In light of the relaxing NSW public health orders, and after extensive consultation with students, we will be proceeding with on campus ceremonies in December for all students who were scheduled to graduate in Semester 2 2021, subject to public health orders.
All students with ceremonies in December have been invited to a ceremony by email.
If you are unable to attend a graduation ceremony in person, you will be able to watch a live stream of your ceremony. We are also exploring other ways we might celebrate your achievements, including hosting a graduation celebration event in 2022.
Vaccination and entry requirements
If you’re coming to campus for a ceremony, you and your guests will need to follow our COVID safety precautions. This includes being able to show proof that you are fully vaccinated or have evidence of a negative COVID test within three days prior. Find out more about how we are keeping our campus COVID-safe.
Plan ahead and allow extra time to get to the Great Hall for your ceremony. We recommend using public transport or taxis as your first option for getting to campus. Alternatively, metered parking is available at the University. The most convenient place is in the Shepherd Street carpark building.
To allow enough time for event registration and the collection of your graduation gown, we recommend you arrive 90 minutes before your ceremony.
Doors open for guests to arrive half an hour before the ceremony commences.
Your academic dress is available for collection from the USYD Store in the Holme Building. The University of Sydney Union (USU) will send you an email ahead of your ceremony, requesting you book a time for your gowning.
As a general guide, the available collection times will depend on your ceremony.
You’ll need to register for your graduation ceremony ticket, and up to two guest tickets, through the Graduations portal. Find out more on the prepare for graduation page.
You will need to be seated in your assigned seat at least 15 minutes before the ceremony commences so you can be briefed on ceremony procedures.
It’s important to sit in your allocated seat as this is the order in which your name will be read out.
An average graduation ceremony takes around 90 minutes and involves the following:
University merchandise will be available at a pop up store located in The Quadrangle.
We invite you and your two guests to a catered graduation reception, located in The Quadrangle, where you can enjoy light refreshments.
Before you leave the University grounds, and no later than one hour after your ceremony, you will need to return your academic dress to the USYD store located in the Holme Building. The trencher hat is yours to keep.
If you're coming to campus, make sure you are familiar with the COVID safe practices you will need to follow.
Graduations staff will assess the capacity 5-10 minutes before the start of each ceremony, and if there are spare seats, they will invite non-ticketed guests into the hall. If no additional space is available, non-ticketed guests are welcome to watch the ceremony live stream and join the graduates after the ceremony in the Quadrangle.
You can view and buy photographs as well as order frames and plaques from GFP EVENTS both before the ceremony and on the day.
Within 3 business days after your graduation ceremony, you will be able to download a free copy of your digital stage photo. Go to grads.gfp.com.au, select ‘already graduated’, then ‘find your stage photo’ and select your graduation date and time from the dropdown menu. Select ‘View your photo’ and then scroll to find your photo. At the checkout, you will need to enter your student ID number to download your photo for free.
All ceremonies are streamed live. A link to view your ceremony can be found on the graduation ceremony schedule page and will be available 2 business days after your ceremony. This will be available for you to access and share with others for 6 weeks before being removed.
If you’re looking to purchase a lasting souvenir, visit the USYD Store located in the Holme Building or our pop-up shop located in The Quadrangle cloisters. You can also shop online through the USYD Store.
You can also visit the Chancellor’s Committee Gift Shop, which is located under the Clocktower in the Quadrangle. You can view their range of jewellery, clothing, books, stationery and graduations bears on the Chancellor’s Committee Gift Shop.
We recommend you leave your personal belongings on your chair as you will be returning to your original seat after walking across the stage. Alternatively, you can leave these with your guests.
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