Higher Degree by Research candidates
Higher Degree by Research candidates are conferred year-round, not at set dates, like undergraduate and postgraduate students.​Â
Some common eligibility criteria apply to all students though, so please familiarise yourself with them, in addition to the following HDR-specific information.
Upon receiving confirmation of your conferral from the Griffith Graduate Research School, the Graduations Office will process and issue your testamur (degree certificate) and official academic transcript within approximately two weeks. Longer times apply in ceremony months.​
You will automatically be invited to a future graduation ceremony to celebrate your accomplishment, but this may not be to the next round of ceremonies, depending on when your Award is conferred.
myGraduation status​
You may notice instructions to check your myGraduation status to confirm your eligibility, but this does not apply to HDR candidates because the Graduations team is only notified of your eligibility after your Award has been conferred.
It is only undergraduate and postgraduate students who need to check their myGraduation status because they are identified for a graduation check before they have completed their studies.
Key steps
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
Pay any overdue fees (if any)—these will stop you from graduating. Return any overdue library items (if any)—these will stop you from graduating. Submit a Change of personal details form (if required). Fees apply if changed after conferral. Update your mailing address and phone number to assist delivery of your testamur (degree certificate). Please also add an Alumni email address, if you haven't already, in case our delivery provider needs to clarify address details. Fees may apply if changed after your testamur has been mailed. | When you submit your thesis |
Conferral of Awards | No set date; Awards are conferred on a rolling basis throughout the year. |
Generation and issuing of testamur (degree certificate)
| Usually within two weeks of your conferral date. Longer times apply in ceremony months. |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| From 20 May 2026 | |
Register to attend an August graduation ceremony or defer attendance to December. An e-invitation with instructions how to register will be sent to your:Â
| From 24 June to 28 July 2026 (5pm) |
CEREMONY INCLUSION DEADLINE for Higher Degree Research graduates—the Graduations Office must receive confirmation of your conferral from the Griffith Graduate Research School by today to be included in an August ceremony. To assist in this, please ensure you provide any final documentation by 5pm today. | 21 July 2026 (5pm) |
REGISTRATION DEADLINE—You must register by 5pm today to attend your graduation ceremony. If you are not attending, you should still register to confirm your name is correct prior to being generated on your testamur (degree certificate). If you are also a Griffith staff member, please ensure you have completed the student registration process, not the staff registration process. | 28 July 2026 (5pm) |
Brisbane ceremonies | 10–11 August 2026 |
Gold Coast ceremonies | 15 August 2026 |
Got questions?
Email us for ceremony or graduation document enquiries. All other enquiries should be sent to GGRS.