May 2026 graduation

Find out the steps to apply and prepare for your May graduation.

Graduation ceremony dates and timing

May graduation ceremonies will be held from 26–29 May 2026. All ceremonies are held during the day.

Te Hui Whakapūmau

Te Hui Whakapūmau, the University’s Māori graduation ceremony based on tikanga Māori (Māori cultural practices), will take place on Friday 29 May 2026.

Graduation ceremony schedule by faculty

Graduation ceremonies dates and times—based on the faculty or school—will be available from mid-March. Registered students will receive a confirmation email by mid-March 2026.

What happens next

• 7 March 2026: The deadline to register for May graduation ceremonies.
• Mid-March 2026: We'll email you with everything you need to know—including your ceremony date and time.

Check your contact details are up-to-date

We'll send important graduation information to your preferred email address in Pūaha. Make sure your contact details are current.

Getting prepared for May 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 May 2026 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.

14 January 2026

• Academic dress orders are open for the May 2026 graduation ceremonies. Earlybird discount applies.

7 March 2026

• Final day to apply to graduate and attend a May ceremony.
• Order your academic dress through Grad Gear.
• Email certified documentation of legal name changes to enrolments@vuw.ac.nz.

Week of 9 March 2026

• By the end of this week (13 March 2026) the Graduation Office will send you an email to confirm your ceremony allocation.

15 March 2026

• Order your academic dress by this date to receive the earlybird discount.

Week of 16 March 2026

• By the end of this week (20 March 2026) the Graduation Office will send you an email with the online form to order your guest tickets for your Michael Fowler Centre graduation ceremony.

7 April 2026

• Last day to confirm the number of guest tickets you need for your Michael Fowler Centre graduation ceremony, through the form emailed in mid-March 2026.
• Last day to complete the withdrawal form to confirm you are no longer attending and to defer to another ceremony. (This also impacts student's additional ticket requests so please be considerate if you have decided not to attend and complete this form promptly). After this date, we will not be able to guarantee deferral to another ceremony.
• Last chance for PhD graduates to submit their abstract.

Week of 13 April 2026

• By the end of this week (17 April 2026), the Graduation Office will confirm your guest tickets. Ticket allocations are final.

3 May 2026

• Last day to confirm the pronunciation of your name, through the link emailed by the Graduation Office.
• Last day to update your preferred name in Pūaha. Your preferred name and your surname will be read out as you cross the stage. If you have not indicated a preferred name, your legal name will be read out.

12 May 2026

• A late fee will now be charged on academic dress orders, so please order by 11 May 2026.

Week of 18 May 2026

• 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 it, 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.

20 May 2026

• Academic dress orders will close at 11.59 pm.
• Final day to email the Graduation Office to advise if you or your guests have additional requirements (e.g. a disability, require wheelchair access, a serious medical condition, breastfeeding, pregnancy, etc.).

22 May 2026

• First-day academic dress available for pick up at Murphy Building, Kelburn Campus–check your academic dress receipt for collection times for your ceremony.