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Graduation Information

NEXT CEREMONY: 12 DECEMBER 2024 (DATE CHANGE)

Please note that this ceremony will only be for select programmes (completing in 2024). The list of programmes will be published at the end October 2024.

There will be 2 ceremonies on the day which will begin promptly at 09h30 and 14h30 respectively. 
Graduands and guests arriving after the commencement of a ceremony, even with admission tickets, may be denied access to the venue.
Graduands and their guests must be seated in the venue at least 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
 

Students who have completed their studies must consult this website for regular updates. Please view the tabs below for graduating with fees outstanding (symbolically), graduation attire, photographs and tickets.

TICKETS: Graduands will receive 3 tickets in total (1 ticket for the graduand and 2 guest tickets). Doctoral graduands will receive 4 guest tickets. Tickets will be emailed to graduands via their student email 2 days before the graduation ceremony.  Graduands to check their inbox/spam folders for a link to access their tickets, or log in on Webtickets.co.za using student email address or student gmail account. EMAIL info@webtickets.co.za for assistance.

Please note, that if you will not be attending your graduation ceremony your tickets may not be sold or transferred to another graduand or guest. Instances where graduands have bought additional tickets or been given tickets by another graduand may find access to the ceremony for these additional tickets denied.

GRADUATION ATTIRE: The University's preferred supplier of academic attire is House of Graduates and you can contact them via http://houseofgraduates.co.za/CLICK HERE for an updated price list.

GRADUATION PHOTOGRAPHY: The University's preferred vendor for the September and December 2024 Graduation ceremonies is GORDON HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHICCLICK HERE to view information and to place orders online.

Contact graduation@uwc.ac.za or lpoonah@uwc.ac.za

To ensure that you are added to the finalised graduation list, you will need to ensure the following:

Outstanding Fees: In order to participate in the graduation ceremony, you must have cleared any outstanding fees by 20 August 2024. Please review your account and make sure all financial obligations are met. See details on the tab below 'GRADUATING WITH FEES OUTSTANDING', this relates to any student with outstanding fess regardless of having a current payment arrangement in place, including persal arrangements, or awaiting other funding settlements (from your bursar/funder, including NSFAS).

Should you not adhere to the processes above you will not be part of the upcoming ceremony and no late requests or submissions will be accepted.

Masters and Doctoral students must submit their final corrected theses to the Library by 02 August 2024, to be part of the graduation ceremony.

Graduates (with no fees outstanding) will have an electronic copy of their certificate emailed to them on the day of the graduation and will be able to collect or request for their certificates to be couriered to them (see tab below for more information).

Graduates (with no fees outstanding) will have an electronic copy of their academic transcript emailed to them on the day of the graduation.

All graduates will receive an official completion letter (electronically) that will be signed and stamped and indicate the:
- qualification obtained,
- medium of instruction,
- conduct of the graduate, and
- date degree conferred

Graduates with fees outstanding (even with payment arrangements in place or Acknowledgements of Debt signed) will only receive an electronic copy of their completion letter. They will not be issued with a certificate (electronic or hard copy) or academic transcript until the required fees have been settled.

TICKETS: Graduands will receive 2 guest tickets (Doctoral graduands will receive 4 guest tickets). Tickets will be emailed to graduands via their student email 2 days before the graduation ceremony. 

If you have fees outstanding regardless of the type of bursar/funder (even if on NSFAS) or even if you already have a payment arrangement in place, you must contact Student Credit Management and finalise a Graduation AoD between 31 July 2024 and 20 August 2024 in order to remain part of the graduation. NO EXTENSIONS TO THE DEADLINES BELOW WILL BE GRANTED.

LOCAL STUDENTS (SOUTH AFRICAN STUDENTS ONLY)

In order to make the necessary financial arrangements for your graduation and take part in a SYMBOLIC GRADUATION, regardless of having a current payment arrangement in place, including persal arrangements, or awaiting other funding settlements (from your bursar/funder, including NSFAS), you, as the graduate, must contact Student Credit Management via the Graduation Clearance Portal https://studentdebt.uwc.ac.za/ to sign an “Acknowledgement of Debt” (AOD) from 31 July 2024 to 20 August 2024 (no extensions or late submissions will be accepted).

If you fall within the categories below you must sign a Graduation AoD:

- awaiting any funding settlements
- awaiting NSFAS settlements
- have a persal arrangement in place
- have an existing arrangement previously made with Student Credit Management

A symbolic graduation implies that you will be permitted to participate in the ceremony and your name will appear in the graduation booklet and during the ceremony, however, you will not receive a graduation certificate nor a transcript until your outstanding debt has been settled. You will however receive a formal letter of completion with your graduation date. The AoD must be finalised via the Graduation Clearance Portal https://studentdebt.uwc.ac.za/ no later than 20 August 2024. Failure to finalise by the deadline will result in your name being removed from the graduation list and you will not be able to receive your certificate until you have been part of a graduation ceremony. If, however, your intention is to settle your account, payment MUST reflect on your student account no later than 20 August 2024.

Should you not sign an AoD you will not be part of this graduation and even if your fees are settled in full later, you will need to wait for the next graduation to be a part of that one and receive a certificate then only. 

If you have any queries please call 021 959 3558 without delay to make the necessary financial arrangements for graduation. PLEASE NOTE: This is only applicable to South African citizens.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Students who are not South African citizens are required to pay the full tuition and residence fees upfront, every year prior to registration and are not eligible to complete a Graduation Acknowledgement of Debt form. If you intend to settle your account, payment must reflect on your student account by no later than 20 August 2024.

Due to administrative processes associated with Graduation, please be advised that the Examinations and Graduations Office will have no choice but to remove candidates who have not met the requirements by the prescribed deadline. No exceptions will be accommodated.

The University's preferred supplier of academic attire is House of Graduates and you can contact them via http://houseofgraduates.co.za/. CLICK HERE for an updated price list.

IMPORTANT: The University's preferred vendor for the September and December 2024 Graduation ceremonies is GORDON HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHICCLICK HERE to download the information flyer and to place orders online.
The University's preferred vendor for the April 2024 Graduation ceremonies was NICKAYCLICK HERE to view information and to place orders online.


Certificates will be available for collection on the day of your graduation ceremony for those that are permitted and able to attend the in-person ceremony.

If a graduate cannot attend the ceremony or collect their certificate they may request it to be couriered to them by clicking here.

Please note certificates are only issued to graduates who have settled all their University fees.
Graduates who have signed an Acknowledgement of Debt and are graduating with fees outstanding will not receive a certificate but a letter of completion instead (emailed to the graduate). Once all fees have been settled you may contact the Graduations Office to obtain your certificate. Letters of completion will be emailed to all students there is no need to collect these from campus.

IMPORTANT: Graduates who have not signed a Graduation AoD and are not part of a ceremony, you cannot receive a certificate (even if all fees are settled at a later stage) until you have been part of an official graduation. This means that if you are removed from this graduation, you will need to wait until the next one and only then can you receive a certificate. You can however, still obtain a letter of completion by contacting helpdesk@uwc.ac.za. 

On the day of your graduation you will receive:
- An electronic copy of your certificate (if you have no fees outstanding. A payment arrangement or AoD does not qualify one for a certificate)
- A letter of completion (all graduates)
- An academic transcript (if you have no fees outstanding. A payment arrangement or AoD does not qualify one for a transcript)

If you have lost your certificate or if it has been destroyed, please complete the online form below:
Click here to obtain a replacement degree.
 

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for September 2024
Ceremony 1 - 20 September 2024 - 09h30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 2 - 20 September 2024 - 14h30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for April 2024
Ceremony 1 - 15 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 2 - 15 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 3 - 16 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 4 - 16 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 5 - 17 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 6 - 17 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 7 - 18 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 8 - 18 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 9 - 19 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 10 - 19 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 11 - 22 APRIL 2024 - 09H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming
Ceremony 12 - 22 APRIL 2024 - 14H30
CLICK HERE for the Booklet
CLICK HERE for Live Streaming

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for December 2023
Ceremony 1 - 09H30
CLICK HERE to view CEREMONY 1
CLICK HERE for CEREMONY 1 BOOKLET 
Ceremony 2 - 14H30
CLICK HERE to view CEREMONY 2
CLICK HERE for CEREMONY 2 BOOKLET 

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for September 2023
Ceremony 1 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - www.youtube.com/watch?v=u59-eyb2-vk
Click here for Ceremony 1 booklet
Ceremony 2 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - www.youtube.com/watch?v=22YVoBiqS_g
Click here for Ceremony 2 booklet

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for April 2023
Ceremony 1 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-1
Click here for Ceremony 1 booklet
Ceremony 2 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-2
Click here for Ceremony 2 booklet
Ceremony 3 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-3
Click here for Ceremony 3 booklet
Ceremony 4 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-4
Click here for Ceremony 4 booklet
Ceremony 5 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-5
Click here for Ceremony 5 booklet
Ceremony 6 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-6
Click here for Ceremony 6 booklet
Ceremony 7 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-7
Click here for Ceremony 7 booklet
Ceremony 8 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-8
Click here for Ceremony 8 booklet
Ceremony 9 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-9
Click here for Ceremony 9 booklet
Ceremony 10 - Session 2 - 14:30 PM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-10
Click here for Ceremony 10 booklet
Ceremony 11 - Session 1 - 9:30 AM - https://bit.ly/UWCGrad2023-11
Click here for Ceremony 11 booklet
Please use the following links to view ceremonies for 15 December 2022
Ceremony 1 - 09h30 https://youtu.be/-hBgGCSNOks
Ceremony 2 - 14h00 https://youtu.be/j3xIhjCMHeU
Click here for the booklet for Ceremony 1 - 09h30, 15 December 2022
Click here for the booklet for Ceremony 2 - 14h00, 15 December 2022

Please use the following links to view ceremonies for 09 September 2022
Ceremony 1 - 09h30 https://bit.ly/SpringGrad2022-Session1
Ceremony 2 - 14h30 https://bit.ly/SpringGrad2022-Session2
Click here for the booklet for Ceremony 1 - 09h30, 09 September 2022
Click here for the booklet for Ceremony 2 - 14h30, 09 September 2022

UWC Virtual Graduation 2022 - 15 December 2021
Click here for the GRADUATION BOOKLET (15 December 2021)

UWC Virtual Graduation 2021 - 17 September 2021
Click here for the GRADUATION BOOKLET (17 September 2021).

HONORARY DOCTORATES AND GOLD MEDALS

UPCOMING: The next ceremony to celebrate Honorary Doctorates and Gold Medals conferred by the University for 2023 and 2024 will take place on 30 August 2024.

The awarding of honorary doctorates and gold medals is a significant part of the university calendar at UWC. In 1990, then UWC Chancellor Archbishop Desmond Tutu awarded honorary doctorates to Nelson Mandela and OR Tambo respectively. The prestigious honour roll of honorary doctorate recipients includes, amongst others, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Fr Michael Lapsley, Breyten Breytenbach, Graça Machel, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Rhoda Kadalie, Trevor Manuel, Shaykh Mohamed Salie Dien, and Zackie Achmat.

Click below to live stream the upcoming event on 30 August 2024

2023/2024 HONORARY AND GOLD MEDAL EVENT

According to the UWC Statute (2018), the University may without examination, by resolution of the Council passed on the recommendation of the Senate, confer an honorary degree of doctor in any faculty upon any person who has rendered distinguished services in the advancement of any branch of learning, or who the Council may deem worthy of such degree, provided that such a person exemplifies the values and purposes of the University. The focus for awarding an honorary doctorate is to ensure alignment with the core values of the University, as well as teaching and learning scholarship. Recognition of intellectual contribution is paramount, reflecting the core value of eminence in a field of scholarship in the course of a career.

To be considered for the conferral of an honorary degree, the nominee should reflect the following criteria:
- outstanding intellectual contributions in the course of a career, in some field of scholarship;
- a substantial contribution, with national or international impact;
- rendered service of excellence or distinction in wider society;
- application of the values espoused by the University, and in so doing having contributed towards the transformation of society; and
- outstanding contribution as a public intellectual.

The award of an honorary degree does not entitle a person to practise any profession nor use the title of Doctor.

HONORARY DOCTORATES

2023/2024
Click here to view the inaugural Honorary Doctorate and Gold Medal gala event that took place on 30 August 2024
Click here for the UWC GREATS booklet (2023/2024)

2024 - PROFESSOR CAROLINE PAUWELS (posthumously) (click here)
2024 - DR MUN YOUNG CHOI (click here)
2024 - Professor HENK KUMMELING (click here)

2023 - Mr CHRIS HANI (posthumously) (click here)
2023 - JUSTICE DIKGANG ERNEST MOSENEKE (click here)
2023 - PROFESSOR SYDNEY ZANEMVULA ZOTWANA (click here)

2021/2022
Click here to view the inaugural Honorary Doctorate and Gold Medal gala event that took place on 30 November 2022
Click here for the UWC GREATS booklet (2021/2022)
Click here to view the tribute to the ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS DESMOND MPILO TUTU.

2022 - PROFESSOR KWESI KWAA PRAH (click here)
2022 - DR IMTIAZ SOOLIMAN (click here)

2021 - DR ALLAN AUBREY BOESAK (click here)
2021 - PROFESSOR ZOË CHARLOTTE WICOMB 
(click here)
2021 - WILLIAM KENTRIDGE (click here)

According to the UWC Statute (2018), the University may, by resolution of the Council passed on the recommendation of the Senate, award a UWC Gold Medal to any person who has rendered distinguished services in the advancement of any branch of learning or who the Council may deem worthy of such a medal, provided that such a person exemplifies the values and purposes of the University. The focus in awarding a UWC Gold Medal is to ensure alignment with the core values of the University and demonstrated service to the community.

The Gold Medal is awarded to individuals in the community who have made a significant and extraordinary contribution to the upliftment of the community through exceptional leadership, community involvement and related activities. In considering a nomination for the award of a Gold Medal, nominees are required to reflect:
• Meritorious or outstanding contributions to public life or of significant benefit to society;
• Contributions that are innovative, exceptional, self-initiated and/or self-directed.

GOLD MEDALLISTS

2024
2024 - ALBERT LOIS SACHS (click here)

2021/2022

2022 - SEAN PATRICK LANCE (click here)
2022 - PETER WILSON (click here)
2022 - DR PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA (click here)
2021 - ADVOCATE AB MAHOMED (click here)
2021 - DEREK JOUBERT 
(click here)
2021 - PETER TAKELO (click here)
 

Please note that an error in the awarding of a degree, diploma or certificate, or in the level of distinction achieved, does not give the candidate/student the right to the associated pass mark or the award of said certificate, diploma or degree

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