Degree Conferment Dates in a Calendar Year, Effective from 2021-22

In line with the arrangement to decouple degree conferment from the University’s Congregation, the University will confer degrees on eligible students upon fulfilment of graduation requirements and Senate approval, on three specified dates in each calendar year: 31 March, 31 July, and 15 October.

Graduation Certificate Issuance

For degrees conferred on 31 March and 31 July, the corresponding degree conferment date  will be printed on the degree certificates. For degrees conferred on 15 October, graduates will be have two options for the date printed on their certificates: (i) 15 October, or (ii) 15 November.  

Graduation Assessment: Requirements and Timeline

Degrees are conferred following the completion of the graduation assessment. Therefore, students are reminded to plan their studies carefully and ensure they fulfill all graduation requirements by the end of the specified academic term. Students should proactively follow up with the relevant Programme for any pending grades after the grade release date. For students with pending grades/documents/records at the time of graduation assessment (e.g. unit exemption applications, unresolved disciplinary actions, etc.), their degree conferment will be postponed to the next degree conferment date.

M.Phil. and Ph.D. students should also adhere to the timeline for declaring the intention to submit a thesis (i.e., at least four months before the actual submission), and for submitting their first draft. In particular, students are required to submit the final thesis by the specified deadline stipulated below to ensure their graduation is recognized intime for the corresponding degree conferment date.

Nearest Degree Conferment Date

In accordance with the University’s degree conferment arrangement, once a student has fulfilled all graduation requirements, the nearest degree conferment date in the relevant academic year concerned will be considered the default degree conferment date.

Graduation certificates will be dated with the corresponding degree conferment date. For degrees conferred on 15 October, students may choose either 15 October or 15 November as the date to be printed on their graduation certificates.

One-time Application for Changing the Conferment Date for Taught Postgraduate Students (New)

While students are expected to graduate on the nearest conferment date upon fulfilling graduation requirements and receiving Senate approval, students in taught postgraduate programmes may apply for a one-time change to a different conferment date within the same calendar year. The available options are:

1. From 31 March to 31 July or 15 October; or

2. From 31 July to 15 October.

For degrees conferred on 15 October, students may further choose between 15 October or 15 November as the degree certificate printing date.

Please note that the one-time application is irrevocable. Therefore, students should ensure the accuracy of the information submitted, as no changes to the conferment date and degree certificate printing date will be allowed after submission. An administrative fee of RMB 500 will apply, regardless of whether the application is successful. No refunds will be issued under any circumstances. The application will be processed upon receipt of the completed application and proof of payment.

Students whose original degree conferment date is 15 October will receive an email from the programme asking for their choice of degree certificate printing date — either 15 October or 15 November.  No fee will apply in this case.   

Award Certificate Collection

Award certificates and e-certificates will be available only after the respective degree conferment dates.  For instance, for students whose degree is to be conferred on 31 July 2025, their degree certificates will be available for in-person collection from the Graduate School and accessible through the e-Certificate System starting 8 August 2025.  Graduates who wish to use the e-certificate service, please visit the e-Certification System website. An email regarding the collection arrangements will be sent to the respective graduates by the Graduate School or Programme in due course.

Certifying Letter by CUHK

As in previous years, CUHK will issue Certifying Letters upon request from graduates via the Graduate School. Details regarding the application process and collection procedure will be communicated via Email by the Graduate School.