• Graduand/Graduate - Prior to the ceremony you are referred to as a Graduand; after your award has been conferred, you are a Graduate!
• In Absentia - Your award is conferred upon you without the need to attend a Graduation ceremony
• Hood/Stole - Academic Wear in the colour of the school/course from which you are graduating
• Academic Transcript - A complete record of all of your study at the University
• Conferral - Official granting of the award by either the Chancellor of the University of Ballarat, or their nominated representative

You need to complete an Application for a University Sealed Certificate and return it by the close of applications as listed on the TAFE Graduation Dates Page. This form must be completed to receive your certificate, even if you are not attending a graduation ceremony.

Students should either submit their forms at Student Administration (SMB or Horsham Campus) or post to:

Please note: Closing dates are strictly enforced

How do I receive my certificate if I am not eligible to attend a graduation ceremony?

If you are not eligible to attend a graduation ceremony you will receive a letter once your certificate is available. You can collect your certificate from Student Administration or request that it is posted to you; certificates are posted via registered post.

If you are eligible to graduate you will then be sent an invitation to Graduate and a Graduation Details form. The Graduation Details form and payment of the appropriate fee must be returned to Student Administration by the closing date.

Students should either submit their forms at Student Administration (SMB or Horsham Campus). Post to:

Please note: Application closing dates are strictly enforced and late applications will NOT be accepted or processed.

The fee to graduate if you choose to attend a TAFE ceremony in Victoria is $55.50 (including GST). University of Ballarat school badges are available at a cost of $4.50. The fee to graduate In Absentia is listed on the Application to Graduate form. (It varies according to postage costs.)

Payment must be forwarded with the completed Graduation Details form and can be made by cash (in person) cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Bankcard.

No payment is required for those students not wishing to attend a ceremony, and who wish to collect their testamur in person, ie. In Absentia. Eligible students graduating In Absentia are conferred at their school's ceremony. Certificates are then available for collection from the SMB or Horsham Student Centre, after the ceremony date.

Do I need to attend a ceremony?

No - if you do not wish to attend a graduation ceremony, simply complete the Graduation Details form and in section five mark In Absentia as your preference. Students graduating In Absentia can collect their testamur and a copy of their academic transcript following their school's ceremony date, or have it posted to them.

How do I graduate In Absentia?

All In Absentia applicants must follow the same guidelines as those set out for attending graduands, including the dates for the submission of forms.

How do I know if I have qualified for my award?

Any queries regarding your qualification should be directed to your school or course coordinator.

Students cannot graduate until they have completed their course and results are entered on the University Student Database (APTUS).

What date will my ceremony be held?

Dates for the current year ceremonies are available on the Graduation Dates Page.

Can I defer my graduation?

You can choose to defer your graduation to the next semester's graduation for your school. You cannot continue to defer your graduation: this can only be done once. Should you not graduate in person after deferring once, you will automatically graduate In Absentia. Simply complete the Graduation Details form and in section six mark Defer as your preference.

Can I obtain a refund?

If you have paid but cannot attend your ceremony and now wish to graduate In Absentia, your money will be refunded, provided that the Graduation Office is advised in writing at least four weeks prior to the ceremony. Graduands who do not attend on their graduation day will have their certificate mailed to them, and no refund will be issued as costs have already been incurred.

Can I change my name details?

The name used at graduation and printed on your testamur will be the name written on your Application for a University Sealed Certificate. Any changes to your name must be advised by completing an Address / Name Change form with appropriate proof (ie. passport, birth certificate etc). These changes must be recorded on an Address/Name Change form, and be lodged with your application for a University Sealed Certificate form.

Where is the graduation ceremony held?

• Mt Helen Campus - Caro Convention Centre, 1870 Founders Theatre. Map - Mt Helen Campus
• Western Campuses - The ceremony is held in the Horsham Town Hall, Wilson St, Horsham.
• Ballarat City - Her Majesty's Theatre, Lydiard Street South, Ballarat.

How long does the ceremony take?

A standard Graduation Ceremony will run for approximately 90 minutes; however, graduands need to register and collect their academic gown before the ceremony and should allow appropriate time for photographs etc. They should also allow time to return their academic gown after the ceremony.

How many guest tickets are available?

Each eligible graduand is issued with two complimentary guest tickets. Graduands do not require a ticket themselves.

After each graduand is allocated two tickets, any extra tickets available will be allocated via random computer ballot. The availability of extra tickets will be limited and in some ceremonies, not possible at all if the ceremony is full to the seating capacity of the venue. Graduands will be notified of the number of extra guest tickets allocated to them in the acknowledgement letter prior to graduation.

Additional tickets may be available at the ceremony; a request should be made at the ticket office prior to the commencement of the ceremony. No additional tickets will be allocated before the day of the actual ceremony.

Western Campuses

Please note: There is no cost associated with guest tickets

What is an Academic Transcript?

An academic transcript is a complete record of all of your study at the University. Graduands will receive a free copy of their transcript when they graduate. If you need to apply for an academic transcript at any other time, you will need to contact Student Administration. Student Administration Website

Where can I park?

Mt Helen Campus - Parking is available in carpark 2, located to the south of the Caro Convention Centre. Map - Mt Helen Campus

Western Campuses - A public car park is situated directly behind the Horsham Town Hall and can be accessed by either Wilson Street or Pynsent Street. There is also plenty of street parking available.

Ballarat City -

Can I hire academic dress?

The graduation fee for attending graduands includes the cost of the hire of your academic gown for the ceremony. Should graduates wish to hire academic dress at any other time, a hire fee is applicable.
Hire Form

How do I get a replacement testamur/certificate?

To obtain a replacement testamur, complete an application form and submit to Student Administration providing the following details:

• your full name, student ID number and course title
• a statutory declaration indicating what happened to your previous testamur and why a replacement is needed, or your original testamur (which may be damaged)
• your current postal address
• fee of A$110, paid by cash (do not send cash through the mail), cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard or Bankcard.

Please note that:

• the replacement testamur will have the words, "This is a replacement testamur" in the body of the text; and
• due to policy requirements, we must verify your information by accessing archived files and other relevant information, therefore a replacement testamur may take up to six weeks to produce.

What colour will I wear at graduation?

TAFE

Higher Education

• Arts - Deep Pink
• Education - Green
• Computing - Oyster/Off white
• Applied Science - Oyster/Off white
• Technology - Oyster/Off white
• Nursing - Apricot
• Business - Mauve
• Commerce - Mauve
• Management - Mauve
• Engineering - Blue
• Joint Degree - Purple

• Teaching (primary) - Green

Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma - Black Oxford Gown, black trencher and stole lined in the following colour:

• Visual Arts - Red
• Education - Green
• Computing - Oyster/off white
• Applied Science - Oyster/off white
• Information Technology - Oyster/off white
• Nursing - Red
• Business - Aqua
• Management - Aqua
• Mining - Blue
• Occupational Hazard Management

Masters - Black Oxford gown, black trencher and hood lined in the same colour as for the Bachelor.

Doctorates
Doctor of Philosophy - Blue Oxford Gown with maroon trim, blue hood with maroon trim, and blue bonnet with maroon silk cord and tassel.

Higher Doctorate - Maroon Oxford Gown with gold trim, maroon hood with gold trim and maroon bonnet with gold silk cord and tassel.

Professional Doctorates - Black Oxford Gown, hood in the colour of the discipline lined with black wool cloth and black bonnet with gold silk cord and tassel.

Can I purchase a video or DVD of the ceremony?

Yes you can. Visit the following link for further information and to download the application form Video Order Form

Please note, this service is not available at the Western Campuses ceremony.

Can I get professional photos taken on the day?

Yes you can.

SMB Campus - Williams Studios will be setup to take your photographs on the day. Visit their website for further information or to view recent graduation photographs.

Western Campuses The photographer will be available 1 hour prior to the ceremony and for as long as needed after the ceremony. The photographer will also be available on the Saturday morning between the hours of 10.00am and 12.oopm noon. Visit: www.abrilliantphotographer.com for further information.

Can I get my testamur framed on the day?

Yes you can.

SMB Campus - R&J Framing Pty Ltd will have a stall set up on the day where you can view samples of their framing and get your own testamur framed. Visit the R&J Framing website for further information.

Please note, this service is not available at the Western Campus ceremony.