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Saturday 16 December 2023 at 4:00pm – Degrees and diplomas in Applied Science, Surveying, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Science, Education and Teaching

The following information is intended as a guide for those who have applied to graduate in person at 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 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
Thursday 14 December Academic dress is available for collection
Friday 15 December Academic dress is available for collection
Saturday 16 December
(the day of the ceremony)
Academic dress is available for collection
Academic dress may be returned after the ceremony
Sunday 17 December Any outstanding academic dress must be returned

Contact the Graduation Office

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 14 December 8:30am⁠–6:00pm
Friday 15 December 8:30am⁠–6:00pm
Saturday 16 December 8:00am⁠–⁠10:30am

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 fill out the online form (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.

Graduation tickets collection form – AskOtago service portal

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

Collecting academic dress (regalia)

It is important that you collect the academic dress 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 academic dress, which is available for collection from the academic dress rooms, located in the basement of the Clocktower Building (enter via the twin steps in the quadrangle between the Clocktower and Geology Buildings). Collection dates and times are as follows:

Thursday 14 December 5:30pm⁠–⁠7:00pm
Friday 15 December 11:00am⁠–⁠2:00pm
AND
5:30pm⁠–⁠7:00pm
Saturday 16 December 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 16 December Town Hall
(Access is via the Glenroy Auditorium entrance located on Harrop Street)
2:00pm⁠–⁠6:00pm
Saturday 16 December Basement of the Clocktower Building 2:30pm⁠–⁠4:30pm
Sunday 17 December Basement of the Clocktower Building 8:30am⁠–⁠5:30pm

Academic dress conveners

Yvonne Coughlan Tel +64 3 454 4010academic.dress@otago.ac.nz
Walter Lawrence Mob +64 22 252 9920academic.dress@otago.ac.nz

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 16 December

Time: 9:30am

Place: The Link, Information Services Building, corner of Cumberland and Albany Streets

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

Thanksgiving service

The University Chaplaincy team is 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 16 December

Time: 10:40am-11:10am

Place: First Church, 415 Moray Place

Visit the Chaplains online

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 16 December

9:30amGraduation brunch

The Link, Information Services Building, corner of Cumberland and Albany Streets
10:40amThanksgiving service

First Church, 415 Moray Place
11:30amGraduation procession

Assemble at First Church by 11:15am
2:50pmMarshalling of graduands

Dunedin Centre, Harrop Street. Marshalling begins promptly at 3:00pm in the Glenroy Auditorium.

Please 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.

What to bring to the marshalling area

What is a Graduation order number sticker?
3:15pmDoors to the Dunedin Town Hall (Moray Place) open for guests

Guests should be seated by 3.50pm
4:00pmGraduation 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 (e.g. “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.
5:30pmCeremony concludes (time is approximate)

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