Graduation Policy (MPF1055)
RELEVANT LEGISLATION
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Statute 11.1 - Courses, Enrolment and Assessment
Statute 11.5 - Conferring and Other Ceremonies
Regulation 11.5.R1 - Conferring Ceremony Procedures
Regulation 11.5.R2 - Academic Dress
SCOPE
This policy applies to all award courses at the University.
POLICY
1. Principles
1.1. Every person who fulfils the requirements for completion of an award course is eligible for
formal conferral of the award by University Council.
1.2. Council will authorise the conferral of awards, and the scheduling and conduct of
graduation ceremonies, in accordance with Statute 11.5 – Conferring and Other Ceremonies and
the Graduation Ceremonies Procedure.
1.3. The Academic Registrar will manage and coordinate all aspects of University graduation
ceremonies authorised by Council and reserves the right to alter ceremony schedules as
required.
1.4. Eligible students may elect to have their award conferred without being present at an
official ceremony, i.e. conferral in absentia.
1.5. Where an award is conferred in absentia, Melbourne Students and Learning, as the
applicable University department, will make arrangements for either the postal despatch of the
testamur, or otherwise for collection.
1.6. Melbourne Students and Learning will provide graduands with academic statements,
including academic transcripts, Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS)
and testamurs, in accordance with the Academic Statements Procedure.
2. Postgraduate and graduate diplomas and certificate awards
2.1. The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for all Postgraduate/Graduate
Diploma or Certificate Awards, except for students enrolled in courses offered by Melbourne
Business School or the Faculty of Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of
Music who have the option of attending a ceremony.
3. Bachelor and master awards
3.1. A bachelor or master degree student cannot graduate at a ceremony unless they have
received an invitation from the Graduations Office, responded to that invitation and passed all
degree requirements.
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3.2. The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for bachelor or master degree
students who do not respond to their invitation to attend a graduation ceremony. These in
absentia awards will be conferred at the conclusion of the ceremonies to which the students were
invited.
3.3. The University will subsequently confer awards for bachelor or master degree students who
accept their invitation to attend a graduation ceremony but do not attend the ceremony. Unless
the student contacts the University to make other arrangements, these awards will be conferred
in absentia at the conclusion of the corresponding ceremony in the following academic year after
the original ceremony that the student did not attend.
4. Doctoral awards
4.1. A doctoral degree student cannot graduate at a ceremony unless they have received an
invitation from the Graduations Office, responded to that invitation and passed all degree
requirements.
4.2. The University will automatically confer awards in absentia for doctoral degree students
who do not nominate a graduation ceremony to attend (or at which to graduate in absentia) within
six months of completion of their course. These in absentia awards will be conferred at the next
appropriate graduation ceremony following the six month period.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
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Academic Statements Procedure
Graduation Ceremonies Procedure
DEFINITIONS
Term
Definition
award
A degree, diploma or certificate approved by the Academic Board which may be
conferred or granted by Council.
award
course
A program of study formally approved/accredited by the University which leads to an
academic award granted by the University.
conferral
The act of granting an award to a student either in person or in absentia at an official
ceremony after completion of their course requirements.
testamur
A document in the form of a certificate which is binding on and certified by the
University, and provided to the relevant graduating student on successful completion
and conferral of an award at the University.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER
The Academic Registrar is responsible for the development, compliance monitoring and review of
this policy and any associated guidelines.
IMPLEMENTATION OFFICER
The Manager, Policy and Projects, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is
responsible for the promulgation and implementation of this policy in accordance with the scope
outlined above. Enquiries about interpretation of this policy should be directed to the
implementation officer.
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REVIEW
This policy is to be reviewed by 30 June 2016.
VERSION HISTORY
Version
Approved
By
Approval
Date
Effective
Date
Sections Modified
1
Provost
26 Feb
2012
21 Aug
2012
New version arising from the Policy
Simplification Project. Loaded into MPL as
Version 1.
Provost
Full review as part of formal review cycle.
Update terminology.
5 Dec 2013 5 Dec 2013 Amendment to conferral rules – students who
fail to respond are automatically conferred in
absentia.
2
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