Graduation 2027

With a number of impactful challenges related to the academic calendar converging, Stellenbosch University has had to review the academic year and the related institutional calendar.

• ​ Significant increase in student and graduate numbers

Stellenbosch University has seen a consistent and significant increase in student and graduate numbers in recent years. Although a positive development, managing this growth within limited timelines has become increasingly challenging for our academic and administrative teams, especially with not even three weeks between the last A2 assessment in November and the first graduation ceremony in December.

Higher student numbers have led to more qualifications being awarded every year, placing staff involved in the lead-up to the December graduation under significant pressure to meet the deadlines for the marking of scripts, moderation processes and the subsequent degree audits whilst ensuring the integrity of our qualifications.

To illustrate:
 

​From 2000, it took twenty years for student numbers to grow by 9 784, whereas enrolments increased by 4 679 in only five years from 2020 to 2025.

​The 9 409 qualifications awarded by Stellenbosch University in 2024, is the highest number ever. It w​as more than double the 
4 536 qualifications awarded in 2000. Last year, the University had 35 370 enrolled students, compared to 21 756 in 2000. 
 

• Loss of teaching time due to late release ​of NSC results and shorter academic year

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the South African Department of Basic Education has been releasing matric results later every year. This delay has impacted contact teaching time at universities, as the academic year now has to start later than it used to. The Registrar ‘s division was subsequently tasked with identifying an additional contact week to make up for lost time in the classroom.

However, with the later start of the academic year, plus the impact of the burgeoning student numbers, it became clear that an additional contact week would not be sustainable and that an alternative solution should be sought.​

 

• Integrity of processes and quality assurance of qualifications ​​

The available time for marking academic scripts, capturing marks, internal and external moderation and auditing of academic records from the end of the November A2 assessment period up to the first graduation ceremony in December is no longer sufficient.

Moving to a single graduation period in March/April allows more time for marking scripts, capturing, ratifying and auditing final results and the related administrative processes. In this way Stellenbosch University will be able to sustain the integrity of its processes and the quality assurance of its qualifications.

• Transformative student experience

In the current graduation cycle, students who meet the requirements of their qualification after completing the A2 assessment in November, can graduate in December. However, students in the same final year, who for whatever reason, have to sit for one or more A3 assessments in late November or early December, or for a dean’s concession assessment in January the next year can only graduate in March/April.
 

A single graduation series in the autumn means that the graduand cohort of a specific final year can graduate and celebrate together, irrespective of additional assessments or administrative processes.

This change also has practical benefits for students. Most rental agreements on and around campus end in November, often forcing students to either return to Stellenbosch for December graduation, or pay for temporary accommodation. The new arrangement will allow for more effective planning, reducing logistical stress, and saving on additional accommodation costs. With the certainty of a March/April graduation, students and parents can make travel arrangements well in advance.

• Employer of choice​

Staff members have to complete several critical steps before students can graduate: from the marking of final A2 assessments; capturing of marks, moderating and ratifying marks to the auditing of academic records and printing of transcripts and certificates. The period between these activities and the first December graduation ceremony has become increasingly compressed, placing considerable pressure on staff and on the quality assurance processes, a crucial factor in maintaining the University’s excellent academic reputation as well as that of its graduates.

Being an employer of choice is one of the University’s strategic priorities, and a key objective of this is taking staff wellness seriously. The change in the academic calendar will address the intense pressure and risk factors by allowing more time for completing all the required processes to the University’s high standards.

The changes to the academic calendar will not delay the employability of students. Those who meet the requirements of their academic programmes by December will receive a letter of qualification completion from the Registrar’s office, enabling them to apply for positions, start working or pursue further studies before they officially graduate in March/April the following year.

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The 2025 academic calendar was approved in 2024. Students who meet the requirements for their qualifications will graduate in December 2025, with those who have to write a supplementary assessment graduating from 23 to 27 March 2026.

From 2026 onwards, there will no longer be a December graduation. All students who complete their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in 2026, will graduate from 5 to 16 April 2027* as approved by Senate on 30 May 2025.

Other universities have the same practice, and Stellenbosch University’s Registrar will engage with professional bodies to ensure that their requirements are met in the proof of completion letters.

*Stellenbosch University reserves the right to revise graduation dates due to unforeseen circumstances that may affect operations or the academic year. Consult the University almanac >>​ for official information.

Multiple scenarios were considered to secure an additional week of contact class time, including a staggered start to the academic year for first-year and senior students, shorter assessment and/or recess periods, fewer supplementary assessments, a shorter welcoming week or moving the December graduation a week later.
 

As none of the considered options were without risks, Senate decided on the extended, single graduation period in March/April as it best meets the requirements for academic integrity and quality assurance, a transformative student experience and staff wellness.