Graduation

2025 ceremony:

Thursday 3rd April

Get ready for the best and last day at MDS

Everything you need to know in preparation for the ceremony:

Registration: Those eligible to graduate will receive an official invitation to their personal email account with a link to register the week of February 24th 2025 (exact date TBC). Registrations will close Sunday, March 23rd 2025 at 11:59pm (NZST). Under no circumstances can we accept late registrations. Please contact events@mediadesignschool.com with any inquiries.

2025 graduation will have two ceremonies: one at 11am and one at 5pm. Please see below for your programme's ceremony time:

11am	5pm
New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media and Design (DMD)	Bachelor of Art and Design (3D Animation & VFX)
Digital Creativity Foundation Programme	Bachelor of Media Design
Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art)	Graduate Diploma of Creative Advertising
Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming)	Graduate Diploma of Creative Technologies
Bachelor of Software Engineering: Artificial Intelligence
Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Transformation
Postgraduate Certificate in Design
Postgraduate Diploma in Design
Master of Design

Tickets: Each graduate will receive 2x complimentary tickets. Additional guest tickets will become available once registrations close only if more seating is available.

Gowning: A link to order Academic Regalia will be provided in the invitation email, which you will be expected to bring to wear to the ceremony. It will be your responsibility to return it.

Photography: A link to pre-book a session with the photographer will be provided in the invitation email.

Photography includes:

♦ Mini Portrait Sessions; Including 1 individual and 2 family photographs, 2-3 minutes long. Drop-ins on the day are welcome, however preference is given to bookings and are subject to availability.

♦ Stage photographs - no booking required

Event guide: You will receive your pre-event guide 1 week and 1 day before via email.

The event guide for the day will be sent after the RSVPs have closed. However, the usual routine for the day is:

Registration: Graduating students and guests may register at this stage, however guests will need to wait until after rehearsal to enter the theatre. Registrations begin 1 hour & 15 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Gowning: You are expected to bring your regalia to wear to the ceremony. Academic Dress Hire will be there on the day to offer assistance, or extra regalia if needed. If you did not purchase regalia ahead of time, you will need to purchase it on the day.

Coat check: All graduating students are required to leave any belongings with friends, family or in the coat check. To prevent accidents while students walk up to the stage, only mobile phones are allowed to be held during the ceremony.

Rehearsal: After registering, all students are required to go to the theatre where important information about the ceremony will be provided. No guests are allowed in the theatre at this time.

Guest entry: After rehearsal has finished all guests are allowed to enter the theatre and take their seats. There are no allocated seats. If your guest(s) require wheelchair or special access requirements, please let us know in advance so we can offer them assistance on the day.

Ceremony: The ceremony will take about 1.5 hours. Out of respect to your fellow graduating students, we ask that all attendees please stay in the theatre until the end of the ceremony.

Light refreshments and photography: After the ceremony, complimentary drinks and canapés will be provided in the foyer to graduates and their guests.

A professional photographer will be available before and after the ceremony in the foyer.

Where do I purchase my Graduation’s professional photos?

Professional photos from the graduation ceremony will be available the week after the event. You’ll receive an email with a link to view and purchase your photos directly.

Where can I request copies of my academic documents?

Email studentadmin@mediadesignschool.com for copies of your academic documents.

Graduation Merch

Pre-Orders for 2024 Graduation Merch have now closed.

2025 pre-orders will begin mid-February.

FAQ

How many guest tickets do I get?

How do I change my name on my graduation certificate?

How can I travel to the theatre?

Where can I park on the day?

Where can I purchase my graduation photos?

Who can I ask for further assistance?

Terms & Conditions

Photo Gallery

A few snaps from the 2024 Graduation

April 2024 Graduation Livestream

Thank you to everyone to the graduates, friends and family who made this years Graduation an incredible experience. Watch the entire livestream below, or on our youtube channel here.