1. What is the difference between a “Degree Conferment Session” and a “School-based Graduation Ceremony”?
Except for PhDs (who will be conferred degrees on stage individually in the Degree Conferment Sessions), all other graduates will receive their degree en bloc off stage in the Degree Conferment Session and be presented on stage in their respective School-based Graduation Ceremonies. Therefore, non-PhD graduates may sign up for a Degree Conferment Session, plus their respective School-based session(s).
To understand more, please read the diagram here.
2. Do I need to attend both the University-wide Degree Conferment and Graduation Ceremony?
Except for PhDs, each graduate is entitled to sign up for both the Degree Conferment session, and the School-based Graduation Ceremony of your respective degree.
For Degree Conferment Sessions, priority will be given to PhD graduates and Academic Achievement Medalists. Seats for other graduates (who will only be presented on stage in School-based sessions) will be allocated on a first-come-first-served with a limited quota.
Please read this important notes here to learn more about the arrangements. Those who cannot register a seat may view the live-streaming of the ceremony online.
3. Will I be presented on stage at the ceremony?
PhD graduates will be hooded on stage during your respective Degree Conferment session. For Masters and Bachelors, you will be presented individually on stage in your School-based session.
Please visit here for more info.
4. What are the proceedings like on stage? Is there anything I should pay attention to?
PhD graduates will be hooded on stage during your respective Degree Conferment session. For Masters and Bachelors, you will be presented individually on stage in your School-based session. To familiarize yourselves with the related procedures across the stage, please watch the videos below.
Please watch the videos here to learn more about the stage proceedings.
5. Will graduates be sitting with their guests?
Graduates in full academic regalia will be seated in a separate area reserved for degree conferment/stage proceedings. Guests will sit according to the assigned seat number as shown on the ticket. Guest e-ticket holders should queue up outside the venue for admission.
6. What is the dress code for the Congregation?
The Congregation is a solemn event. Graduates and guests are highly advised to dress properly. Casual wear items like sneakers, jeans or sandals should be avoided. Graduates may see How to Wear Your Academic Regalia for reference.
7. Can I leave early from the ceremony?
No, As a respect to the solemn event, graduates are requested not to leave the ceremony before it ends. Attending the ceremony is optional. If your schedule does not permit you to stay until the end, you can still collect your diploma afterwards. Please visit here for more info.
8. Can I choose not to attend the Congregation?
Yes, attendance at the ceremony is optional. Those who do not attend the Congregation can still collect their diploma after the event. For more information, please visit here.
Anyone* unable to attend the ceremony in person (and be presented on stage) may choose to participate virtually (please register your virtual attendance via GSS) and upload a portrait by no later than 11:59pm on 9 November 2022 (Wed). Portraits of these virtual participants will be presented on screen at the ceremony.
*Except for Bachelor’s and Master’s graduates in Degree Conferment Sessions
1. How should I register myself (/and my guests) to the ceremony?
Please register yourself and any guests via the Graduation Services System by no later than 11:59pm on 9 November 2022 (Wed), after which time no registrations or further seating requests will be accepted.
2. Can I change the information after completing my registration?
Yes. Please click "Edit Attendance" on the top right corner of the page after you have logged in to the Graduate Service System to edit your inputs by November 9, 11:59pm. You will receive an update Registration Acknowledgement after finished.
3. Do graduates need a ticket to attend the ceremony?
For details on Graduate Ticket Collection and check out what type of ticket do you need, please click here.
4. When will I receive the tickets and materials needed for attending the Congregation?
An ARRIVAL KIT containing all tickets and necessary information will be emailed to you at least one day prior to your Congregation ceremony.
5. Can I still register myself and my guests after the registration deadline?
After 11:59pm on November 9, the system will be closed for seating assignment, ticket preparation and all other ceremony arrangements. Therefore, we regret that no late registration will be accommodated.
1. How many guests can a graduate bring to the ceremony?
Each participating graduate can bring a maximum of two guests with Ceremony Guest Ticket to their ceremony.
2. Can a graduate get more than two ceremony guest tickets?
No. As seats are limited, we are sorry that each graduate can only bring two guests maximum to the ceremony. Other friends and relatives may watch live broadcasting online on their own device if they do not get a guest ticket.
3. When and how will I receive the guest tickets?
An ARRIVAL KIT containing all tickets and necessary information will be emailed to you at least one day prior to your Congregation ceremony.
4. Will there be enough seats in the Shaw Auditorium for all the guests?
As spaces in the hall are limited, guest seats will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis. Should there be any overflow, guests can view a live broadcast of the event from a seat in Lecture Theater L at the Cheng Yu Tung Building next door.
5. Will young children be admitted to the venue?
Children are welcome in principle, but should be closely supervised by an adult. In case a child causes any disturbance, he/she should be brought outside the venue.
6. Will graduates be sitting with their guests?
Graduates in full academic regalia will be seated in a separate area reserved for degree conferment/stage proceedings. Guests will sit according to the assigned seat number as shown on the ticket. Guest e-ticket holders should queue up outside the venue for admission.
1. How and when will I receive my diploma and transcript?
The degree diploma together with a free copy of academic transcript will be ready for collection starting from November 26, 2022. To collect the diploma package in person on the congregation days, graduates must schedule an appointment in advance via the Appointment System. Walk-ins 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.) 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?
For rental/purchase of academic regalia, you need to make order at the site of our designated service provider. Details can be found here.
2. How can I order graduation souvenirs?
To order graduation souvenirs, please use the Graduation Services System. You might select the delivery options in the system.
3. Can I bring my family to take photos on campus?
The University will open the campus for access by the general public on weekends starting 5 November 2022 (Saturday), and will open the campus 7 days a week starting 1 December 2022 (Thursday). Graduates can bring family and guests back on campus for graduation photo-taking according to the above-mentioned dates. Members and visitors will need to fulfil the Vaccine Pass requirements for entering the campus.
1. How do I get there on the day of Congregation?
Other than public transportation, you can also use the Congregation Shuttle Bus service provided by the University. Please see the detailed transportation guide here.
2. Is parking available at Congregation?
We are sorry that no parking spaces can be provided on Dec 1 (Thu), Dec 2 (Fri) and Dec 5 (Mon), due to the already busy campus traffic on weekdays.
For sessions on weekends (i.e. Nov 26 and Dec 3), a small number of campus parking spaces will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis for those registering via Graduation Services System).
Additional parking spaces are available at the ESF Clearwater Bay School close to Shaw Auditorium. Successful registrants will receive a parking permit detailing their assigned location in the arrival kit we send them before the event. Please note that vehicles without permits will NOT be allowed to park.
One 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 at least one day prior to your Congregation ceremony, along with other arrival information and tickets (if any requested). In order not to miss it, please keep an eye on your “@alumni.ust.hk/ @connect.ust.hk” email account.
The permit should be printed out and displayed on the windshield of your registered vehicle.
Please DO NOT drive to the campus if you do not have a permit.
3. Where do the shuttle buses stop?
Please refer to the link for the stopping point of the shuttle bus.
4. How can I identify the shuttle bus?
The bus will be marked with signs on the window indicating "HKUST". Staff will station at the bus stops to provide assistance.
5. What can I do if I miss the shuttle bus?
You can come to HKUST by bus #91, #91M and #91P from Diamond MTR station, and bus #792M (direction Sai Kung) from Tseung Kwan O MTR station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi. For details, please refer to the public transport information here.
1. Is vaccination a must to attend the Congregation?
Except for exempted persons, all visitors entering the main hall of the Shaw Auditorium are required to comply with the ‘Vaccine Pass’ arrangements and other requirements under Cap.599F.