Graduation ceremonies
Attending graduation is one of the most exciting parts of obtaining your qualification. Graduation is a formal event, and an important part of recognising your academic progress. It is a public acknowledgement of your achievement, and you will be surrounded and supported by fellow graduates, friends, family and the VU community.
On this page
Attending graduation
To receive your award (certificate), you must apply to graduate by the due date. If you complete your course in Semester 2, the due date is 31 January the following year. If you complete your course in Semester 1, the due date is 31 July that year.
After you apply to graduate, you will receive the following information approximately six weeks before the graduation ceremonies:
- information of your eligibility to graduate;
- a Graduation attendance form; and,
- other relevant information.
If you do not return the Graduation attendance form, the award will be held at the University until you contact us.
Ceremony costs
The cost of attending a Melbourne Graduation ceremony is AUD$155.00. This includes:
- gown hire
- two complimentary guest tickets
- official program
Additional guest tickets are subject to availability at a cost of AUD$35.00 each.
Ceremony dates
Melbourne ceremonies
All Melbourne ceremonies are held in the Flemington Racecourse Grand Stand, Epsom Rd, Flemington.
Free parking is available at Flemington. You can enter via Gate 1 (Main Gate) in Epsom Road or Gate 2 (Hill Entrance) in Leonard Crescent off Langs Road. Parking attendants will direct you to the reserved parking area.
May round
The first round of onshore ceremonies for 2012 will be held from 29 - 31 May 2012. Applications for conferral in this round closed on 31 January 2012.
The schedule of these ceremonies can be seen below. Attendance registrations close on 1 May 2012.
Note: attending students must arrive at the ceremony venue 1 hour prior to the commencement time.
Ceremony date and time |
Faculty and school |
| Tuesday 29 May, 9.30am |
Business and Law Workforce Development |
| Tuesday 29 May, 1.30pm |
Arts, Education and Human Development Business and Law |
| Tuesday 29 May, 5.30pm |
Business and Law Technical and Trades Innovation VU College |
| Wednesday 30 May, 9.30am |
Health, Engineering and Science Workforce Development |
| Wednesday 30 May, 1.30pm |
Arts, Education and Human Development Health, Engineering and Science Workforce Development |
| Wednesday 30 May, 5.30pm |
Arts, Education and Human Development Health, Engineering and Science |
| Thursday 31 May, 9.30am |
Arts, Education and Human Development |
Higher Education
Arts, Education and Human Development
Business and Law
Health, Engineering and Science
Vocational and Further Education
Technical and Trades Innovation
VU College
Workforce Development
October round
The second round of onshore ceremonies for 2012 will be held from 22 - 26 October 2012.
Applications for this round of ceremonies close on 31 July 2012.
Overseas ceremonies
Malaysia
The Malaysia ceremony will be held at the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa on Sunday, 18 March 2012.
Applications for the 2012 Malaysia ceremony closed on 30 November 2011.
Information regarding award collection will be sent to all eligible students in February 2012, via email.
Academic dress
If you graduate at a ceremony, you are required to wear the University's academic dress.
Service providers
There will be a range of services provided at the venue on your ceremony day. These include:
- Southam Studios Graduation Photography
- Phillips and Father (Testamur certification, framing and plaques)
- Scent of a Flower Florist
- Achievement Awards Australasia (Graduation rings)
- VU Bookshop
Occasional and valedictorian addresses
Speeches are an important part of the VU graduation ceremonies. You can watch addresses from our ceremonies on our YouTube channel, VU Graduations.
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