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Steps to graduating for conferred students
If you've already graduated and had your degree conferred but haven't attended a ceremony, follow these steps to get ready for your graduation day.
When are ceremonies held?
Each year, we hold two ceremony rounds:
- mid-year graduation ceremonies, usually in July or August.
- end-of-year graduation ceremonies, usually in December.
To attend, you need to have completed your course by the cut-off date for the round.
Which ceremony will I be invited to?
Once registration has opened, you'll be emailed an invitation at your personal email address to register your attendance for a ceremony, which will direct you to this page to access the external GFP Events portal to register.
In the portal, you'll be able to see which ceremony you've been automatically assigned to.
To access the portal, you'll need to verify your identity with your student number (numbers only, no letters).
By logging in and accessing the GFP Events portal, you agree to the GFP Events privacy policy.
Check your ceremony date and time in the GFP Events portal
Before you receive your invitation, you can plan ahead by checking our graduation ceremony schedule for the upcoming round and finding the ceremony for your study area.
View our upcoming graduation ceremony schedule
To learn how you're allocated to a specific ceremony, select your course type below:
You'll be allocated to a ceremony based on your faculty study area (this can sometimes be allocated according to your study area A or major).
You'll be allocated to a single ceremony based on the following:
- If your double degree includes a Justice component, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the Justice part of your degree. This includes Law/Justice double degrees.
- If your double degree includes a Law component, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the Law part of your degree. This excludes Law/Justice double degrees.
- If your double degree includes an Education component, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the Education part of your degree.
- If your double degree includes a Business component, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the non-Business part of your degree.
- If your double degree includes an honours component, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the honours part of your degree (excluding Justice and Law/Justice students).
For any other double degrees, you'll be allocated to a ceremony for the degree that comes first in your course name.
You'll be allocated to a ceremony that best reflects your principal supervisor's organisational unit.
- If you're graduating with both a Bachelor and Masters degree
- You'll be allocated to attend a single ceremony for the Masters degree
- If you're graduating with both a Bachelor degree and a Graduate Certificate or Diploma
- You'll be allocated to attend a single ceremony for the Bachelor degree.
Your academic dress will need to reflect the award your ceremony allocation is based on.
You'll only be announced on stage once for the allocated award, and will be seated with students from that cohort.
If you completed either:
- GZ35 - Graduate Certificate in Business (Public Sector Management)
- GS89 - Executive Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
- GS50 - Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA)
and attended the course outside of Brisbane, visit our Interstate graduation ceremonies page for details on your ceremony, academic dress, and guest tickets. You don't need to read the remaining steps on this page.
If you completed your studies in Brisbane, you are not able to attend an interstate ceremony.
How to register
When you've received your ceremony invitation at your personal email address:
- Visit the GFP Events portal and verify your identity with your student number (numbers only, no letters).
- The 'Welcome' tab will appear. Your ceremony date and time are presented at the top of the page.
- At the bottom of the page, select either:
- Attend ceremony
- Defer attendance
- Do not wish to attend.
By logging in and accessing the GFP Events portal, you agree to the GFP Events privacy policy.
Changing your ceremony attendance
If you've registered whether or not you'll be attending but want to change this, email the Ceremonies team at ceremonies@qut.edu.au.
What happens next
Continue to step 3 to organise your academic dress. Academic dress hire and purchase, ordering guest tickets, paying your graduation fee, and other tasks are all completed in the external GFP Events portal.
Buy or hire academic dress
Academic dress is purchased or hired when you register to attend your ceremony in the GFP Events portal.
After selecting 'Attend ceremony' in the Welcome tab, you'll progress to the 'Academic Dress' tab.
Your academic dress type is determined by the award you're receiving.
In this tab, you just need to:
- Select whether you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and, if so, would like to wear an indigenous stole.
- Select a size for your gown.
- Select whether you'll hire or purchase your academic dress.
- If you select 'Hire Package' to hire your academic dress
- The cost is included in your graduation fee, which you'll pay later in the registration process in the Checkout tab.
- If you select 'Sale Package' to purchase your academic dress
- You'll need to pay an additional charge as well as your graduation fee when you reach the Checkout tab.
Only QUT-approved academic dress can be worn at a QUT graduation ceremony.
What am I required to wear?
Your academic dress
Select your course type to see what you're required to wear at your ceremony:
Your academic dress consists of:
- black bachelor gown.
Your academic dress consists of:
- black bachelor gown
- 100mm blue hood
- mortarboard.
Your academic dress consists of:
- black bachelor gown
- 100mm blue hood with a white trim
- mortarboard.
Masters by coursework
Your academic dress consists of:
- black masters gown
- fully lined blue hood with a white trim
- mortarboard.
Masters by research (Master of Philosophy)
Your academic dress consists of:
- black masters gown
- fully lined red hood
- mortarboard.
Doctor of Philosophy
Your academic dress consists of:
- black gown with red facings
- fully lined red hood
- tudor bonnet with red tassel.
Professional Doctorate
Your academic dress consists of:
- black gown with blue facings
- fully lined blue hood
- tudor bonnet with blue tassel.
What to wear with your academic dress
Gowns are open at the front, so your clothes will be partially visible. We suggest wearing smart business clothing underneath, such as:
- pants or slacks
- a dress shirt or blouse
- a knee-length dress or skirt
- shoes that allow easy handling of stairs and slippery surfaces.
Your hairstyle should allow for a graduation hat to be worn. Jackets and ties are optional.
In addition to your academic dress, you may choose to wear an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander stole.
Stoles are provided by our Oodgeroo Unit to celebrate student achievement and to recognise the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The design of the stoles and their colours are reflective of both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
To obtain a stole or for further information, email information.oodgeroo@qut.edu.au.
Collecting and returning your hired academic dress
Your hired academic dress will be issued to you on the day of your ceremony at the venue.
It must be returned no later than two hours after the ceremony concludes. The mortarboard or bonnet is yours to keep as a memento of your special day.
Purchased academic dress can be collected on the day of your ceremony, and there is no need to return any purchased items.
Robing at the ceremony
You need to arrive 90 minutes prior to the start of your ceremony so you can be robed.
You must be robed by staff to ensure you're presentable and wearing the correct academic dress. Robing services are included in the academic dress hire and purchase prices.
If you've chosen to purchase your academic dress from an external supplier, and you have incorrect items that aren't QUT-approved, you'll be required to wear the hired academic dress included in your graduation fee.
All guests must have a ticket to attend the graduation ceremony.
Guest tickets do not have assigned seat numbers.
How many guest tickets can I purchase?
All graduates are allocated three guest tickets.
This limit ensures all graduates have the opportunity to reserve seats for their family and friends.
Additional tickets may be released after registration closes, subject to final attendance numbers.
How do I purchase guest tickets?
You can purchase your allocated guest tickets when you register in the GFP Events portal and reach the 'Guest Tickets' tab. Guest tickets are $40 each and include the post-ceremony function.
Select how many of your allocated guest tickets you want to purchase then select 'Next'.
Your allocated guest tickets will remain available to you to purchase until registration closes. Any unsold guest tickets may be made available for resale after that date.
How do I arrange accessibility assistance for my guests at the venue?
After completing your registration in the GFP Events portal, you'll be prompted to assign your guest tickets and can specify any accessibility requirements.
Ushers will be available at the ceremony to assist with accessibility requirements.
Photos
Studio and stage photography packages can be pre-ordered when you register in the GFP Events portal and reach the 'Other Services' tab.
Click 'More' on the Studio Photography or Stage Photography slides to view package inclusions and pricing. Selections can be added to your cart and purchased when you reach the 'Checkout' tab.
Studio and stage photography can also be purchased on the day of your graduation ceremony.
Pronouncing your name
If your name is often mispronounced or stumbled over, in the 'More Information' tab you can:
- tell us how to pronounce your name by typing it exactly as it sounds out loud
- show us by uploading an audio recording of the correct pronunciation.
Accessibility assistance
Accessibility assistance may be required if you:
- are pregnant
- have a disability, injury or health condition
- have a religious or cultural reason.
If you need assistance, you can inform us in the 'More Information' tab and specify your requirements.
You'll be prompted to tell us your guests' accessibility requirements after you complete the registration process.
Pay your graduation fee
In the Checkout tab, you need to pay your graduation fee, which covers:
- hire of academic dress
- a mortarboard or bonnet to keep
- access to the post-ceremony function.
If you selected guest tickets, photography packages and opted to purchase your academic dress, you'll pay the additional charges here too.
Complete the form to pay by Visa or Mastercard.
If you've registered to attend your ceremony but are unable to when the day arrives, refunds may be granted in exceptional circumstances. Refund requests will only be accepted up until the ceremony date.
Email your refund request to the QUT Ceremonies team at ceremonies@qut.edu.au with:
- your student ID
- a brief explanation of why you're requesting a refund
- supporting documents.
If your refund is approved, it may take up to 10 business days to be processed.
Opting out of the ceremony recording
If you don't want to be included in the archival video of the ceremony, email the Ceremonies team at ceremonies@qut.edu.au (it isn't possible to be excluded from the live stream).
Graduation ceremonies are held at The Star Brisbane Event Centre.
Direct lift access to the Event Centre is via the George Street ground-floor entrance.
Surveillance and facial recognition technology are used at The Star Brisbane.
By attending the graduation ceremony, you agree to the venue's privacy notice and condition of entry:
- The Star uses audio recording and CCTV surveillance for security reasons.
- The Star may use facial recognition technology to identify, exclude or remove from the premises individuals who it may lawfully deny access to, including “Excluded Persons”, and for other purposes relating to gaming, safety and security and preventing illegal or undesirable activities.
- Facial images from CCTV surveillance, facial recognition cameras or law enforcement bodies, and faceprints made from those images, may be stored and compared for the above purposes.
- The Star may disclose facial images and photos to, or receive them from, its related companies, its service providers and other casino operators to use for purposes similar to the above. The Star may disclose audio/surveillance information to law enforcement agencies or regulatory authorities if it suspects illegal or undesirable activity.
- By entering The Star's premises, you consent to collection and use of your personal information in this way. If you don't consent, you must not enter.
Read The Star's Privacy Policy or email privacy@star.com.au if you have further questions.
What to bring
You'll need your mobile phone to access your digital graduate ticket.
If you've received your parchment in the mail, do not bring it to the ceremony. You'll be given a document and folder on stage that can be used for photos.
Otherwise, bring as little as possible. No cloak room facilities are available and you can't enter the ceremony hall with belongings. Arrange for your guests to take any essential belongings before your mandatory graduation briefing or leave them on your chair in the briefing area.
QUT and The Star Brisbane take no responsibility for personal items.
Getting to the venue
- Graduates
- Arrive at the Event Centre on level 6 90 minutes before your ceremony. This allows sufficient time to check in, be robed and attend your mandatory briefing.
- Photo opportunities and a photography studio will be available before or after your ceremony.
- The mandatory briefing starts 30 minutes prior to your ceremony.
- Guests
- Guest entry to the ceremony will open 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
- Guests are welcome to wait in the Event Centre foyer. Additionally, the Star Brisbane offers several public outlets for your enjoyment.
The Star Brisbane is surrounded by accessible public transport and is a short walk from QUT Gardens Point.
To access discounted visitor parking rates at QUT Gardens Point, validate your parking ticket at the Information Desk located in the Event Centre foyer. Regular QUT ID holder parking rates will be applied.
Limited parking is available onsite at the Star Brisbane. Visit The Star Brisbane website for location, access and parking information.
When you arrive
- Enter The Star Brisbane main entrance and go to the Event Centre on level 6 to check in.
- Use your phone to scan the displayed QR code and enter the requested details. You'll then be sent your digital graduate ticket by SMS, which will show your allocated seat and academic dress order.
- Follow the directions to the gowning area to be robed. Show your ticket to staff so they can retrieve your order.
- Arrange for guests to take any essential belongings and ensure your guests have their tickets before your briefing.
- 30 minutes before your ceremony, you'll be seated in the briefing room for your mandatory student briefing. Have your graduate ticket ready on your phone for scanning in order to enter the briefing.
Ceremonies are held in the Ballroom and typically run for 90 minutes, followed by a post-ceremony function in the foyer for graduates and their guests.
If you arrive late
Lockout rules apply if you or a guest is late.
If you're running late, email the Ceremonies team at ceremonies@qut.edu.au and include your name, student number and your ceremony.
We are only available by email, not by phone. Providing there is minimal disruption to the ceremony we'll try to accommodate any late graduates and guests.
During the ceremony
Turn your mobile off or to silent for the duration of the ceremony. You will not be permitted to take your phone on stage.
Your seat number determines when you'll cross the stage. Staff will usher you one row at a time into the ceremony and to your seat.
Check your seat sticker matches the seat allocation on your graduate ticket.
When the ceremony begins, you'll be asked to stand for the entrance of the Academic Procession.
Staff will usher you one row at a time for the presentation of awards.
You'll receive your parchment folder and your name will be checked.
Robing staff will be on hand to check that your gown is sitting correctly and your tassel is sitting to the right.
Award titles are announced once per cohort and do not specify majors. When announcing your name, your middle name will not be included.
- When it's your turn, move to the first blue dot on the floor of the stage.
- Turn to face the Presenting Officer, who will be standing at the lectern announcing each graduate's name.
- Wait for your name (and thesis title, for doctoral students) to be called, then move to the second blue dot in the middle of the stage to meet the Presiding Officer.
- Doff your hat to the Presiding Officer by inclining your head while holding the tip of your mortarboard with your right hand.
- Turn to the audience for a photo with the Presiding Officer.
- Move off stage and collect your photography card.
- Follow staff directions back to your assigned seat. You can now move your tassel to the left side of your mortarboard.
After the ceremony
Staff will usher you to follow the Academic Procession out of the ceremony where you can join guests for a post-ceremony function in the foyer.
Hire gowns must be returned within two hours of the end of the ceremony. The mortarboard or bonnet is yours to keep.
Live stream
Ceremonies are livestreamed for family members or friends who can't attend. This will be available 30 minutes before the ceremony.
A recording of the live stream will be available after the ceremony as a memento and will remain online for six months.
If you don't want to be included in the recording, email the Ceremonies team at ceremonies@qut.edu.au (it isn't possible to be excluded from the live stream).
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Live streaming
All graduation ceremonies will be live streamed for the benefit of family members or friends who are unable to attend the ceremony.
This stream can be viewed from Windows and Mac OS X computers, Apple iOS and Android mobile devices. Streaming video can be data-intensive - be aware of your mobile plan's 3G/4G data limits.
No permanent recording will be kept by or used for any other purpose by the University.