and short-term is parking available at UNSW close to the Sir John Clancy Auditorium venue. See .

    • ForÌýmorning graduation ceremoniesÌýduring term, we recommend that graduates and their guests use public transport, as parking is limited on campus and in surrounding side streets.
    • ForÌýafternoon and evening ceremoniesÌýthere is some parking in surrounding streets, although some restrictions apply.
    • Parking is free from 7.30 pm to 7.30 am the following day on weekdays, all day on weekends and public holidays.

    All-day meter parkingÌýis available on campus at the top level of Botany St carpark. Enter through Gate 11 Botany Street and park on level 6. Payment is required on arrival and can be made through Pay-by-Plate meter or by downloading the .

    Limited short-term meter parkingÌýis also available at:

    • GateÌý11 entryÌý(4P max 4 hours)
    • Gate 8 entryÌý(2P max 2 hours)
    • Western Campus Carpark (near NIDA)
    • and on ground-level outdoor parking areas.

    Payment is required on arrival and can be made through Pay-by-Plate meter or by downloading the .

  • UNSW is committed to disability inclusion and ensuring that graduation ceremonies are a milestone that can be enjoyed by all.

    Sir John Clancy Auditorium has unobstructed and flat access. The foyer and auditorium have a hearing loop. Accessible and assisted listening seating can be arranged inside the auditorium for graduates and guests.

    Closed captioning will be available at your graduation ceremony. Please ask staff on the day for assistance with accessing closed captioning services.Ìý

    There are some steps to negotiate for graduates crossing the stage, but an access ramp is also available if required. Please notify Graduation staff if this is required.

    For disabled parking options close to the Sir John Clancy Auditorium ceremony venue, there are a small number of disabled parking bays available if you enter through Gate 9 on High Street and immediately turn left. More mobility bays are available in the open carpark at Gate 11 on Botany Street.

    More information on accessibility in venues can be foundÌýhere.

    Maps showing accessible routes, accessible parking, accessible toilets and more can beÌý.

Key points of interest:

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýCeremony Venue:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Gown Collection:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Registration:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýMerchandise:Ìý

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýGraduate Gown Return:

Ìýimage-20240403121254-1ÌýPost-ceremony Refreshments:

Order of events

    1. Reserve your tickets
      As part of your graduation fee, you can register for up to 3 tickets for your guests. You’ll receive an email with details on how to claim guest tickets in the lead-up to your graduation ceremony. Children are welcome and infants who do not need their own seat do not require a ticket.

    2. Accessibility
      If any of your guests require special assistance, please contact UNSW GraduationsÌýbefore your ceremony.

    3. Getting to UNSW
      Please plan ahead and allow enough time to get to the venue for your ceremony. Public transport options include the Light Rail and Buses. If you’re driving, is available.
    4. Arrival and ceremony times
      Graduates should arrive:
      - 2.5 hours before ceremony: Academic dress collection opens
      - 1 hour before ceremony: Graduates must arrive and register at their ceremony venue
      - 40 minutes before ceremony: All graduates should be in the correct academic dress, registered and seated for their ceremony

      Guests should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the graduation ceremony start time to find their seats.

    5. Collect your academic dress
      If you're hiring academic dress, you can collect these from your ceremony venue at the allocated collection times on Graduation day. Please follow the ‘Academic Dress Collection’ signs.

      For all Graduates attending a ceremony at John Niland Scientia, please collect from .

      You should arrive at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before your ceremony to allow time to be fitted in your academic gown. See more information on Academic Dress.

    6. Registration and briefing
      You must arrive and register at the venue at least 1 hourÌýprior to your ceremony. The registration desk is located inside your ceremony venue. You must be gowned, registered and in your allocated seat 40 minutes before the ceremony starts.

      Graduation staff will explain graduates' participation in the ceremony. You must follow the instructions of staff during the ceremony. Please leave all your belongings with your guests prior to registration.
    1. Seating
      Graduates are in allocated seats to ensure they cross the stage in the correct order. If you are a graduate and require special seating arrangements, please contact UNSW Graduations as soon as possible.

      Guest seating is general admission. If your guests require special seating, please contact UNSW Graduations. Prams are not permitted inside the auditorium because of fire and safety regulations. They can be left in the cloakroom in the auditorium foyer.

    2. Order of events
      Ceremonies run for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Ceremonies begin at 10.30am, 2:30pm and 6:30pm. Graduation ceremonies typically follow the below structure:

      - Announcement of the members of the official party
      - Academic procession enters
      - National anthem
      - Chancellor’s welcome
      - Graduates invited to the stage one-by-one to accept their testamur
      - Guest speaker
      - Vote of thanks
      - Academic procession retires

    1. Celebrate with us!
      You and your guests will be invited to enjoy some lightÌýcanapés and refreshments after the ceremony outside the main entry of your ceremony venue. Here, you’ll be welcome to take photos, purchase merchandise and mingle with your fellow graduates and their families.
    2. Return your academic dress
      Once you've graduated and had your photograph taken, return your academic dress to The Galleries. Please follow theÌýAcademic DressÌýReturn signs.
    3. Graduation services
      Services such as portrait photography, degree framing, plaques, gifts and UNSW merchandise are available on graduation day.

      Arc @ UNSW
      Academic dress, flowers and memorabilia
      Ìý

      Silver Rose Photography
      Family and portrait photography is available before and after the ceremony in the Matthews Pavilions.


      Ambassador Productions
      Digital stage photographs, ceremony video download and graduation Plaques. Each graduate will be emailed a link to a live stream and ceremony recording.


      Jackson Frames
      Get your testamur framed after graduation.


      UNSW Gift Shop
      Purchase UNSW gifts and merchandise.

Venue information

  • Ìýis limited at UNSW Kensington campus. We encourage graduates and guests to takeÌý. If you’re travelling to UNSW via the Sydney light rail network, please use the L2 Randwick light rail line and disembark at the UNSW High Street stop. There are also multiple express bus services available.

    Car Parking

    All day and short-term is parking available at UNSW close to the John Niland Scientia venue. See .

    • ForÌýmorning graduation ceremoniesÌýduring term, we recommend that graduates and their guests use public transport, as parking is limited on campus and in surrounding side streets.
    • ForÌýafternoon and evening ceremoniesÌýthere is some parking in surrounding streets, although some restrictions apply.
    • Parking is free from 7.30 pm to 7.30 am the following day on weekdays, all day on weekends and public holidays.

    All-day meter parkingÌýis available on campus at the top level of Botany St carpark. Enter through Gate 11 Botany Street and park on level 6. Payment is required on arrival and can be made through Pay-by-Plate meter or by downloading the .

    Limited short-term meter parkingÌýis also available at:

    • GateÌý11 entryÌý(4P max 4 hours)
    • Gate 8 entryÌý(2P max 2 hours)
    • Western Campus Carpark (near NIDA)
    • and on ground-level outdoor parking areas.

    Payment is required on arrival and can be made through Pay-by-Plate meter or by downloading the .

  • UNSW is committed to disability inclusion and ensuring that graduation ceremonies are a milestone that can be enjoyed by all.

    John Niland Scientia has accessible access via two main entrances. The auditorium has assisted listening. Patrons wishing to utilise must collect an inductive neck loop receiver from venue staff.

    Closed captioning will be available at your graduation ceremony. Please ask staff on the day for assistance with accessing closed captioning services.

    An access ramp is available to access the stage.

    For the closest accessible parking, please utilise the open carpark at Gate 11, or the Botany Street parking station, also accessed through Gate 11.

    More information on accessibility in venues can be foundÌýhere.

    Maps showing accessible routes, accessible parking, accessible toilets and more can beÌý.


Take a sneak peek of your big day

As part of your graduation fee, you’ll get access toÌýlive music, light canapés and beverages after your ceremony with plenty of seating areas around the venues for you to enjoy with your academics and loved ones.

Don't forget to snap a picture (or several) across your favourite spots on campus before you head off! We'll be posting some on our Instagram.

Support beyond graduation

Just because you’ve graduated doesn’t mean UNSW isn’t here to support you. We can help with:

  • Replacement documents
  • Careers services
  • Alumni services
  • Lifelong email account
  • Further learning opportunities

Not attending your graduation?

Whether you're unable to attend the upcoming ceremony period or at all, let us know!

Express your interest in a future UNSW graduation ceremony, or request for your testamur to be mailed to you directly.

Contact the UNSW Graduations Team

Have questions? Contact our team via email below or visit us in person at The Nucleus: Student Hub.