Adjustment to graduation schedule
Following the receipt of feedback from the ANU community, the 2025 graduation ceremonies will now take place in the week commencing Monday 3 February 2025. Further information can be found below.
June 2024 Announcement
In June 2024, the University announced a move to annual graduation ceremonies, commencing in March/April 2025. The reasons behind this change included:
- enhancing the student and staff experience, bringing the full graduating year together to celebrate in unison;
- aligning the graduation ceremonies with other University-wide events creating an enlivened campus atmosphere; and
- allowing the University to make adjustments to the end of semester arrangements to better support students.
August 2024 update
The University received feedback on the proposed changes from over 120 members of the ANU community, including from the ANU Student Association. This feedback included a number of key themes:
- The difficulty for students and/or their families to travel to Canberra in March/April to attend their graduation ceremony;
- The impact on international students, including that most international student visas would have expired by the March/April graduation ceremonies and students would need to apply and pay for a new visa in order to attend their graduation ceremony; and
- Some students and/or their families had already made arrangements to travel to Canberra in December 2024 to attend their graduation ceremony.
In response to the feedback received, the University has made a number of adjustments, including the following:
Academic progress
All ANU students within an undergraduate or postgraduate academic career are required to maintain satisfactory academic progression. This means that they must meet the minimum academic performance requirements as established by the University within the Academic Progress Rule. Where those requirements are not met, students are sent a formal communication from ANU. Typically, this communication is sent out in January, for students who have failed to maintain satisfactory progression following Semester 2 study. The adjustment to graduation timing will allow ANU to send academic progress communications to students in December, enabling appeal processes to be completed sooner.
Graduation ceremonies
ANU will not be holding graduation ceremonies in December 2024. From 2025, all ANU graduation ceremonies will be streamlined to a single week per year. This change will enhance the student graduation experience and address previous scheduling challenges. Following the receipt of feedback from the ANU community, the 2025 graduation ceremonies will now take place in the week commencing Monday 3 February 2025.
Students who complete their program at the end of Semester 2, 2024 will have access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and Australian Higher Education Graduations Statements (AHEGS) via My eQuals in December 2024, and may attend the February 2025 graduation ceremonies.
Students who complete their program at the end of Semester 2, 2024 and advise ANU that they wish to confer their award/s but will not be attending their graduation ceremony in February 2025, will be given an opportunity to have photos taken in academic regalia and to receive a hardcopy of their testamur in December 2024 (dates are to be confirmed).
To help navigate these changes, please find a list of frequently asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If I receive a communication about academic progress in December, what support services will be available to me?
The University offers a range of free support services to assist students with academic support, wellbeing, health and adjustment needs. A list of some of these services are outlined below for students seeking advice and support.
- ANU Dean of Students Office offers confidential, impartial advice and can help to resolve problems by acting as a neutral intermediary between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University. More information and appointment details can be found here.
- ANU Student Counselling and Wellbeing Services provides free and confidential support to students experiencing a range of issues that can impact on their university experience and academic engagement. You can book an appointment here.
- ANU Academic Skills offers individual appointments and workshops designed to help develop the skills needed to succeed at university. You can book an appointment here.
- The Accessibility team supports students within the ANU community whose participation in academic studies is impacted by physical and learning disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic medical conditions and short-term illnesses/conditions; they offer a range of technological support, advocacy, a range of adjustment opportunities and individual advice. You can contact them at access.inclusion@anu.edu.au
- ANUSA Student Assistance team provides support, advice and assistance to all ANU students. Contact via phone 02 6125 2444 or email sa.admin@anu.edu.au
- Academic advisers from your relevant Academic College to discuss your program progress and obtain program assistance.
- If you live on campus, you can also contact your residential pastoral care team.
When will the new graduation schedule begin?
ANU will not be holding graduation ceremonies in December 2024. The new schedule will commence in 2025. Graduation ceremonies will be moved to the week prior to O-Week. In 2025 this will be the week commencing Monday 3 February 2025.
I will complete my program in Semester 2, 2024, how will this change affect me?
Students will have their award conferred within the month following the publication of semester results, ensuring timely access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals. Students who advise they will be graduating in-absentia will be given an opportunity to have photos taken in academic regalia and receive a hardcopy of their testamur in December 2024 (dates to be confirmed).
Students who finish their studies in Semester 2, 2024 will now have the opportunity to attend the annual graduation ceremonies held in the week prior to O-Week, commencing Monday 3 February 2025.
How will this change impact international students on a visa?
International students may need to apply for a new visa if the graduation ceremony date falls outside their current visa expiration. Detailed information about visa requirements and extensions can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
If you are an international student who has questions about your visa or how to apply for a new visa ANUSA offers free and confidential legal advice.
Can I receive hard copies of my academic transcript and AHEGS?
Students will have their award conferred within the month following the publication of semester results, ensuring timely access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals. If students would like a hard copy of their academic transcript and AHEGS they can purchase these documents via ISIS.
Please note, students are only issued one hard copy testamur. If you are attending a graduation ceremony, you will receive your testamur at the ceremony. If you are graduating in-absentia, you can either collect it in-person or receive it by mail.
For students completing in Semester 1 and graduating in-absentia, testamur collection will be available in July and for students completing and graduating in-absentia in Semester 2, testamur collection will be available in December. Collection dates will be confirmed closer to the time and advertised on the ANU Graduation webpage.
Will this change affect my ability to enter the job market?
The new schedule relates to the timing of the graduation ceremonies. Students will still have their Diploma, Certificate or Degree conferred in the month following the notification of semester results. Students will have access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals, ensuring they can enter the job market or apply for further study in a timely manner.
Students completing in Semester 2, 2024 will be able to access the digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals in December 2024.
What if I need to prove I’ve graduated before the ceremony?
Students will have their Diploma, Certificate or Degree conferred in the month following the notification of semester results. Students will have access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals, which can be used for employment or further study applications to prove you have completed your qualification.
Students completing in Semester 2, 2024 will be able to access the digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals in December 2024.
I won’t be able to come back for the ceremony in February next year. Will I still be able to graduate?
Yes, you will still be able to graduate even if you cannot attend the ceremony. Students will have their award conferred within the month following the publication of semester results, ensuring timely access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals.
You may graduate in-absentia, in which case you can either collect your hard copy testamur in person or receive it by mail.
For students graduating in-absentia in Semester 1, testamur collection will be available in July and for students graduating in-absentia in Semester 2, testamur collection will be available in December. Collection dates will be confirmed closer to the time and advertised on the ANU Graduation webpage.
How will this change affect students who finish their studies from July 2024 onwards?
Students will have their award conferred within the month following the publication of semester results, ensuring timely access to a digital copy of their testamur, academic transcript and AHEGS via My eQuals.
Students who finish their studies from July 2024 onwards will be invited to attend the annual graduation ceremonies held in the week prior to Semester 1 O-Week. In 2025, this will be the week commencing Monday 3 February 2025.
Can I attend a future graduation ceremony if I graduate in-absentia?
Students who have elected to graduate in-absentia, and who have accessed the opportunity provided by ANU to have photos taken in academic regalia, will not be able to attend a future graduation ceremony.
Students who have elected to graduate in-absentia (and who did not access the opportunity provided by ANU to have photos taken in academic regalia) will be able to attend a future graduation ceremony.
How will the new graduation schedule affect assessment?
Decoupling the graduation ceremonies from the end-of-semester examination periods allows greater opportunity for innovative assessment methods and promotes greater assessment rigor.
Do I need to apply to attend the 2025 graduation?
Please refer to the Applying to graduate webpage.
Will the graduation application process change with the new graduation schedule?
The application process for graduation will remain unchanged. Please refer to the preparing to graduate guide for details.
Where can I find the Graduation Timetable?
The graduation timetable will be published as soon as possible. Students are encouraged to check the graduation webpage for updates.
Will I still be able to invite my family or friends?
Yes, you will still be able to invite your family and friends to your graduation ceremony. Students are guaranteed two guest tickets, however, the University will strive to accommodate as many guests as possible within the capacity limits of the venue. Students will know how many tickets they have secured well in advance of the ceremony, assisting with family and guest planning.
Why is ANU changing the graduation schedule?
The change will enhance the student and staff experience, bringing the full graduating year together to celebrate in unison. Benefits include creating a vibrant campus atmosphere by bringing the full graduating year together, enabling resource sharing across events and providing enhanced opportunities to activate public lectures, exhibitions and engage our alumni.
Contact
- Graduations Office
- +6125 8315
- Send email