Graduation timeline

Find dates for upcoming graduation, as well as important deadlines for students preparing to graduate.

In light of the recent announcements by the Government and the evolving situation with COVID-19, we have made the decision to postpone the May graduation ceremonies and parades.

We understand that this will be disappointing for you, your whānau, friends, and supporters who have been looking forward to this. However, the health, safety, and wellbeing of all our students, staff, and community is our top priority and it is clear it is not feasible to proceed with these events as planned.

Qualifications due to be awarded at the May ceremonies will be granted by the University Council at its meeting on 4 May. A digital copy of your certificate will be issued to My eQuals after the meeting.

Once we have a new date for the ceremonies, we will be in touch with further instructions. In the meantime, if you have any questions, contact the graduation office at graduation@vuw.ac.nz.

May graduation dates and times

Street parade
Old Government Building to Te Ngākau Civic Square
Tuesday 12 May, Noon
Street parade for graduands of Wellington School of Business and Government, Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, and Faculty of Law

Ceremony 1
Michael Fowler Centre 
Tuesday 12 May, 1.30 pm

Ceremony 2
Michael Fowler Centre  
Tuesday 12 May, 6 pm

Ceremony 3
Michael Fowler Centre  
Wednesday 13 May, 1.30 pm

Ceremony 4
Michael Fowler Centre  
Wednesday 13 May, 6 pm

Street parade
Old Government Building to Te Ngākau Civic Square
Thursday 14 May, Noon
Street parade for graduands and graduates of Wellington Faculty of Engineering, Wellington Faculty of Science, Wellington Faculty of Education, Wellington Faculty of Health, and Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Ceremony 5
Michael Fowler Centre  
Thursday 14 May, 1.30 pm

Ceremony 6
Michael Fowler Centre  
Thursday 14 May, 6 pm

Ceremony 7
Te Herenga Waka Marae 
Friday 15 May, 9 am

Preparation deadlines

There are a number of key dates in the period before graduation that you will need to put in your calendar.

21 January

  • Academic dress orders are now open through Grad Gear.

1 March

  • Final day to apply for graduation at all May ceremonies.
  • Deadline for doctorate graduands to submit your abstract.

6 March

  • By the end of this week the Graduation Office will send you an email to advise you of your ceremony allocation.

7 March

  • Order your academic dress from Grad Gear by this date to receive the early discount of 20% off your order.

9 April

  • Last day to submit your thesis to the Library (Master's by thesis and doctorate graduands).

17 April

  • Last day you can withdraw from your ceremony – this must be done in writing by emailing the Graduation Office
  • Last day to submit your documentation if you need to update your legal name.
  • Last day to order your guest tickets.

24 April

  • By the end of this week the Graduation Office will send you an email to advise your final ticket allocation.

30 April

  • Order your academic dress from Grad Gear avoid the $20 late fee on your order.

8 May

Sharing on social media

For the latest information, including photos and videos from our graduation ceremonies and street parade, connect with us on social media.

Use our hashtags—#VicUniWgtn or #WgtnGrad—as we’d love to see how you celebrate.