The objectives of this policy are to:

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

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

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

This policy applies to all awards courses at the University.

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

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.    Bachelor, master and doctoral degree students cannot graduate at a ceremony unless they have passed all degree requirements, received an invitation to graduate from the Graduations Office, and responded to that invitation.

4.3.    The University will provide graduands with academic statements, including academic transcripts, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS) and testamurs, at graduation.

4.4.    Eligible students may elect to have their award conferred without being present at an official ceremony, i.e. conferral in absentia. In absentia conferral of degrees will occur on a rolling basis throughout the year.

4.5.    Where an award is conferred in absentia, the University will make arrangements for either the postal despatch of the testamur, or otherwise for collection.

4.6.    The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for all Postgraduate/Graduate Diploma or Certificate Awards, except for students enrolled in courses offered by Melbourne Business School or the Faculty of Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music who have the option of attending a ceremony.

4.7.    The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for bachelor or master degree students who do not respond to their invitation to attend a graduation ceremony. These in absentia awards will be conferred at the conclusion of the ceremonies to which the students were invited.

4.8.    Bachelor and master students who accept the invitation to attend a graduation ceremony, but then do not attend, will have their awards conferred in absentia at the conclusion of the corresponding ceremony in the following academic year, unless the student contacts the University to make other arrangements.

4.9.    The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for doctoral degree students who do not nominate a graduation ceremony to attend within twelve months of completion of their course.

4.10.   Where a student has died before conferral of their award, but after completing all the requirements for the award, the award will be conferred posthumously, either to a nominated representative of the deceased student’s estate, or in absentia.

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.

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 either in person or in absentia at an official ceremony after completion of their course requirements.

graduand 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.

Council

Executive Director, Student & Scholarly Services and Academic Registrar

This policy is to be reviewed by 16 March 2021.