1. Objective

1.1. The objectives of this policy are to:

a) define who is eligible for formal conferral of an award by University Council or authorised delegate;

b) define who is responsible for the management of graduation ceremonies; and

c) outline under what circumstances and how the award may be presented.

2. Scope

2.1. This policy applies to all awards courses at the University.

3. Authority

3.1. This policy is made under the University of Melbourne Act 2009 (Vic), the University of Melbourne Statute and the Council Regulation.

4. Policy

4.1. Every person who fulfils the requirements for completion of an award course is eligible for formal conferral of the award by University Council.

4.2. Students cannot have their degree conferred unless they have fulfilled all course requirements and their completion has been ratified.

4.3. The conferral of degrees takes place separately to the graduation ceremony and will occur on a rolling basis throughout the year. The University will automatically confer awards for bachelor or master degree students at the next available conferral date unless they request a deferral of their conferral by the stated deadline. Students may defer their conferral to a future approved conferral date up to a maximum of 12 months from their course completion.

4.4. The University will automatically confer awards for doctoral degree students who do not nominate an approved conferral date within twelve months of completion of their course.

4.5. The University will automatically confer awards for all Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma or Certificate Awards.

4.6. Students with outstanding fees, debts or fines are not eligible to have their degrees conferred until such sanctions have been cleared or paid.

4.7. In exceptional circumstances, the University, with approval from University Council, may choose to confer awards during a graduation ceremony.

4.8. The University will provide graduates with academic statements, including academic transcripts, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS) and testamurs, at conferral. The University will make arrangements for either the postal dispatch of the testamur, or otherwise for collection.

4.9. Bachelor, master and doctoral degree students may attend a graduation ceremony after the conferral of their degree. Students must have received and responded to a ceremony invitation from the Graduations Office by the stated deadline in order to attend a graduation ceremony.

4.10. Students enrolled in Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma or Certificate courses offered by the Melbourne Business School or the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music have the option of attending a ceremony after their conferral has taken place.

4.11. Graduates have a maximum of 12 months to attend a ceremony from their conferral date.

4.12. Where a student has passed away before conferral of their award, but after completing all the requirements for the award, the award will be conferred posthumously, and presented or posted to a nominated representative of the deceased student’s estate.

5. Procedural principles

5.1. Council will authorise the conferral of awards and the scheduling and conduct of graduation ceremonies.

5.2. The specified forms of words included in the order of proceedings may not be amended without approval of the University Council.

5.3. The Academic Registrar will manage and coordinate all aspects of University graduation ceremonies authorised by Council and reserves the right to alter ceremony schedules as required.

6. Roles and responsibilities

7. Definitions

award means a degree, diploma or certificate approved by the Academic Board which may be conferred or granted by Council.

award course means a program of study formally approved/accredited by the University which leads to an academic award granted by the University.

conferral means the act of granting an award to a student after completion of their course requirements.

graduate means a person who has fulfilled the requirements for completion of an award course and has had their award conferred in accordance with this policy.

testamur means a document in the form of a certificate which is binding on and certified by the University, provided to the relevant graduating student on successful completion and conferral of an award at the University.

POLICY APPROVER

Council

POLICY STEWARD

Executive Director, Student & Scholarly Services and Academic Registrar

REVIEW

This policy is to be reviewed by 22 December 2025.

VERSION HISTORY

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