Graduation

Graduating from Postgraduate Programs

Every College of Law graduate is a valued member of the College community. Alumni are a vital link between the College and the legal profession. To find out more about our Alumni, please see the Alumni page.

Graduation Requirements

Applied Law Programs

You are eligible to graduate from the Applied Law Programs when you have:

• successfully completed the required subjects for the award that you are enrolled in (i.e. Masters, Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate), and
  
  
• provided as documentary evidence of your law degree and admission to practice, a certified copy of:
• your official academic transcript or graduation certificate (LLB, LLM, DipLaw)
• your admission certificate or current practising certificate
• your current specialist accreditation certificate or any other relevant qualification, if applying for advanced standing
• proof of name change (if applicable)
  

Certification of the documents by another solicitor is acceptable.

The next Graduation Ceremony for the Applied Law Program is in NSW on Tuesday, 13 April 2010.

Practical Legal Training Programs

You are eligible to graduate from the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice when you have:

• successfully completed:
• the Coursework Component
• the Work Experience Component
• the Continuing Professional Development Component, and
   
• provided an original or certified copy of your academic transcript or testamur for your undergraduate law degree or diploma

Attendance at a graduation ceremony is not required in order to be admitted to practise as a lawyer. For information on admission see: Admission to Practise as a Lawyer

Graduation Options

Once you have been made an offer to attend the graduation ceremony, you have three options:

• you can accept the invitation to attend the annual ceremony, or
• you can elect to have your degree awarded in absentia, i.e. have it sent to you by registered post to the address on your graduation invitation, or
• you can defer your graduation to the next annual ceremony

Graduating in Absentia

If you wish to graduate in absentia, you are required to complete the Graduating from The College of Law form sent to you with your results and select the Graduate in Absentia check box.

Once you have submitted this form, your award will be sent to your postal address via registered post.

Attending the Graduation Ceremony

The College of Law holds formal graduation ceremonies annually in:

• New South Wales
• Queensland, and
• Victoria

The graduation ceremonies are held each year in November and/or December.

The dates and locations for the 2009 graduation ceremonies were as follows:

For additional details on the graduation ceremonies, please see our College Events page. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I defer my graduation ceremony?

Graduation ceremonies are held annually and you are able to defer your graduation to the following year.

How much does it cost to attend the graduation ceremony?

The College charges an administration fee payable for gown hire, administration and reception costs. This fee includes up to two (2) guests per graduand.

What should I wear to my graduation ceremony?

You are required to wear business attire to the graduation ceremony.

What happens at the graduation ceremony?

The formal ceremony takes approximately one hour and involves:

• an Academic Procession
• Confirmation of the Graduands, where you will receive your award
• the presentation of the College’s prizes
• an Occasional Address by a prominent legal practitioner
• a response to the Occasional Address, and
• an Academic Recessional

At the conclusion of the formal ceremony a champagne reception is served, which all graduates and their guests are invited and encouraged to attend.

How many guests can I bring and how do I get their tickets?

You are allowed to bring two guests to the graduation ceremony; if you would like additional guests there is a charge of $15 per guest.

Will graduation photographs be available?

A professional photographer will be available during and after the ceremony for official photos and family portraits.