Crossing the Dais

Procedure for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Graduands

The diagram above shows the layout of Winthrop Hall for the graduation ceremony.  To ensure the smooth flow of the ceremony, please familiarise yourself with the procedure set out below.

Procedure for Undergraduate Graduands

1  Rise with your row (when asked) and move to the left aisle of the hall.
2  Identify yourself to the staff member attending.
3  Have your academic dress adjusted if necessary.
4  Wait here until the Presenter has called your name and then proceed to the Chancellor.
5  Shake hands with the Chancellor.
6  Proceed back to your seat and sit down.

When the last graduand for your Faculty returns to his or her seat, the Chancellor will then confer upon you your award by saying:

On behalf of this University, I confer the degree of Bachelor and award of Diploma upon the graduands presented to me by... 

Procedure for Graduands Being Presented With a Postgraduate Award
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma graduands follow the procedure as above. Master graduands follow the procedure as above, except that at step 5 doff and then shake hands with the Chancellor.  Replace your cap and at step 5 return to your seat 6. 

When the last graduand of your Faculty returns to his or her seat ALL STAND.  The Chancellor will then confer you to your award by saying:

On behalf of this University, I confer the award of Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and award of Master upon the graduands presented to me by...

All graduates facing the Chancellor, then bow and sit down.

Procedure for Graduands Being Presented With a Doctoral Degree

The diagram above shows the layout of the dais set up of Winthrop Hall for the graduation ceremony. Please familiarise yourself with the procedure set out below to ensure the smooth flow of the ceremony.

1 Rise and move to your right-hand side of the dais (when asked).
2 Proceed to the Presenter and wait until you are presented to the Chancellor.
3 Proceed to the Chancellor, doff and shake hands. Replace cap.
4 Return to your seat via centre aisle and sit down.

Procedures for Doctorate Graduands other than Higher Doctorates
When the last graduand returns to his or her seat all graduands stand. The Chancellor will then confer upon you your degree by saying:

"On behalf of this University, I confer the degree of Doctor of this University upon the graduands presented to me by..."

All Doctorate graduates other than Higher Doctorates, face the Chancellor, then bow and sit down.

Procedures for Higher Doctorate Graduands Only
Graduands follow procedure as above, except that at step 4 when you return you remain standing. When the last Higher Doctorate Graduand for your Faculty returns to his or her seat and is standing, the Chancellor will then confer upon you your degree by saying:

"On behalf of this University, I confer the degree of Doctor of ... upon the graduands presented to me by..."

All Higher Doctorate graduates, face the Chancellor, then bow and sit down.

How to Doff
Remove your cap with the right hand and transfer it to your left hand. Replace the cap after shaking hands with the Chancellor.