The graduation ceremony

On arrival

Please present yourself at the registration desk in the foyer where a seating card indicating your name, degree or diploma and seat number will be handed to you. You will be referred to a desk or counter where you may claim your guest tickets.

Guests must be seated 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Guest seats are not reserved.

If you have arranged to collect your academic dress at the graduation venue (except at the Pretoria venue which does not provide such a service), please collect it at the supplier’s stall.

During the ceremony

Graduands/Diploma candidates and guests should rise when the academic procession enters the hall. They may only be seated once the Chancellor has given the signal to do so. At the end of the ceremony, the audience should rise and remain standing until the procession has left the hall.

Graduands

When signalled by Graduations staff, the graduand whose name appears first in the programme rises, and, carrying the hood over the left arm and seating card in the right hand, ascends the stage from the right (as seen from the audience).

The graduand hands his or her card to the college representative, who reads out the name. The card is returned to the graduand which serves as a cue to walk towards the Chancellor and kneel with the right knee on the stool. The Chancellor confers the degree.

The graduand approaches the Registrar, standing to the Chancellor’s right (left as seen from the audience), hands him the hood and turns to face the audience.

A photograph is taken when the Registrar drapes the hood over the graduate’s shoulders. To ensure a photograph of good quality, the graduate should stand upright and look directly at the camera.

The graduate descends the stage on the left (as seen from the audience). The degree certificate is handed over by a university official. A head and shoulder photograph is taken as the graduate returns to his or her seat. When the last graduate in the college descends the stage, the college representative returns to his or her seat. The next college representative takes his or her place behind the lectern, and the process is repeated.

Diploma candidates

The candidate whose name appears first in the programme rises and, holding the seating card in the right hand, ascends the stage from the right (as seen from the audience). The candidate must be wearing the neckband since it is not draped on stage.

The candidate hands his or her card to the college representative standing at the lectern who reads out the name and returns the card to the candidate.

The candidate walks across the stage and shakes hands with the Registrar. While shaking hands, the diplomate should look directly at the camera to ensure a good photograph.

The diplomate descends the stage on the left (as seen from the audience). The diploma certificate is handed over by a university official.

As the diplomate returns to his or her seat, a head and shoulder photograph is taken.

Doctoral candidates

The graduand’s supervisor reads a short validation after the college representative has introduced the candidate to the congregation. If the supervisor is absent, the validation is read by the relevant college representative.