1. What is the difference between a “University-wide Session” and a “School-based Session”?
In the University-wide Sessions, except for Academic Achievement Medalists (who will be presented on stage individually) and PhDs (who will be hooded on stage), all other graduates will be presented en bloc off stage. In School-based Sessions, all Bachelors and Masters graduates will be presented on stage individually. Therefore, Bachelors and Masters graduates may sign up for a University-wide Session, plus their respective School-based Session.
To understand more, please read the diagram here.
2. Do I need to attend both the University-wide and School-based Graduation Ceremony?
Except for PhDs, each graduate is entitled to sign up for both the University-wide Session, and the School-based Session of your respective degree.
For University-wide Session, priority will be given to PhD graduates and Academic Achievement Medalists. Seats for other graduates (who will only be presented on stage individually in School-based sessions and en bloc off stage in University-wide Session) 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 University-wide Session. For Masters and Bachelors, you will be presented individually on stage in your School-based Session.
Please visit here for more information.
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 University-wide 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 ceremony. 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 visit How to Wear Your Academic Regalia or watch the video Graduation Gown Wearing Demo 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. Please visit here for more information.
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. For more information, please visit here.
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 11:59 pm (HKT(GMT+8)) on 1 November 2023 (Wed).
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 11:59 pm (HKT(GMT+8)) on 1 November 2023 (Wed). You will receive an updated Registration Acknowledgement after finished.
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?
An ARRIVAL KIT email containing all tickets and necessary information will be emailed to you three days prior to your Congregation ceremony.
5. Can I still register myself and my guests after the registration deadline?
After 11:59 pm (HKT(GMT+8)) on 1 November 2023 (Wed), the system will be closed for ticket registration.
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.
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 a maximum of two guests 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 three days 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 an assigned room nearby.
5. Will young children be admitted to the venue?
Children above two years-old will require a ticket for the ceremony. While children are welcome in principle, they should be closely supervised by an adult. If 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 the ceremony. Guests will sit according to the assigned seat number 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 around one month after the degree is conferred. 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 congregation days, an appointment must be scheduled in advance via the Appointment System. 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.) 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 an 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?
Yes. HKUST is open to the public. Graduates can bring family and guests back on campus for graduation photo-taking anytime.
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 (schedule to be announced). Please see the detailed transportation guide here.
2. Is parking available at Congregation?
We are sorry that no parking spaces can be provided on 17 Nov (Fri) 2023, due to the already busy campus traffic on weekdays.
Limited 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 prior to your Congregation ceremony, along with other arrival information and tickets (if any requested). To avoid missing 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?
Congregation Shuttle Bus service will be arranged on congregation dates, details will be announced soon, please refer to this link for latest information.
4. How can I identify the shuttle bus?
The shuttle bus will display 'HKUST' signage on its windows, and staff will be stationed at the bus stops to offer assistance.
5. What can I do if I miss the shuttle bus?
You can travel to HKUST by bus #91, #91M and #91P from Choi Hung MTR station, and bus #792M (direction Sai Kung) from Tiu Keng Leng MTR station. Alternatively, taxi services are also an option. For more detailed public transport information, please refer to here.
1. Do I need any campus access to get in HKUST?
No campus access is required, graduates are welcome to bring their family and friends to HKUST. Although the campus is open to the public, certain areas may have restricted access based on specific events or activities.