*Amendments to Regulation 21 were last approved by the Senate on 17 April 2024 with immediate effect.*

Regulations Governing the Conferment of Degrees

21.1 Regulations for the Conferment of Degrees

(1) Degrees are awarded by the Senate or Senate Sub-Group and conferred on successful candidates at the first Degree Congregation after the date of award. Graduands are not entitled to use the title or post-nominal letters until the degree has been formally conferred.

(2) Candidates are allowed to graduate in absentia.

(3) Each graduand will be required to notify the Awards and Ceremonies Team by completing Graduation Registration before the appropriate Congregation whether they will attend the Congregation in person, or whether they wish their degree to be conferred in absentia.

(4) Any graduand who is unable to attend the next Congregation but who wishes to have their degree conferred in person, should inform the Awards and Ceremonies Team at least 14 days before the Congregation that they wish to defer to the next Congregation. Graduands can defer attendance at the Congregation for a maximum of 12 months.

(5) Any graduand who does not indicate that they wish to attend the next Congregation, defer the conferral of their award, or graduate in absentia will automatically have their degree conferred at the Congregation in absentia.

(6) Any graduand who indicates that they wish to attend a Congregation but does not do so, will automatically have their degree conferred at the Congregation in absentia.

(7) A degree cannot be conferred twice under any circumstances.

21.2 Regulations for Graduands’ Dress at Degree Congregations

(1) All graduands must wear academic dress. Graduands’ dress should reflect that this is a formal occasion and they should wear suitable attire. Members of the armed forces or religious orders may wear the appropriate uniform, and members of religious orders their normal mode of dress. National dress may also be worn.

(2) All graduands, except those in uniform or members of religious orders, should wear mortar-boards or bonnets.

(3) Candidates whose clothes are considered unsuitable may be excluded from the ceremony by a member of the Awards and Ceremonies Team.