Deferring your graduation
The Degrees and Other Awards Statute of the University states that you must normally graduate within twelve months of completing your qualification.
This means that if, for example, you complete your qualification at the end of second semester (ie. in November), you must graduate either in December of the same year or in May or August of the following year.
Applying to defer
Permission to defer graduation beyond twelve months from the completion of your qualification may only be granted in the following circumstances:
- To allow completion of a second qualification to be awarded at a single graduation ceremony. Or
- Exceptional personal circumstances beyond your control, which prevent you from graduating in person within twelve months of the completion of your qualification. Please note that this does not include circumstances which only make it difficult or inconvenient to attend a ceremony; work commitments will not normally be accepted as a reason for deferral.
All decisions on deferrals will be at the discretion of the University. Deferrals will not normally be granted for more than one year. Deferrals cannot be applied for if you have applied for a ceremony and the deadline for withdrawing from the ceremony has passed (see below).
If you wish to defer your graduation, you must apply in writing by emailing the Lead Administrator.
Email graduation@otago.ac.nz
You may need to provide supporting documentation.
Withdrawing from a graduation ceremony
If you need to withdraw your application to attend a ceremony, click on the "withdraw from ceremony" link within your eVision student portal.
You need to do this at least five weeks prior to the date of the ceremony. Provided you are still within twelve months of completing your qualification, you can reapply for a place in a ceremony to be held at a later date.
If you have applied to attend a ceremony and need to give less than five weeks notice, please contact Student Administration directly as we are unable to remove your name from the graduation programme.