Ceremony procedures

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All graduands are seated on stage during the ceremony, while guests are seated in the body of the Concert Hall. The seat number given to you upon registration indicates the order in which your graduation parchment will be presented, so it is essential that you do not lose your place.

The start of the ceremony is marked by the entrance of the Academic Procession. Graduands and guests are welcomed by the Chancellor. Following this address, graduands are formally admitted to their degrees.

Each graduate is formally presented to the Chancellor, who hands their graduation certificate to them. When the presentation of graduates is concluded, special awards and doctoral candidates are then presented.

The graduation address is presented by the Guest Speaker, and the Student Representative responds. The ceremony then concludes with the departure of the Academic Procession.

Ceremony schedules

2.00pm ceremony

6.30pm ceremony

Admission — Graduands

Graduands must register their attendance via QUT Virtual to be allocated seats, and receive immediate online confirmation of their attendance which must be presented for registration.

Upon arrival at QPAC, enter via the Stage Door and follow the signs to the Graduand Registration Desk. Put a tick against your name on the Graduand List, and note your seat number. If your name is not ticked, it will not be read and you will not be presented on stage.

Admission — Guests

To ensure that all graduands obtain tickets for their guests, ticket numbers may be limited initially. If this is the case, any remaining tickets will be sold on first in first served basis after the date specified in your graduation invitation. Guests will be admitted to the Concert Hall approximately 15 minutes before the ceremony commences.

Guest tickets cost $16.80 each including GST and may be purchased from the Queensland Performing Arts Trust Ticket Office, or by contacting QTIX or phone 13 62 46 (61 7 3840 7551 if calling internationally). Booking charges apply.

Children

Children over two years of age require tickets. They must be closely supervised and accompanied by an adult (who is not graduating) at all times as childcare services are not available.

As graduation ceremonies are formal occasions, children often find them tedious and uncomfortable. Guests with young children should sit next to/near an aisle so that, if necessary, they can be taken outside or to the Viewing Room to avoid disrupting the ceremony or other guests.

Guests with Disabilities

Guests who require assistance due to mobility difficulties or other specific needs should mention their requirements when booking.

Cloakroom service

Graduates and guests may leave their valuables in the cloakrooms located in the ticket sales foyer and graduand robing room.

Dress code and academic dress hire

Dress code at the ceremony is smart casual, footwear must be worn for safety, and correct academic dress is compulsory for all graduands. If you indicate your attendance at your ceremony by responding to your online graduation invitation before the RSVP date, your academic dress will be booked automatically. It will be available in the Orchestra Room, Queensland Performing Arts Centre two hours prior to the start of your ceremony, and must be returned immediately after your ceremony.

Charges for academic dress hire are gowns $25.00, hoods $15.00, mortarboards $15.00, or $55.00 for a complete set. Payment on collection is by cash or cheque (made payable to the QUT Student Guild). Credit Card facilities are not available.

If you intend to wear your own gown or mortarboard (this must be the approved Cambridge style) or purchase academic dress please contact the QUT Student Guild Academic Dress Hire Service on 07 3274 1473 before your ceremony.

Please have your hair styled in a way that is suitable for wearing a mortarboard. Information about academic dress, hair styles and the dress code is available from the Academic Dress Hire Service at the Student Guild.

Framing service

Although your parchment is printed on archival paper, it is highly recommended that you have it framed. Matisse Framing has experience in framing this particular paper, and has been appointed for QUT graduation ceremonies. Matisse Framing will be located in the main foyer following the ceremony, and can be contacted on 07 3356 0909.

Parking

Parking is available in the Cultural Centre, Convention Centre and South Bank Car Parks, and pre-paid parking may be purchased through QTIX.

Photographs/videos

Flash photography is not permitted in the Concert Hall, although fast film may be used.

Official ceremony photographers, Elite Photographics photograph graduates receiving their certificates during the ceremony. They  offer complimentary portrait sittings for graduands and their families, and will have studios at the ceremony venue for photographs before and after your ceremony. We recommend having all your photos taken prior to your ceremony to avoid queuing after. Elite Photographics can be contacted on 07 3870 5373.

QUT is unable to provide video recordings of the ceremony, but guests are permitted to videotape the event from their seats only.