Auckland University of Technology

What to wear to Graduation

Graduation is a formal celebration of your achievement, and you are encouraged to dress appropriately.
For the graduation ceremony, you also must wear the correct academic regalia appropriate to your qualification which you arrange to hire or purchase. We recommend you organise it early to ensure availability.

You are encouraged to wear culturally appropriate adornment, such as korowai or garlands, over your gown if you wish.

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Descriptions of Academic Regalia

 
Dating back to medieval days academic regalia consists of one or more items of clothing, the gown (or robe), a stole, a hood and a hat.

Certificates

• Black Cambridge undergraduate gown

Diploma

• Black Cambridge undergraduate gown
• Stole in Qualification colour

Graduate Certificate

• Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown
• Stole in Qualification colour *Trencher from a previous qualification can be worn if applicable

Graduate Diploma

• Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown
• Stole in Qualification colour *Trencher from a previous qualification can be worn if applicable

Bachelors Degree

• Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown
• Hood - Black with bone coloured lining, edged with Qualification colour
• Black trencher with black tassel

Postgraduate Certificate

• Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown
• Stole in Qualification colour, *Degree hood from a previous qualification can also be worn
• Black trencher with black tassel

Postgraduate Diploma

• Black Cambridge Bachelor of Arts gown
• Stole in Qualification colour, *Degree hood from a previous qualification can also be worn
• Black trencher with black tassel

Masters Degree

• Black Cambridge Master of Arts gown
• Hood - Black with Qualification colour lining
• Black trencher with bone coloured tassel

Doctoral Degree

• Black Cambridge Master of Arts gown with red facing
• Hood - Cambridge style in red, lined with Qualification colour
• Black Tudor bonnet with gold cord

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 Qualification Colours

 
The table below details what colour stole you need to wear at your graduation ceremony, according to the qualification which you are going to be granted.
 

Colour	Primary Qualification	Related Qualification
Cornflower Blue	Applied Science	Applied Science
Red	Arts	Chinese Economic Development Japanese Research and Analysis Sign Language Interpreting Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Visual Arts
Red	Art and Design	Computer Publishing and Design Fashion Technology Graphic Communication
Green	Business	Advertising Business Computing Marketing
Mid Green	Business Administration	Business administration
Gold	Communication Studies	Advertising Creativity Communication and Public Relations Journalism Multimedia
Light Green	Computer and Information Sciences	Information Technology
Burgundy	Conjoint degrees	Conjoint Degrees
Sapphire	Dance	Dance
Fuschia	Education	Career Development Secondary Teaching Tertiary Teaching
Yellow	Engineering	Engineering Technology Electrotechnology
Blue	Health Science	Child Mental Health Health Practice Mental Health Support Work Psychosocial Studies Violence and Trauma Studies
Burnt Orange	International Hospitality Management	Culinary Arts Event Management Hospitality Management Travel and Tourism
Neon Pink	Mathematical Sciences	Mathematical Sciences
Purple	Maori Development	Cultural Tourism and Travel
Light Blue	Medical Laboratory Science	Medical Laboratory Science
Mid Blue	Sport and Recreation	Fitness Training

 

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The Graduation Ceremony

The graduation ceremony is always a memorable and pleasurable occasion for guests to attend. As a guest, this page gives you a brief outline of what to expect, on the day.

The graduation ceremony, regardless of venue, has a standard format. In the half hour prior to the ceremony start time graduands assemble together in a room adjacent to the auditorium and guests are seated in the auditorium.

Guest tickets are not for allocated seats so early arrival ensures better position in the auditorium. Arrival time at the venue needs to be at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start.

Once the guests are seated, the graduands are lead into the auditorium by the kaikaranga. A formal welcome follows then each graduand in turn crosses the stage, where the academic staff of the university are seated to formally congratulate them.
On the stage they are “capped” by the chancellor (or their delegate) and presented with their qualification award documentation by the vice chancellor (or their delegate).

The ceremony finishes with a congratulatory speech by the Vice Chancellor and the singing of the National Anthem.
 

Advice about what happens on Graduation day

 
The Graduation ceremony is a big day, especially if you are a Graduand, about to receive your qualification and officially graduate. This page gives you an outline of what happens on the day.

• Make sure your guests are OK then make sure you are ready for a 2 hour ceremony.
• You must have your hands free when on stage so it is strongly advised that you give handbags, flowers or personal belongings to your guests before leaving them in the foyer.

Report and register at the Registration Area no later than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start.

• The doors will be closed after this time to enable graduand checking and ordering to commence.
• If you arrive late you will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
• Once assembled keep in order
• Prior to the start of the ceremony, all graduands will be lined up in the sequence of their graduation.
• A final check of names will be carried out by the marshals which may result in some reordering. This is a very important process and you’re asked to cooperate and listen to instructions to ensure you get your own degree or diploma and not someone else’s!

Inside the Auditorium

• You will be part of a group supervised by a marshal who will lead you into the appropriate seating row.
• You will proceed into the auditorium after all other officials and guests are seated.
• There will be a karanga (call) and you will start filing in during this time.
• It is important that you proceed quickly and quietly and remain standing until instructed to sit.
• Enjoy the ceremony and be ready for your time on stage
• At the appropriate time, marshals will ask graduands to leave their seats and file in order quietly to the right hand side of the stage where a marshal will do a final check of names.

On the stage

• If you’re receiving a degree you should keep your trencher tucked under your left arm, tassel to the front
• When your name is called, you should walk directly to the Chancellor who will be standing in the centre of the stage.
• The Chancellor will then shake your right hand and hold a ceremonial trencher either over your head or your shoulder (depending upon the qualification that’s being granted).
• Once you have shaken the Chancellor’s hand, move directly to the Vice-Chancellor who will also shake your right hand and then present you with your degree/diploma/certificate which you will take in your left hand.
• You may then place your trencher on your head.

Congratulations! You have now graduated, and become a part of the AUT Alumni Network

Following this you should walk directly off the stage.

Marshals will then direct you back to your seats (which may not be the same seats you originally sat in).

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