1. What will happen in each ceremony session and which session(s) should I attend?
To understand which session(s) require your attendance, please refer to the Ceremony Arrangements.
2. Will I be presented on stage during the ceremony?
In Session 1 (University-wide Session), PhDs will be presented en bloc in their seats, while Academic Achievement ("AA") Medalists will be presented on stage individually.
In Sessions 2 – 4 (University-wide Session), PhDs will be hooded stage. Additionally, in Session 2, SSCI's MPhil graduates will be presented on stage individually.
In Sessions 5 – 24 (School-based Sessions), all Bachelor's and Master's graduates will be presented on stage individually (except for SSCI's MPhil graduates, who are not required to attend since they will have already completed the ceremonial procedure in Session 2).
Please refer to the Ceremony Arrangements for details.
3. What are the proceedings like on stage? What should I pay attention to?
To help you familiarize yourself with the stage proceedings, we encourage you to watch the demonstration videos. Please refer to the Stage Proceedings for the videos and details.
4. Will graduates be sitting with their guests during the ceremony?
Graduates in full academic regalia will be seated in a designated area for the ceremony proceedings, while guest ticket holders will take assigned seats (indicated by the seat number on their tickets) separately in the audience.
For details regarding graduate and guest tickets, please refer to Registration & Tickets.
5. What is the dress code for the ceremony?
Graduates are required to attend the ceremony in academic regalia with HKUST’s official designs. To avoid any issues (such as color and school mismatches) that could disrupt your experience at this happy occasion, we strongly recommend acquiring your academic gown and mortar board from our official service provider - Tick Your Gown Limited. Please note that graduates with incorrect attire may not be allowed on stage.
The HKUST Congregation 2025 is a solemn event. All participants including guests should observe a reasonable standard of dress that is appropriate for the ceremony, and shall not wear any garment likely to cause offence or disturbance to others. Casual outfits like sneakers, jeans or sandals should be avoided.
Graduates may visit How to Wear Your Academic Regalia or watch the video Graduation Gown Wearing Demo for reference.
6. Can I leave early during the ceremony?
No, in light of the solemnity of the event, graduates are requested not to leave the ceremony session before it ends. However, attendance is not mandatory. If you are unable to attend for any reason, you can still collect your diploma.
Please visit Diploma & Transcript Collection for more information.
7. Can I choose not to attend the ceremony?
Yes, it is not mandatory to attend the ceremony. If you are unable to attend for any reason, you may still collect your diploma and transcript at another time.
Please visit Diploma & Transcript Collection for more information.
1. How should I register myself (and guests, if any) for the ceremony?
If you plan to attend the ceremony, please register yourself and any guests via the Graduation Services System (GSS). System to be open and available tentatively on September 24, 2025 (Wed), 11:00am HKT (GMT+8).
For Session 1 - 4 (Oct 18, University-Wide Session) Please register yourself and your guests (if any) no later than October 5, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
For Session 5 - 24 (Nov 15 - 29, School-Based Sessions) Please register yourself and your guests (if any) no later than November 2, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
A warm reminder that some sessions may have limited availability for guests (due to the large number of graduates), and therefore, guest tickets are on a first come, first served basis.
2. Can I change the information after completing my registration?
Yes. Once you have logged in to the Graduation Services System (GSS), you may click "Edit Attendance" on the top right corner of the page to make changes.
All changes regarding the attendance of Session 1 - 4 (Oct 18, University-Wide Session) will need to be done by October 5, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
All changes regarding the attendance of Session 1 - 4 (Nov 15 - 29, School-Based Sessions) will need to be done by November 2, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
The system will send an acknowledgment via email of any changes made.
3. Do graduates need a ticket to attend the ceremony?
For details on Graduate Ticket Collection and the types of ticket, please click here.
4. When will I receive the tickets and materials needed for attending the Congregation Ceremony?
An ARRIVAL KIT email containing all tickets and necessary information will be emailed to you three (3) days before your ceremony.
5. Can I still register myself and my guests after the registration deadline?
For Session 1 - 4 (Oct 18, University-Wide Session), no further ticket registration or changes can be made on the Graduation Services System (GSS) after October 5, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
- For Session 5 - 24 (Nov 15 - 29, School-Based Sessions), no further ticket registration or changes can be made on the Graduation Services System (GSS) after November 2, 2025 (Sun), 11:59pm HKT(GMT+8).
1. How many guests can a graduate bring to the ceremony?
Each participating graduate can bring a maximum of two guests with guest ticket to their ceremony. A warm reminder that some sessions may have limited availability for guests due to the larger number of graduates; therefore, guest tickets are on a first-come, first served basis.
2. Can a graduate get more than two ceremony guest tickets?
No. Due to limited seats in the hall, each graduate may only request a maximum of two guest tickets to attend the ceremony. Other friends and relatives may watch live-streaming online if they do not have a guest ticket.
3. When and how will I receive the guest tickets?
The guest ticket(s) will be included in the ARRIVAL KIT, which will be emailed to you three (3) days before your ceremony.
4. Will there be enough seats in the Shaw Auditorium for all the guests?
Due to limited seats in the hall, guest seats will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. In case of overflow, guests may be allocated to watch the live-streaming online in a designated room near the ceremony venue. If this is the case, the details will be included on the guest ticket.
5. Will young children be admitted to the venue?
Children aged 6 years old and above may attend the ceremony if they have a guest ticket. However, children under 6 years old are not permitted to attend, even with a ticket.
Please ensure that children who are attending the ceremony are closely supervised. If a child causes any disturbances during the ceremony, both the child and their parent or guardian may be asked to leave the venue. Thank you for your understanding.
6. Will graduates be sitting with their guests during the ceremony?
Graduates in full academic regalia will be seated in a designated area for the ceremony proceedings, while guest ticket holders will take assigned seats (indicated by the seat number on their tickets) separately in the audience.
For details regarding graduate and guest tickets, please refer to Registration & Tickets.
1. How and when will I receive my diploma and transcript?
The degree diploma together with a free copy of academic transcript will normally be ready for collection by the graduates around one month after the degree is conferred or on the day of graduation ceremony whichever earlier. When the diploma package is ready, a notification with the collection details will be sent to graduates by email.
To collect the diploma package in person on the ceremony days, an appointment must be scheduled in advance via the Appointment System (link to be provided soon). Walk-in collection will not be entertained. For more information, please visit here.
Please be reminded that, before collecting the documents, you should SETTLE ALL FEES (e.g. tuition fee, medical insurance fee, library fines, etc.), SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION (e.g. visa survey) and RETURN ALL BELONGINGS (e.g. PRS handset, etc.) owed to the University. AT LEAST FIVE WORKING DAYS should be allowed for the clearance procedure.
1. How can I rent or purchase academic regalia?
To avoid any issues (such as color and school mismatches) that could disrupt your experience at this happy occasion, we strongly recommend acquiring your academic gown and mortar board from our official service provider. Please note that graduates with incorrect attire may not be allowed on stage.
For rental/purchase of academic regalia, you will need to make an order at the site of our designated service provider. Details can be found at Order and Delivery (Academic Regalia).
2. Will there be any arrangement for official class photos?
Yes, official class photo-taking sessions will be arranged (except for for PhD graduates) to take photos with fellow classmates and faculty representatives.
You may refer to more details at Graduation Photos.
3. Can I bring my family to take photos on campus?
Yes. HKUST is open to the public and registration is not required for campus access.
4. How can I order graduation gifts?
To order graduation gifts, please refer to Graduation Gifts and use the Graduation Services System. There are several delivery options for you to select in the system.
1. How do I get to HKUST on Congregation Ceremony Days?
Other than public transportation, you can also use the free shuttle bus service provided by the University (schedule to be announced). Please see the detailed transportation guide here.
2. Is parking available on campus on Congregation days?
The arrangements for guest parking on campus on ceremony days are as follows:
For ceremony days (all on weekends: Oct 18 and Nov 15, 16, 22, 23 & 29, 2025): a limited amount of campus parking spaces will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis for those registering via Graduation Services System. Successful registrants will receive a parking permit detailing their assigned location in the arrival kit email we send them before the event.
For graduates to bring family and guests on campus for photo-taking on weekdays: NO parking space in HKUST could be reserved or provided for guests, due to the busy traffic conditions on campus.
Each graduate is entitled to register one vehicle per day. The parking permit is NON-TRANSFERABLE and is valid for your registered vehicle only. The parking permit will be sent to you via email prior to your ceremony, along with other arrival information and tickets (if any requested).
The permit should be printed out and displayed on the windshield of your registered vehicle.
- Please note that vehicles without permits will NOT be allowed to enter the HKUST campus and park.
3. Where do the shuttle buses stop?
Free shuttle bus service will be arranged on ceremony days, details will be announced soon, please refer to this page for the latest information.
4. How can I identify the shuttle bus?
The shuttle bus will display an 'HKUST' signage on its windows, and there will be staff to help at the bus stops.
5. What can I do if I miss the shuttle bus?
You may travel to HKUST by public transport. For more information, please click here.
1. Do I need any permit to enter HKUST?
Graduates are welcome to bring their family and friends to HKUST, and registration is not required for campus access. Although the campus is open to the public, certain areas may have restricted access based on specific events or activities.
2. What transportation options do I have to get to HKUST?
Please refer to Getting Here link to for various options of transportations, including free shuttle buses arranged for ceremony days.
3. Can I drive and park at HKUST?
Please refer to Getting Here for regulations of visitors' parking.