Graduation ceremonies FAQs

Graduands eligible for Spring 2024 ceremonies will be contacted in August 2024. 

Please keep an eye on your emails, particularly the junk folder, for communication about graduations. 

If you're a graduate who was conferred from September 2023, November 2023 or February 2024, you can defer to Autumn 2025 ceremonies only. 

If you're a graduate who was conferred from March 2024, May 2024 or July 2024 or will be conferred in September 2024, you can defer to Autumn 2025 or Spring 2025 ceremonies. 

If you're a graduate who conferred during or prior to April 2023, you're no longer eligible to graduate at a UTS graduation ceremony. Please submit an Ask UTS enquiry.

The deferral form is currently closed and will reopen when we invite eligible graduates to register for Spring 2024 graduations. 

GFP Events are a service provider of UTS. We work with them for registration, ticketing and photography purposes. 

• Phone: 1300 360 445
• Email: info@GFP.com.au
• GFP landing page for UTS graduations: https://uts.graduations.com.au/

Yes, you can go log back into your paid ceremony registration and update details. You'll have access to the registration portal to make changes until 3 October 2024. 

Your registration to attend a ceremony will only be confirmed after payment is received.  

If you haven’t paid for your graduation ceremony, then your ceremony is not confirmed.

If you haven’t received a payment confirmation from GFP Events or you’re unsure if you’ve paid, please contact GFP using the following details:

• Phone: 1300 360 445
• Email: info@GFP.com.au
• GFP landing page for UTS graduations: https://uts.graduations.com.au/

Graduation ceremonies are also livestreamed for your wider network of family and friends to join your ceremony experience with you.

If you are a trans or gender diverse student and haven't yet legally changed your name and registered a name change with the university, please contact the UTS Student Centre with your student ID and your preferred name as you would like it to be read out. While we are unable to accommodate nicknames, we welcome the use of preferred name for both personal and culturally significant reasons. 

While testamurs are legal documents and will have your legal name listed, we are happy to accommodate preferred names read out as you cross the stage. (Please note: testamurs are presented offstage, except for graduating PhDs). Should you have a legal name change at a later date, you may replace your testamur. 

If you would like a name read out as you cross the stage that is not your legal name, please contact the UTS Student Centre with your student ID and your preferred name as you would like it to be read. While we are unable to accommodate nicknames, we welcome the use of preferred names for both personal and culturally significant reasons. 

While testamurs are legal documents and must have your legal name listed, we are happy to accommodate preferred names read out as you cross the stage. (Please note: testamurs are presented offstage, except for graduating PhDs). 

It's important to remember the clothing you wear will be visible as you walk across the stage.

Neat, business casual attire is most appropriate and it's best to avoid jeans and sneakers. Business casual attire typically includes chinos or slacks with a collared shirt or blouse. 

When planning your hairstyle, please note a trencher or bonnet (graduation cap) must be worn as part of your academic dress.

On the day, the following items will be hired to you from the university:

1. Gown - The gown is worn over the top of your clothing like a jacket. Gowns are different for undergraduate and postgraduate graduates. Undergraduate gowns require the wearer’s arms to go through the sleeve, while postgraduate gowns require the arms to slide through an opening in the sleeve.
2. Faculty hood - For all degrees the hood is then placed over the top of your gown and worn with the colour hanging down the back of the gown and the V at the front of your neck. (For graduates wearing a button shirt, there is a button hook to allow you to hook the hood on to stop it from moving about.)
3. Trencher (graduation cap) - The trencher is worn with shallow part to the front of your head and the deep part at the back of the head, with the tassel placed on the right-hand side of the head. If you wear cultural headwear, please ensure that the trencher is securely fastened on top.

The trencher (graduation cap) is a keepsake and can be taken home as a memory of your ceremony. However, for higher degree research graduates, bonnets can't be taken home. 

After your ceremony, please return to the gowning room with your phone to return your academic dress. When returning, you'll first need to scan the QR code to register your return. A staff member will assist you as required to take off the academic dress. 

Please leave large bags, backpacks, gifts, umbrellas and other items with your guests. ActivateUTS offer onsite storage lockers for large items and suitcases that can't be taken into The Great Hall.

For coursework and Masters by Research graduands: 
Yes, however nothing can be taken with you onstage. Usually, graduands bring a small bag with their phone which is left on their seat before going on stage. Please note, you're responsible for your own belongings during the ceremony. You'll return to your original seat after crossing the stage. 

For PhD graduands: 
You'll first be seated in the audience with all graduands. After crossing the stage and having your photo taken with the Presiding Chancellor, you'll take your seat as part of the academic procession on stage. We recommend you wear clothing with pockets or a small shoulder bag that can be concealed under your academic dress so you can carry your phone and any emergency medication. 

We recommend graduates arrive 90 minutes prior to the commencement of the graduation ceremony, as registration and gowning take time. Guests can arrive a little later. 

• For a 10.30am ceremony, the gowning room opens at 9.00am.
• For a 2.00pm ceremony, the gowning room opens at 12.30pm.

Doors will open to graduates and guests approximately 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the graduation ceremony. 

All graduates should be registered, gowned and seated in The Great Hall 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the graduation ceremony. A mandatory briefing will be played. 

Please arrive to the UTS Tower (Building 1) on Level 5. Level 5 is accessible via lifts, stairs and escalators. 

Upon arrival to Level 5, graduates should have their phone on hand and join the queue outside the gowning room to collect their academic dress. Signage and staff will be available to direct you where to go. 

Family and friends should wait in the Level 5 foyer away from the graduate queue. 

The graduation ceremony will be held in The Great Hall. 

If you haven't already received your testamur either by collection or mailout, you'll receive your testamur on stage (for PhD graduands) and off stage for all other awards immediately after you've crossed the stage. 

For coursework and Masters by Research graduands:
You're welcome to bring your testamur if you would like photos taken with it. However, this is optional, and you’re not required to bring your testamur to your ceremony.
Please note – testamurs should not be brought onstage. If you're yet to receive your testamur, this will be handed to you after exiting the stage. 

For PhD graduands:
PhD graduands are awarded their testamur on stage. If you've already received your testamur, we encourage you to bring this with you to your graduation ceremony. As you enter the gowning room, please hand your testamur to one of the gowning room staff. Staff will ensure your testamur is placed in the correct order for you to receive this onstage. You can take photos with your testamur after the graduation ceremony. 
If you forget to bring, or are unable to bring your testamur, you'll cross the stage and have your photo taken with the Presiding Chancellor like the coursework and Masters by Research graduands. 

Each graduand has an assigned seat. Your seat number will appear on your digital ticket. Please present your digital ticket on your phone for the ticker scanners when entering The Great Hall. Rows and seat numbers are marked. Ushers will be available to assist you to your assigned seat. 

Guest seating is unallocated; however, ushers will direct your group of guests to their seats. Please ensure each guest has a digital ticket for scanning. To be seated together, all guests must present when entering The Great Hall. 

Please visit the GFP help desk located outside The Great Hall on Level 5.

If you're running late, you may not be able to attend your ceremony. If you’re able to, please call the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887), and advise them of your approximate arrival time. Upon arrival to Building 1, Level 5, please immediately speak to a member of staff. 

 If we don’t hear from you prior to the ceremony commencement, you will be considered a “no-show” and your ceremony registration fee will be kept as no-show fee.

GFP studio photos are in Building 1 of Level 4. Official photos can be pre-purchased or paid on the day. 

The on-stage photos are available after the ceremony on Level 5 directly outside The Great Hall.  

Graduands can collect their academic dress from 90 minutes prior to the commencement of the graduation ceremony. Academic dress must be returned within 60 minutes of the conclusion of the graduation ceremony. 

Yes, photos can be taken out on Alumni Green or anywhere else on campus. Please keep in mind that academic dress must be returned within 60 minutes after the ceremony concludes. 

Guests are allowed to take their own photos; however, no flash photography is permitted during the ceremony. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted out of consideration for all guests. 

For the enjoyment of this special occasion for everyone, guests should remain seated during the ceremony.

If a guest wishes to move to the very back of The Great Hall to take some photos, they may do so discreetly and return promptly to their seats. Please note, this is not permitted when the academic procession enters and exits The Great Hall.

This depends on when both degrees were conferred. In the case of double degrees conferred on the same date, both qualifications will be read out on stage. In the case of an Honours or additional degree completed after the first degree, the graduate should attend the graduation ceremony relevant to the second degree so that both can be read out on stage.

Please contact the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) to confirm if you are unsure which degree(s) will be read out.

Out of respect for all graduates, their families and friends, the academic procession and Presiding Members, UTS staff and the occasional speaker, departing the ceremony early is strictly not permitted. 

Once graduated have crossed the stage, they should return to their assigned seat. Guests should also remain in The Great Hall for the full duration of the ceremony. 

If you need to leave the ceremony early for any reason, you must return your academic dress immediately after exiting The Great Hall. 

No, guests and graduates will be seated separately.

No, for safety reasons and in the case of an emergency evacuation, prams must be left outside The Great Hall. Valuables should be taken into The Great Hall and not left in the pram.

Guests can request to be seated in an aisle seat, accessibility seat or back row seating if they know they will need to come in and out of the ceremony. Please submit an Ask UTS enquiry to make arrangements in advance where possible.

Yes, however, babies and small children will need to sit on the lap of their parent/guardian unless they have their own ticket. Please note - a parents’ room is available for use across the foyer on Level 5.

No, there is no viewing area outside The Great Hall or elsewhere in UTS buildings. 

Extra guests are welcome to watch the ceremony livestream from their own devices. 

Yes, all ceremonies will be livestreamed and recorded. Ceremony recordings will be made available via the UTS Youtube channel – Graduations playlist in due course. If you’re unable to locate your ceremony recording, please submit an Ask UTS enquiry with the date and time of your ceremony and we’ll contact you when your ceremony recording is made available.

Academic dress is returned to the same room you first collected it from. 

After your ceremony, please return to the gowning room with your phone to return your academic dress. When returning, you'll first need to scan the QR code to register your return. A staff member will assist you as required to take off the academic dress. 

UTS gowns are available for purchase via UTS only.

Please submit an Ask UTS enquiry for pricing and ordering information.

Please enquire at the gowning room when returning your academic dress. Alternatively, contact the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887). 

UTS has a limited number of accessible parking spaces (which require RMS Mobility Parking Permit) which can't be booked in advance. Guests with access requirements can be dropped off in the accessible parking area out the front of the UTS Tower, Building 1 at 15 Broadway. 

If you would like to discuss your accessibility requirements, please contact the UTS Student Centre. 

Public parking options nearby can be viewed at UTS Parking.

Our staff are not trained to escort anyone that requires medical support. Please contact the UTS Student Centre to request an additional ticket if a guest or graduate requires the assistance of a carer or support worker.

In an emergency or an unforeseen situation on the day, please visit the GFP helpdesk or speak to a UTS staff member.

Accessible seating for graduates and guests is available in The Great Hall. The stage has a ramp either side and there are no stairs.

Yes, there is a hearing loop in The Great Hall and in the gowning room.

If you’ve registered to attend a ceremony but are unable to attend due to extenuating circumstances, please submit an Ask UTS enquiry or call the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887). 

You may cancel on the day; however, you may not be eligible for a partial refund. All cancellations are subject to the non-refundable $25 admin fee. 

If you need to cancel, please call the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) prior to the ceremony commencement. Shortly thereafter, you’ll be contacted by the Ceremonies & Events team to discuss options.  

You may cancel on the day if you’re sick or unwell, however, notification is required prior to ceremony commencement. All cancellations are subject to the non-refundable $25 admin fee. 

If you need to cancel due to becoming unwell, please call the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887). Shortly thereafter, you’ll be contacted by the Ceremonies & Events team to discuss options.  

Please note 2023 was the final year for graduates impacted by Covid-19 delays to attend a ceremony. 

If you were conferred prior to April 2023, you're no longer eligible to attend a UTS graduation ceremony. 

Your circumstances will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please submit an Ask UTS enquiry or call the UTS Student Centre on 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) to discuss your circumstances.