Information on this page is specific to each upcoming graduation. Please expand the box to reveal more information for the cermeony you will be attending.
Adelaide Ceremony – Thursday 18th February 2027
Prior to the ceremony
Approximately four weeks prior to the ceremony, you will receive an email with information about regalia and inviting guests to join you at the ceremony. You will be asked to respond by the 8th February.
Ceremony details
- Date: Thursday 18th February 2027
- Arrival and regalia: 5:15-6:00pm
- Graduands to be seated in the Church: 6:15pm
- Ceremony start time: 6:30pm
- Venue: Adelaide West Uniting Church, 312 Sir Donald Bradman Dr, Brooklyn Park SA 5032
When you arrive on the day
When you arrive, make your way to the front entrance of the Church where you will be directed to the area for registration and regalia. Registration closes at 6:00pm promptly so allow time for delays in your transport. If you arrive after registration closes, you may not be able to receive your award on stage.
Once in your regalia, you need to take your assigned seat in the Church by 6:15pm.
Your guests
Guests should arrive and be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Children are welcome. Please park any prams on the side aisles, to leave the centre aisle clear for the processions.
Melbourne Ceremony – Friday 9th April 2027
Prior to the ceremony
Approximately four weeks prior to the ceremony, you will receive an email with information about regalia and inviting guests to join you at the ceremony. You will be asked to respond by 29th March.
Ceremony details
- Date: Friday 9th April 2027
- Arrival and regalia: 5:00-6:30pm
- Graduands to be seated in the Cathedral: 7:00pm
- Ceremony start time: 7:30pm
- Venue: St Paul’s Cathedral, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne VIC 3000
When you arrive on the day
When you arrive, make your way to the front entrance of the Cathedral where you will be directed to the area for registration and regalia. Registration closes at 6:30pm promptly so allow time for delays in your transport. If you arrive after registration closes, you may not be able to receive your award on stage.
Once in your regalia, you need to take your assigned seat in the Cathedral by 7:00pm.
Your guests
Guests should arrive and be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Children are welcome. Please park any prams on the side aisles, to leave the centre aisle clear for the processions.
Brisbane Ceremony – Saturday 22nd May 2027
Prior to the ceremony
Approximately four weeks prior to the ceremony, you will receive an email with information about regalia and inviting guests to join you at the ceremony. You will be asked to respond by 10th May.
Ceremony details
- Date: Saturday 22nd May 2027
- Arrival and regalia: 9:00-9:30am
- Graduands to be seated in the Cathedral: 9:45am
- Ceremony start time: 10:00am
- Venue: St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
What to do when you arrive on the day
When you arrive, make your way to the front entrance of the Cathedral where you will be directed to the area for registration and regalia. Registration closes at 10:00am promptly so allow time for delays in your transport. If you arrive after registration closes, you may not be able to receive your award on stage.
Once in your regalia, you need to take your assigned seat in the Cathedral by 10:10am.
Your guests
Guests should arrive and be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Children are welcome. Please park any prams on the side aisles, to leave the centre aisle clear for the processions.
Checklist to prepare to attend your graduation
Once you have been approved to graduate by the University’s Academic Board, you will receive an email inviting you to:
- Register for your graduation ceremony (select the date).
- Select “attend” in the attendance section.
- Check your full legal name with your College.
- Check your email and postal addresses are correct with your College.
- Ensure you have no outstanding tuition fees or library fines and outstanding loans.
A few weeks prior to the graduation ceremony date you will receive an email confirming your attendance at the ceremony. This correspondence will include ceremony-specific information and instructions and links to book regalia, guest tickets, photography and what to expect on the day.
What to wear
If you are attending the ceremony to receive your award, you must wear the correct Academic Dress (Regalia) for the award you are receiving, regardless of any other awards you may already have. Anyone not wearing the correct academic dress will not be permitted to receive their award ‘on stage’.
What you wear under your regalia is up to you, but as this is a formal occasion we encourage you to choose suitably smart attire.
Hire your regalia
The University will arrange a regalia hire option for graduation ceremony events and you will be emailed details in advance of the ceremony.
Hired items will be brought to the ceremony location for you, and need to be returned immediately after the event.
Hire fees apply.
Purchase your regalia
Regalia may be purchased from any retailer, but you must ensure that it meets the University’s Academic Dress Policy for the award you will graduate with.
It is recommended that you place an order at least 2 months prior to your graduation date, as items may be custom-made. Regalia purchase is a private arrangement between yourself and the company you choose to purchase from.
We recommend G. H. Lilley for high quality garments that meet the requirements of the University’s Academic Dress Policy.
What happens during the ceremony?
The ceremony begins with the procession of the University’s academic staff, distinguished guests, and members of the University’s Council, ending with the University Mace and the Chancellor.
As befits a University of Divinity, the first part of the ceremony includes prayer, song, and a reading from scripture.
The conferral of awards commences in the second part of the ceremony, when the Chair of the Academic Board certifies to the Chancellor that all graduands listed in the program, whether present or absent, have completed the requirements of their awards as established by the Council and the Academic Board.
Candidates for coursework awards are then presented to the Chancellor, grouped by Colleges, followed by candidates for research masters’ degrees and doctoral awards.
- A staff member will collect you from your seat and direct you to join the line at the side of the presentation area.
- When your name has been called, you will walk onto the altar platform (stage) towards the Chancellor. Turn to the Chancellor and bow. As you bow, touch your headwear (if your award requires one).
- Have your photograph taken with the Chancellor.
- Leave the presentation area down the centre aisle and return to your seat.
The conferral of awards is followed by speeches, usually including a Student (or Valedictory) Address, and a Graduation Address delivered by a guest speaker. The ceremony then concludes with a song, blessing and, finally, the academic procession, now augmented by the new graduates.
Photos and video
By taking part in this event, you and your guests grant the University full rights to use images resulting from photography/video filming and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the University’s aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in their printed and online publicity and social media.
Guest tickets
Each graduating student is able to book two guest tickets, which can be booked online through the University of Divinity.
Bookings will open 3-4 weeks prior to the ceremony date. You will receive an email with a link to book guest tickets.
There is no cost for guest tickets. If there are spare seats available, additional tickets will be made available on the Monday prior to the ceremony.
Punctuality, emergencies and running late
Those who arrive later than the assigned time on the day of the ceremony will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony in person and will receive their academic documents by mail. The graduation ceremony is a formal academic occasion. Check your ceremony-specific information for the arrival time. Consider traffic and other delays when planning your arrival.
If your ability to be able to attend the ceremony changes, if you are running late, or unable to make the ceremony due to an emergency on the day, please contact the Graduation Manager as soon as possible by email on graduation@divinity.edu.au.