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Graduation FAQ's

1) When are graduation ceremonies conducted each year?

Answer:

The University conducts graduation ceremonies at the following times every year:

  • For students who have completed all the requirements of their courses satisfactorily at the end of semester two of the current year, ceremonies will be conducted in the period between March and July of the following year.
  • For students who have completed all the requirements of their courses satisfactorily at the end of semester one of the current year, graduation ceremonies will be conducted in the period between September of the current year.
2) I have not heard anything about my graduation ceremony. What is happening?

Answer:

Graduation eligibility needs to be confirmed by the relevant faculties. Invitation letters will be available to on the website under quick links.

Other reasons why you may not have heard about your graduation:

  • If you have completed a supplementary or deferred examination, your results may not be on the University's system. Please log on to the Intranet to check your academic record.
  • If you have completed credits from another tertiary institution, the results may not yet be on the University's system or you may not have submitted documentation for credit. Please contact the relevant faculty.
3) What are the date and time of my graduation ceremony?

Answer:

The date and time of your Graduation ceremony are found on your invitation letter. All the graduation information relating to arrival times, etc. can also be found on your invitation letter.

 

4) When will I receive my graduation invitation letter?

Answer:

For students who complete their studies at the end of Semester 2 of the current year, invitation letters will be available on the website by February of the following year.

Students who complete studies at the end of Semester 1 of the current year will be able to access an invitation letter by mid-July to August of the same year. For students who have supplementary or deferred assessments or need to obtain credits from other institutions, invitations will be sent once the credits and marks have been finalized and transferred to their academic record.

If you still cannot access your invitation letter and have checked all of the above, please contact your respective faculty.

5) What colour is the academic attire?

Answer:

The academic attire is black, with hoods representing the relevant faculty colour. Doctoral candidates wear red gowns with hats and hoods representing the faculty colour. For general academic attire enquiries, please contact Dippenaar and Reinecke on (012) 342-7550/1. Dippenaar and Reinecke will be situated on campus next to the UJ Auditorium for the duration of the graduation ceremonies from 7:00 until one hour after the last graduation ceremony of the day.

6) How much does the academic attire cost?

Answer:

The current prices for academic attire can be obtained from Dippenaar and Reinecke on +27 (0) 12 343 2945 / 7

7) What should I wear under my academic attire?

Answer:

The University of Johannesburg considers your graduation ceremony as prestigious.  The dress required for the occasion is thus smart work or evening attire.  Female graduands and guests should wear appropriate shoes, dresses or skirts no shorter than knee-length, or an appropriate skirt or pant suit. Male graduands and guests should wear formal shoes, formal pants, with a dress shirt and tie if preferred. Smart traditional wear is also appropriate. 
UJ RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PREVENT YOU FROM CROSSING THE STAGE SHOULD YOU BE DRESSED INAPPROPRIATELY.
Shorts and jeans are not acceptable.  Beach flip-flops or tackies are not permitted.

8) How can I obtain additional guest tickets for the ceremony?

Answer:

Tickets are allocated to graduates based on the number of seats available at the venue and are restricted to the number shown in the graduation invitation. This is done so that all graduates have an equal chance to invite guests.

Additional guest tickets are not available for order or purchase due to the capacity constraints of the venue. Please do not ask for extra tickets.
UJ makes available a live stream of the ceremony on Youtube which family and friends can view online from anywhere in the world. Please ensure that your family and friends who a8) re not able to attend have the link and the date and time of your ceremony. .

Graduates will not require a ticket for themselves, because they will be allocated a seat at the ceremony.

9) Can my guests take photographs during the ceremony?

Answer:

Your guests may take photographs from their seats only.

 

10) Can my guests videotape my ceremony?

Answer:

Your guests may film the ceremony from their seats only, but the use of lighting equipment is not permitted.

11) Can I purchase a video recording of the ceremony?

Answer:

Unfortunately, the University is unable to produce and sell a recording of the event. Guests are permitted to record the ceremony from their seats. The use of lighting equipment is not permitted. UJ makes available a live stream of the ceremony on Youtube which is also made available on the UJ website for viewing for at least one year after the ceremony.

12) How do I order my graduation photographs?

Answer:

Please phone the official photographers to order photographs.

Formal Programmes: Gordon Harris Photographers, on +27 (0) 12 430 3725
Non-formal Programmes: Image Factor, on 0861 666601


13) I have not yet received my graduation photographs. Who can I talk to?

Answer:

Please phone the official photographers.

Formal Programmes: Gordon Harris Photographers, on +27 (0) 12 430 3725
Non-formal Programmes: Image Factor, on 0861 666601


14) Are academic curricula (majors) shown on degree certificates?

Answer:

No, unfortunately not. Major subjects are shown at postgraduate level.

15) When will I receive my degree certificates if I do not attend the ceremony?

Answer:

Degree certificates can be collected from the respective faculty offices by the graduate or by proxy, one week after the graduation ceremony or the Certification Office thereafter please call Gerrie du Preez +27 (0) 11 559 4883 to make an appointment before collection..

16) I graduated recently and have not yet received my degree certificate. What do I need to do?

Answer:

If you have any concerns about the whereabouts of your degree certificate, please contact the relevant faculty office.

17) I am not attending the ceremony. Can my friend/parent collect my certificate on my behalf?

Answer:

Degree certificates can be collected by proxy. Please refer to the proxy form on your invitation letter.

18) I require a replacement degree certificate. How do I arrange a replacement?

Answer:

If you have lost your degree certificate or it has been stolen, a duplicate certificate will be issued by the University. Logon to https://digitalcertificates.uj.ac.za/ to order a certificate online and have the certificate couriered to you.

You can contact Mr Gerrie du Preez on (011) 559-4883 regarding the replacement of your certificate. Degree certificates collected in person are provided by appointment only.

19) I require my degree certificate prior to the ceremony? What do I do?

Answer:

Unfortunately, degree certificates cannot be released prior to the graduation ceremony date as legislation prescribes that the qualification is only conferred or awarded at the convocation of the relevant graduation date on the certificate.

20) What is the Alumni Association?

Answer:

The UJ Alumni Association (UJ AA) exists to build and maintain a network of participative UJ Alumni. The Executive Committee of the UJ AA negotiates certain benefits, such as bursaries and discounts, for the contributing members of the Alumni Association.

The following groups qualify automatically for membership of the UJ AA:

  • All holders of honorary degrees, degrees and diplomas of the University of Johannesburg.
  • All holders of official (SAQA-accredited) certificates of the University of Johannesburg, as approved by the Executive Committee of the UJ AA.
  • Everyone who was a member of the Alumni Association of the Rand Afrikaans University and the alumni members of the Convocation of Technikon Witwatersrand.

A great way of keeping in touch with the University community is by joining the Alumni Association.

Membership and Database Enquiries
011 559 6657
kopanom@uj.ac.za

General Alumni Membership Enquiries
011 559 ​6284
alumniadmin@uj.ac.za or alumni@uj.ac.za

Membership is R20 per month or R200 per year, and all you have to do is complete and return the application form at the back of the graduation programme that will be given to you on the day of your graduation ceremony.