Graduation ceremony day

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  4. Graduation ceremony day

Attending your graduation ceremony

Image of graduates attending the graduation ceremony

Prior to your graduation ceremony

To attend your graduation ceremony, you must pay the graduation fee of $249 by the payment deadline. This fee covers the cost of your ceremony for you and two guests, as well as the hire of your graduation robes.

After the payment deadline, you’ll receive an email confirming your attendance and event reminder with all the details you need to prepare for your ceremony day.

If you are experiencing any difficulty accessing your student email, you can manage your access on the password change website

While waiting for your graduation ceremony invitation, log into your eStudent and follow these steps, to ensure your contact details are correct.

  1. Select  >  My Details
  2. Select  >  Contacts   (located in the menu on the left)
  3. Update or add any information such as addresses, emails or phone numbers

On the day of your graduation ceremony

Arrival and Parking

Car Park West 5 (behind the gymnasium) is the official car park for graduation. A shuttle bus service will run every 15 minutes to transport guests to and from the Graduation Hall. Otherwise, it's a short stroll down Wally’s Walk to the Michael Egan Hall

Registration

The registration room is located on the mezzanine level of 1 Central Courtyard (1CC) and opens 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.

  • 10:30am ceremony, registration opens at 9:00am
  • 2:30pm ceremony, registration opens at 1:00pm
  • 5:30pm ceremony, registration opens at 4:00pm

At registration, you will check in and be fitted for your academic dress

Important: Graduates who arrive after the ceremony has started will not be allowed entry and will forfeit their place in the ceremony

Academic Dress and Attire

  • Your Graduation Fee covers hire of full academic dress (cap, gown, and hood)
  • All graduates are required to wear academic dress to participate in the ceremony
  • Gowns do not have pockets, so please do not bring loose items unless they can be stored in your clothing underneath

Suggested attire:

  • Business or semi-formal attire
  • Comfortable shoes (appropriate for traversing tiled areas and carpeted ramps)

In the Graduation Hall

Arrive Early

Be seated at least 30 minutes before the ceremony start time to receive important instructions

Seating:

  • Graduates: have an allocated seat number
  • Guests: Seating is general admission

Personal Items & Prohibited Items:

The following items are not allowed:

  • bags, flowers, food, non-water beverages, prams, strollers, cameras, tripods, or anything that could block walkways or disturb other guests. These items can be stored at the Cloak Room.

Mobile Phones:

  • You must bring your mobile phone to enter the Graduation Hall. Please ensure they are silenced during the ceremony

Cloak Room

The Cloak Room, located next to the hall, is staffed at all times to securely store your personal items while you enjoy the ceremony.

Accessibility requirements

We are committed to accommodating any special requirements you or your guests may have for the ceremony, including accessibility needs or other pre-arrangements.

The Graduation Hall offers the following features:

  • Fully wheelchair accessible
  • Ramps and railings for easy stage access (no stairs required)
  • Parents & carers room
  • A shuttle bus will run continuously between West 5 Car Park and the Graduation Hall

If you or your guests have any additional requirements, please include this in your RSVP or contact the Graduations Team via Service Connect.

Live streaming

You may share the live stream of your ceremony with any guests who are unable to make it on the day. Past livestreams will also be available on the Macquarie University Community Channel on YouTube.

After your ceremony

Graduates and their guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments after the graduation ceremony.

You still have 90 minutes after your ceremony ends to return your academic dress, so we encourage you to use this time to take photos and celebrate with your loved ones.

Make sure you use #mqalumni on TikTok, LinkedIn and Instagram. We would love to see all the lovely photos and memories you share!

Unable to attend

We understand that sometimes unexpected circumstances arise. If you are unable to attend your allocated ceremony, you may be eligible for a refund of the Graduation Fee.

Refunds are available for personal, medical, professional, or academic reasons beyond your control, as long as you provide the necessary evidence by the relevant deadline.

If this applies to you, please reach out as soon as possible through Service Connect. Please submit your request and supporting documents within two weeks after your ceremony series ends, so we can assist you promptly.

Ground Floor
18 Wally's Walk
Macquarie University
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