What do I need to do to graduate?

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, and the Enrolment Team have reviewed your record. 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.

Please note: you are only eligible to attend a ceremony for your College or Division.

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 your documents will be posted to your postal address.

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

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.

Postal Address: All graduating students must have a postal address listed in eStudent so that we can send your hard copy testamur after the conferral date. Note postage can take up to 6 weeks, so please wait until after this time before following up on documents.

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.

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 SSA fees, you can make payment online through eStudent under My Finances. Alternatively, you can make payment in person at the Student Centre.
• If you have a Library debt, payment can be made in person at the Library or by phone.

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.

• Ensure you have received your Registration Number – This will be sent out via email approx. 2 days prior.
• Reserve your Guest Tickets – You will be emailed once ticket registration opens.
• Outfit - Consider something comfortable and shoes that are suitable for stairs and carpet. 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.

• Distribute guest tickets (If not yet done)
• Collect your gown
• Visit the photography studios
• Collect your Registration Card - you will need to have your registration number on hand
• Find your seat (approx. 30 minutes before start)

• 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 1^st lectern and hand your Registration Card to the JCU staff member
• Once your name is called, walk to the Chancellor in the centre of the stage and DOFF your hat to the Chancellor (in place of hand shake)
• Accept your scroll and smile for the photographer
• Walk off stage and follow directions from the ushers back to your seat (Please be respectful of your fellow graduates and remain in your seat until the ceremony is finished)

• Meet with your guests
• Take some photos with your scroll
• Return your gown