December 2025 graduation
Find out the dates for December graduation, what you need to do to get ready to graduate, and the deadline for each step.
On this page:
Our December 2025 graduation ceremonies will take place from 10–12 December, either at the Michael Fowler Centre or on our marae. All ceremonies will be during the day. The graduation parade will be on Thursday 11 December.
Michael Fowler Centre (MFC) ceremonies
This year we will hold three ceremonies at the Michael Fowler Centre, on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 December.
MFC ceremony 1—Wednesday 10 December 9.30 am
- Te Wāhanga Aronui—Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Iho Māori—Te Kawa a Maui
- Te Whānau o Ako Pai—Faculty of Education
- Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora—Faculty of Health
MFC ceremony 2—Wednesday 10 December 3 pm
- Te Wāhanga a Manaia—Faculty of Science and Engineering
MFC ceremony 3—Thursday 11 December 3 pm
- Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture—Faculty of Law
- Ōrauariki—Wellington School of Business and Government
- Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa—Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
Te Hui Whakapūmau ceremonies
Te Hui Whakapūmau is the University’s marae-based graduation ceremony based on tikanga Māori (Māori cultural practices). This year we will hold two ceremonies at Ngā Mokopuna, both on Friday 12 December.
Graduates and their families are also welcome to attend a pōwhiri on Thursday 11 December at 10 am.
Ceremony 4—Friday 12 December 9.30 am
- Te Wāhanga Aronui—Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Iho Māori—Te Kawa a Maui
- Te Whānau o Ako Pai—Faculty of Education
- Te Wāhanga Tātai Hauora—Faculty of Health
- Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa—Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
Ceremony 5—Friday 12 December 2 pm
- Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture—Faculty of Law
- Ōrauariki—Wellington School of Business and Government
- Te Wāhanga a Manaia—Faculty of Science and Engineering
Getting prepared for December graduation
Take a look at the calendar of dates below, add them to your calendar, and find out what you need to do next to be ready for your December graduation ceremony.
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.
5 December
- You will be sent an individual QR code that you will use to collect your tickets. You can ask a friend or family member to pick up your tickets for you. They will need to sign for them, and our service will be much faster if you have forwarded them the email with your QR code or printed it out for them.
- Keep your guest tickets safe. We will not be able to replace your guest tickets if you misplace them.
6 December
- Academic dress orders will close at 11.59 pm.
8 December
- First day that academic dress is available for pick up at Murphy building on Kelburn campus. The collection times for your ceremony are listed on your academic dress receipt, and on the collecting academic dress page.
10-12 December
- Graduation ceremonies as listed above.
11 December
- Pōwhiri for graduates attending Te Hui Whakapūmau at 10am.
- The graduation parade will begin at 1 pm. To take part in the parade, you need to be in your academic dress and at the Government Buildings on Pipitea campus by 12.45 pm.
Previous dates
21 September
- Final day for Trimester 2 international students to complete the Expression of Interest form (this has been emailed to you).
1 October
- Final day to apply to graduate and attend the December ceremonies.
- Order your academic dress through GradGear for an early bird discount.
- Email certified documentation of legal name changes to enrolments@vuw.ac.nz.
6 October
- By the end of this week (10 October), the Graduation Office will send you an email to confirm your ceremony allocation.
- Early bird discount for academic dress ends 11.59 pm.
13 October
- By the end of this week (17 October), you will be emailed an online form to order your guest tickets for your Michael Fowler Centre graduation ceremony (you do not need tickets if attending Te Hui Whakapūmau).
You are automatically allocated three guest tickets. If you require three guest tickets only, there is no need to complete the form.
You do not need a ticket for yourself, tickets are free, and you can use the form to request additional tickets OR to return some or all of your three automatically allocated tickets.
- By the end of this week, you will receive an email with a Namecoach form to confirm the pronunciation of your name for the ceremony. This form helps ensure your name is announced correctly on the day. Your preferred first and legal last name, as recorded in Pūaha, will be announced during the ceremony. However, if you would like your full name or a different name announced, you can indicate this on the form.
Your preferred first name and legal last name, as recorded in Pūaha, will be listed in the graduation programme. If you have not selected a preferred first name, your legal first name will be used. You can update your preferred first name in Pūaha.
31 October
- Last day to request more or fewer guest tickets than the three automatically allocated to you for your Michael Fowler Centre ceremony. Use the form that we emailed to you earlier in the month.
- Last day to complete the withdrawal form to confirm you are no longer attending and to defer to another ceremony. Your withdrawal has an impact on other students' requests for additional tickets, so please be considerate and complete this form promptly. After this date, we will not be able to guarantee deferral to another ceremony.
2 November
- Last chance for Doctoral graduates to submit their summary via this form (link to be confirmed).
- Last day to update your preferred name in Pūaha. Your preferred name and your surname will be read out as you cross the stage and listed in the programme. If you have not indicated a preferred name, your legal name will be read out.
3 November
- By the end of this week (7 November), the Graduation Office will confirm your guest tickets. Ticket allocations are final.
12 November
- Last day to confirm the pronunciation of your name. Use the Namecoach form—you'll find the link in an email from the Graduation Office.
26 November
- A late fee will now be charged on academic dress orders.
1 December
- Final day to email the Graduation Office to advise if you or your guests have additional requirements (for example, due to a disability, wheelchair use, a serious medical condition, breastfeeding, or pregnancy).
Contact the Graduation team
If you have questions or need to update your contact details another way, email the Graduation team.