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Degree conferment regulations
This page sets out an extract from the regulations governing the conferment of degrees. Please read them carefully to ensure your graduation runs as smoothly as possible:
1. No candidate for a degree of the University shall be entitled to use the rights and privileges of the degree until such time as the degree has been formally conferred.
2. A Degree Certificate bears the full legal name of the person on whom the degree has been conferred and the date on which the degree is conferred.
3. Graduands are required to present themselves for the conferment of degrees at a Congregation suitably dressed and wearing the gown, hood and cap appropriate to the degree to which they are to be admitted. Graduands must not wear trainers or jeans under any circumstances.
4. Degrees may be conferred on candidates in person or in absentia.
5. Candidates must notify the University Registry in response to a letter of enquiry which will be sent to them either:
- that they wish to attend the specified degree Congregation and have their degrees conferred in person;
or - that they wish to have their degrees conferred in absentia;
or - that they are unable to attend the specified Congregation but wish to have their degrees conferred in person at a Congregation in the following year.
6. If such a notification is not received by the Registry by the date prescribed in the letter of enquiry, the degree will be conferred in absentia.
7. If a candidate who had given notice of his intention to be present in accordance with 3(a) above is, in the event, unable to attend the Congregation, his degree will be conferred in absentia.
8. No person eligible for the award of a degree of the University shall be admitted to the degree unless he shall first have paid such University and College fees and other charges as are due and has complied with the Library regulations concerning the return of books.
9. A Certificate for the award of a Diploma or a Certificate bears the full legal name of the person on whom the award has been made and the date on which such award was approved. Entitlement to use the rights and privileges of the award of a Diploma or Certificate commences from the date of such award. No award of a Diploma or a Certificate shall be made unless the student concerned shall first have paid any appropriate University fees or other charges as are due to the University and has complied with the University Library Regulations concerning the return of books.
Notes:
(a) Congregations for the conferment of degrees are held at least once each year. The Chancellor, or in his absence, the Vice-Chancellor, or, in his absence, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor presides.
(b) The formal admission of persons to degrees is made by the Chancellor or by the Vice-Chancellor (or Deputy Vice-Chancellor).
(c) Candidates for degrees in course are presented to the Chancellor or the Vice-Chancellor (or Deputy Vice-Chancellor) by the Dean of the appropriate Faculty or by their deputies. Honorary graduands are presented by the Public Orator.
(d) Awards ceremonies for the award of Diplomas and Certificates are held on at least one occasion each year. Candidates for Diploma and Certificate awards are presented by the Dean of the appropriate Faculty, his/her deputy or by the Head of the institution in which the students concerned pursued their studies or his/her deputy.