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Graduation Ceremony Guide

International student outside Centre for Innovation

Wednesday 16 December 2020 at 4.00pm - Degrees and diplomas in Science

The following information is intended for those who have applied and been accepted to graduate in person at the above-mentioned ceremony.

You will find information about the deadlines you need to meet, guest tickets, regalia, the graduation ceremony, and associated events.

We look forward to seeing you at the graduation ceremony, and wish you a happy and successful future.


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Important Dates

Tuesday 10 November

Is the deadline for the following:

  • withdrawing from the ceremony
  • making changes to your request for guest tickets
  • submitting change of name documentation
  • ordering your regalia and paying the associated hire fee
Friday 4 December
If you requested more than the two guaranteed guest tickets, an email will
be sent to you advising you of the outcome of this request
Monday 14 December
Guest tickets are available for collection
Tuesday 15 December

Guest tickets are available for collection

Regalia is available for collection

Wednesday 16 December
(day of the ceremony)

Guest tickets are available for collection

Regalia is available for collection

Regalia may be returned after the ceremony

Thursday 17 December
Any outstanding regalia must be returned

Contact the Graduation Office

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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:

Monday 14 December 7:00am - 11:00pm
Tuesday 15 December 7:00am - 11:00pm
Wednesday 16 December 7:00am - 12 noon

You need to collect your guest tickets yourself and provide photographic identification. If it is necessary to have someone else collect 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.

View the campus map for the location of the Information Services Building

Email AskOtago to arrange for tickets to be collected on your behalf

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Collecting Regalia

It is important that you collect the regalia yourself, as you will need to try it on to ensure you have the correct size. Please bring photo ID with you to collect your regalia.

Regalia is available for collection from the Academic Dress rooms, located in the Basement of the Geology Building (North End), on the following dates and times:

Tuesday 15 December

11:00am - 2:30pm  OR

4:30pm - 7:00pm

Wednesday 16 December 8:30am - 6:00pm


View the campus map for the location of the Geology Building

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Returning Regalia

Please ensure that you return your regalia on time, as it will be required by another graduand for subsequent ceremonies.

A further charge may apply for regalia returned late.


Regalia 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 regalia.


Regalia must be returned at one of the following times and venues:

Wednesday 16 December

Basement of the Geology Building

8:30am - 6:00pm
Thursday 17 December Basement of the Geology Building 9:00am - 2:00pm

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Regalia Conveners

Jules Gross

Tel 021 075 2772

academic.dress@otago.ac.nz
Andrea Warburton Tel 021 405 707 academic.dress@otago.ac.nz
Academic Dress rooms

Tel 03 479 8765
(please hold for message)

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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: Wednesday 16  December

Time: 9:30am - 11:00am

Place: Atrium, Commerce Building, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East

Staff from the following areas will be present at the Brunch (any additions will be uploaded at the end of each week leading up to the graduation ceremony):

  • Archaeology
  • Botany
  • Caroline Freeman College
  • Classics
  • Cumberland College
  • English & Linguistics
  • Food Science
  • School of Geography
  • History & Art History
  • Human Nutrition
  • Marine Science
  • Mathematics & Statistics
  • Microbiology & Immunology
  • The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Neuroscience programme
  • School of Performing Arts
  • Pharmacology & Toxicology
  • School of Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Sciences
  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Social Anthropology
  • Theology
  • Tourism
  • Zoology

View the campus map for the location of the Commerce Building

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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: Wednesday 16 December

Time: 10:40am - 11:10am

Place: Holy Name Church 420 Great King Street (opposite the Otago Museum)

Please wear academic regalia.  The service will finish in plenty of time for you to join the parade which will depart from outside the School of Dentistry at 11:30am.

Visit the Chaplains online

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The Graduation Procession

Please assemble outside the School of Dentistry on Great King Street, dressed in your regalia, on the day of the Ceremony. The procession will leave the School of Dentistry promptly at 11:30am accompanied by bagpipers and drummers.

Please note that the graduation procession will always be held, regardless of the weather conditions.

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Ceremony Day - Programme of Main Events


Wednesday 16 December

9:30am

Graduation Brunch

Atrium, Commerce Building, corner of Clyde Street and Union Street East

10:40am

Thanksgiving Service

Holy Name Church 420 Great King Street (opposite the Otago Museum)

11:30am

Graduation Procession

Assemble at the School of Dentistry by 11:15am

2:50pm

Marshalling of Graduands

Dunedin Centre, Harrop Street.  Please ensure you arrive by 2:50pm.

Marshalling begins promptly at 3:00pm.

You must be wearing the correct regalia 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.

What to bring to the marshalling area

What is a Graduation order number sticker?

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 4:00pm.  (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 (eg "for graduation in the degree of Bachelor of Arts").

How degrees are conferred and diplomas are awarded

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)

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