Preliminary May 2024 graduation dates
Get all the information you need to attend a graduation ceremony in May, and find out the preliminary date of your ceremony.
Getting prepared for May graduation
Below is some general information on the graduation ceremonies. You can also find the preliminary graduation dates for May 2024 below. This page will be updated in late January/early February 2024 with a more detailed timeline of information.
We will email you everything you need to know, so make sure your email address is up to date. Update your details by logging into Pūaha, or emailing info@vuw.ac.nz.
Apply to attend the May graduation ceremonies—1 March deadline
You need to apply to graduate by the Friday 1 March to be included in the May graduation ceremonies. This deadline is strict so please be prompt.
Academic dress
Once you have applied to attend the graduation ceremonies, you can order your academic dress through Grad Gear. There is an early bird discount.
Check your name is correct
When you complete the application form, you have an opportunity to confirm if your legal name is correct. This will be the name printed on your qualification certificate, a legal document, so it's important to get this right. If you have recently changed your legal name, email certified documentation of your legal name changes to enrolments@vuw.ac.nz.
Tickets
The Graduation and Transition office will email you when it comes time to order your guest tickets. You do not need a ticket for yourself. You are guaranteed three guest tickets. You will be emailed a link to a form where you can request additional tickets OR return some/all of your guaranteed guest tickets. If you only require your guaranteed three guest tickets, there is no need to complete the form.
You do not need guest tickets for Te Hui Whakapūmau.
Announced Name
You will be announced on stage by your preferred name and your legal last name, as indicated in Pūaha. If you have not indicated a preferred name, your legal first name will be used. Your full legal name, which may be different to your preferred name, will be printed on your qualification certificate.
Pronunciation of name
The Graduation and Transition office will email you a link where you will be able to record the pronunciation of your name.
Additional requirements
If you have additional requirements, including wheelchair access, there will be a form for you to complete. We will work to accommodate you so there are no barriers to your big moment.
If you have guests who have additional requirements, they can also complete the same form. For guests, there is step-free access to all floors and step-free access to seating on the lower level of the auditorium. We recommend that guests requiring easy access arrive when auditorium doors open, 45 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Even if your requirement is invisible, we want to hear from you. This form will be sent out via email.
PhD abstracts
If you are graduating with a PhD (congratulations!), you will be asked to submit a short abstract summarising your thesis. You will be emailed a link to a form to complete this.
Livestream
The graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed. This is an opportunity for your friends, family and supporters to watch you cross the stage. They can also view a recording after the ceremony. Check our website for the links on the day.
Preliminary graduation ceremony dates
The preliminary dates for the Michael Fowler Centre graduation ceremonies and Te Hui Whakapūmau are below. These dates will be confirmed in early March. Any travel arrangements made before this time should be flexible.
Tuesday 14 May 2024
- Wellington School of Business and Government
- Faculty of Law
Wednesday 15 May 2024
- Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
- Wellington Faculty of Engineering
- Wellington Faculty of Health
- Wellington Faculty of Science
Thursday 16 May 2024
- Wellington Faculty of Education
- Wellington Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Friday 17 May 2024
- Te Hui Whakapūmau
Te Hui Whakapūmau is an official university graduation ceremony based on tikanga Māori (Māori cultural practices). Usually, this event is held at our university marae, however, redevelopment work being undertaken in that area means that for May 2024, the ceremony will be held in The Hub at the Kelburn Campus.