Graduation

How do I become a graduate?

You must register with the Graduation & Awards Unit and pay a fee of £40. The fee applies whether you want to attend the ceremony or graduate “in absentia”. The fee includes the cost of guest tickets. Please note that registration for graduation takes place before results are confirmed by assessment boards.

Can I graduate and go on to the next level of my programme?

NO. You cannot graduate twice from the same programme. If you change your mind and want to go on to the next level of your programme, you must contact the staff in the Graduation and Awards Unit in writing – by letter, fax or email (not by telephone) by Wednesday 6 June 2012 for June 2012 ceremonies.

Please note - What you do may affect any financial help you get from the Scottish Office.

They say that if you finish your ordinary degree without graduating and then go on immediately to do honours, you will normally get another year’s financial help. If you graduate with your ordinary degree, you have completed your first degree and are not entitled to more help.

Please read this extract from the Scottish Office:

• A student who has completed an Ordinary Degree without graduating and is then permitted by the same academic authority to proceed to Honours, is normally eligible for a one year extension of assistance. To qualify, the ‘Honours’ year must follow immediately after the Ordinary Degree course in order to comply with the principle that the Honours studies constitute an extension of the Ordinary Degree, with a single qualification gained at the end. If a student received assistance to complete an Ordinary Degree and graduates with it, he or she has clearly completed one course of higher education at first degree level thus extinguishing any further entitlement to assistance.

Can I choose when I graduate?

No. You graduate at the first ceremony for your school/division after your award is confirmed.

Do I have to attend a ceremony?

No. You can graduate “in absentia”.

If I register to attend a graduation ceremony, do I receive an invitation?

If you have registered to graduate, indicated that you wish to attend the ceremony, paid the fee and have a confirmed award, you will receive an invitation letter and your guest tickets approximately one week before the ceremony.

Can I delay graduating?

Only in exceptional circumstances. If you want to delay your graduation, you must make your request in writing when you register. You will then receive a written response.

Can I graduate if I appeal the decision of the Assessment Board?

If you submit an appeal against the level of your award, your name and level of award (at time of Graduation) will be included in the Graduation Booklet and you will be able to formally graduate with your peers.

You will not receive your award parchment at the Ceremony as the award is subject to Appeal but you will receive a letter in a presentation folder confirming that you have lodged an appeal which is currently under consideration.

Once the final decision has been made at Appeal, the Directorate of Quality and Governance will confirm the outcome in writing.  Your award will then be posted, recorded delivery, to your home address.

Alternatively, you can choose not to graduate while your appeal is under consideration, but we would need this confirmed in writing to ensure that your name and level of award were not included in the Graduation Listings.   If you take this option, your graduation request will be held on file until a decision is made on your Appeal.