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Before you graduate

What do I need to do to graduate?

Congratulations on completing your study. To ensure you are ready to graduate please follow the checklist below.

Step 1 – Check Your Eligibility

In anticipation that you pass all required subjects, and are eligible to graduate, you will be allocated to a graduation ceremony. You will receive an allocation email when you are enrolled in your final subjects of your course. Don’t worry if your friends have received an email but you haven’t. Your record may still be under review.

You can find a list of JCU ceremony locations, dates and venues via the Ceremonies webpage.

To view past James Cook University, Singapore past graduation ceremonies and online celebrations, via the Graduation Ceremony webpage.

Please note: you may only attend one graduation ceremony.

Step 2 – Confirm Your attendance or Opt Out Of the Ceremony

You can only confirm your attendance via eStudent

Once you have been advised that Registration is open:

  • Log-in to eStudent using your JCU username and password.
  • Select My Results and Graduation at the top of the page then Graduation Details at the left-hand side of the page.
  • If you have been allocated to a ceremony, the ceremony details will appear towards the bottom of the page.
  • Select View next to the ceremony details.
  • Under Ceremony Details, hit the drop-down menu and select Ceremony – Attending or Ceremony – Not Attending.
  • You can change your selection up to the due date as advised in your allocation email.
  • If you are unable to, or do not wish to attend the ceremony, your award will still be conferred and you will be contacted on the collection or mailing method.

If you do not respond or update your attendance preference, you will not be registered to take part in the ceremony on the day.

Step 3 – Ensure Your Personal Details Are Correct

Formal Name: We recommend that you check your Formal Name details through My Details > My Personal Details in eStudent.

The formal name listed will be the name presented on your graduation documents. If you have changed your formal name since enrolling and/or wish to update your name, you will need to complete the Change of Personal Details Form. Changes must be made by the due date as advised in your allocation email.

Phonetic Name: If you are attending a graduation ceremony, please submit a phonetic name to be used at the graduation ceremony. This will ensure your formal name is pronounced correctly.

You can add or edit your phonetic name through eStudent under My Results and Graduation, followed by Graduation Details on the left-hand side of the page. Select Modify my Phonetic Name, add or edit your phonetic name and select Save. For example, Sean Rhys Beauchamp can be phonetically written as Shorn Reese Bow-sham.

Students graduating from an award course at James Cook University (JCU) will also be provided with a digital copy of their Testamur and Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS) within a week of their conferral date. These documents can be accessed and shared via My eQuals.

Step 4 – Pay Any Outstanding Fees

Clear Sanctions

You will be prevented from graduating if you have a financial sanction. You can check whether you have a sanction through eStudent. Log-in to eStudent and select the My details tab at the top of the page, followed by Sanctions from the left hand menu.

  • If you have a sanction, the sanction description, the reason for the sanction and the effective date will be visible.
  • If you have a sanction due to unpaid tuition or library fees, you will need to contact your Student Ambassador to arrange for the payment.
  • If you have a Library debt, payment can be made in person at the Library.

Be aware it can take up to three (3) business days for payment to be received. Once payment is received, your sanction will be lifted. Your sanction must be paid by the date of conferral.

Step 5 – Check your Course Completion Status

Check your unofficial academic record after the result release date to ensure the status for the course that you are graduating from states: “Course requirements Completed”.

You can obtain an unofficial academic record online, which lists your subjects and results.

1.     Log into eStudent
2.     Go to My Results and Graduation
3.     If required, view the relevant study plan
4.     Click on the 'Email complete academic record' button

A copy of your unofficial academic record will be sent to your JCU email account.

Graduation Lead Up and Day Of

Below is a run down of what you need to do in the lead up to graduation and details on what to expect on the day. It is anticipated the ceremony will run for approximately.

One Week Before Graduation Ceremony

  • Attend the graduation briefing
  • Ensure you have received your Registration Number – This will be sent out via email approx. 2 days prior.
  • Collect and pay for your gown and Guest Tickets – Reservation of your gown and guest ticket link will be sent out via email approx. 4 weeks prior.
  • Outfit - Consider something comfortable and shoes that are suitable for stairs and carpet.

Or any other formal attire apart from the above category. No sandals, slippers or sport shoes allowed. No shorts or denim material allowed. More information do refer to the FAQ on Academic Regalia.

Note: Thongs, shorts, t-shirts, jeans and ripped clothing are not considered appropriate.

  • Plan your arrival time and factor in transport/parking - you will need to arrive about 2hrs before the ceremony start time.
  • Decide when and where you would like to take Graduation photos.

Before Graduation Ceremony

  • Distribute guest tickets to your guest (if not yet done)
  • Bring the academic gown to the event venue
  • Collect your ‘Graduand Seating’ Card
  • Find your seat (approx.45 minutes before start)

During Ceremony

  • Academic Procession
  • National Anthem – Remember to remove hat
  • Quietly stand when advised and keep an eye on the usher directing students
  • Have your Registration Card with you at all times
  • Stay in order and have your name marked off
  • Proceed to the 1st lectern and hand your ‘Graduand Seating’ Card to the JCU staff member
  • Once your name is called, walk to the Chancellor in the center of the stage and DOFF your hat to the Chancellor (in place of hand shake)