Q1. What is the difference between degree conferment and the Congregation?

Answer: With effect from the academic year 2021-22, degree conferment will be decoupled from the Congregation/Graduation ceremonies in December/November.

There will be three specified dates in a calendar year for conferment of applicable Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees awarded by the University, namely 31 March, 31 July, and 15 October. The dates to be printed on the graduate certificates will correspond to the three degree conferment dates on 31 March, 31 July and 15 October, except for degrees conferred on 15 October, graduates will be given two options regarding the dates to be printed on their graduate certificates: (i) 15 October; and (ii) 15 November. 

Under this new arrangement, students who have fulfilled all graduation requirements will have their degree conferred at an earlier date, which will facilitate their further studies or employment needs.

Q2. Where can I get more information about the Congregation?

Answer: News about the University Congregation ceremonies are available from the website at https://cong.cuhk.edu.hk/ .

Q3. How can I choose my preferred degree conferment date?

Answer: From the 2024-25 academic year onwards, graduands will not have a choice of the degree conferment date. Once a student satisfies all graduation requirements, the nearest degree conferment date in the year concerned will be taken as the default degree conferment date.

Students’ graduation certificates will be dated the corresponding dates, except for degrees conferred on 15 October, where students can choose either 15 October or 15 November as the date to be printed on their graduation certificates, in which case Graduate Divisions will assist with organizing the lists.

Q.4 How is the graduation process triggered?

Answer: Once students fulfill all graduation requirements (i.e. after release of grades for all courses taken and/or submission of a final thesis), a graduation assessment will be conducted. Details of the graduate process can be found at https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/page/Graduation#G1.

Q5. I’m expecting to graduate in this academic year, can I choose to be conferred the degree in the next academic year?

Answer: No, once a student has satisfied all graduation requirements, the nearest degree conferment date in the year concerned will be taken as the default degree conferment date.