PhD and higher doctoral graduates

In addition to event details, ceremony livestreaming and merchandise, this page outlines event information specific to PhD and higher doctoral graduates.

PhD and higher doctoral graduates take part in the academic procession as part of the formal ceremony. Because of this, there is slightly different information for you to be aware of regarding your ceremony schedule, the academic procession and your moment on stage. These differences are outlined below.

Ceremony schedule

Select your ceremony start time to view the schedule for your ceremony. It is essential that you arrive on time for registration and gowning and attend the pre-ceremony briefing about the academic procession.

  • 10.00am ceremony

    7.00–9.15am

    Graduate registration and regalia collection

    You must register and collect your regalia at the regalia marquee prior to entering the venue for your ceremony. The location is marked on the venue map.

    Photography studios will be open during this period.

    9.15am

    Royal Exhibition Building is opened to graduates and guests

    Graduates enter via the north entrance (opposite Melbourne Museum). All guests enter via the door marked on the guest tickets (Nicholson St or Rathdowne St).

    Graduates and guests need to have a copy of their seat tickets ready to be scanned at the door.

    Photography studios close

    This service will close for the duration of the ceremony. They will reopen after the ceremony.

    9.20–9.25am

    		PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients must check in at the briefing location by 9.25am. You will receive information about the briefing location via email in the lead up to the ceremony date.

    9.30am

    		PhD/higher doctoral degree recipient briefing. Our protocol team will brief you on the Academic Procession, receiving your degree and the recessional.

    9.40am

    Group photo

    A group photo of all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients will be taken.

    9.45am

    Academic Procession

    Our protocol team will order all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients for the Academic Procession.

    10.00am

    Ceremony commences

    The ceremony will run for approximately two hours.

     

    Once ceremony concludes it is followed by post-event function

    Refreshments served upstairs on the gallery level (duration one hour).

     

    All hired regalia to be returned

    Hired regalia should be returned to the location from which it was collected two hours post-ceremony (regalia marquee outside the Royal Exhibition Building).

  • 11.00am ceremony

    8.00–10.15am

    Graduate registration and regalia collection

    You must register and collect your regalia at the regalia marquee prior to entering the venue for your ceremony. The location is marked on the venue map.

    Photography studios will be open during this period.

    10.15am

    Royal Exhibition Building is opened to graduates and guests

    Graduates enter via the north entrance (opposite Melbourne Museum). All guests enter via the door marked on the guest tickets (Nicholson St or Rathdowne St).

    Graduates and guests need to have a copy of their seat tickets ready to be scanned at the door.

    Photography studios close

    This service will close for the duration of the ceremony. They will reopen after the ceremony.

    10.20–10.25am

    		PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients must check in at the briefing location by 10.25am. You will receive information about the briefing location via email in the lead up to the ceremony date.

    10.30am

    		PhD/higher doctoral degree recipient briefing. Our protocol team will brief you on the Academic Procession, receiving your degree and the recessional.

    10.40am

    Group photo

    A group photo of all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients will be taken.

    10.45am

    Academic Procession

    Our protocol team will order all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients for the Academic Procession.

    11.00am

    Ceremony commences

    The ceremony will run for approximately two hours.

     

    Once ceremony concludes it is followed by post-event function

    Refreshments served upstairs on the gallery level (duration one hour).

     

    All hired regalia to be returned

    Hired regalia should be returned to the location from which it was collected two hours post-ceremony (regalia marquee outside the Royal Exhibition Building).

  • 2.00pm ceremony

    11.00am–1.15pm

    Graduate registration and regalia collection

    You must register and collect your regalia at the regalia marquee prior to entering the venue for your ceremony. The location is marked on the venue map.

    Photography studios will be open during this period.

    1.15pm

    Royal Exhibition Building is opened to graduates and guests

    Graduates enter via the north entrance (opposite Melbourne Museum). All guests enter via the door marked on the guest tickets (Nicholson St or Rathdowne St).

    Graduates and guests need to have a copy of their seat tickets ready to be scanned at the door.

    Photography studios close

    This service will close for the duration of the ceremony. They will reopen after the ceremony.

    1.20–1.25pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients must check in at the briefing location by 1.25pm. You will receive information about the briefing location via email in the lead up to the ceremony date.

    1.30pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipient briefing. Our protocol team will brief you on the Academic Procession, receiving your degree and the recessional.

    1.40pm

    Group photo

    A group photo of all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients will be taken.

    1.45pm

    Academic Procession

    Our protocol team will order all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients for the Academic Procession.

    2.00pm

    Ceremony commences

    The ceremony will run for approximately two hours.

     

    Once ceremony concludes it is followed by post-event function

    Refreshments served upstairs on the gallery level (duration one hour).

     

    All hired regalia to be returned

    Hired regalia should be returned to the location from which it was collected two hours post-ceremony (regalia marquee outside the Royal Exhibition Building).

  • 5.00pm ceremony

    2.00–4.15pm

    Graduate registration and regalia collection

    You must register and collect your regalia at the regalia marquee prior to entering the venue for your ceremony. The location is marked on the venue map.

    Photography studios will be open during this period.

    4.15pm

    Royal Exhibition Building is opened to graduates and guests

    Graduates enter via the north entrance (opposite Melbourne Museum). All guests enter via the door marked on the guest tickets (Nicholson St or Rathdowne St).

    Graduates and guests need to have a copy of their seat tickets ready to be scanned at the door.

    Photography studios close

    This service will close for the duration of the ceremony. They will reopen after the ceremony.

    4.20–4.25pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients must check in at the briefing location by 4.25pm. You will receive information about the briefing location via email in the lead up to the ceremony date.

    4.30pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipient briefing. Our protocol team will brief you on the Academic Procession, receiving your degree and the recessional.

    4.40pm

    Group photo

    A group photo of all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients will be taken.

    4.45pm

    Academic Procession

    Our protocol team will order all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients for the Academic Procession.

    5.00pm

    Ceremony commences

    The ceremony will run for approximately two hours.

     

    Once ceremony concludes it is followed by post-event function

    Refreshments served upstairs on the gallery level (duration one hour).

     

    All hired regalia to be returned

    Hired regalia should be returned to the location from which it was collected two hours post-ceremony (regalia marquee outside the Royal Exhibition Building).

  • 6.00pm ceremony

    3.00–5.15pm

    Graduate registration and regalia collection

    You must register and collect your regalia at the regalia marquee prior to entering the venue for your ceremony. The location is marked on the venue map.

    Photography studios will be open during this period.

    5.15pm

    Royal Exhibition Building is opened to graduates and guests

    Graduates enter via the north entrance (opposite Melbourne Museum). All guests enter via the door marked on the guest tickets (Nicholson St or Rathdowne St).

    Graduates and guests need to have a copy of their seat tickets ready to be scanned at the door.

    Photography studios close

    This services will close for the duration of the ceremony. They will reopen after the ceremony.

    5.20–5.25pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients must check in at the briefing location by 5.25pm. You will receive information about the briefing location via email in the lead up to the ceremony date.

    5.30pm

    		 PhD/higher doctoral degree recipient briefing. Our protocol team will brief you on the Academic Procession, receiving your degree and the recessional.

    5.40pm

    Group photo

    A group photo of all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients will be taken.

    5.45pm

    Academic Procession

    Our protocol team will order all PhD/higher doctoral degree recipients for the Academic Procession.

    6.00pm

    Ceremony commences

    The ceremony will run for approximately two hours.

     

    Once ceremony concludes it is followed by post-event function

    Refreshments served upstairs on the gallery level (duration one hour).

     

    All hired regalia to be returned

    Hired regalia should be returned to the location from which it was collected two hours post-ceremony (regalia marquee outside the Royal Exhibition Building).

Academic procession

At the beginning of the formal ceremony, an academic procession takes place where university dignitaries enter the venue and march together wearing traditional regalia. As a PhD or higher doctoral graduate, you will be part of the procession along with your supervisor (if they have indicated they would like to take part during the invitation process).

During the ceremony

After entering the hall with the procession, you will be invited to take your allocated seat. Seating information can be found on your ticket. Graduation staff will guide you when it is your turn to be presented on stage.

Your moment on stage

  1. When it is your turn to be presented, you will be ushered from your allocated seat and directed towards the presentation point on the stage.
  2. Your name will be called.
  3. Acknowledge the Presiding Officer with a 'doff' (nod and pinch the front of your hat).
  4. A short citation of your doctoral thesis will be read by the Academic Board Officer at the lectern – smile, you’re on the big screen while this is happening!
  5. Walk to the Presiding Officer (the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor of the ceremony) waiting centre-stage.
  6. Pose for a photograph with the Presiding Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor and exit the stage as directed by graduation staff.
  7. As you exit, 'doff' to the Academic Board Officer at the lectern in acknowledgement and return to your seat.

All graduates are to remain in their assigned seat until the end of the ceremony.

Academic recessional

At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates will stand and join the academic recessional, following the university dignitaries and academics along the aisle and up to the post-event celebrations.

Post-event celebrations

The post-event celebrations include refreshments for you and your guests. It will commence as soon as your ceremony has finished and will last for one hour. This is an opportunity to celebrate with your guests, supervisor and fellow graduates as well as take photos around the venue.

Back to Graduation Day