Your graduation day - Shoalhaven

Each graduate will receive up to four (4) guest tickets on the day. 

• A form of identification (e.g. UOW student card or drivers licence) 
• Your graduation cap if you have been given one

Registration and gowning will open from 8.30 am, and doors will open to guests from 10 am.

You should arrive at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre no later than 9.30 am to allow time for registration and to be fitted in your academic dress.

If you arrive after 9.45 am, you may not be allowed to participate in the ceremony and your fee will not be refunded.

There is free parking available for attendees in the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre car park. To minimise parking congestion, graduates are encouraged to travel with all their guests in one vehicle.

Once you arrive at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, you need to visit the registration desk to collect your guest tickets and be fitted in your academic dress.

Guests cannot accompany you to the registration desk, so arrange to meet them outside on the lawn to give them their tickets.

At the registration desk you will: 

1. Present your identification (e.g. UOW student card or drivers licence).
2. Receive your program booklet (marked with your name and reserved seat number).
3. Receive your guest tickets (each graduate is allocated up to four (4) guest tickets).
4. Be fitted in in your hired academic dress.

A graduation ceremony is a formal occasion with smart casual wear being the minimum standard for graduates and their guests.  
 
Please keep in mind: 

• The academic gown is three-quarters in length and opens at the front, so your clothes will be visible. 
• The gown is made of heavy material, so you may wish to leave your jacket with your family or friends. 
• You will be wearing an academic trencher or bonnet on your head so we recommend a hairstyle that allows this to sit comfortably. 
• You will be walking up three stairs onto the stage, so we recommend that you consider this when selecting your footwear. 
• You are welcome to enrich the colour of the ceremony with garments from your cultural tradition.

Graduates should be seated in their allocated seat at least 20 minutes before the ceremony commences.

Your allocated seat number will be printed on your graduation booklet. It is essential that you sit in the seat number that you have been allocated so that each graduate is presented in the correct order to the Presiding Officer. Do not swap seats with other graduates. 

Ushers will direct graduates throughout the ceremony process as follows:  

• You will be ushered from your seat to the bottom of the stairs at the side of the stage. 
• When you reach the bottom of the stairs, the Usher will adjust your academic dress and hand you your certificate. 
• You will be directed to walk to the top of the stairs and wait until your name is called. 
• When your name is called, make your way to the centre of the stage towards the Presiding Officer. 
• The Presiding Officer will 'tip their cap' to you, and you can return the gesture by tipping your cap slightly downwards with your right hand. A photo will be taken at this moment. 
• After the photo, you can begin walking off the other side of the stage and down the stairs. 
• You will then make your way back to your allocated seat and remain there until the end of the ceremony. 
• Students are expected to stay until the end of the ceremony to support fellow classmates.

Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to take photos and mingle with other graduates.

Your academic dress must be returned to the registration desk no later than 1 pm.

A professional photographer will take photographs of you as you receive your certificate. These will be published on the UOW Grad Flickr and will available for download.