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Postgraduate graduation checklist

Students who are potentially eligible to graduate or are eligible to graduate will be contacted by Graduation Office via the University email system in March and asked to submit an online application to graduate in the relevant ceremonies.

The University of St Andrews degrees are not automatically issued on completion of a programme of study. It is therefore the responsibility of the student to complete an online application to graduate.

Those applying to graduate can choose to do so either in person at a formal ceremony or in absentia (in their absence) (where the degree certificate is posted out in the mail shortly after the graduation ceremony).

If you do not receive any information by 29 March and believe that you are eligible to graduate, or alternatively if you have received information regarding graduation and you do not think you are eligible to graduate, please contact Graduation@st-andrews.ac.uk

Deadline for applying to graduate: Friday 10 May 2013

  • Find out when your ceremony is - There will be three graduation ceremonies held in November of this year and the times by subject can be found on the Graduation calendar.
  • Apply to graduate - Application to graduate, whether in person or in absentia, must be submitted online by Friday 10 May 2013.
  • Pay any outstanding debt - Please note that any student owing money to the University as at Friday  24 May 2013 will NOT be permitted to graduate.  This includes tuition fees, accommodation fees, telephone charges and overdue library books. You can check your student statement to see if you have any outstanding debt.
  • Hire or buy your gown and hood - Graduand dress (gowns and hoods) for hire or purchase must be ordered at least 21 days before the graduation ceremony. 
  • Graduands who are graduating with the degree of Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) will order the blue gown NOT the black gown on application from Ede & Ravenscroft.  Mortar boards are not worn at the University of St Andrews.

Academic Dress

  • Male graduands are required to wear a dark lounge suit or kilt, white shirt and white bow tie and dark shoes
  • Female graduands are required to wear dark skirt or trousers, white shirt/blouse and dark shoes

Please note that jeans, trainers or other casual clothing are not permitted; you may be excluded from the ceremony if you are not wearing appropriate academic dress.

Please note for health and safety reasons we may ask you to remove items that caould cause you harm or interfere with the proceedings.  Deadlines for Research Students only

  • Those who have either submitted their finalised thesis copies, or are expecting to do so by the deadline given below, must make an application in order for their award to be conferred. Unless the degree has already been approved, at the point of application this will be the intended award until the degree has been approved.
  • Examining Committee Reports - To allow students to graduate in (TBC), the full set of Examining Committee Reports (including the final report recommending that the degree be awarded) had to have been submitted to Registry, Old Burgh School, Abbey Walk, St Andrews, Fife KY19 9LB by (TBC). The degree recommendation must be approved by the Pro Dean.
  • Submit the final copies (hard bound and electronic) of your thesis - In order to be allowed to graduate in November you must ensure that you submit one hard bound copy PLUS one electronically readable copy on CD/DVD of the final version of your thesis to Registry, Old Burgh School, Abbey Walk, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LB by (TBC).