Graduation FAQs

Yes, you can. If you qualify to graduate in December 2025, you may defer your graduation ceremony to March 2026. If you choose to do this, you will not be able to request a graduation certificate in December.

Log in to the student portal > Academics > Graduation ceremony > defer to March 2026.

You must complete the deferral request by Friday 21 November 2025.

Please also note that if you utilise and pass a module during the A3 assessment period (from 20 November to 6 December 2025), your qualification will be awarded during the March 2026 graduation cycle. Students in this category do not need to complete the absentia form.

Log in to the student portal > Academics > Graduation ceremony > select No for attending your ceremony > choose either courier delivery or self-collection.

Please complete the form before Friday 21 November 2025.

We would encourage you to still indicate your absence by completing the Absence from graduation section on the student portal.

If you are unable to attend your respective ceremony or indicated that you would graduate in absentia, you will receive your graduation documentation through DHL Couriers.

The following applies to both local and international graduates:

1. Verifying address and contact details: Ensure your current physical address and contact numbers are updated on the system. DHL Couriers will use this information for delivery.
2. DHL Couriers will contact you on the contact number provided on our system to notify you of the delivery.
3. Address requirement: Make sure your physical address is accurate; DHL cannot deliver documentation to PO Box addresses.
4. Updating process: You can update your information by sending a request to our Client Services Desk at [email protected] or call 021 808 9111
5. Please update your details by latest Friday 21 November 2025 at 12:00.

*Please note, the University will not be held responsible for incorrect details (addresses and contact numbers) on the system that may lead to delivery to the wrong addresses or failure to confirm deliveries due to incorrect contact numbers.

Graduands will encounter an additional fee of R500,00 for any graduation documents issued incorrectly because of incorrect details on the system.

If graduands fail to update their information by the deadline, they will need to arrange delivery with DHL Courier Services independently via https://www.dhl.com/za-en/home/get-a-quote.html.

For further inquiries regarding the delivery of your graduation documents, please contact [email protected].

You can update your information by sending a request to our Client Services Desk at [email protected] or 021 808 9111.

Please update your details by latest Friday 21 November 2025 at 12:00.

Expected delivery date for local graduates:

Graduation documentation for all graduates residing in South Africa will be sent via DHL starting from Thursday 18 December 2025.

1. Local delivery timeframe:

The expected delivery time for local deliveries is two (2) to five (5) working days. Please note that deliveries to remote areas may take slightly longer.

2. Tracking our documentation:

You will receive a tracking number via SMS. It is essential to ensure that your cell phone number is up to date on the system to receive the tracking number.

3. International graduates' delivery date:

For international graduates, graduation documents will be sent via DHL Courier Services, starting from Thursday 18 December 2025.

4. International delivery timeframe:

The delivery for international shipments may take five (5) to seven (7) working days, depending on your location.

5. Verifying your address and contact details:

Please ensure your current physical address and contact numbers are up to date on the system. DHL will use this information for delivery. You can update your information by contacting [email protected].

6. DHL will contact you:

DHL will contact you on the contact number provided on the system to notify you of the delivery. Please verify that your street address and contact details are accurate.

7. PO Box addresses:

DHL cannot deliver to PO Box addresses registered on the system. Please ensure you provide the correct physical address for delivery.

*The University will not be held responsible for incorrect details (addresses and contact numbers) on the system, which may lead to delivery to the wrong addresses or failure to confirm deliveries due to incorrect contact numbers.

Graduands will encounter an additional fee of R500,00 for any graduation documents issued incorrectly because of incorrect details on the system. It is your responsibility to update your details before the closing date Friday 21 November 2025.

If you fail to update your information by the deadline, you will need to make your own arrangements with DHL Courier Services via https://www.dhl.com/za-en/home/get-a-quote.html. 

For further inquiries, please contact [email protected].

DHL (local and international deliveries): https://www.dhl.com/za-en/home/tracking.html

Please use your tracking number as a reference.

If you have not received your tracking number, please contact the SU Client Services at +27 21 808 9111 to request your tracking number from the system.

If you are unable to attend the graduation ceremony and wish to apply for self-collection of your graduation documents, you can do so. To apply, follow these steps: 

1. Log in to the student portal > Academics > Graduation ceremony > select No for attending your ceremony > self-collection.
2. The deadline to apply for self-collection is Friday 21 November 2025. After this date, no further requests will be accepted, as the documents will be packaged and sent to the Information Desk for collection.

Starting from Wednesday 17 December 2025, you can collect your documents at the Client Service Information Desk, Inorganic Chemistry Building (no 4 on the campus map), Bosman Street.

The collection hours are from 08:00 to 16:30 on weekdays.

Please note, the University will close on Friday 24 December 2025 at 12:00 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please contact the information desk [[email protected]].

If you have submitted a self-collection request before the closing date, here's the process to collect your documents:

1. Collection location: Your graduation documents will be packaged and made available for collection at the Client Service Information Desk, Inorganic Chemistry Building (no 4 on the campus map), Bosman Street from Wednesday 18 December 2025, between 08:00 to 16:30 on weekdays.
2. Self-collection requirements: To collect the documents yourself, you will need to provide proof of identity with a clear, visible picture of yourself and your student number.
3. Third-party collection: If someone else will be collecting the documents on your behalf, they must present a confirmation letter that grants them permission to collect on your behalf. The letter should include their relevant identification details, your contact number and the date of collection. Please ensure that the letter is signed.

By following these steps, you can gain entry and successfully collect your graduation documents during the designated collection period.

If you have any further questions or need more assistance, feel free to contact [email protected].

Yes, you can. However, we can only provide you with your academic transcript once your degree has been conferred at your graduation ceremony.

If you are in urgent need of copies of your academic documents, you may send a request to [email protected] to receive an electronic copy of your academic documents. You are requested to specify your need in the subject heading (please also include your student number), by indicating either or both of the following:

1. Academic record and/or
2. Degree certificate

If you have outstanding fees, you may still attend your graduation ceremony, but the following conditions will apply:

• The sheath you receive at the ceremony will not contain your official graduation documents. Instead, it will include an account statement for the outstanding balance and a letter requesting payment.
• To ensure the University can issue your graduation documents at the ceremony, you must settle the outstanding amount by 12:00 on Friday 21 November 2025 for the December 2025 ceremonies.
• If you are funded by NSFAS and your student account hasn’t been settled, you will only receive your academic record. The Student Fees Division will withhold your degree until NSFAS settles the account.

If you have settled your student fee account on or after the December 2025 graduation ceremony, please contact Adri Jooste at [email protected] to ensure the release of your documents.

Arrangements to collect graduation documents must be made in advance with Jooste at Student Accounts.

For further assistance, please contact Student Fees at 021 808 4521/4913 or via email at [email protected].

Yes, your SUN card and PC login will expire on 31 March 2026.

Please copy all your data from the H-drive and one drive to an external HDD or other cloud storage. Please save or forward your emails to a personal email address.