Graduation overview

Please note: This is official information about graduation and any other information should be disregarded. The university will not be held liable for students following incorrect information. Official graduation communication only comes from the Student Records Office.

Please read this information carefully to ensure a smooth graduation.

Confer and graduation ceremony dates

Confer Date: This indicates the graduation session that you are eligible to graduate (provided you have no outstanding fees or disciplinaries). Once added as a qualifier on system, the confer date is reflected on your academic record. UCT's student system records one confer date per graduation session which means that the first date of the graduation session is used for all students and all qualifications.
Graduation Ceremony Date: This is the date when the formal graduation ceremony takes place, where you will have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements with friends, family, and fellow graduates. Please note that while the graduation ceremony date may differ from the confer date, it will always occur on or after the confer date and never before.

Please keep this in mind as you prepare for graduation.

Autumn 2026 graduation

Please note that, as per the 2026 graduation notice which has been available since January 2025 under Downloads, only students who are added as qualifiers on system and clear fees by 18 December 2025 are eligible for the Autumn 2026 graduation. The Autumn 2026 graduation information will be available in January 2026.

Graduation documentation

You will receive the following documentation:

Your original hard copy certificate and one hard copy of your official transcript.
One electronic certificate and one electronic transcript. This will be emailed to your @myuct account after graduation i.e., between 29 September and 24 October 2025.

If you have not received your electronic documents and don’t follow up within three months, you will only be able to receive an electronic transcript through the Student Records Office. If a certificate received after graduation is subsequently lost, damaged or stolen, graduates may apply for a duplicate certificate through the Student Records Office. The fee for a duplicate certificate is currently R800.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know that I am graduating?

The only way to confirm that you are graduating is to check that your academic record states ‘Qualifies for award of degree’ with the confer date. Please note that the confer date must not be confused with the graduation date. UCT’s student system records one confer date per session which means that one date is used for all students and all qualifications. The actual date on which a student graduates might differ. The schedule of graduation ceremonies is published at the top of this webpage.

How do I RSVP?

You are not required to RSVP or indicate your attendance. If you are attending, please follow the instructions under ‘If you will be attending your graduation ceremony’ once they are published.

How do I request a formal invitation to be used for visa purposes or to request time off from my employer?

Invitation letters may be requested from reg-records@uct.ac.za. Kindly note that these will be issued when the ceremony dates become available.

How do I request extra tickets?

If you are attending the ceremony, you will be issued with 2 guest tickets. It is not possible to receive additional tickets. It is not possible to request the tickets of someone who will not be attending the ceremony. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the request for additional tickets.

Are children allowed to attend the ceremony?

Yes. Please note that all guests require a ticket, regardless of their age.

Where do I collect my tickets and academic attire?

Collect your tickets and academic attire from the Molly Blackburn Hall, Otto Beit Building the day before your ceremony as per schedule once it is published. No third party collections will be permitted. Ensure that you present a valid form of photo identity (SA ID document, passport, drivers licence or student card) when collecting your tickets.

How long will the ceremony be?

We are unable to confirm the exact duration. You can expect the ceremony to be approximately 2 hours in duration.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Yes. The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed from the UCT website and social media channels.

Can I attend the ceremony and receive my certificate if I have outstanding fees?

No. Students with outstanding fees are not permitted to graduate or receive their academic documents. Once you have settled your outstanding fees, you will be allocated to the next graduation session.

Is it possible to receive my certificate before the ceremony?

Legally, it is not possible to receive your certificate before the qualification has been conferred upon you at the graduation ceremony (in person or in absentia). A qualification confirmation letter is available for download via PeopleSoft Self-Service to use in place of the certificate in the interim.

Can I request electronic copies of my academic documents?

Electronic copies of your certificate and transcript will be emailed to your @myuct email address between 29 September and 24 October 2025.

Can I postpone my ceremony?

It is not possible to elect to defer your attendance to a future date. If you are not able to attend the graduation ceremony, you will graduate in absentia. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the deferment of graduation.