This roll of graduates lists the qualification details of everyone who has graduated from Victoria University of Wellington from 1998 onwards.
The roll of graduates lists the qualification details of graduates from Victoria University of Wellington from 1998 to the present. Prior to 1998 the names of graduates were recorded in the Victoria University of Wellington Calendar. Graduates can request that their name is removed from the roll of graduates.
Graduation is the time to celebrate your achievements. Find out about graduating, how to apply, what to wear and certificate details.
When you’ve met the qualification requirements of your degree, you’ll be eligible to graduate. Your faculty office can confirm that you’ve met all requirements, and your degree status in Student Records will be changed to ‘degree complete’.
You’ll then be sent an email that invites you to apply for graduation—so ensure your email contact details are current. You can update your contact details through Student Records.
Applying to graduate
What you need to do before you can graduate, how to apply to graduate at a ceremony or in absentia, and information about advance or deferred graduation.
COVID-19 update
In light of the evolving situation with COVID-19, we have made the decision to grant qualifications at University Council meetings for students applying to graduate. Your qualification certificate will be posted to you as soon as possible after the meeting. A digital copy of your certificate will be issued to myeQuals after the meeting. You are not required to attend the University Council meeting to graduate and receive your certificate.
Once we have a new date for ceremonies, we will be in touch with further instructions.
When and how to apply
When you’ve met the qualification requirements of your degree, you’re eligible to graduate. Your faculty will assess that you’ve met all your degree requirements and update the status of your qualification.
You’ll then be sent an email that outlines how to apply for graduation—so ensure your contact details are current. You can update your contact details through Student Records.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once you’ve successfully submitted your application. Contact the Graduation Office if you do not receive your confirmation email.
There are two options for graduation, graduating in person or graduating in absentia (in your absence). Read about the different options below.
There are more steps to graduation for PhD graduands attending a ceremony.
Your name
Your full legal name will be printed on your certificate and published on the online roll of graduates. It will also be published in the graduation programme if you choose to graduate in person at a ceremony. Where applicable, levels of merit, distinction and class of honours will also be published.
Graduating in person
You can apply to graduate at one of our ceremonies in May or December and receive your qualification certificate on stage.
Ceremonies are held twice a year, in May and December, at the Michael Fowler Centre in central Wellington and at Te Herenga Waka Marae.
Multiple qualifications
If you’re graduating in person with more than one qualification, then you’ll need to choose which qualification you want to process across the stage with. You’ll wear the hood or stole for that qualification. Your other qualifications will be announced as you cross the stage.
Ceremony application deadlines
Apply to graduate by these dates:
- 1 March for ceremonies in May
- 1 October for ceremonies in December.
- Read more about the ceremonies.
Advance graduation
Some students who complete a qualification in Trimester 2 can graduate at the December ceremonies of the same year. Students completing a qualification in Trimester 3 can apply apply for advance graduation to graduate at the May ceremonies.
Who can apply for advance graduation
- International students returning home.
- Students leaving the country to take up a scholarship overseas—supporting documentation must be provided.
- PhD and Master’s by thesis students who expect to complete their qualification shortly after the deadline to apply for graduation.
- Students completing a qualification in Trimester 3 who want to graduate in May.
- Students facing exceptional circumstances—a written application outlining your circumstances must be made to the manager of your faculty office.
Your application for advance graduation must reach the appropriate faculty office by the ceremony application deadline.
If your application for advance graduation is approved you will be notified by email. Once you have approval you need to apply to graduate in your chosen ceremony. The email will contain instructions for this.
Contact your faculty office for more information.
Withdrawing from a ceremony
If you are not able to attend your graduation ceremony, you will need to contact the Graduation Office to withdraw. This needs to be done by 17 April.
Provided notice is received before the cut-off date, you can choose to either receive your qualification in absentia or graduate at a later ceremony within the 12 month period allowed.
If you have applied to graduate in person and miss the deadline for withdrawing, your qualification will be conferred in your absence at the ceremony. If this happens, you will not be able to graduate at another ceremony as your qualification can be conferred only once.
Graduating in absentia
You can apply to graduate in absentia (in your absence) if you do not want to attend a ceremony.
When you graduate in absentia, your qualification is conferred at a meeting of the University Council. You can arrange to pick up your qualification certificate from the Graduation Office or have it posted to you after the meeting.
Changing your graduation application
Contact the Graduation Office if you want to change your graduation application once it has been submitted from graduating in person to graduating in absentia, or if you need to update your full legal name.
Deferring graduation
All students must apply to have their qualification granted within 12 months of completing that qualification. If you would like to defer your graduation beyond 12 months you must contact the Graduation Office.
You need to provide a valid reason why a deferral should be approved.