On the day

Graduand seating

There is allocated seating for all graduands. We will provide you with a seat number on your ticket when you register. You need to be seated 30 minutes before your ceremony starts.

It is important that you sit in your allocated seat as you are seated in the order that you will be presented to the Chancellor to receive your testamur.

Guest seating

Other than some reserved seating in the front rows, guest seating is not numbered.

Graduation ceremonies are usually 1.5 hours long. Ceremonies include the procession into the hall of the dignitaries, an occasional address (guest speaker), conferral of awards and presentation of individual graduates to the Presiding Officer. The dignitaries then process out of the hall, followed by the new graduates and then their guests.

Refreshments are then served after the ceremony for graduates and their guests.

Learn more about ceremony locations

Graduates will be presented to the Presiding Officer one at a time by course order.

As your course is called, you will move through a series of checkpoints where your name will be checked. Your name will be checked by graduation staff multiple times, prior to the ceremony and prior to crossing the stage. This is to ensure you cross the stage at the right time.

When your name is called by the Presenter, acknowledge the Presiding Officer by doffing your cap (take hold of a corner of your trencher and nod) and then walk to the Presiding Officer at centre stage. Pause while a formal photograph is taken. Then walk across the stage to collect your token of graduation from the Executive Dean of your Faculty. Finally, exit the stage and return to your seat.

Testamurs (Graduation certificates)

Testamurs are not presented on stage. Instead, you will receive your testamur in the mail before the event. Instead, you will receive a token of graduation on the stage. This will be a Charles Sturt certificate cylinder to store your testamur at home.

Testamurs are now being sent to domestic students via Registered Post. This means you will need to sign for your testamur when it's delivered to you. If you're not available to sign for it, you will need to pick it up at the post office. It may take 1-3 weeks for your testamur to arrive. If documents are returned to Charles Sturt you may be charged a fee for us to resend them to you.

Frames will be available to purchase on the day, you wont require your testamur as you'll be able to insert your testamur at home.

Graduating from a program with a specialisation or joint study

Where a course has various specialisation or joint study options, graduates will be presented at the graduation ceremony and in the graduation program under the primary course award title only.

Graduating from a Doctor of Philosophy with a Field of Research

Graduates will be presented at the graduation ceremony and in the graduation program under the primary course award title ‘Doctor of Philosophy’ only.

Presentation of two awards

Where the University is conferring two awards on a graduate, the graduate will be announced as follows:

1. Where the courses are taught by the same faculty, both awards will be announced at the faculty graduation ceremony at the same time.
2. Where the courses are taught by different faculties, the graduate may choose to:
   1. Attend both faculties’ graduation ceremonies to be announced for each award, or
   2. Attend one faculty’s graduation ceremony and be announced for the one award only.

Presentation of double degrees

Where a double degree results in two awards, one for each component single degree, the award will be announced:

1. Where both component single degrees were taught by the same faculty, together at the faculty graduation ceremony, or
2. Where the component single degrees were taught by different faculties, the graduate may choose one of the following options as per b(i) and b(ii) above.

Where a double degree results in a single testamur, the award will be announced at the graduation ceremony of the faculty that manages the double degree.

If you’re attending 2 ceremonies, you’ll be required to purchase tickets for both ceremonies.

University Medals are awarded to eligible graduating students to recognise outstanding academic achievement.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate University Medals will either be posted in the mail to eligible graduating students, or presented to them at their graduation ceremony as they cross the stage. We will email you before the graduation ceremonies to confirm if you will be attending a graduation ceremony.

Read the medals and awards policy

Doffing, which is to tip one's hat in salutation, is simply lifting your right hand to touch the front edge of your trencher (hat) and nodding slightly. It is a sign of respect to the Chancellor.

• Children may find it difficult to sit through the ceremony. Bring a book or iPad as well as a snack and a bottle of water.
• Ensure your phone or camera are charged and ready to capture the big moment. Photography is allowed during the ceremony.
• Bring your brightest smile and relax, you've already done all the hard work!