Arrival and Registration

• Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your ceremony start time.
• The campus is less than five minutes from the M1 Pacific Motorway Ourimbah exit. Parking at this campus is free, however traffic and parking rules apply. For more information on accessibility, parking rules and infringements click here.
• Mobility assistance is available between the car park and the venue.
• Graduates make their way to the the Tourism and Hospitality Building (building TH on map) to register attendance and collect your Academic Dress. Our staff will be on hand here to assist you in wearing your academic dress correctly.
• Guests can head straight to the Fine Arts Building where they can grab a coffee or drink.

Once you have registered and collected your gown, make your way to the Fine Arts Building.

Academic dress

The approved University of Newcastle academic dress includes a gown, and if appropriate, a hood and trencher (cap) or bonnet.

The hire of your academic dress is part of your graduation package and is paid for through the online graduation registration system at the same time you register. Academic dress hire terms and conditions (for Australian ceremonies) can also be viewed online before payment has been processed.

Collecting your Academic Dress

Academic dress is collected on the day of your ceremony Tourism and Hospitality Building (building TH on map) at the following times:

Returning your Academic Dress

Your Academic Dress must be returned before leaving Campus on the day of your ceremony.  Please return your academic dress hire to the Tourism and Hospitality Building where you collected it.

If you would like to purchase all or part of your academic dress, this may be done through the Graduation Registration System at the time of registering your attendance.

Please contact Academic Dress Hire if you have any questions.

Phone: +61 2 4985 4132
Email: ad-hire@newcastle.edu.au

• How do I wear my academic dress?
• List of Current Awards and academic dress

The Graduation Ceremony

• You will need to be seated at least 30 minutes before the beginning of your ceremony. We will have staff to show you to your allocated seats once you enter the Fine Art Building.
• You will be sitting with your fellow graduates, and your guests will have seating elsewhere in the hall. Ensure you give your guests their tickets before taking your seat.
• If you have any extra family and friends you wish to share this remarkable moment with, there will be a live stream of your graduation ceremony available onsite in a Lecture Theatre opposite the Fine Art Building or they are able to watch from home by visiting our website. A recording of the live-stream will also be available on the website a few days after your ceremony.
• Our staff will direct you where you have to go for your moment on stage.
• A professional photographer will take your photo whilst you are on the stage, so don't forget to stop before leaving the stage.

After the Ceremony

• Following on from your ceremony we will be holding a reception in the Student Amenities Building for you and your guests to attend. Drinks and canapés will be served.
• Professional photography and framing services are also available in the Student Amenities Building.

Tickets

Your graduate package includes up to 2 guest tickets. Your Graduate ticket and guest tickets are provided digitally as a QR code in your booking confirmation.  Guest tickets will be sent to both you and your guests.  Please bring your booking confirmation and guest tickets with you on the day of your ceremony.

Guest seating is general seating, not allocated, and children over the age of 24 months require their own seat. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure their preferred seats.

Additional tickets may be available for your ceremony, however this cannot be determined until after the graduate registration period closes. If additional tickets are made available for your ceremony, you will be emailed with details of how and when to purchase them. Additional guest tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis and until exhausted.

Graduation photography

A professional photographer will be present at your ceremony.

As the graduate, you will receive a photo of yourself standing on stage holding your testamur. These will be available for you to download and share from the graduation photography Facebook page.

You and your guests have an opportunity to attend a professional Studio Portrait Session in conjunction with your ceremony. Sessions are available in the Student Amenities Building following your ceremony for a booking fee of $20.

• Photographs can include graduate alone and with their 2 guests.
• You are able to view and purchase your portraits online.
• Images are available to purchase as prints or high-resolution digital images

Studio times are limited so we recommend that you book your studio session in advance here.

To pre-order a portrait, including discount pricing, or to order a high resolution image of your ceremony photograph, head to Graduation Photography’s dedicated University of Newcastle page.

Graduation Photography
1004 Victoria Road,
West Ryde NSW 2114
+61 2 9804 7777

Web: http://www.graduationphotography.com.au/UNC
Social: https://www.facebook.com/graduationphotography
Email: orders@graduationphotography.com.au

Back to top

Framing

At your graduation ceremony, you will have the opportunity to purchase University memorabilia, as well as order a plaque of your testamur or have it framed. If you decide to purchase a plaque or frame your testamur after the ceremony, contact:

Jackson Frames
Unit 36, 6 Jubilee Avenue,
Warriewood NSW 2102
+61 2 9999 1805

Web: http://www.jacksonframes.com.au
Email: frames@jacksonframes.com.au

Memorabilia

Reflect on your time at the University of Newcastle with your own official university merchandise. Whether you are looking for classic styles or contemporary designs, The Shop gives everyone the opportunity to take a piece of the university home with them. View the full range here.

Open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm you can find us in the Student Amenities Building.

If you miss the opportunity to purchase your official university merchandise at graduation, contact us, or visit us at The Shop.

The Shop
The University of Newcastle, Student Amenities Building
10 Chittaway Rd, Ourimbah NSW 2258

Contact: theshop@newcastle.edu.au

What happens if I can no longer attend my Graduation ceremony?

If you can no longer attend your ceremony, you may request a swap to an alternative ceremony, or request a refund. All refund requests must be made in writing to hello@reedgraduations.com.au at least 2 business days before the Graduation series commences. For our April ceremonies, all refund request must be made by 5.00pm Friday, 12 April 2024, to be eligible for a refund.

If you do not request a refund by the cut-off date, and are unable to attend your ceremony at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, you may be eligible to attend the next round of ceremonies, free of charge. Please email graduation@newcastle.edu.au outlining the circumstances that prevented you from attending you ceremony.