Kindly include Graduation; faculty and student number in the subject field of your query: e.g., Graduation-Commerce XYZXYA001. Always include your full name and student number in correspondence with the University.

Student Records Office

Graduation queries: graduation@uct.ac.za

General enquiries: reg-records @uct.ac.za

Fees Office: fnd-feeenq@uct.ac.za

Postgraduate Funding Office: pgfunding@uct.ac.za

Student Disciplinary Tribunal: legaloffice@uct.ac.za

ICTS: icts-helpdesk@uct.ac.za

Faculty Offices

Commerce: com-faculty@uct.ac.za

Engineering & the Built Environment: ebe-faculty@uct.ac.za

Health Sciences UG: fhs-ug-admiss@uct.ac.za

Health Sciences PG: fhs-pg@uct.ac.za

Humanities UG: hum-ugrad@uct.ac.za

Humanities PG: hum-postgrad@uct.ac.za

Law: law-studies@uct.ac.za

Science: sci-science@uct.ac.za

Doctoral Degrees Board Office: ddb@uct.ac.za

How do I know that I am graduating?

The only way to confirm that you are graduating is to check that your academic record states ‘Qualifies for award of degree’ with the applicable confer date. Please note that the confer date must not be confused with the graduation date. UCT’s student system records one confer date per session which means that one date is used for all students and all qualifications. The actual date on which a student graduates might differ. The schedule of graduation ceremonies is published at the top of this webpage.

How do I request a formal invitation to be used for visa purposes or to request time off from my employer?

Invitation letters may be requested from reg-records@uct.ac.za. Kindly note that there is a turnaround period, therefore please submit your requests timeously.

How do I request extra tickets?

If you are attending the ceremony, you will be issued with 2 guest tickets. It is not possible to receive additional tickets. It is not possible to request the tickets of someone who will not be attending the ceremony. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the request for additional tickets.

Are children allowed to attend the ceremony?

Yes. Please note that all guests require a ticket, regardless of their age.

Where do I collect my name card, tickets and academic attire?

Collect your name card, tickets and academic attire from the Molly Blackburn Hall, Otto Beit Building the day before your ceremony as per the table above. No third party collections will be permitted. Ensure that you present a valid form of photo identity (SA ID document, passport, drivers licence or student card) when collecting your tickets.

Are there accommodation options near the University for me and my guests?

Visitors looking for accommodation can consider All Africa House, Protea Hotel Mowbray and Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge.

How long will the ceremony be?

We are unable to confirm the exact duration. You can expect the ceremony to be approximately 2 hours in duration.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Yes. The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed from the UCT website and social media channels.

Can I attend the ceremony and receive my certificate if I have outstanding fees?

No. Students with outstanding fees are not permitted to graduate or receive their academic documents. Once you have settled your outstanding fees, you will be allocated to the next graduation session.

Is it possible to receive my certificate before the ceremony?

Legally, it is not possible to receive your certificate before the qualification has been conferred upon you at the graduation ceremony (in person or in absentia). A qualification confirmation letter is available for download via PeopleSoft Self-Service to use in place of the certificate in the interim.

What graduation related academic documentation will I receive?

You will receive the following documentation:

• Your original hard copy certificate and one hard copy of your official transcript.  
• One electronic certificate and one electronic transcript. This will be emailed to your @myuct account after graduation i.e., between 21 April 2026 and 22 May 2026.

If you have not received your electronic documents and don’t follow up within three months, you will only be able to receive an electronic transcript through the Student Records Office. If a certificate received after graduation is subsequently lost, damaged or stolen, graduates may apply for a duplicate certificate through the Student Records Office. The fee for a duplicate certificate is currently R800.

Can I elect to attend a different ceremony?

Students may not elect to attend a different graduation ceremony except on documented religious grounds. Students who do not attend their graduation ceremony for any other reason must graduate in absentia.

Will I still have access to my @myuct email address after graduation?

Yes. Please follow the instructions on the ICTS website to ensure that you retain your email access. 

Will I retain network access after graduation?

Students’ network accounts give them access to UCT services which you will lose access to upon graduation; it is important that you carefully follow the instructions by ICTS on what to do before leaving.

What is the difference between confer date and graduation ceremony date? 

• Confer Date: This indicates the graduation session that you are eligible to graduate (provided you have no outstanding fees or disciplinaries). Once added as a qualifier on system, the confer date is reflected on your academic record. UCT's student system records one confer date per graduation session which means that the first date of the graduation session is used for all students and all qualifications.
• Graduation Ceremony Date: This is the date when the formal graduation ceremony takes place, where you will have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements with friends, family, and fellow graduates. Please note that while the graduation ceremony date may differ from the confer date, it will always occur on or after the confer date and never before.

Please keep this in mind as you prepare for graduation.