More than 6 000 graduands will cross the stage in the Coetzenburg Centre next week as Stellenbosch University (SU) hosts its largest-ever December graduation series. 

Over the next week, the University will award certificates, diplomas and degrees to 6 405 students across all faculties at 13 ceremonies. Graduation week runs from Monday to Friday, 8– 12 December. This record-breaking occasion will also be the University’s final December graduation series before the transition to a single annual graduation period from 2027. 

Qualifications have increased at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with doctoral qualifications rising by a significant 11,8% from last year. While doctoral degrees have traditionally been awarded to more men than women, this December, women will outnumber men among doctoral recipients.  

Overall, the Faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Law, Science and Theology have shown significant double-digit increases in the number of qualifications awarded this year. The Faculties of Law, Science and Military Science reported record numbers of postgraduate qualifications, while the Faculties of AgriSciences, Arts and Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Law and Science all recorded their highest number of undergraduate qualifications. 

“Graduation week is always a moment of profound pride for our University, as we honour our students who have reached this remarkable milestone. I congratulate every graduand on their hard work and perseverance. May this achievement mark the beginning of a lifetime of purpose and possibility,” says Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor. 

The University will also confer honorary doctorates on extraordinary individuals who have distinguished themselves in their fields and made significant contributions to society. Three honorary doctorates will be awarded during this December graduation week, which starts on 8 December. 

Colin Deiner, the Western Cape provincial government’s Chief Director: Disaster Management and Fire and Rescue Services, will receive the degree Doctor of Engineering (DEng), honoris causa. He is internationally recognised for his extensive expertise in disaster management and emergency response. 

Entrepreneur and SU alumnus Chris Otto will be awarded the degree Doctor of Law (LLD), honoris causa. A co-founder of the PSG Group and Capitec Bank, Otto is also the founding chair of the Stellenbosch Law Faculty Trust, which helped establish the Chair in Social Justice, the Gys Steyn Chair in Financial Regulation Law and the Chair in Urban Law and Sustainability Governance. 

Renowned epidemiologist Prof Salim Abdool Karim, whose honorary degree stood over from 2024, will be awarded the degree Doctor of Science (DSc) (Medicine and Health Sciences), honoris causa. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Karim played a leading role in South Africa’s response, providing critical scientific guidance on genetic mutations in SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of new variants. 

Looking ahead, SU will confer three additional honorary degrees at its March 2026 ceremonies. Nobel Laureate and internationally acclaimed author Prof Abdulrazak Gurnah; pioneering social scientist and epidemiologist Dr Olive Shisana; and innovator Dr Tjaart Johannes van der Walt will receive their honorary degrees next year. 

“As we also pay tribute to distinguished leaders receiving honorary doctorates, we are reminded of SU’s commitment to excellence, innovation and societal impact,” says Ramjugernath. 

From 2027 onwards, SU will consolidate its graduations into a single annual series held in March/April, rather than the current two-period cycle. 

• Click here to find out more about the December 2025 graduation series.
• Click here for the graduation schedule. 
• The ceremonies will be livestreamed here.