Graduation

Graduate without attending a ceremony

Once you complete your studies at the University you’ll formally become a graduate on your conferral date, which is the date your degree is awarded. Celebrating with us at a graduation ceremony is an optional step and it's up to you whether you'd like to attend.

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Confirming your graduation details

Regardless of whether you choose to attend a ceremony, the first step of your graduation is to log into Sydney Student to complete ‘Getting ready to graduate' (go to ‘My studies’, then ‘Assessments’). This is where you’ll review and submit the information that will be displayed on your graduation documents. You should do this as soon as you receive your completion letter.

Eligibility

You can request to graduate without attending a ceremony provided:

  • you're eligible to graduate
  • your degree hasn’t already been conferred, as we cannot change your conferral date once your degree is conferred. 

How to make a request

When you complete ‘Getting ready to graduate’ you can elect not to attend a ceremony. Once submitted, you’ll then be prompted to complete ‘Graduate without attending a ceremony’ in Sydney Student.

  • This is where you can tell us how you’d like to receive your documents.
  • You may need to submit ‘Graduate without attending a ceremony’ at a later time as your submission date will determine your conferral date. You can return later by logging into Sydney Student, and going to ‘My studies’, then ‘Assessments’.

Earlier conferral date requests

If you need an earlier conferral date and you’re not attending a ceremony, the way to apply is by submitting ‘Graduate without attending a ceremony’. This is how we determine your new conferral date. 

Later conferral date requests

If you need a later conferral date please don’t submit ‘Graduate without attending a ceremony’ as this will set an earlier conferral date for you.

There is a separate process to request a later conferral date. Find out more.

2026 conferral dates if not attending a ceremony

Generally, your new conferral date will be determined by when you submit your request to 'Graduate without attending a ceremony' so it's important that you check the indicative conferral dates and deadlines below before you apply. You'll receive a confirmation email within a few business days of submission, confirming your conferral date.

If you need to edit or cancel your request after you’ve submitted it in Sydney Student, you can contact us using the Graduation support form before the relevant request close date. After this date we won’t be able to make any changes to your conferral date. 

Conferral date Requests open Requests close
Tuesday 27 January Open now Tuesday 13 January 2026
Monday 16 February Wednesday 14 January  Monday 2 February
Monday 16 March Tuesday 3 February  Wednesday 18 February
Monday 22 June Thursday 19 February  Tuesday 9 June
Conferral date Requests open Requests close
Thursday 30 July Wednesday 10 June Sunday 19 July
Monday 24 August Monday 20 July  Monday 10 August
Monday 7 September Tuesday 11 August  Monday 17 August
Monday 2 November Tuesday 18 August  Monday 19 October
Monday 7 December Tuesday 20 October  Monday 23 November

When you'll receive your documents 

Your digital graduation documents will be available through My eQuals 2-5 business days after your conferral date. 

We will send your documents to the address nominated in your 'Graduate without attending a ceremony' request within 4 - 6 weeks after the conferral date.

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Declining if you receive an invitation

Once you’ve received your ceremony invitation you have the option to decline the invitation by logging into Sydney Student and going to ‘My Studies’ then ‘Assessments’. 

If you decline your invitation there’s no need to apply to graduate without attending a ceremony, as we’ll work from your invitation response.

Your graduation documents will be posted 4-6 weeks after the ceremony. We will contact you to confirm your postal address after ceremonies conclude.

Student Centre

Online

Phone

1800 SYD UNI (1800 793 864)
or +61 2 8627 1444 (outside Australia)

Find out more about how we can help

Last updated: 12 December 2025

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