Saturday 19 August 2023 at 4:00pm – Degrees and diplomas in Science, Applied Science, Biomedical Sciences, Surveying, Health Sciences, Medicine, Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Radiation Therapy
The following information is intended as a guide for those who have applied to be part of the above-mentioned ceremony.
You will find information about the deadlines you need to meet, guest tickets, academic dress, the graduation ceremony, and associated events.
We look forward to seeing you at the graduation ceremony and wish you a happy and successful future.
Important dates
| Monday 31 July | If you requested more than the two guaranteed guest tickets, an email will be sent to you advising of the outcome of this request |
| Thursday 17 August | Academic dress is available for collection |
| Friday 18 August | Academic dress is available for collection |
| Saturday 19 August (the day of the ceremony) |
Academic dress is available for collection Academic dress may be returned after the ceremony |
| Sunday 20 August | Academic dress may be returned |
| Monday 21 August | Any outstanding academic dress must be returned |
Collecting guest tickets
Guest tickets are available for collection from the AskOtago Central Hub, Information Services Building (Central Library), on the following dates and times:
- Thursday 17 August, 8.00am–6.00pm
- Friday 18 August, 8.00am–6.00pm
- Saturday 19 August, 8.30am–10.00am
You need to collect your guest tickets yourself and provide photographic identification. If it is necessary to have someone else collect your tickets on your behalf, please email AskOtago (using the link below) and provide the name of the person who will be collecting your tickets.
Please note that anyone collecting tickets must provide photographic identification.
Along with your tickets you will receive a Graduation Booklet – we recommend that either yourself or family member take the booklet along to the graduation ceremony, additional booklets will not be available at the ceremony.
View the campus map for the location of the Information Services Building
Email AskOtago to arrange for tickets to be collected on your behalf
Collecting academic dress (regalia)
It is preferable that you collect the academic dress yourself, as you will need to try it on to ensure you have the correct size. Academic dress is available for collection from the Academic Dress rooms, located in the central basement of the Clocktower Building (enter via the twin steps in the quadrangle between the Clocktower and Geology Buildings). Collection dates and times and times are as follows:
| Thursday 17 August | 5:30pm–7:00pm |
| Friday 18 August |
11:00am–2:00pm AND 5:30pm–7:00pm |
| Saturday 19 August | 8:30am–12 noon |
View the campus map for the location of the Clocktower Building
Returning academic dress (regalia)
Please ensure that you return your academic dress on time, as it will be required by another graduand for subsequent ceremonies.
A further charge may apply for academic dress returned late.
Academic dress must be returned in the same condition as it was issued. The full cost of replacement, which exceeds $600, will be charged for any lost or damaged academic dress.
Academic dress must be returned at one of the following times and venues:
| Saturday 19 August |
Town Hall (Access is via the Glenroy Auditorium entrance located on Harrop Street) | 2:00pm–6:00pm |
| Saturday 19 August | Basement of the Clocktower Building | 2:30pm–4:30pm |
| Sunday 20 August | Basement of the Clocktower Building | 9:00am–5:30pm |
Academic dress conveners
| Jules Gross | Tel +64 21 075 2772 | academic.dress@otago.ac.nz |
| Andrea Warburton | Mob +64 21 405 707 | academic.dress@otago.ac.nz |
| Academic dress rooms |
Tel +64 3 479 8765 (please hold to leave a message) |
The graduation brunch
The University of Otago will be hosting a brunch – open to all graduands and their families – prior to the procession. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with your family, friends, and the University.
Date: Saturday 19 August
Time: 9:00am–10:30am
Place:Te Wao Nui, Otago Business School, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East
View the campus map for the location of the Otago Business School
Thanksgiving service
The University Chaplaincy team are pleased to invite you, your whānau and friends to a short informal service of thanksgiving on the day of graduation, just before the graduation parade. Nau mai, haere mai! Everyone is welcome.
Date: Saturday 19 August
Time: 10:40am-11:10am
Place: First Church, 415 Moray Place
Please wear academic dress. The service will finish in plenty of time for you to join the graduation procession – details below.
The graduation procession
Please assemble outside First Church, at 415 Moray Place, dressed in your academic dress, on the day of the ceremony. The procession will leave First Church promptly at 11:30am accompanied by bagpipers and drummers. From First Church, the procession will travel along Moray Place to the intersection with Princes Street, then through the Octagon to the intersection of Moray Place and George Street, and along Moray Place to Harrop Street.
View a map of the procession route (PDF)
Please note that the graduation procession will always be held, regardless of the weather conditions.
Ceremony day – programme of main events
Saturday 19 August
| 9:00am | Graduation brunch Te Wao Nui, Otago Business School, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East |
| 10:40am | Thanksgiving service First Church, 415 Moray Place |
| 11:30am | Graduation procession Assemble at First Church by 11:15am |
| 2:50pm | Marshalling of graduands Dunedin Centre, Harrop Street. Marshalling begins promptly at 3:00pm in the Glenroy Auditorium.Please either come directly from the procession or else ensure you arrive by 2:50pm. You must be wearing the correct academic dress and have your graduation order number sticker affixed to the left side of your gown. If you arrive late, or are improperly dressed, there is no guarantee you will be able to take part in the ceremony. Once all graduands are in graduation order you will proceed to reserved seating in the main body of the Dunedin Town Hall. |
| 3:15pm | Doors to the Dunedin Town Hall (Moray Place) open for guests Guests should be seated by 3.50pm |
| 4:00pm | Graduation ceremony begins The Chancellor, Council and staff of the University enter the Town Hall promptly at 1:00pm. (The audience is requested to rise as the procession enters).The ceremony will begin with welcomes by the Chancellor and the Māori orator, followed by the National Anthem sung in Māori and English. |
Conferring of Degrees and Awarding of Diplomas The Vice-Chancellor or the relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor or Dean will announce graduands for each degree or diploma (e.g. “for graduation in the degree of Bachelor of Arts”). | |
| Remainder of the ceremony The ceremony continues with the graduation address and concludes with the singing of Gaudeamus. Staff will then leave the Town Hall in procession, after which you and your guests are free to depart. | |
| 5:30pm | Ceremony concludes (time is approximate) |