2020 Grand Graduation FAQs
Have you, or are you planning on graduating in 2020? If so, we are excited to announce that you will still be able to celebrate by attending Grand Graduation - an event bringing the entire University community together to celebrate our class of 2020.
NEED TO KNOW
For Conferral of Award FAQS, please visit here.
COVID-19 INFORMATION
Please note that the infromation contained within this page is correct based on current COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. Event details may change at any time based on updated local and federal government guidelines both in Australia and internationally. The ANU Events team will contact registrants should any event details or important information change.
What is Grand Graduation?
Grand Graduation is a hybrid celebration event on Monday 8 February 2021 to provide our graduating students of 2020 the opportunity to celebrate with friends, teachers and family. The event will be livestreamed.
There will be an in-person event at Llewellyn Hall and at a number of small in-person reception events that will be hosted around Australia, and in Singapore and China. You will hear from our Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor and guest speakers.
The reception events will be interactive with the main event in Llewellyn Hall.
Please note, there are no awards conferred at Grand Graduation; this is a celebratory event only. Students who are due to graduate in December will be Conferred in Absentia on 21 December 2020. You can find more information about conferring in Absentia here.
What do I need to do?
Please register for the event by heading to our 2020 Graduation page, selecting your preferred location and booking a ticket.
What time is Grand Graduation?
The Grand Graduation event for the 2020 cohort will take place at 3pm (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on Monday 8 February 2021.
Please note that the reception event times will differ based on Australian and international time zones.
Where is it?
The event will take place in Llewellyn Hall and be livestreamed. Students can watch the event online with family and friends or attend an in-person reception event around Australia or in China or Singapore.
If there isn't a reception location in your city, don't worry - you can participate from wherever you are through the livestream!
What happens at the domestic and international reception events?
Students who register to attend a domestic or international reception event will have the opportunity to be gowned in full regalia and have a professional photo session with up to four guests. Students at reception events will engage with the event happening in Llewellyn Hall via the livestream and have the opportunity to join in the celebration via a livecross to each location. Students will also have the opportunity to mingle with fellow graduates over a drink and canapés.
I registered for the Grand Graduation 'save the date'. Do I still need to book in a ticket at a specific location or to watch online?
Yes. The 'save the date' registration was an expression of interest only and does not guarantee you a place at the Canberra event or at a reception event. Students who registered to save the date had the opportunity to secure early bird tickets before these were opened to the entire cohort.
If you have not yet booked your ticket and would like to attend Grand Graduation in-person or via the livestream, please visit our graduation page to select a location and book your ticket.
Will I be robed in regalia for the event if I attend in person?
Yes. Students will be given the option to book in regalia hire for the event, free of charge. Students will also have the opportunity to book in a complimentary photo session in their regalia with up to four guests.
Details on regalia hire and photography sessions will be sent directly to registrants in the coming weeks.
Following COVID-19 protocols, no regalia will be re-used or shared between students and Reed Graduation Services will issue each student with a professionally cleaned regalia.
I have been offered a regalia by a friend or relative. Can I just wear that instead?
As Reed Graduations will robe you in regalia free of charge, there is no need to borrow one off someone else.
Once you receive correspondence from Reed Graduations and confirm your regalia hire you can relax knowing you will be professionally dressed by trained staff and look the part!
Will there be an opportunity to have professional graduation photos taken?
Yes. Each location will provide the opportunity for students to have professional photos taken with family and friends either on the day (all domestic locations and some international locations) or at another time (some international locations).
Please note that bookings for photo sessions are separate to event registration. Only students who have registered to attend the event will be provided with details on photo sessions.
How do I book a professional photo session?
Please book your regalia hire via Reed Graduation Services portal here: https://anugrandgraduation.eventbookings.com/events/
After collection of the regalia students and their guests have the opportunity to take part in a complimentary professional portrait session. Students can move to the photo studio which will be in the same area as regalia collection. We highly recommend that you have photographs taken at the same time as your regalia collection. Students may bring up to four guests to their photo session.
Can I bring guests to the reception?
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, our main event in Llewellyn Hall and other reception event locations will be open to students only at this stage to ensure as many students as possible are given the opportunity to attend. The event will be livestreamed so your family and friends can join in the celebration online.
If the circumstances or guidelines change, the ANU Events team will update students via email to notify them.
What is the difference between the Grand Graduation event and the tradition Graduation ceremony (Conferring of Awards)?
At Conferring of Awards ceremonies, students are conferred and 'cross the stage' (in Llewellyn Hall) to receive their award. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these ceremonies will not take place and you will be conferred in absentia.
Grand Graduation does not contain an official conferring component and is a special celebratory event only for ANU students to mark an important milestone.
Whether you attend a satellite location with your peers or join via the livestream and celebrate at home with your family and friends, Grand Graduation is a chance to reflect on your hard work and celebrate your success!
Will there be an official graduation ceremony in December 2020?
Due to the ongoing health restriction with COVID-19, the University has made the decision to postpone the December 2020 Conferring of Awards ceremonies for the health and wellbeing of our community.
Conferral for 2020 graduands is scheduled for 21 December 2020. If you are eligible to graduate this semester, you may do so in-absentia and you will receive a physical copy of your testamur via post. We will hold in-person graduation ceremonies in the future, when it is safe to do so. If you graduate in-absentia, you may attend a future ceremony to celebrate your conferral with the ANU community.
Will I receive my testamur at Grand Graduation?
As Grand graduation is not an official graduation ceremony, students will not receive their testamur on this date. Instead, students will receive their testamur in the mail when they are conferred in absentia.
Do I have to attend?
Attendance at the Grand Graduation event is optional; you will still be conferred in absentia on 21 December 2020 if you have indicated you wish to confer your award/s.
If I graduated in July can I still attend?
Yes! This event is open to all students who completed studies in 2020, including July graduates and December graduands.
How much will it cost to attend Grand Graduation?
Grand Graduation will be free of charge for all 2020 graduates.
I'm not sure I want to attend yet; can I just show up on the day?
Unfortunately not. Registration is essential to ensure each venue is COVID-Safe and doesn't exceed capacity restrictions. Due to these restrictions, tickets are limited, so we suggest you register as soon as registrations open to ensure you don't miss out.
I am currently in my home city but am hopeful I will be able to return to Canberra in time for Grand Graduation. Which location should I book my ticket for?
We understand that planning travel is difficult given COVID-19 restrictions around the world.
If you are currently overseas or interstate and can attend a satellite location near you or watch the livestream at home, we suggest you plan for this option to be safe.
What if I am not able to be in a location that will host a reception?
Unfortunately, we are not able to have receptions in every city. If you are not able to attend an in-person event, you can tune in online via the livestream and use the Virtual Graduation Party Pack to host your own celebration with family and friends!
I received an invite to 'Save the Date', but I am not intending to graduate yet.
You have received correspondence about the Grand Graduation celebration in February 2021 as you have been identified as 'conditionally approved' to graduate - this means you are eligible to graduate on the condition that you successfully complete the remaining units of your award in Semester 2, 2020.
If you wish to defer your graduation or continue studying (e.g., complete your Honours), you will still be able to.